Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 92067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
I stand up, taking our joined hands and pulling her up with me. Once she’s up, I spin her around gently, squeezing her hand in mine right before I slap it down on the table.
“What did I tell you, Sunshine?”
“King, you wouldn’t,” she hisses. There’s no fear in her voice, though, and that’s more satisfying than I could explain.
“I warned you, baby,” I whisper close to her ear, making sure to squeeze our hands once more. “Remember, I’m your safe place,” I add, dropping my voice even more. It’s barely a breath against her ear. I know she hears me though by the swift intake of breath and the way her body pushes back against me with a slow quiver.
“We’re in the middle of a restaurant, King. You can’t—”
Before she can finish, I bring my hand down on her ass, spanking her. It’s gentler than I want, but she relaxes into my touch as I rub the sting away. That is until she hears the woman in the booth across from us.
“Oh my God! Reggie, call the manager over here. Did you see what he just did? He accosted that woman. It’s disgusting.”
“Didn’t look disgusting to me. I thought it was hot,” the man answers. I think I like old Reggie.
“Well, I’m sickened. That kind of thing doesn’t belong here—or anywhere really,” the woman insists.
I turn Gabby around, trying not to laugh.
“I know you’re sickened, Margo. That’s why we never have sex.”
At that, I lose it and throw my head back and laugh. “I hate you,” Gabby hisses.
“King?” a voice to my left says.
My back straightens as tension fills by body. My hand tightens on Gabby’s so tight I know I’m probably hurting her, but I can’t seem to let go. That’s because the woman saying my name is a voice I never wanted to hear again in my life. I force myself to turn around, although I keep Gabby close to me—as if somehow I can absorb the calm that she gives me. God knows I need it now.
“Shelby.”
When I say her name, I hear Gabby’s slightly indrawn breath. Then she surprises me by curling into my side and squeezing my hand.
“What are you doing here?” Shelby asks.
I let my gaze move over her. I don’t know what I expected, but she hasn’t changed. If anything, she’s gotten prettier. Shelby was always beautiful. As I look closer, I can see the changes. You can see the subtle body changes. Her hips are fuller, breasts—which were full last time—are bigger. It looks good on her, and maybe I’d tell her that if she hadn’t treated me like shit.
“It’s a public place, Shelby,” I finally answer. My gaze rakes to the man standing beside her. They’re standing close, but his hand is not on her. Of course, Shelby always marched in a room like she owned it. She didn’t need a man to take her lead. It’s then I realize Shelby never wanted a man who took charge. She didn’t want protected. Like a stupid fucking fool, I waded in trying to give her and her family a good life—one I couldn’t give my mother.
“Still as sweet as ever,” Shelby huffs.
“I’m not doing this with you. I’m having a good fucking night with my woman. I don’t need this.”
“Good to know you haven’t changed. Still making scenes in public, cursing, and acting like a neanderthal.”
It’s stupid, I know it is. I don’t love her. At this point, I’ve been wondering why I even tried with her. I can see clearly that who I thought she was, is definitely not who she is. The man she wanted is clearly not me. That doesn’t bother me. Still, her words do wound something inside of me. I guess the kid who felt dirty and never good enough still lives inside me somewhere. If that doesn’t make me sound like a pussy, I don’t know what would.
“Stop it,” Gabby hisses, and it’s then I realize her entire body is vibrating with emotion. Her hand is squeezing mine so tight that it surprises me she has that strength in her. “I don’t know you. I don’t know the road you’re traveling—”
“I’m—”
“I don’t care to know,” Gabby snaps, her voice sounding like steel when Shelby tries to interrupt her.
“What I do know is that King is the best man I’ve ever met—”
“Sunshine,” I whisper, her words hitting me with the force of a hammer, but sweet at the same time.
“I was married to him. I believe I know better than some—”
“You may have married him, but you didn’t allow yourself to know him. If you did, you wouldn’t be beside the guy you’re with. You’d be on your knees thanking God for having King’s devotion, because that’s what he does. He devotes himself to the woman he claims. I would like to thank you, though. Because if you hadn’t made your choices, I would never have known in my entire life the magnificence of being completely and totally safe with a good man.”