Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 98819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98819 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Or else I’m craving complete ownership more than I thought.
“Excuse me,” he says. “Can I have a moment to speak to Mrs. Roy?”
“Of course, sir.” George scrambles out of his own seat to offer it to Rex. It’s a revelation, watching Rex move through the world like the rich celebrity he is.
“Thank you.” Rex’s smooth tones remind me of a politician’s. “We’ll just be a moment.”
“Take all the time you need!” George hustles out, taking a starry-eyed Denise with him, but not before she wrangles an autograph out of Rex.
And then I’m shut in a clerk’s tiny office. Alone with Rex.
My new husband.
The room feels smaller with him in it. Like there’s not enough air. I stand to face him, crossing my arms over my chest to keep myself from touching him. I need to make clear that he’s in trouble, and swooning into his arms will give the wrong idea. “Does Roy Manor have a doghouse? Because that’s where you’ll be sleeping tonight.”
“No, darling. But you can have one installed on the grounds. You’re the mistress of the manor now.”
I narrow my eyes on him. If he thinks that’s tempting. . . he’d be right. The mansion is beautiful. I could spend years exploring all the rooms. I drop my arms and close the distance between us. The pull to go to him is too strong; I can’t resist it. I don’t want to. “I can’t believe you changed my name. Rex, what the hell?” I playfully smack his chest.
He grabs my hand and kisses it. The touch of his lips makes my pulse flutter. He is so sinfully handsome when he’s being bad. “Inara and Rex Roy-Ramos. Sounds perfect.”
He joked about hyphenating before, but hearing it out loud sounds more serious. “You’d change your name too?”
“It’s only fair. Everyone will know I belong to you, too.”
My knees weaken. Rex’s charm offensive is hard to resist. Denise had it right. The whole package works for me, too.
“That’s not. . . you don’t. . .” I sputter, trying to figure out what to say. “We’re not actually married.”
“According to the world, we are.”
“You didn’t even ask me.”
He opens his mouth, probably to declare himself, and I hold up a hand. “It’s too late.” If he gets down on one knee, it’ll be all over. I already feel myself wanting to give in. He’ll win. “It’s already done. We’re not even in a relationship.”
“Aren’t we?”
I don’t know what we are to each other. But this is a dangerous topic. I can’t think about it right now.
I don’t know what it says about me that I’d rather focus on the gruesome details of serial murders than discuss the state of our relationship.
“You said you’d stop meddling. You promised.”
“I’m not meddling. I’m giving you my name. For your protection.”
My mouth falls open. “What protection? The paparazzi was all over me!”
“I know. I’ve made it clear that’s not to happen again. You’ll be assigned your own security detail. We’ll also give select media some access, and after a few interviews, the press will settle down.”
I frown. Interviews? Access? What the hell?
“Speaking of interviews, we’ll be holding a press conference today. Don’t worry. You don’t have to say anything if you don’t want to.”
If meeting the press is anything like the mob earlier, I don’t want anything to do with it.
“I’m used to these,” Rex reassures me. “I can do all the talking. You can just stand there and look pretty.”
I grit my teeth, and then I clock the gleam in his eye. “Are you riling me up so I’m mad instead of nervous?” I ask.
“Is it working?”
Yes. “Keep it up, and I really will kill you.”
He shifts forward into my space. “Is that what you want?” Only Rex would think my threat is an opportunity for us to flirt. “You’ll be a very wealthy widow.”
My brain glitches out. “Really?”
“What’s mine is yours, Inara.”
Rex is a billionaire. Does this mean I’m one now, too?
That can’t be right.
I can’t think about this right now, either. “This isn’t a real marriage. I need you to understand that.”
“Understood.” He sounds serious. “The Roy name means something to New Rome. It’ll attract attention, but there are many people who respect it.”
Like George the clerk. Although Denise didn’t seem too impressed with me.
“Please, Inara. Keep it until this is all over. I only want to help.”
I blow out a breath. “All right. As long as you understand it’s fake.”
“Of course.” He dips his head, agreeing so quickly I don’t think it’s a real concession. “We can work out the details over dinner tonight.”
Give this man an inch, and he thinks he’s a ruler.
I raise a finger between us. “Don’t get too comfortable, Mr. Roy. I’m already interviewing assassins.”
The door opens just in time for George to hear my last statement. “Um, is this a bad time?”