Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 75589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75589 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
“How are you feeling?” Victor smiles over at me as I allow my hand to float out and catch the wind.
“Good,” I reply, closing the diary. “I told you my father passed Momma off on friggen Charles for their first date. She was getting ready, and here Charles was at the door.”
“Jonah thought she was attracted to him more, yeah?”
“My dad was insufferable. Still is. And awkward. In—”
“Insensitive.”
“How did you . . .”
“We discussed this, Little One.” His hand seeks out mine, and all the tension drains from my body. “He’s Charles now?”
Victor’s tone lacks the usual venom, yet the invitation is there, allowing me to paint Charles as the villain. “Uncle Red was a gentleman on their date. Anyway, I wouldn’t exist if my momma hadn’t coerced the truth out of him, then went to go get her man.”
The side of his mouth corks. “I imagined she said something cheeky, like you.”
A whole lot of cheeky and freaky too. “So far, they’ve gone on a few dates that she penned in her journal. He was a gentleman too when she introduced him to family. She seemed to be the calmness when Dad got frustrated while working on his latest invention.”
As we continue to discuss, a glint in Victor’s eye reminds me of his statement at Uncle Red’s. He’s waiting for me to update him on Charles and Momma’s relationship. As I look across the vast countryside, I let out a shuddered sigh. God, were my parents happy?
I’ve favored one ass cheek then the other, trying not to complain about the lengthy drive when I see a quaint wooden sign.
“Arlington?” My eyebrows crinkle. None of this appears familiar. Buildings built with stone, some restored, while others crumble where they’re standing. Iron stakes attest to them being centuries old.
We drive through. The architecture and landscape are reminiscent of historical college campuses back home—well, obviously much, much older.
I peer around, glancing at an auditorium that says Arlington too. “Vic . . . where are we?”
“My duchy.”
Though my ass is screaming to stand, to kick Victor in his rear, I turn in my seat and inquire, “What do you mean? Weren't we in Arlington this entire time?”
“No. We were in my hometown, Somerhaven.”
“Somerhaven?” Irrational laughter teeters out of me. The dark stranger who kissed me looked at me as if I had lost every inch of my mind as I threatened him with the Duke of Arlington.
“Victor, what do you mean? How’re we just now arriving in Arlington? And how is that different from your hometown? Didn't you inherit when your evil, old father died?” Oops, he never said his daddio was an asshole. I presumed it.
“No, Luxury, I was gifted my dukedom.”
“Okay. Let's start from the friggen top. Do you recall way back when, when we had just met? You’re so fucking intense, it feels like it’s years, but I assure you, it was recent. I let you know that you didn't know how to answer a question?”
“Yes.” Victor glances at me with a smile that can smolder my anger. Lawd, just let me get my point across. Then I can sit on that happy ass face.
A few beats later, we pass by another Tesco market.
Lips tensed, I snap, “Yes! That’s your only response?”
A warm ocean gaze slithers over my body. “Yes.”
“Victor, stop the car.”
He ignores me.
“Stop the car right now!” I shout.
“We're almost there, Little One,” Victor says as if he has a purpose.
“Almost where? Humor the dummy, since I’ve thought we were in Arlington this entire time.”
“We’re almost to one of my homes. I have many homes. Forgive me for the confusion,” Victor replies sardonically.
“If you don’t stop the car, I’ll throw up.” I fold my arms, doubling over. “I’m going to be sick.”
“As you wish,” he grits out, toggling the stick shift.
Dark waves of tension bellow off him. Why’s he angry? I was deceived.
“Luxury,” Victor turns to look at me, “we’ve had a miscommunication, that’s all.”
“You had me believe we were in Arlington. The people there, they—you told them not to correct me?”
His brow lifts.
“Do you know how stupid that makes me feel?”
His blue eyes instantly turn into an indigo dream. “Luxury.” Tenderness weaves into his tone as he reaches out for me.
My stomach coils, and I shy away from his touch. “Victor, we were in Somerhaven? The Duke of Somerhaven, who is he?”
“My father.”
The pressure surrounding us has Victor and I light-years apart. I want to reach over and touch him, but my body can’t move. Usually, when I feel discomfort, his caress consoles me. His hands and mouth are my balm. Not now.
At this moment, Victor is so far away from me. I slowly open my mouth to ask, “But how are you the Duke of Arlington? Victor, this isn’t a job interview. I rarely ask you about your life. You’ve brought me here—were so open when we walk around.”