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 better,” he says, looking at me. “Because I don’t have one without her. I can’t lose her again.”
It’s then, in his intensity, that I know he knows something I don’t know but there isn’t time for me to ask. I have to get to the office and into the snake’s den. I have to get to my meeting with Ri.
Chapter thirty-six
Grayson
The past, two years ago
Ipull the Porsche to the front of the gallery where the annual children’s hospital charity event is taking place with Mia in the seat next to me. “Oh my God, I’m nervous,” she murmurs.
I grab her hand and kiss it. “You have no reason to be nervous.”
“It’s our first public outing,” she argues. “And your father is going to be here. He wasn’t supposed to be here.”
The valets try to open the doors but I leave them locked, focused on Mia. “My father loves you.”
“He and I had the coffee shop encounter. That’s all. He went out of the country right after he talked to me that day. And he wasn’t supposed to be here tonight,” she repeats.
“You’re here and on my arm. We’re doing what he suggested. Owning our relationship. He was motivated to show up.”
She turns to me. “The entire staff will know I’m fucking you.”
I laugh. “Well since you’re living with me, I think that, yes, they will assume that we’re fucking.”
“Are we really telling them I moved in with you?”
“Baby, we’ve been together six months and you haven’t stayed at your place since. I’m in love with you, Mia. You’re in love with me. It’s time to stop hiding.” The valet knocks on the window. “We need to get out. We’re blocking the drive. I’ll come around to get you.” I hesitate. “Or we can leave. If you don’t want—”
“No. I do. I don’t want to hide. I’m established enough at work. I love you. Let’s do this.” She turns toward the door and I hit the locks. I step out of the car and hand the valet a large bill that shifts his scowl to a smile.
I round the vehicle and do the same for the guy on Mia’s side and then I take her hand, walking her to me, and to the sidewalk just outside the door and behind a pillar. “You look beautiful,” I say, giving her curves in a flesh tone, sparkling, knee-length gown a once-over. “Get used to spending my money. It looks good on you.”
“I don’t have to. You do it for both of us. You had a dozen gowns delivered, Grayson. That’s excessive.”
“You wouldn’t shop. I didn’t know what you’d like, but for the record, this was the one I wanted you to wear.”
“I don’t ever want you to think I care about the money.”
“You can’t live life with me and keep fighting the money, baby. I have it. I damn sure don’t want to spend it alone.”
“I know, but—”
I lean in and kiss her. “We don’t argue unless we’re naked, remember?”
“You win all those arguments.”
“That’s the idea.” I wink. “Come, baby.” I slide her arm to my elbow. “Let’s go donate some money to charity and tell the world we’re in love.”
She catches my arm. “Are you sure you love me enough to do this? Because I can’t risk my career if you don’t really love me.”
“Where did that just come from?” I cup her face. “I love you like I didn’t think I could love, but if you don’t love me enough to—”
“I do. You know I do.”
“Then we’re going now. Stop thinking so much.” I pull her under my arm, sheltering her with my body and making sure she knows how completely I’m claiming her.
We enter the gallery and we’re greeted at the door by a hostess who directs us toward one of the event rooms. We travel the long walkway and I slide our fingers together right as Mitch, Mia’s direct supervisor, walks out of the room we’re about to enter. He stops dead in his tracks, looking stunned. “What is happening?”
“I asked to meet with you for the past three days,” Mia says. “I wanted to warn you.”
He looks at Grayson. “I—what does this mean?”
“It means we live together, we’re in love, and Mia gets no special treatment.”
“I don’t want it,” she says. “I think I’ve proven I’m good at my job. I’ll continue to prove that I’m good at my job.”
I fix him in a stare. “You can continue to be an asshole and ignore your employee’s request for a meeting for three days if you like, though that’s not a behavior I personally practice. I believe you’ve gotten a meeting with me immediately each time you’ve asked.”
“I have,” Mitch says, glancing at me. “I’m sorry, Mia, and I’m not saying that because you’re with Grayson. I was a shit to put you off.” He looks at Grayson. “I’m having trouble with a case. I might need your counsel.”