Total pages in book: 139
Estimated words: 133321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 667(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133321 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 667(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
“You did what?”
“I called out your name and since I was dreaming about the funeral, after the funeral, actually, the last time we were together, it wasn’t in anger, but passion.”
He’s still, so very still, before he says, “And what did he do?”
“He was furious and then he grabbed me and tried to force himself on me. He told me he’d make me forget you.”
Grayson’s hands come down on my arms and he pulls me to him. “Did he force himself on you? Because if he did, I’ll kill him.”
He speaks those words with such guttural anger that I believe him. My hand settles on his chest, his heart racing beneath my palm. “I gave him a knee so damn hard, I doubt he walked right for a week.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good enough punishment.”
“He didn’t touch me again. He got the point. Grayson, I should never have gone to him at all. He wanted what was yours and I knew that and even though he couldn’t have me, at least, to him, you thought he did. Now, I left him and he’s lashing out. I did this. I did this to you and I’m so sorry. You have to let me help. I don’t want to go near that man, but I need you to understand that I’ll do it for you.”
“Going back to him is like sticking another knife in my heart, Mia. You will not go back to him. Do you understand me?”
“If it protects you, I will.”
“You will not. That’s not up for debate.”
“You don’t get to decide.”
He turns me and pins me between himself and the counter, his powerful legs caging mine, his hands on my waist. “On this,” he says. “Watch me. I’m not letting you go back to him. Even if I have to do what I should have done before and tie you to my damn bed until you listen to reason. One of my biggest regrets is not doing that a year ago, so I damn sure will do it now.”
Chapter seven
Mia
“Grayson—” I say, determined to make him listen.
“Don’t,” he says. “I know you still know that look and that plea on your lips makes me give in, but not this time. Not when it comes to you and Ri.”
“I’m here because I caused this, because I care. You don’t have to tie me to your bed. I’m staying. I’m not leaving. Please, just tell me you’ll hear me out.”
“Quid pro quo. I hear you out. You hear me out.”
We’re going down this path of the past. I can’t stop it from happening. I’m not sure, if I’m honest with myself or him, that I want to stop it. “On one condition. We deal with us after him because I don’t want either of us letting the past get in the way of shutting Ri down.”
“Then we operate just like we did at the funeral. Nothing is off limits.”
“Grayson—”
He cups my face and kisses me, a deep slide of tongue that has me biting back a moan. “God, I missed kissing you.”
I missed it too, so very much, but I don’t say that to him. I can’t.
He rests his forehead against mine. “I need to go talk to Eric and Davis.”
“Yes,” I agree, pressing on his chest and forcing him to look at me, “you do. Be open-minded to what they say. I want to help.”
“You have. You’ve motivated me to destroy him once and for all.”
His voice is hard, the glint in his eye pure evil genius that actually comforts me. You don’t beat Grayson Bennett when he’s in this state of mind, but that also means he won’t listen to reason on my influence over Ri. “I just packaged a convention center deal in Japan. There are a few legal issues on that project that are time-sensitive. I have to deal with that today. I have no choice.”
“A convention center. Wow. That’s huge.”
“It is. It’s going to double our worth.”
And make Ri hate him all the more. “I’m not going anywhere, Grayson. Take care of your business. Just make sure Ri is part of that business.”
He presses his hands on the island on either side of me. “You didn’t cause his attack, Mia. I did. I let this misunderstanding between us go on too long, but no more.” He pushes off the counter. “Do you have a bag in the car?”
“Yes. I was afraid I couldn’t get to you tonight.”
He studies me a long moment. “I’ll get your bag.” He starts to move away.
I catch his arm. “It’s light. I’ll get it. You go take care of business.”
“Take it to my room. That’s part of the deal. We put the past on hold.”
My lashes lower and he cups my face. “Mia. Look at me.”
I open my eyes. “My room,” he says.