Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 84635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
My brow furrowed. “You were trying to freak me out? You’ve done some manipulative, controlling, arrogant bullshit to me but to sink so low as to make me think—”
He wrapped his hand around my neck and pulled me against him so his mouth could claim mine. His tongue didn’t sweep inside like it usually did, but the press of his closed lips was just as domineering…and arousing.
“What was that for?”
“For caring.”
“I just called you a manipulative, controlling—”
“I know what you said…but I also know what you meant.”
I pursed my lips. “You’re proving my point. Only an arrogant man would assume to know what women are thinking.”
He shifted his hand to cup my cheek. “Not women. Just you.”
My breath caught before I could stop it. I covered it with a cough.
I asked, “Why would you want to play dead?”
“Because Skylar tried to kill me, and I needed her to think it worked.”
I slipped off his lap and paced before him. “She tried to kill you.”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“With poison.” He nodded. “That glass over there.”
I moved to examine the glass.
“Don’t touch it.”
I cast him a narrowed glance over my shoulder. “I wasn’t going to touch it.”
I totally was. If Hailey were here, she’d smack me for forgetting all the lessons we’d learned binging Snapped. “So let me get this straight. I’m innocent of killing Jameson and you had me arrested and charged with murder. For my ‘own safety.’” I put that last bit in air quotes. “This Skylar chick tries to actually kill you, and you let her waltz right out of here?”
He rose and crossed to the sideboard and picked up a crystal decanter. Pulling off the topper, he poured a drink. “That about sums it up.”
I nodded, leaning a hip against the side of his chair. “Yeah, sure. That wraps it all up in a nice little bow.”
He crossed and handed me the glass. “Drink.”
“I don’t want to.”
“Drink anyway.”
I took a sip of the liquor, liking how the burn soothed my anger. “None of this makes sense.”
“I know.”
“You rich people are all batshit crazy.”
“I know that too.”
“Are you going to explain?”
“Skylar is bitter that she will never be the next Mrs. Worthington. My brother is using that to play her like a marionette. He wants me dead. He tried to use her to do it.”
The room tilted. Every answer he gave only exposed more questions I hadn’t known to ask.
“What are you going to do now?” I asked.
“I’m going to lay a trap. It’s going to protect my inheritance, my power, and most importantly, ensure your safety. I’m going to make sure my brother never lays his hands on you again. And I might even get a little revenge while I’m at it.”
“How?”
“With incredible skill and finesse,” he deadpanned.
My lips thinned as I let out a long sigh and raised one eyebrow. He matched my look with a tilt to his head.
Finally, I demanded, “Tell me.”
He looked at me for a long moment, then said, “No.”
“I’m in the middle of all of this, and I don’t know what’s going on. I have a right to know; this is my life you’re messing with, Pierce. Please.” I fisted his shirt. “Please, just tell me.”
“I’m the one who is going to protect you.” He sat and moved me onto his lap so I was straddling him. His cock hardened against me.
“Please,” I whispered, my fingers trailing down his chest.
“First, you’re going to tell me what you felt when you saw me slumped in that chair and you thought I was dead. No lying this time, babygirl.”
“I was afraid,” I admitted. The words came out smaller than I intended, and I hated him for hearing them.
“Of prison?”
“Of being alone again. Everyone leaves me eventually.” My jaw ached from clenching. I hadn’t meant to say that. I hadn’t meant to say any of it.
His warm hand cupped the side of my face, and I flinched but didn’t pull away. He pulled me down for a gentle kiss. “I’m not going anywhere, Madison. You are going to be the next Mrs. Worthington. I made you a promise, and I intend to keep it.”
“You didn’t make a promise, you made a demand.” I rolled my eyes, and he gave me a slow, dangerous smile.
“I suppose that’s true. Let me make it up to you now.”
“You’re going to let me go?” I asked with a little too much hope in my voice.
The corner of his mouth twitched but he shook his head.
I braced for the crash of disappointment. It didn’t come. What replaced it was worse, and I wasn’t going anywhere near it.
“I’m never letting you go, Madison. You are mine.” He lifted me from his lap and sat me on the desk. “But I suppose I can give you some answers. You have five minutes. Ask whatever you want, and I will answer honestly. But then I get twenty minutes.”