Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 55093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
I turned to look around the room that I’d hardly paid any attention to the last time I’d been here. This is what she was accustomed to. Not that my place was a dump, but it was a far difference between living in a luxury apartment where space was limited and your neighbors were right below you and a ten thousand square foot mansion with extensive grounds. At least I owned the whole top floor. Shit, my ass will probably be in a house before the year is out.
She came downstairs with a few pieces of luggage still looking a bit shell-shocked, while her friend brought up the rear with more of her stuff. I relaxed once I saw that she’d packed more than an overnight bag and moved to take the luggage from her hands. At least I won’t have to argue or threaten to get her to stay where I put her.
22
Jason
I had the driver drop them off because I really was late for my meeting, another first. Hopefully once we got settled in my life would go back to normal, though I doubted it when I found myself calling her as soon as the car pulled off. “Leave your phone on.” I hung up with a smile at her huff.
Shit, I’d forgotten to tell her about the article. It’s the reason I’d been in such a panic. I’ve had nosy ass people in my business before but not to this extent. I had no doubt that we’d be bombarded for the next few weeks at least because of whose daughter she was. I’ll just have to deal with it as it comes. I value my privacy too much to live my life in a fucking fishbowl so these fucks can sell their rags.
As to her protection, that was my job. I know for damn sure I wasn’t about to put up with her name being dragged through the mud the way it had been in the past. I’m guessing she knows that the wild parties and bullshit were at an end. And that thought brought me back to the biggest shock of all. Even more shocking than my hard and fast fall for her. A virgin. I didn’t know that I had such archaic ideals in me. But fuck if I wasn’t thinking marriage.
EMILY
“Mom calm down, it’s not like this is the first time I’ve gone away. You’ll be fine. I’ve already spoken to Estelle, she’ll be there tomorrow.”
“Oh Estelle, but honey how are we going to pay her?” I hadn’t told her about my little online store. One, she would have that money spent in an hour flat and two, she might see it as beneath her daughter and I wasn’t in the mood for that argument, so I lied. “I had a little saved mom, I’ll figure something out.”
“And this guy, the one who bought the company, is he nice to you? You’re not doing this for… you know.” It was as close to motherly concern as I’d ever had from her; I was touched.
“No mom, I’m not with him because I’m poor, it’s not like that.” Though it was obvious some were already thinking it.
I got her calmed down and promised to come see her in a few days before hanging up and going back to Simone who was actually snooping around his apartment. The housekeeper, Celeste was still here and I was trying to stay out of her way, but Simone never met a stranger. She’d already asked the poor woman a million and one questions.
I dragged her away and out to the balcony where we wouldn’t be overheard. “I’m not sure about this, doesn’t it seem too soon?”
“Girl we live in the age of the Internet, nothing’s too fast.” She made light of my question but I was truly nervous. I wouldn’t go so far as to say I was having second thoughts, but I was so far out of my depth there was more than a little discomfort.
“Look, I’ve never led you wrong have I? No? And I won’t start now. I see the way he looks at you. Did you see that picture in the paper last week? He looks at you like he’d like to eat you with a spoon. And the way he rushed the stage and grabbed you.” She made a swooning motion and my chest lightened a little.
“He is a caveman isn’t he?”
“Yeah but now he’s your caveman and you better hold on to his fine ass with both hands before one of these thirsty bitches get their hooks in him.”
“What do you mean?” She sat up and looked at me like I was stupid.
“Girl have you looked at him? And we both know he’s dated some of the hottest stars and models floating around out there. Don’t look like that, he chose you. And what’s more, he never asked any of them to live with him.”