Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 15980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
He slowly rubs circles on the back of my hand as we walk down the long hallway. “That was my grandfather’s youngest brother,” he explains. “He lost his wife a few years ago and let Jeanette the witch get her claws into his wallet.”
“Oh.” I follow him into a large conference room filled with paintings and other artwork. A large crystal chandelier lights up the middle of the room, casting rainbow beams across the stark white walls. I’m so caught up in the beauty of the art around us, I barely notice when someone walks up behind us.
“Hello, Harper.” Walter Smith, my former boss and the biggest creep on the planet, sneers at us, dragging my attention to him. I step back against Falcon, hoping to put as much distance between me and the jerk as possible. My skin crawls when he glares down at me.
As I look at him, I realize the last few weeks haven’t been good to my former boss. His grey business suit is wrinkled and ill-fitting. The jacket is a little too small to button, and his shirt collar is pulled tight across his thick neck. Ick. I notice his gross, scraggly, unkempt beard and barely resist shuddering. “I thought you didn’t mix business with pleasure, darling.” His slurred words and the smell of alcohol surrounding him tell me he’s had a few too many whiskeys tonight.
“Harper isn’t your goddamn darling, and she is picky about the men she chooses to spend time with.” All the conversations around us stop as the two men face off. “That’s why she wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole.” Ouch. I almost feel sorry for my former boss. Almost but not quite. While Walter is about fifty pounds heavier than Falcon, my caveman is several inches taller and way the heck more muscular.
“Asshole,” Walter growls and steps closer. “I’ll show you what she’ll touch.”
“Excuse me.” A tall, well-dressed man steps between the two angry men. “Is this man causing problems?” he asks Falcon while keeping an eye on Walter. When the newcomer turns to the side a little, I notice the earpiece in his left ear and figure he must be hotel security.
“He’s making rude and inappropriate comments to my girlfriend,” Falcon growls. “And I’d appreciate it if you remove him before I’m forced to take the matter into my own hands.” Wow. Seeing his powerful side definitely gets my inner hussy going.
“Sir, you need to come with me,” the security guard tells Walter and points to the door.
“Fucker. I’ll get you for this, Knightley,” my former boss hisses, but two more security guards walk over and help the first man. “You won’t get away with this.” He’s so pathetic that I almost feel sorry for him.
Falcon drags me behind him before turning back to my former boss. “I already did,” he calmly informs Walter. “If you ever come near Harper again, I’ll make sure you pay.”
“I’m not fucking scared of you.” Walter really doesn’t know when to give up, and I get over my sympathy for him when he adds, “I hope the little whore takes you for everything you have.”
This jerk! The insult raises my hackles, and I’m tempted to slap the smirk off his face when Falcon lets out a roar and grabs Walter by the collar. He picks the shorter man up and gives him a hard shake. “I warned you, dickhead.”
Anger pours off Falcon in waves as he shoves Walter away. Luckily, the first security guard grabs Walter by the arm and drags him toward the door. “We’ll take care of him from here.”
Falcon steps back and glares as the three security guards make quick work of removing my jerk ex-boss.
Once they disappear from sight, I turn and wrap my arms around Falcon’s waist. “I can’t believe he had the nerve to approach us.”
“I can.” Falcon runs his hand up and down my back soothingly. “He’s the scum of the earth.” Then he takes a deep breath and smiles down at me. “I refuse to let him ruin our night. Why don’t we check out the art and decide what we’re going to bid on.”
It feels like forever before the night comes to an end. After helping me into his small sports car, Falcon slides into the driver’s seat. “I’m sorry about the shit with Walter Smith.”
“You didn’t do anything wrong.” I can’t believe I ever worked for that jerk. Thank God Bender stepped in and gave me an out before things got any worse.
I sit back and rest my head against the headrest. “Are you tired?” Falcon glances over at me before reaching for my hand. He brings it to his lips and runs his tongue along my knuckles, causing goosebumps to erupt all over my body. I squirm in the seat, wondering if he can drive any faster.