Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
The name barely registered in Tassy's mind, her attention having shifted back to the entrance of their building, where Fontana had just emerged with her trendy entourage, their laughter cutting through the afternoon air.
Fontana, meanwhile, had also caught sight of the electric SUV across the street, and her perfectly manicured hand flew to her throat in recognition when she saw who had stepped out of the car.
Was that Lucius Young?
His presence stirred everyone into a frenzy, and even her own friends looked awestruck.
Perfect.
Fontana tossed her honey-blonde hair over her shoulders, saying loudly enough to be overheard, "He's probably here to see me."
"Oh my gosh, girl. You know Lucius Young?" One of her friends clutched her arm, practically vibrating with excitement.
The answer to that would be no, but what other reason was there? She was the only heiress around here while everyone else (her friends included) was horribly middle-class. He had probably seen one of her photos on Instagram and was instantly captivated. It happened all the time, so this was nothing new.
Fontana moved forward with the confidence of someone who had never been told no, but just as her crimson-colored lips curved into a practiced smile as they came face to face, the billionaire simply strode past her as if she were invisible.
What the hell?
Fontana fumed in outrage, turning around to see who the billionaire intended to meet. This was so embarrassing, but she told herself she could keep faking it until she had him eating out of her...what the fucking hell?
Her body started shaking with a mixture of rage and disbelief as she watched Lucius come to a stop before the very last woman on earth who should have anything to do with him.
Tassy jumped when someone suddenly cupped her elbow from behind. Her lips parted in surprise, but before she could react, she found herself looking up into a pair of familiar copper eyes. Her husband had appeared by her side, the cologne-scented heat of his presence enveloping her senses, and she belatedly realized what the frenzy of excitement around her was all about.
Lucius slowly bent his head, his breath warm against her ear, and her body burst into flames as he whispered, "You've been a very bad girl, wife."
Tassy's knees knocked together, her head spinning.
Oh my gosh.
Had he just called her...wife?
No, actually, he'd done more than that. He hadn't just said it. He'd purred the word, and it was just so...wait.
Did he also just say she was a...bad girl?
Tassy's mystified gaze flew up to his, but his coppery eyes only glinted back at her, dark and dangerous. "Didn't I warn you about how possessive I am? And how easily jealous I get?"
She nodded vehemently. Yes, he had, but—
"Then why," he continued, voice dropping to a silky murmur that sent shivers racing down her spine, "did you instruct Jacob to drop you off two blocks away from your workplace and pick you up at the same place? Are you trying to hide the fact that you're married to me?"
Someone gasped behind them, and Tassy's eyes widened as she realized Stella had heard what Lucius said.
Oh dear.
She turned to her friend with a nervous smile. "So, um..." Her voice faltered, her mind suddenly flooded with memories of the past. What if Lucius was even worse than Xylan? What if he also looked down—
"You must be Stella," Lucius said smoothly, his tone effortlessly charming as he extended his hand. "My wife has told me all about you. I understand you've been friends since high school."
Tassy could only watch in a daze as her normally aloof husband charmed the socks off Stella, who was usually not that easy to impress.
"I hope you'll join us for dinner this weekend, and I'll make sure to send a car."
Stella was flustered at having the red carpet rolled out for her. "Oh, but—"
"You're my wife's closest friend," Lucius interrupted gently but firmly. "Your safety is my priority as well." His gaze dropped deliberately to the healing cut on Stella's cheek, and it was then the two women realized what had prompted Lucius to make his offer.
Tassy found herself blinking back tears when her husband also insisted that Stella save the number of his security chief.
"Day or night," he added, his voice dropping to ensure only the two women could hear. "No questions asked."
Tassy couldn't believe how different Lucius was from Xylan. Her ex had known Stella for years, but not once had he cared to ask why Tassy's friend occasionally sported ill-concealed bruises on her face. In fact, the less he had to do with Stella, the better for Xylan, who didn't want to be seen being friends with someone who cleaned for a living.
And yet her husband, on the other hand...
Lucius had known Stella for all of five minutes, but he had known exactly what Tassy's friend needed and offered it without hesitation.