Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 107115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107115 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 536(@200wpm)___ 428(@250wpm)___ 357(@300wpm)
Something was wrong.
Madison withdrew into her own thoughts. Todd had said or done something to dismay Matt. He must have. That was the only explanation.
“I thought you said you were going to shock me down to my pretty toes today,” she reminded.
Just then, their Uber pulled around the corner and stopped at the curb. Matt turned, his weighty stare full of more rage and something she couldn’t put her finger on. “That’s coming. Get in.”
With those ominous words, he jerked open the back door and urged her inside, then climbed behind her, touching her only with his stare. The ride back to the apartment felt so tense, Madison was almost afraid to breathe too loud. At least a dozen times she opened her mouth to soften the mood. Every time, she took one look at his forbidding face and closed it.
Minutes later, they arrived at Todd’s apartment, riding up the elevator in terrible silence. Matt ushered her inside. Todd was waiting, along with a leggy brunette who wore a white cold-shoulder crop top that both hugged and revealed perfect breasts. Since the woman’s nipples poked the soft cotton, Madison bet she wasn’t wearing anything as trivial as a bra. The smooth expanse of her abs whittled down to a tiny waist, then jutted out to lush hips and the kind of juicy ass designed to make a man drool. Minuscule denim shorts gaped below her belly button and hugged her sleek thighs. Four-inch wedges made her legs look miles long.
Madison’s stare bounced up to the woman’s face. Dark, almond-shaped eyes stared back at her with open curiosity. Then her pillowy lips curled up when she caught sight of Matt.
With a lurch of her heart, Madison looked on. How did these two know each other?
More disquiet filled her, which only grew worse when Todd smiled with supreme satisfaction. “You’re back early.”
“I’m ready to get on with this.” Matt sounded bored, but he was taut and he gave off a wrathful, angry vibe.
“Excellent. I’ve procured what you’ve requested.” He shoved the Hispanic beauty toward Matt. “And in case you’re wondering, she’s still a virgin. You’re welcome.”
Madison whirled to Matt, frowning as more foreboding gripped her. “Who is this?”
“Graciela.” He let out a rough breath, then sidled up to the brunette and slipped his arm around her waist, palming its curve intimately. “My new girlfriend.”
Then as if to underscore his words, he nuzzled her neck. The woman blinked before her eyes fluttered shut.
Madison’s world stopped. “G-girlfriend? But you…” She turned a blazing glare Todd’s way. “You manipulative bastard. What did you do?”
He laughed and gestured back at Matt. “He’ll be happy to explain.”
“Todd made me a deal, honey. I told you he offered me eight million dollars to leave you. Last night, he offered to sweeten the pot.” Matt skimmed a hand down Graciela’s ass, then patted it like he owned her. “I accepted.”
Was he serious? His face said so.
Betrayal cleaved her heart in two. “But you said you turned it down. You said you loved me. You said—”
“I said a lot of things, but the truth is, I knew if I maneuvered the situation, Todd would pay me handsomely to go away. I’d rather kick back than live by my gun for the rest of my life, so I bided my time and played you just right…” He shrugged. “I became your lover and protector, pouring the act on until Todd decided he couldn’t take it anymore and chose to reclaim his wife…for the right price. And you fell right into my trap, surrendering your body, heart, and will to me—and driving your husband insane with jealousy.”
“No.” Madison couldn’t breathe. “No. You’re lying.”
He had to be.
“I’m not. You have a naive little heart that wants to believe every fairy tale any man ever whispered in your ear. It’s why you got fucked and ghosted so often. You’re looking for forever. Honey, guys like me just want pussy. I enjoyed yours, but this one is going to be an upgrade.” He dragged his lips over Graciela’s collarbones.
His every word and gesture stabbed her with pain, duplicity, and despair. Had she really fallen for some elaborate scheme?
“Even better, no man has touched Graciela’s pussy. I don’t have to look at her and know she’s spread her legs for anyone else—especially this asshole.” He pointed to Todd. “She’s all mine until I’m ready to move on.”
“That’s disgusting. You don’t own her. That’s”—she shook her head—“not like you.”
“Oh, it’s exactly like me. Why do you think I banged almost a hundred women while we were apart? Stop being clingy and ridiculous. It’s over.”
He twisted the knife deeper with every word. Madison felt her chest buckle and tried to hold back a sob. “But you told me you love me. You said you wanted to mar—”
“I don’t love you.” He glared down at her until she swore she was shriveling under his disdain. “I never have. Let go.”