Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
He nods, and I get out, watching the car pull away before I turn and walk into the banquet hall of the Four Seasons.
If it wasn’t for my father asking me to come, I wouldn’t even be here, but it’s hard to say no to a man who’s done so much for me and those around him. However, that doesn’t mean I’ll be staying all night. I’ll show my face, have a few drinks, socialize a little, and then I’ll go up to my room and drink until I pass out.
Pushing through the already crowded space, I’m greeted by many familiar faces. It takes way too much effort for me not to push them out of the way, so I can get to the bar, but somehow, by the grace of God, I manage. I smile, make small talk, and blow smoke up rich peoples’ asses, so they donate more money to my father’s charity. It’s what I’m good at, and what I’ll always do.
“Champagne?” A waiter offers as he stops beside me, holding a tray full of sparkling flutes. Taking one of the thin glasses in my fingers, I give him a slight nod. It’s not the whiskey I was hoping for, but this will do for now.
Downing the whole thing in one swallow, I listen to the chief of police talk about his son, who also attended Blackthorn. He’s an alumnus now, and apparently, married to some girl. When I can’t take the small talk any longer, I cut him off, politely, of course.
“Please, excuse me. I just spotted someone I need to have a word with,” I lie, pretending to be looking at someone behind him.
“Of course, we’ll catch up later. Tell your father I said hi, and that I’m sorry he couldn’t make it. Hopefully, he feels better soon.”
“Sure thing, and give Cameron and his new wife my congratulations,” I smile before turning around and heading toward the bar.
With my eyes trained on the whiskey sitting on the top shelf, I weave through the crowd. I’m so close to the bar, I can almost taste the amber liquid on my tongue. Picking up speed, I ignore my surroundings and focus on getting to the bar. Then like a damn apparition, a woman appears in front of me. With her back turned to me, she doesn’t even see me coming.
Fuck. Unable to come to a stop quick enough, I run directly into her, causing her to fall forward with a gasp. Out of instinct, and because I’m not a complete asshole, I circle her waist with an arm and pull her back into my chest to keep her from landing flat on her face.
I can’t help but notice how perfect her body fits against mine. Like a missing puzzle piece. She’s not short, but compared to my height and stature, she might as well be. The fact that I basically bulldozed her to the ground sparks my alpha tendencies.
Tiny, small, and clearly not with a man.
“Shit, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there. Are you okay?”
Twisting in my hold, the dark-haired beauty turns to look up at me. “It’s okay. I’m—” She stops mid-sentence, and I try not to gawk at the swell of her creamy smooth breasts, which are artfully pushed up by her dress. Gorgeous. Perfect. Forcing myself to look away, I move my eyes up her throat and stop on her face.
My mouth pops open as recognition sets in.
Holy shit. It’s… no way.
Daisy?
For a moment, I think my eyes are playing tricks on me. This can’t be her? She looks so different. Her glasses are gone, as are her braces. Her hair, her clothes, and even her face, it’s all so... different, normal, and though she is staring at me in shock, there is a calmness in her eyes that was never there before. Heat fills my chest as I peer down at her, my eyes lingering on her lips, the only thing I can think to do is kiss her. Kiss those pink lips until they’re swollen.
“Daisy…” I say her name out loud this time, half expecting her to tell me I’ve got the wrong person, but she just gives me a slight nod, confirming it is, in fact, her. A blush appears on her cheeks, and she seems embarrassed. The warmth in my chest moves outward through my limbs, and it feels like I’ve stuck my finger in a light socket. Opening her mouth to say something, she’s interrupted before she can even get a word out.
“Carter Davis?” A man I recognize quickly as Daisy’s father greets me. He’s a lawyer, or he used to be one. My father never liked him or his ways of so-called justice. Only when Daisy shoves at my hands, do I realize that I’ve been holding on to her hips this whole time.