Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 94546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 473(@200wpm)___ 378(@250wpm)___ 315(@300wpm)
Snippets of my mother’s Hawaiian heritage ring true in my tone when I struggle to lie through the lust clutching my throat. Octavia looks so divine in the peacock-inspired dress, I’m suddenly envious of every man who may see her in it.
Only this morning, I considered attending the gala alone. Back then, my decision had nothing to do with jealousy and everything to do with exposing too much of myself too quickly to Octavia. I usually give space in abundance, especially when it comes to my personal life, but it took everything I had this morning not to step in and whiz Octavia away when the first droplet of rain falling from the sky landed on her cheek instead of her umbrella. I probably wouldn’t have hesitated if Dr. Avery’s cautions weren’t still ringing in my ear.
She’s afraid I’ll scare Octavia off, and in all honesty, I’m worried the same.
I’m a difficult man to understand. However, this is the first time I want someone to see me instead of the man behind the title.
“Oh… my... God,” Octavia slowly breathes out when she catches sight of her reflection in the mirror. “Is this a trick mirror? That can’t be me, surely.” The dress floats over the polished floorboards of the changing room when she steps closer to the bank of mirrors. “I feel…” she takes a moment to configure a response, and I approve of the delay when she mutters, “… worthy.”
That’s why I’ve worked sunup to sundown since the age of nineteen. Until Saturday, I hadn’t had a single day off in all that time because I wanted to prove I was more than the man people saw when they looked at me.
I am more than a man forged from carnage.
I am worthy.
After taking a couple of moments to settle the flutter of her pulse, Octavia shifts on her feet to face me.
“Don’t,” I warn in a gravelly tone when numerous reasons as to why she can’t accept my gift sit on the tip of her tongue. “Just like your coat, the benefits of you being seen in this dress will far outweigh production costs.”
“Jack—”
“Octavia,” I interrupt, my voice sterner than intended. “This isn’t up for discussion. You work for a fashionista magazine. A clothing allowance should be a requirement not a stipulation.” I whisper my next set of words, but Octavia’s shocked expression announces she heard them. “Besides, it is too late. Payment for all these garments was transferred this morning.”
Octavia whacks me in the stomach with her tiny fist before storming for the clothes left dumped on the floor as if they were worthless. “You can’t do that. You can’t spend thousands of dollars on someone you hardly know.”
I almost correct her. The total was over one hundred thousand, but her beet-red cheeks stop me.
Once she’s peeled out of the dress I plan to fuck her in, she slings her eyes to me. “I appreciate the offer, but I can’t accept it.”
“As I just said, it is too late.”
“I don’t care.” She throws her hands in the air, wafting up more of her alluring scent. “Give them away, auction them at the gala, but I am not taking them home with me.”
She gets dressed quicker than I undressed her before she hooks her purse under her arm, plops on her sunglasses like it will hide the amount of moisture brimming in her eyes, then attempts to storm out of the dressing room.
I say attempt because Fitz is standing in the way, blocking her exit with his wide frame.
I jerk up my chin, permitting him to move when he angles his head my way. I wish for not all my astuteness to vanish in Octavia’s presence when she bypasses the doorman with her coat and my idling town car before she sprints down the hectic sidewalk.
CHAPTER 14
OCTAVIA
“Since when?” I interrupt when I overhear Gracie from Editorials telling Jess a generous clothing allowance is being added to our employment contracts.
Gracie purses her red-painted lips before she shrugs. “I just know it’s more than enough to purchase that raunchy little number I’ve been eyeing at Maison’s the past six months.” Her eyes flare with lust. “Brayden will have a coronary.” Brayden isn’t her boyfriend, merely an uber rich Seattleite every single woman in Seattle wants to sink their claws into. “Anyway, spread the word. Mr. Carson wants to ensure all his team members are aware of the new benefits under his command, and he personally bequeathed that task to me.”
I get both green with jealousy and red. “This is a directive from Ja… ah, Mr. Carson?”
“Uh-huh,” Gracie murmurs with a head bob. “We had a lovely get-together shortly after lunch.”
After straying my eyes from Mr. Pott’s office that’s sat empty since I fled Jack three hours ago, I bark out, “Where?”
Gracie stares at me in shock, but she hides her surprise in her tone while replying, “In my office. It was a very informal meeting—”