Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 60965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
He falters, the real emotions showing through and just when I think he’s going to hide it, when I think the mask that slipped will be forced back into place, he leans in slightly and says, “I do apologize as well,” and I swear it seems sincere. “I had no right to come between you two.”
Mason stiffens beside me, and my own composure threatens to dissolve. I’ve never faced this kind of mastery of manipulation before. I don’t know whether to react sincerely or how to play this game.
“I only want what’s best for my son.”
It’s only then that I realize our games are different. I’m no match for him, but in the same vein, he’s no match for me.
“Champagne?” a server asks on my right, breaking the moment and I instantly turn to her.
“No, thank you,” spills from my mouth easily and she’s quick to move on after the men each shake their heads.
I watch from my periphery as she leaves, walking easily without a care and holding the tray just so. The champagne doesn’t even seem to move; she’s learned to do her job well.
“Excuse me a moment, Mason,” I tell him, patting his forearm and waiting for him to release my hand. He doesn’t, though.
He holds me a moment longer than he should, quietly watching me and waiting for a reason. “I need to use the restroom,” I whisper to him as softly and flirtatiously as I can, feeling the number of eyes on us grow. It may all be in my head, because for all I know I’m losing it, and with every second my anxiety grows.
“Of course,” he says although the reflection in his eyes is something else. Something far more vulnerable and unwilling. He kisses my hand, bringing it to his lips and then releasing me without another word.
I force a smile to stay in place although it begs to fall. Everything in me is screaming that something is wrong. I walk as quickly as I can to the back of the room, deeper and deeper through the crowd of beautiful guests. I turn my body slightly when needed and ignore the conversations around me as I head to the restrooms.
I could just run. I could run away.
Away from all of this, and never stop.
I’ll find myself again, but not here. Not when I know I want the very thing that will bury me.
Mason
So close to having everything,
So close to nothing at all.
The teeter-totter rocks back and forth,
While knowing you will fall.
It’s all there within your grasp,
But the life has turned to stone.
You should have known, you foolish man,
You were meant to live alone.
“I appreciate the apology,” I tell my father, although my gaze isn’t on him at all. My eyes are on Jules’s back as her hips sway and she leaves me.
When I first laid eyes on her, she blended in so easily. Each small motion was seemingly genuine. Not tonight.
My sweetheart is obviously full of hurt and pain and insecurity. In a room full of fake assholes brimming with confidence and arrogance, my Jules doesn’t belong.
I wonder if everyone else in this room can see it as clearly as I do. I was wrong to bring her. I could have found another way. My father’s voice interrupts my thoughts. “Miss Harrington will be there, and she made it clear she’s interested.”
Marcy Harrington’s an investor who likes to get close with her clients and “know” them before writing a check with her family inheritance. Promiscuous would be a kind word to use. In addition, she’s practically untouchable, and always gets what and who she wants.
“This is about appearances, not business. I couldn’t give two shits about business right now.”
“Appearances?” my father asks, and I feel my hands clench at my sides. He knows damn well what the papers are saying.
“I’d like the world to know that I’m not beating her behind closed doors.”
My father shrugs as if the rumor swirling around the city isn’t a concern in the least. “I’d like to know what you are doing behind closed doors. Or more importantly… what’s being said between you two,” he says, turning his body to follow my gaze. She’s vanished though, wherever she’s gone.
As my eyes drift back to him, I feel the accusations rise. Now’s not the time or place, I think over and over as my forehead furrows and I shove my hands into my pockets to keep from grabbing him. My muscles are tense, and the words are on the tip of my tongue.
There’s no use in letting them out though, because I know he’ll just lie. He’s damn good at it and so used to it, I doubt he knows the truth from a lie anymore.
“We should have a meeting soon,” I say easily, completely at odds with my true feelings. “Business and otherwise.”