Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24257 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 97(@250wpm)___ 81(@300wpm)
There’s a long pause, and for a moment I wonder if we’ve been disconnected. Then Jenny’s voice comes back on, sounding completely thunderstruck.
“Hunter. Martin. Hunter freaking Martin?”
My brow furrows. “Uh… yeah?”
“Wow. I mean, just… wow, Frankie. I never would have… I mean, I heard he might be coming, but I didn’t realize-”
“Wait, why?” I ask, cutting her off. “What are you talking about?”
“He’s, like, famous,” Jenny breathes, her tone becoming conspiratorial. “He’s one of the youngest billionaires in the country. Owns his own business, and I’ve heard he’s really into the party scene. If you get my drift.”
“Did you say billionaire?” I ask incredulously.
“Yeah. He’s got his own business empire.”
“Well,” I say slowly, “I guess that would explain the Maserati.”
“The what?”
I rub the back of my neck sheepishly. “He gave me a ride home,” I reply. “He was really nice, actually.”
“OMG,” Jenny gushes, “I’m a little jealous.”
“Don’t be,” I reply quickly. “It’s not like I’m going to see him again, anyway.”
But my friend clucks on the other side of the line.
“I wouldn’t be so sure, Franks. You met a billionaire and had a good time with him. Don’t underestimate yourself because you’re gorgeous and these parties often turn out different than you think.”
I make nay-saying noises, but my heart races in my chest. Could Jenny be right? Could billionaire business mogul Hunter Martin possibly want to see me again? I hope she’s right because suddenly, I desperately want to see him once more.
4
Hunter
I sleep in the next morning, not feeling motivated to get up and do much. The rest of my night was nice, sure, but nothing compared to the time I spent with Frankie. I always make sure my dates get home safe, especially the ones I meet at parties, so I offered Frankie a ride home, which she gladly accepted.
She looked like she had stars in her eyes the whole way, and it made me feel good. It made me feel like I was being truly seen for the first time, and to be honest, I’m not used to girls looking at me like that. Usually the ones I hook up with are the adventurous type, and it’s a double-edged sword. They’re down for anything, but these girls have also been everywhere, if you know what I mean. Plus, up until last night, I had never been with a virgin. It was new territory for me too, in a sense, and as I kissed Frankie goodnight, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret that I probably wouldn’t see her again.
But I would be naive to expect anything else. That’s how things work in this scene, and I know that better than anyone.
Dad pokes his head in once or twice to make sure I’m alive. I can’t blame him; I guess in his eyes I’ll always be his kid, even if I’m in charge of a business empire and living on my own now. I think maybe it’s the fact that I’m back home for the summer, sleeping in my old bed. There’s a nostalgia to it.
Eventually I throw my sheets off and get up, but that doesn’t happen until after noon. I’m always tired the night after, and I went hard with the curvy girl. Thinking back, I’m a little surprised Frankie was able to keep up with me. I finger comb my hair and pull on some clothes before heading downstairs to catch up on emails and orders - the boring business stuff that no one talks about. That’s the downside to being in the position I’m in: there’s no getting away from the work, even when I’m on vacation.
I’m not hungover, and this is the type of busy work that I would normally be able to get done in a flash, so I’m a little surprised when I look up at the living room clock to see that it’s almost two p.m., and I haven’t even finished reading my emails yet. My mind just isn’t in it. I keep thinking back to the way Frankie’s body felt beneath mine: so soft, so perfect, almost like we were made for each other. The way her silky brown hair felt in my hands, the way I got lost in her dark eyes, as shiny and dark as oceans…
What the hell is wrong with me?
I’m seriously losing it, but the rest of the day is like that. Work that would normally be a breeze feels like a slog. The more I try to put Frankie out of my mind, the more she comes creeping back in. There’s no escaping it. Eventually I decide to throw in the towel, closing my laptop and heading to the kitchen to find a snack.
I have the refrigerator door halfway open when my dad George strides into the kitchen, dressed in a dapper suit.