Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 130414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 130414 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 652(@200wpm)___ 522(@250wpm)___ 435(@300wpm)
He was so new, so mature, so sophisticated, I didn’t even care that he was downright mean. Let’s get real here—Mr. Darcy wasn’t exactly swoon-worthy until the last twenty percent of the book.
“Nothing bad will happen,” I assured my reflection. “Nothing.”
Behind me, a toilet flushed. Emilie escaped a booth, frowning as she settled beside me to wash her hands. “Did you smoke the same thing that waiter gave your sister?” The back of her soapy hand rose to my forehead. “You’re talking to yourself.”
I dodged her touch. “Hey, Em, did you meet Romeo Costa?”
She shook her head, pouting. “He and von Bismarck are the main attractions. Always surrounded by herds of people. I couldn’t even get a picture of the guy. I saw you dancing with him. So lucky. I’d kill for the opportunity.”
A breathless, reckless laugh escaped me. I shook my head.
“Where are you going?” she called after me.
To do something wild.
Chapter Two
Dallas
That this could be a mistake didn’t once occur to me as I waited, perched on the stone bench behind the rose bushes. Summer’s warm breath clung to the crisp night, humid residue weighing down roses in full bloom. Romeo Costa was three minutes and thirty-four seconds late. Yet, somehow, I knew he’d come. I bit my lip to stem my giggles. Adrenaline coursed through my veins.
When crunched leaves penetrated cricket chirps and hums from faraway cars, I straightened my spine. Romeo’s flawless features came into view, illuminated by the moon’s sleek blue shadow. He was even more beautiful in pure darkness. Like he was in his natural habitat, playing on his home field.
True to his word, he held an open champagne bottle by its neck in one hand and a handful of shortbread squares tucked inside a napkin in the other.
“My precious!” I growled in a Gollum voice, extending my fingers. He gave me the bored glare of a man used to fending off fangirls, before realizing I’d reached for the shortbread, not him. I shoved an entire square into my mouth, tipped my head back, and groaned. “So good. I can practically taste London.”
“Surrey,” he corrected, staring at me as if I were a wild boar he needed to wrestle. “Do you enjoy the taste of ancient ruins and manure?”
“Buzzkill.”
For a reason beyond my grasp, he seemed really unhappy about spending time with me, even though he’d initiated this meeting.
“Let’s go somewhere discreet.” It was more of a demand than a suggestion.
“No one will find us here.” I waved a hand. “I’ve been attending this ball since I was sixteen. I know every nook and cranny in this place.”
He shook his head. “Some waiters come here for a smoke.”
Romeo must’ve not wanted to be seen with me just as much as I didn’t want to be seen with him. I was a provincial, silly girl to his billionaire-tycoon reputation.
I sighed, dusting shortbread crumbs onto the cobblestone. “Fine. But if you think I’m going to go all the way with you, you’re gravely mistaken.”
“I wouldn’t dare assume.” He punctuated the dark mutter with his back, starting for the other side of the courtyard. It seemed like he was running away from me, not leading the way. I followed him nonetheless, munching on my third shortbread. “What made you come to the rose garden? The snacks or the proposition?”
“A bit of both.” I licked my fingers. “And the fact that I bet Madison doesn’t stay fai—” I stopped myself. I shouldn’t talk badly about my fiancé, even if he did do me dirty. We weren’t officially together. We hadn’t even kissed. It wasn’t like I was jealous. I couldn’t give the first dang about whom he hung out with before we truly became a couple. “Curiosity killed the cat,” I amended.
“Your cat will survive. Though I’m tempted to leave it in less-than-pristine condition.”
My cat? Did he mean my pu …
Oh. My. Lord.
My body, which didn’t get the memo that we were both supposed to dislike conceited jerks, got tingly in places I normally forgot existed. “You’re terrible,” I informed him cheerfully. “You’re going to be my favorite mistake.”
He stopped on a rolling green hill at the back of the opera house. It seemed secluded enough, with a dark wall to our right. Romeo passed me the champagne bottle. “Drink.”
Pressing it to my lips, I drained a fifth. “You’re not a master of seduction, are you?”
He leaned against the wall, hands tucked inside his front pockets. “Seduction is an art I rarely have to perform.”
The fizzy liquid ran down my throat, cold and fresh. I coughed a little, forking over the bottle. “So humble.”
He took a generous swig, the gum still in his mouth. “Are you a virgin?”
“Yes.” I glanced around, suddenly wondering if it was worth it. He was hot. But also, kind of a pig. “Are you?”