Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 89238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89238 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Why am I not surprised he’s sexist too? “Because I can’t do this on my own as a woman?”
He rolls his eyes. “No, don’t be silly. But you can do it better with me.”
Silly? Screw that. “I disagree.”
“Fine, I’ll admit you’ve seen a nice increase in business from the video. But it won’t last.”
“So that’s what this is about? You’re mad I’ve gained business over you because of a video?”
“Of course not.”
But that’s a lie. Of course he’s jealous. He’s been telling me as much ever since I turned down his buyout offer.
“You need somebody like me who has deep pockets to keep this going past the viral video.” His smile is so patronizing. “That’s just a stunt. You need something that lasts.”
I cross my arms. “I make really good chocolate. Everyone that’s coming in here likes it. That’s what lasts.”
“Elodie,” he says, relentless. “You’re a smart businesswoman. You wouldn’t have built this if you weren’t smart.”
His gray eyes take a salacious tour of my body, over the bodice of my pink dress with black polka dots, over the swing in my skirt, over my waist. My skin crawls as I say, “Again, the answer is no.”
With a shake of his head, he gives a you’ll regret it sigh. “That just makes me want to compete even harder with you.” He smiles, plastic and predatory.
Alarm bells ring in my head, but I try not to let on. “Why is that your first response though? There’s room for both of us.”
“Ah, but see? That’s where we disagree. It would just be so much easier if we could go into business together. I want the shop. I want this location. I want you as the face of the brand.” He sounds like a child stomping his foot. I want the red fire truck. “Especially after that video. That’s why I’m offering you the increase. How about fifteen percent? That lasts. You could use that to take care of Amanda. Surely that’s the responsible thing to do.”
Fear slides down my neck. He knows her name? I can’t believe he’s using her in this clearly hostile attempt at a takeover. “The answer is no,” I bite out.
But he doesn’t seem to care what I say. He steps closer, crowding me toward a wall. “You won’t have to worry about whether a provocative video will bring people here to…well…to see if you’ll put on a show for them.”
“I’m not going to apologize for making a fun video,” I say, trying to stay tough as panic rises in my blood, in my brain.
“Fun video?” he asks with a scoff. “More like strategic. Talk about using your best assets,” he says, his awful eyes lingering on my mouth, then my chest. My skin crawls.
“You don’t see me making videos like that. You don’t see the men who own shops making videos like that. You want to be treated like a businesswoman, then you go make a salacious video like that?”
I’m shaking all over. Wishing I knew martial arts. Reaching for my mace, but I don’t have it right now because why would I have it right now? “Leave,” I hiss.
“You need someone like me because you can’t run a business to save your life. But you sure know how to steal the spotlight.”
A million responses start to form in my head but I don’t know how to get them to my mouth. I’m stuck in a nightmare, trying to shout and scream but no sound is coming out. I can barely even hear anything but the rushing of blood in my head.
Then, there’s the sound of boots.
A growl.
And I feel an arm wrap around my shoulders. Strong, possessive, and, most of all, wanted.
“Don’t talk to my wife like that.”
I’m frozen. I can barely even process that my fake fiancé just upgraded me on the fly to protect me.
For a few seconds, Sebastian sputters out a what, clearly knocked off his game. But then, Sebastian’s eyes narrow at Gage and he lashes out once more, the little boy wanting the truck at all costs. “She’s not even your wife.”
Gage isn’t one to debate dates, titles, or legalities with this asshole. “All you have to worry about is that she’s mine.”
Sebastian arches a doubtful brow. “Is she though? She never even mentioned you when I asked her out. That engagement ring she wears? That’s not the ring she had in her social feed a few weeks ago.”
A chill seeps into my bones. Sebastian’s right. Of course he’s right. I hate that he’s right. I hate, too, that he’s so obsessed with me he’s studied my social feed for details.
Gage doesn’t dwell on that though. He keeps me close and says, low and calm, “You think when I gave her my grandmother’s ring has anything to do with what you saw in pictures on the fucking Internet? Get out. Now.”