Total pages in book: 171
Estimated words: 162003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 810(@200wpm)___ 648(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 162003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 810(@200wpm)___ 648(@250wpm)___ 540(@300wpm)
The club was cordoned off into separate areas that included a cigar bar and a curtained area called the dark room. I didn’t even want to guess what was behind that one and was grateful when Ryland led me straight past it.
Every pair of eyes in the room fell on us as we walked by, and my skin burned under the weight of their shrewd appraisals. Curt nods were given by other men I assumed were business associates. But it was the women that I noticed. While Ryland’s place in society was always present in the back of my mind, it was easy to forget when he was with me. But here now, in this room where women looked at him as though he were a piece of meat, I couldn’t forget. They blushed from head to toe if Ryland even deigned to smile at them as we walked by.
My body grew tight, and I wanted to ask him why he’d ever brought me to such a place. It was clear not only to me but to everyone else in here I didn’t belong.
“All of their eyes are on you,” he remarked.
I met the inappropriate gaze of several women as they sized him up and tightened my grip on his hand. Suddenly I found myself feeling very possessive of him.
Ryland’s eyes danced with amusement as he leaned down to whisper in my ear.
“I like it when you’re greedy.”
I shot him a glare, and he led me to a podium in the back, where a woman with a classy black pant suit greeted us. At least she had the decency not to stare.
“Mr. Bennett, Miss Valentine, how lovely of you to join us this evening. I have a private room for you right this way.”
I arched a brow at Ryland as we followed behind her, hand in hand. She led us to a private lounge area that was completely enclosed in red velvet curtains.
She held them open as Ryland thanked her, pulling me inside along with him.
“I’ve set up the bar as per your request,” she finished off pleasantly. “Is there anything else I can get you, sir?”
“No, thank you,” He replied. “Just see that we’re not disturbed for the rest of the evening.”
She smiled and bowed out. “As you wish.”
Once the curtain closed, soft mood lighting and a sense of calm enveloped me. I settled onto the chaise against the wall, allowing my eyes to wander over the room while Ryland removed his jacket and tie.
Laid out on the table was an impressive spread of appetizers and desserts, complete with a chilled bottle of champagne. And even though we’d already eaten dinner, I couldn’t stop eyeing the chocolate confections that were temptingly within reach.
“You brought me here to have a private room with me?” I asked. “Doesn’t make much sense.”
“Doesn’t it?” He took a seat beside me and uncorked the champagne like a pro. “I wanted to take you out, but I also wanted to have some privacy. This seemed like a good compromise.”
I chewed on my lip as he poured each of us a glass of champagne. It was a nice gesture, but it was still out of character. And being the woman that I was, I couldn’t accept it without asking the nagging question that lingered in my mind.
“But why did you want to bring me here?” I emphasized.
His fingers flirted with the stem of his glass, distracting me for a moment. “What do you mean?”
“It’s a little over the top,” I said quietly. “It seems like a big romantic gesture. Something a man would do for his girlfriend, not his… well, whatever we are.”
He leaned back and stretched his arm across the chaise to tease the skin along my neck. “You are my girlfriend.”
“Am I?” I asked in confusion. “Because I don’t think we’ve ever established that.”
“It was implied,” he argued. “When I say that you belong to me Brighton, it isn’t for show.”
“It was implied we had an agreement,” I said. “Not a relationship.”
Ryland frowned as he sat back and mulled over my words. “I can see how you might think that. But in my mind, there has never been any question.”
“Well, there has to be a question,” I persisted. “You never even asked me, Ryland. You assuming doesn’t make it so. You haven’t even told me how you feel about me.”
Ryland leaned forward and tugged me into his lap. “Is that what this is about? You want to know how I feel about you?”
I shrugged like it didn’t really matter. We both knew that it did, though.
“The last thing you said on the subject wasn’t exactly nice.”
There was a long pause of silence that threatened to swallow me whole. Ryland continued to touch me, stroking my back and kissing my neck. And despite my need for his assurances, my body was melting beneath his hands. He knew it too, this power he held over me.