Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 126564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 633(@200wpm)___ 506(@250wpm)___ 422(@300wpm)
“I’m not a Texan,” I said flatly, tying the cherry’s stem in my mouth and dropping it back into my hand.
“Oh, yeah?” He leaned closer, so I could truly appreciate the eye-watering scent of the five gallons of cologne he’d bathed in. “Coulda swore President Thorne was—”
“From Dallas, yes. But I was born in D.C. and spent the first eight years of my life there. Then my parents tossed me into a boarding school in New York, Swiss summer camps, British winter camps, and French soirees. Texan, I am not. A cultural mogul, however…”
I could tell from Wes’ vacant stare that I’d lost him at ‘culture’. Perhaps even ‘soirees’.
I’d spent some time in Texas over the years, never by choice. My parents would beg, bargain, and drag me “home,” encouraging me to attend local schools, stay close to the family. I always dodged their efforts. Texas was too hot, too wholesome. All in all, I considered myself a Texan no more than I considered myself a neurosurgeon. And besides, I knew why they wanted me around—it was better optics for them. Showed they at least tried to rein in their wild child.
“Tsk.” Wes clucked his tongue, his megawatt smile intact. His teeth couldn’t be real. In fact, I’d wager his biceps weren’t, either. “I’d be happy to give you a tour sometime. Though I was born and bred in Houston, I sure know Dallas inside out.”
“I’m not planning any trips there.” I stared at the bottom of my empty cocktail glass.
“Then maybe we can meet here, in L.A.” His elbow touched mine. I jerked back immediately.
“Busy schedule, eating all those pies.”
“Don’t be so touchy, Hallion. Business is business, yeah?” He ran a hand through his hair, but that thing was stiffer than concrete. “I thought you’d make a great contestant.”
“You’d make a great taxidermy,” I drawled.
“Tell you what. I’ll work around your schedule. I really think we could benefit each other.”
He was just another person who saw me as a walking, talking meal ticket. He was just another user, and possibly an abuser. People like Wes reminded me why I’d sworn off men. They all wanted something, and that something was never to have an actual relationship with me. I was their leg-up. Their key to unlock an opportunity.
My stomach churned.
I want to go home.
Tragically, I didn’t have one. The mansion was a stack of expensive bricks and nothing more.
“I’ll have my PA contact yours.” I hopped off the stool.
“I don’t have a PA,” he said, confused.
Neither do I. That’s the whole exercise, Einstein.
I signaled Frederik for the check. Screw Keller. I was tapping out. He could mingle with Perry, who did, in fact, sport great new highlights that complemented her cheekbones. I tossed them one last look. Perry’s friends were now asking Keller all kinds of questions about his juicery. He was basking in it. Was I the only one who was upfront about his fake job?
I paid, tipped Frederik forty percent, and made my way out, weaving through people who tried to stop me for a chat. Wes followed me eagerly. He’d officially graduated from a pain in the neck to a stalker.
“Wait, where are you going?” He tried to put his hand on my shoulder. I hissed, shaking him off almost violently.
Don’t touch me. Do not touch me. Never touch me.
“Home.” I quickened my steps. My heels slapped the dark floor.
I loathed myself for forgetting to grab a jacket on my way out of the house. I could use something to cover my boobs with, ensure my breasts weren’t peeking out of the corset. Though now that I thought about it, said boobs weren’t feeling so constrained anymore. Just oddly cold. I looked down and realized why—my right breast had torn through the fabric. It was literally hanging out. Flapping in the wind like a half-mast flag just as I was about to exit the hotel and call myself an Uber.
Gasping, I frantically tried to tuck it back into my dress.
“Man, oh man.” Wes chuckled, leaning against a nearby wall. “Looks like the ladies came out to get some fresh air.”
“Shut up.”
I made a beeline to the hotel reception to see if I could borrow someone’s jacket. There were so many people. Everywhere. And the mask made it impossible to see anything. I ripped it off my face and dumped it on the floor. Panting, I looked around me.
Jacket. I needed a jacket. But this was L.A. People hardly walked around in layers.
A voice beside me soothed, “Don’t be so angry, Hallion. Let me drive you home.”
“No, thanks.” I folded my arms over my chest and strode faster. I was almost at the reception.
“If you ask the concierge for a jacket, they’ll know what happened and sell the story.”
I stopped cold in the middle of the lobby. Wes knew he had my attention.