Total pages in book: 112
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106312 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 532(@200wpm)___ 425(@250wpm)___ 354(@300wpm)
The mere mention of marriage has her turning a shade paler. She seems just as averse to the concept of legally tying herself to someone as I am.
“It seems like you’d be getting a lot more out of this than I would. Your father won’t hand over the business to you until you’re married. So why do I have to wait four months for my guns?” Her gaze flicks back to the box between us as if it’s burning a hole in the table.
The less I tell her, the better. After all, I don’t actually want her to have inner knowledge of my family’s business; however, a small piece of information won’t harm the objective.
“My mother let it slip that the rights to the business don’t get handed over until three months after the marriage. So, four months of pretending to be a good little wife will ensure you and I both get what we want out of this. I’ll even pay you two million for your time to show my generosity.”
“Fifteen,” she quickly replies.
“Done.”
“No, sorry, fifty.” She crosses her arms over her chest, pushing her breasts up as she does, and I know it’s intentional. Unfortunately for me, it has it’s intended effect in that tight fucking leather she’s wearing. Leather, I’d do anything to cut into right now. I clear my throat, wishing I were adjusting my cock instead, but I refuse to show her the hold she has over me.
No woman has ever affected me like this.
They’ve always served as a means to an end. But I’ve never… yearned for a woman before. That can’t possibly be the right word to describe this. I just simply need to fuck her before our wedding day to flush her out of my system.
“Done. I’ll transfer half as an engagement present and the rest on the wedding day once you’re my darling wife. But you won’t get your guns back until we’re done.”
“I hate you,” she snarls as she stands and glares down at me. I quite like the scornful expression, knowing I’ve ruined my soon-to-be wife’s fucking day.
“Oh, and will you be a good fiancée and tell me who’s hired you to kill me? When you find out, that is.”
She smirks. “Dear, sweet husband-to-be, I can tell you already that our strength is not communication.”
“Then what will it be?” I ask with an arched eyebrow.
She places her hand on the ring box and pulls it toward her with a twisted smile.
“Tolerance, at the very least. Personal space at best.” Her smile drops, unsheathing the feral expression beneath. And she takes her leave.
I stare at the tight leather wrapped around her curves as she saunters out, and I smirk.
This might actually be fun.
CHAPTER 18
Jewel
The ring box mocks me from the end of my bed. I sit cross-legged in front of it. I haven’t dared open it yet because that just feels like it will be the nail in the coffin. Even though I agreed to marry him, sitting here alone in my apartment makes it all feel surreal. How stupid am I? Why did I even think for a second I could compete with men who have been playing mind games all their lives?
“Jewel.” A knock comes at my door, and I’m tempted not to respond to Jenny. I sigh, perhaps grateful for the interruption of my spiraling thoughts.
“Come in.”
Jenny’s head pops around the door. I haven’t spoken to her since Eli first walked in as if he owned the place yesterday. I have my head in my hand, most likely with a visible thundercloud looming above me. Her gaze falls to the ring box, which I’ve been staring at for a good hour, and her mouth falls agape.
“I didn’t know you were in a relationship.”
“Neither did I,” I mumble under my breath.
“He seems nice. A little bit of a handful for you, though. I didn’t think someone like him would be your type.”
“And what do you mean by that?” I do very little to mask the snideness in my tone.
“Just… you know. He looks like someone who has a lot of money and fancy things. You… don’t. That’s all.”
I laugh. “Just to make things clear, I’m out of his league, Jenny.” The only way the asshole has half a shot with me is by blackmailing me.
“Oh yeah, totally.” Her tone says I’m delusional. “Anyway, flowers were delivered for you.” She pushes the door all the way open, and she’s holding a bunch of beautiful, vivid yellow sunflowers. I grind my teeth as she comes in and hands them to me. They were my favorite flower as of thirty seconds ago. “So, it’s serious, then?” I take them as she nods to the ring box.
“What?”
“Your relationship. Do you plan to move out? Because if you do, I need to know.”
“Thanks for the flowers, Jenny,” I say, my throat constricting. The ring feels like a bad omen. This fucking ring is a noose around my neck. Whether it’s Eli, the neighbor next door, or fucking Santa Claus, I don’t want to be owned by anyone, even if it’s fake.