Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41351 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 207(@200wpm)___ 165(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41351 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 207(@200wpm)___ 165(@250wpm)___ 138(@300wpm)
It was clear she’d been set up. She was sure Megan, the hopeless romantic she was, meant well, but Riley was not ready for a confrontation with her ex. Yet, she found herself staring at him again and the woman at his side.
He’d bought a date!
Ethan tilted his head as an elegant brunette who was nearly as tall as him, whispered something in his ear. Her heart started to beat erratically and a wave of nausea made her stomach flip.
Galvanized into action, she backed away slowly at first and then turned on her heel to hurry out of the room. Unfortunately her execution of a smooth exit didn’t quite work out. She collided with what felt like a brick wall.
She turned to see a tall, massive figure standing before her. “Oh, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t looking where I was going.
A pair of strong hands caught her by the arms before she could fall over. She looked up at the big bear of a man. He smiled. “Don’t worry. I’ve got you. What’s the hurry, little lady?”
“Um, I just need to get my coat and leave.”
“So soon? The party is just beginning. Stay for a while and have a drink on me.” He winked at her.
She laughed. “Wow, that’s awful magnanimous of you considering there’s an open bar.”
His smile broadened as he held his hand out to her. Though a full beard covered half his face, he was still quite attractive with friendly blue eyes and dark blond waves that fell past his collar. “Elliot.”
Riley took the offered hand and shook it. “Riley. Nice to meet you.”
“Are you a friend of the bride or groom to be?”
“The bride. Elliot, I don’t mean to be rude, but I really need to get out of here.”
He frowned making his disappointment evident. “Do you really have to go or do you not want to talk to me?”
Riley sighed. She owed this man no explanation but she wanted to avoid a scene if possible. “It has nothing to do with you.” She briefly glanced over her shoulder to see Ethan had moved across the room to great his sister and her fiancé. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this, but someone just arrived who I’d rather not run into. If I can get my coat quickly, I have a chance of getting out of here without him noticing me.”
“Say no more. I know a way out back. Let’s collect your coat and head out.”
She lifted a brow at his assumption. “We?”
“You did say you’d have coffee with me, didn’t you?”
It was an original approach if nothing else. Responding to his quirky sense of humor, she giggled. “Sure. Why not? But I’d like to be upfront by saying I’m not looking for anything serious or short term.”
His lips twisted momentarily and she couldn’t exactly tell what he was thinking. “I’m not asking for your hand in marriage, Riley. Just coffee.”
Duly chastened she nodded. “I’m sorry, I tend to overreact.”
“No need to explain. Let’s go.
Elliot gently grasped her elbow and led Riley to the sitting room where Megan had placed the guests’ coats. Once they had their belongings, Elliot guided her toward the exit. Riley believed she was free and clear when she came face to face with the very person, she had been trying to escape. Two coats were slung over his arm, one being a woman’s so she could only assume he’d come back to put them away for him and his date.
Like a seasoned poker player, Ethan’s expression gave nothing away. Those bedroom eyes slid over her body, seeming not to miss an inch. The lazy perusal made Riley squirm in her stilettos. Without realizing what she was doing, she moved closer to Elliot, seeking refuge from that stare that still made her knees weak and her panties wet. When Elliot wrapped his arm around her waist she’d never been more grateful for anything in her life.
Ethan’s lips tightened momentarily before forming to a lazy smirk. He inclined his head forward. “Riley. It’s been a while. You look beautiful tonight.”
She licked her parched lips with the tip of her tongue. It had been seven years dammit. Why the hell did he still have the power to leave her tongue-tied after all this time? “Thank you,” Riley croaked the words. “You’re looking good yourself. Uh, well it was nice seeing you again, but Elliot and I have plans.” She would have walked away then but Ethan didn’t seem ready to let her.
He blocked her path. “Won’t you introduce me to your date?”
“He’s not—” she stopped herself before she could reveal too much. “Uh, this is, Elliot. Elliot, this is Ethan.”
Ethan shook the hand Elliot held out to him. “You look familiar, have we met?”
“I doubt it. Not unless you’re in the furniture business.”
“Ah, that’s where I’ve seen you. The furniture commercials. You’re the Furniture King. You have a nice little empire there. I believe my assistant has ordered items for the office from one of your warehouses.”