Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 160684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
Wow. She was so kind.
“Lucy,” Grady snapped.
“Yes, sir?” Lucy simpered.
“That was uncalled for.”
“I don’t know what you mean. I was only trying to help.”
Chardonnay snorted. “And my man has a small dick and doesn’t know how to use it.”
“Take it he’s well-endowed and knows how to use it?” Effie asked with a grin.
“Oh yeah, he sure does. And even if he wasn’t big, it wouldn’t matter. Because he’s all about making me come first.”
“Total keeper,” Effie replied. She managed to half-lift her arm to fist-bump Chardonnay.
Ouch. That hurt.
“Careful,” Grady snapped. “That’s hurting her.”
“Sorry, babe,” Chardonnay said with a wince. “How about I help you?”
She reached down to grab Effie’s arm.
“No, wait!” Effie said.
But before she could grab at her, Grady moved. He did it quickly and without hesitation. Suddenly, she was in his arms, and then he was walking toward the back of the stage.
“That’s seriously hot,” she whispered.
“A man carrying you?”
“Well, yeah. You must work out because I’m not exactly a lightweight.”
He shook his head. “You better not let Steele hear you talk like that.”
“Like what?”
“Putting yourself down. It’s something he’s not a fan of in women. Something I’m finding I’m not a fan of either.”
Meaning neither of them were fans of her. Right. She got it.
She bit her lip as Chardonnay rushed ahead of them.
“Sorry,” she told him. Even though she wasn’t quite sure why she was saying it.
“Stop chewing your lip.”
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“And stop saying sorry.”
“Is there anything you do like about me?” she asked with exasperation.
“Don’t really know you, sweetheart.”
“And yet you think you get to boss me around.”
“I’m not the bossy one. I leave that up to Steele.”
“You could have fooled me,” she muttered. If Damon Steele was bossier than this guy, then it was probably good he wasn’t here.
“I’ll open the dressing room door,” Chardonnay said.
“We’re going to my office,” Grady stated.
Chardonnay stopped and turned to stare at them. “What?”
“We are going to my office,” he repeated in a low, calm voice. But one that didn’t invite the other woman to argue with him.
“Why’re we going to your office?” she asked.
“Because that’s where I want to go.”
“Do you always get your own way?” She was guessing yes.
“Most of the time.”
She sighed. “That must be nice. I rarely get my own way.”
“It is nice.”
“I can only imagine.”
3
Grady carried her into an office. It was pretty bare. It didn’t really match the well-dressed, gorgeous, confident man holding her.
“Can I get you something? Ice? Heating pad?” Chardonnay asked as Grady lowered her onto an old leather chesterfield sofa with some cracks in the material.
Yeah. It had definitely seen better days. As had the beaten-up wooden desk in the middle of the room and the old shelves along the back wall.
“I’m good,” she replied. “But could you please get my stuff for me?”
She was really feeling the urge to run. Well, not that she could actually run. But getting out of here was high on her priority list.
And she wanted to get out of here about twenty minutes ago. Before she’d gotten up on that stage and made a fool of herself.
Her feet were aching from her stupid shoes. But the worst pain was in her back which hadn’t stopped spasming.
“Sure thing!” Chardonnay ran off, which was quite a feat in her high shoes.
Effie remembered what it was like to wear high heels. She could move in them even better than Chardonnay.
Before.
“Right. Now, tell me what you really need. Shall I get a doctor in here?” Grady asked.
“Um, pretty sure doctors don’t make house calls unless you’re like the queen or something.”
“They do if you pay them enough.”
Wow. “You shouldn’t be paying them to come in for a simple back spasm. I’m fine.”
“You keep saying that, sweetheart. But I don’t believe it. And I don’t like people lying to me.”
“Let me guess, Mr. Steele likes it even less.”
His lips twitched. “You catch on quick.”
“Not always,” she muttered.
He gave her a curious look. This man was sharp. Way too smart for her.
A knock on the door had her stiffening and she had to swallow a gasp of pain. Grady didn’t look happy at the noise she made. He looked even less pleased as he glared over at the door.
“Who is it?”
“Oh, Thomas, it’s just me.” The door opened and there she stood. Lucy.
Awesome.
“Don’t call me Thomas,” Grady replied sharply.
Ouch. She’d probably slink away and cry if he ever used that voice on her.
“Sorry, Grady.”
“Mr. Grady,” he said.
“Mr. Grady.” This time, Lucy’s voice was harsh. It seemed like it wasn’t as easy for her to hold on to the sweet act when he wasn’t buying it.
“Right. What do you want, Lucy?”
“Everyone is waiting for you. What do you want me to do?”
“Send them home and tell them we’ll be in contact,” Mr. Grady replied.
“I think they’ll want to hear from you. Plus, the alcohol rep just turned up and wants a word. I mean, she’s not too badly injured, right?” Lucy stared down at her with mock sympathy.