Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27448 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 110(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
“Hi, Luke,” she says in a sultry voice. “Long time no see, big guy.”
My mouth tightens into a straight line. “You’re not supposed to be here per the restraining order,” I growl. “Get off my property. Now.”
She fakes surprise.
“What? How can you talk that way to me?” Then she flutters her lashes, and I resist the urge to curl my lip in disgust. “I just happened to walk down the block, and here you were!” she pretends. “It’s a coincidence, nothing else.”
“Right,” I say. “Well, now you’ve seen me. Leave.”
Her eyes narrow into slits because she hates when I don’t play along with her.
“Okay, since you’re being so obstreperous, I’ll tell you why I’ve come today.” Then Jocelyn smooths her hands down her dress and clears her throat, licking her red lips in anticipation. My jaw clenches. She’s milking every second of this.
“I looked into your fiancée, Luke,” she purrs. “I knew you wouldn’t bother because you’re too busy, but until you understand that you and I are meant to be together, I suppose that I’ll have to be the one to check into your whores—”
My vision goes red.
“Don’t you ever call her that,” I snap. Jocelyn flinches because my rage is palpable, thrumming in the air between us. “I’m done here,” I bark, walking past her. “You better be gone by the time I get inside because I’m calling security.”
“But you can’t deny the truth because that’s what she is,” the blonde woman whines. “Is there a crime against telling the truth?”
I stop, another wave of cold falling over me. How could Jocelyn have discovered Patty’s true vocation? I asked City Girls to take down Patty’s profile from their website, but there are probably leaks all over Manhattan. I shake my head, suddenly unhappy. “You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I growl again.
This time, the blonde woman rushes to get in front of me, blocking my way into the building. “Oh, but I do! Your fiancée has a secret life that would humiliate your family if they found out. Fortunately for you,” she hisses, running her hands up my chest, “they don’t have to know. Why don’t you and I go back to your place to talk this out? You could treat me to wine and we could make love on the rug in front of your fireplace. I know you like it the back way, and I’ve been stretching myself out using plugs every night. It’ll be just like old times, big boy.”
Her proposition disgusts me, and my hands tighten into fists. “Jocelyn,” I growl, “There are no “old times.” Having a one night stand with you was the worst mistake I’ve ever made, and it’s something I will never do again. There is no ‘us.’” I step out of the woman’s reach and refuse to meet her eyes. “I have tried to be civil with you. I’ve even gone through judicial channels to get you to stay away from me, but now you’ve gone too far. You better prepare yourself for a fight.”
I push past the scrawny blonde and enter the building, ignoring her insane-sounding giggle. Then, I head to the security desk and give them Jocelyn’s description. I want her removed from the premises of Montgomery Holdings. And if they ever see her again, I want them to call the police because Jocelyn can’t threaten my family and expect to get away with it. I don’t care what she knows or how she found out about Patty, but I won’t let anyone demean my future wife.
The day passes quickly, and I even manage to forget about Jocelyn long enough to get some work done. But when I get home later that night, it all comes crashing back. I’m so fired up, in fact, that I decide to clean house. There’s a Persian rug in front of the fireplace that I’ve always hated, and I grab the thing, take it outside behind the penthouse and stuff it in a metal bucket. Then I set it on fire and watch it burn.
“Yikes,” Patty says, coming up behind me. “What did the rug ever do to you?”
I chuckle grimly and run a hand through my hair. “I always hated that thing. I thought now was as good a time as any to get rid of it.”
“Right.” She stands next to me, her shoulder brushing against my arm. “Maybe I should’ve brought marshmallows.”
I wrap my arm around her and hold her curvy form close. I’m thankful that Patty’s not asking any questions because right now, I don’t have the stomach to try and explain my encounter with Jocelyn. It would just upset both of us, and besides, I got rid of that witch.
“Do you have plans this weekend?” I ask in a light tone.
The pretty brunette laughs. “I don’t know, do I? You’re the captain of this ship, and I just go where you tell me to.”