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)
By the time we’ve finished the main course and she hasn’t replied or shown up, I can see my father getting irritated. He doesn’t have much in the way of patience; I guess that’s where I get it from.
“It will be nice to have another woman my age in the family,” Billie says after I briefly describe Jewel to them. Billie’s only a year younger than Dutton, but he treats her as if she’s still a sweet little girl.
“Wait till you meet her,” Dutton mumbles under his breath. Thankfully, at the same time, Honey and Dawson are in conversation with my parents.
I glare at him across the table, and his sister shifts uncomfortably. “Don’t be bitter because you can’t find anyone who won’t put up with your shit,” she says to her brother.
He raises his eyebrow. “I’ll have you know; I don’t intend to have a relationship. This family keeps me busy enough as it is.”
Hawke snorts. “More like no one wants you because of how fucking intense you are.”
Billie then defends her brother. “Hey, like you’re one to talk, Mr. Manwhore. You can’t even remember the girls’ names you sleep with.”
“I’ll have you know that I do remember them, but if there’s more than one in one night, it becomes tricky,” he says defensively, then scarfs down a forkful of food.
“You’re such a pig,” she snaps back. “The only one who actually has any decency here is Ford. At least he knows how to treat a woman.”
Ford looks up from his phone this time.
“Please, Ford hasn’t been with a woman since…” Hawke stops to ponder that for a moment. “I don’t know when.”
An exchange seems to happen between Ford and Billie, and she’s quick to say, “It doesn’t matter. He still knows how to be at least reasonable. The rest of you are all too macho. Gah! I so want another woman in this family.”
I excuse myself from the table as Hawke and Billie squabble amongst themselves about the treatment of women. I swear, Hawke intentionally riles her up just to get a reaction. He’s been doing it since the day they first met.
I step out into the living room and call Jewel. She lets it ring out again, which makes me angry.
“Is she not coming?” my mother asks as she joins me. Sliding my phone into my pocket, I feel the muscles in my jaw twitch. She stood me up. Maybe for payback, I’ll destroy one of her precious guns.
One of my parents’ security guards steps into the living room to announce a new guest, but Jewel bursts in, introducing herself. “Sorry, I’m late. Work wouldn’t let me leave.” She’s still wearing her work attire of black heels and a little black dress.
I stalk across the room and loom over her. She pins me with that challenging stare as I grab her by the hip and pull her to me, crushing my lips to hers. She seems startled and unsure what to do with her hands, but I inhale her, take out my fury on her as I devour her. I drag out her lip and growl, “You’re late.” I’m fucking furious with her.
Goose bumps erupt along her skin, which pleases me to no end. She pulls away from me and holds her hand out to my mother, who is studying us intently. This isn’t going to be easy.
“Nice to see you again, Mrs. Monti. Apologies for being late. I didn’t want this to be everyone else’s first impression .”
My mother accepts Jewel’s hand, looking between the two of us, and I know nothing goes unnoticed by her, so I put my hand on Jewel’s hip possessively and tug her back into me. I don’t know what the fuck a happy couple looks like, but I’m going to kill my little Kitten with touch and kindness. The very things she fucking hates. This will serve as her punishment for being so late. I had a feeling she was going to be a little late, but I didn't expect her to only come for dessert.
“Of course, dear, but you missed an amazing meal. Come, let me introduce you to everyone.” My mother eases her away from me and leads her into the dining room.
Jewel glances over her shoulder quickly and flips me off. The corner of my mouth twitches. I’m irritated that she can make me so fucking angry one minute, then have me smiling the next.
My father makes a point to stand and offer his hand in greeting. To her credit, she doesn’t seem intimidated by him. And he is a very intimidating man.
She and Dutton acknowledge one another with an insincere, “Good to see you.” She walks around the table and shakes everyone’s hand as my mother introduces them.
It’s not until she makes it back around to my side that I notice she’s not wearing her engagement ring. But when I left her yesterday, she was definitely wearing it.