Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 62056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62056 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 207(@300wpm)
"It is."
"And a second chance is like...another life."
Rashad's forehead creases. "I suppose."
"So..." I look at him from under my lashes. "Does this mean you'll let me eat you now?"
Say yes, say yes, say yes!
But the car has slowed down to a stop before he can even answer, and an almost-smirk curves over his lips when I look at him in unconcealed dismay.
"To be continued," he says mockingly as he helps me out of the car.
Chapter Eight
I'm still pouting like a spoiled little brat as Rashad leads me inside Grandpa's favorite steakhouse, but I forget what I'm sulking about when I see the way other women have started ogling my man.
Grrr!
Rashad's steps come into an abrupt halt when I fall against his side. "Madeleine?" Concern makes his accent more pronounced, and I mentally file this under Top Adorable Things About Mr. Mine.
"Are you alright?"
I can practically hear the women around us grinding their teeth in envy at the way Rashad gently tips my chin up, and it's a real struggle not to succumb to the temptation of meeting all of their gazes just so I can say once and for all—-
Rashad is Mr. Mine because he's mine so hands off, girls!
Oh, if only.
But I obviously can't, and so I do the next best thing and gesture to my ankle with a pained look. "I think I twisted it." I look up at him with my lower lip out. "Can you carry me to Grandpa's table?"
Rashad swings me up in his arms, but just as I hide my smile in the crook of his neck, he then murmurs straight to my ear, "I know you're faking it."
A giggle escapes me, but I'm still determined to maintain my innocence. "No comment."
Everyone we walk past ends up looking at us, and most of the women appear vexed and envious. They obviously don't get why an ordinary girl like me has ended up with someone like Rashad, and while I don't get it either—-
There's at least one person in this place who thinks Rashad and I make a great pair, and obviously it's none other than the old man himself.
Grandpa Paco has the biggest grin on his face as he watches Rashad carefully lowering me to a chair. You'd think he's won the lottery or something, but—-oh!
I was wondering earlier why the old man was being so weirdly nice to Rashad, and my suspicion only grows when Grandpa Paco engages Rashad in shop talk as soon as he takes his seat.
"Ahem."
I wait until both men are looking at me before shaking my head at my grandfather.
"You can drop the act now, Grandpa."
The old man immediately starts blustering. "What act?"
"So not fooling anyone."
"Bah! I'm not trying to fool anyone—-"
But the way he's unable to meet my eyes says otherwise.
"You're usually rude to any guy I introduce you to—-"
"So?" Grandpa Paco's defensive tone only convinces me that I'm on to something. "It's simply my way of testing them and making sure they're no fortune hunter—-"
"Bingo!" I give my grandfather a smug look. "That's why you've been so unbelievably nice to Rashad, isn't it? Because you know he's super rich, and so you don't have to worry about him having any ulterior motives for dating me."
I wait for Grandpa Paco to admit that I've nailed it perfectly on the head, but my elation somewhat fades when I see that his expression has turned enigmatic once again.
"Grandpa?"
The old man glances at Rashad, and when I look at him as well, I'm stunned to see the rather grim set of his jaw.
"Rashad?"
Why do I have a feeling like I'm missing something?
"I have something to tell you."
And why does Mr. Mine sound so tense all of a sudden?
"The truth is—-"
Grandpa Paco cuts him off, saying in a grudging tone, "Alright, I admit it. You're right, you found me out. I do know who he is—-"
"Ha! Knew it."
"But I'm guessing you don't."
It's my turn to feel defensive. "Just because we haven't known each other for very long—-"
"Rashad, my dear Maddy, is one of the royal princes of Huzna."
Oh.
Okay.
Um.
Right.
Rashad takes my hand under the table, and I'm not sure what to think when his grip tightens around mine.
"Will you excuse us, Paco?" he asks my grandfather while still holding my hand like he thinks I mean to escape him. "I'd like to speak to Madeleine somewhere private."
I'm not sure how he manages it, but maybe this is just how royalty works, and the next thing I know it's the restaurant manager himself offering the use of his private office, and Rashad is gently guiding me to sit on a couch.
He waits until we're alone before crouching down in front of me.
"I'm sorry you had to find out this way."
His voice is harsh, and he takes my hands into his in a grip that makes me feel I'm more like his captive than his date.