Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81947 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Still no plan.
I lined my lips with crimson, then kissed a tissue and touched up the lip liner. Then, selecting my favorite Chanel color, I filled my lips in with a matte, classic red.
Taking out the rollers, I fluffed my hair and studied my reflection.
I looked more beautiful than the bastard deserved, considering the circumstances.
There was a soft knock on the bathroom door.
I pulled the robe up more securely over my shoulders. “Yes?”
It never even crossed my mind it might be Var.
That man didn’t know how to knock.
A woman dressed all in black with the Four Monks gold insignia on her blouse entered, carrying an ornate silver tray. She placed it on the bathroom counter to my right.
“Var thought you might like some coffee.”
Hiding my annoyance at not only his thoughtfulness, but insight, since that was precisely what I wanted at that moment, I nodded. “Yes, thank you. That would be lovely.”
If it had been Var, I would have tossed the tray, but I would never impose on a staff member with such antics.
She smiled. “I’ll pour.”
“Oh, you don’t have to.”
“It would be my pleasure.”
She lifted the heavy silver urn, and the bathroom filled with the enticing aroma of a dark French roast as she poured the coffee into a delicate porcelain cup with a gold rim and the gold Four Monks logo.
She lifted the cream pitcher.
I nodded again. “Just a dollop.”
She then lifted the lid off the sugar caddy. Inside were cute little sugar cubes. It was a silly thing, but seeing the cubes and not packets made this all seem even more luxurious than it already was.
Damn the man.
I could definitely get used to this kind of life.
She lifted the cup by the saucer and handed it to me with an expectant look.
Knowing what was expected of me, I took a sip and smiled, showing her my pleasure.
“I’ll leave the tray and come to collect it later.” Then, with a quick curtsey… a freaking curtsey… she turned to leave.
With a gasp, she turned back to me and reached into her long, black apron pocket. “How terrible of me! I can’t believe I almost forgot!”
She pulled out a red and gold Cartier jewelry box and set it on the marble counter next to me and left.
Don’t open it.
Don’t open it.
Don’t open it.
Of course, I freaking opened it.
Sonofabitch.
It was gorgeous.
My fingertip ran along the stunning vintage Cartier diamond necklace. With the geometric interlocking chain pattern and the three massive emerald-cut diamond pendants, it gave off a 1930s Art Deco vibe. I was fairly certain Reese Witherspoon had worn something similar to the SAG awards a few years back.
With extreme care, as if I were handling a baby bird, I raised the necklace from its bed of red velvet and held it up to my neck.
Dammit.
With my pale skin, black hair, and red lips, it was like this necklace was made for me.
I stared down at the cool diamonds as they rested against my palm. There wouldn’t be any harm in trying it on. Or even wearing it for a bit. It wasn’t like I was truly keeping the gift… just borrowing it.
My mind went back to my haughty declaration at brunch that I couldn’t be bought.
If Var kept it up, he was going to make me eat my words.
It wasn’t something I was particularly thrilled to recognize in myself, but if I were truly honest, I wasn’t exactly not thrilled, either.
I knew this was all bad for me, but it wasn’t like the man was tempting me with half a pack of cigarettes and a bacon sandwich. These were diamonds! Really big ass diamonds.
Not to mention having a small army of staff at my fingertips and an expense account at probably all of the best stores in Chicago.
It was just soooo tempting.
Especially when it was all coming from a hot-as-hell, domineering, borderline feral man who had godlike skills in the bedroom.
I mean… a girl could do worse.
He was also funny, intelligent, and thoughtful in his way. He might act like a bull in a china shop at times, but it was hard to find fault with a man who moved mountains to get me to the hospital in time, arranged for a private room, and then paid the whole bill.
I’d also never had so much fun with a man in my life.
It was so rare to find a man who could match me in an argument.
There was no denying that Var was up to the task to go toe-to-toe. I had to admit, on more than one occasion, I’d been disappointed by an ex-boyfriend who simply couldn’t hold his own against me.
It wasn’t terribly feminist of me, but there was just something about a man who was stronger, more powerful, and at times more stubborn. A man who didn’t take no for an answer and didn’t shy away from taking what he wanted.