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)
Pierce shook his head. “You’re really earning that billion-dollar merger.”
He smiled. “What I lack in information I make up for in charm.”
“Do you though?”
Hailey interrupted. “Why are we talking to this bitch?”
I stepped forward, my hands on my hips. “Watch your mouth you dime-store cunt.”
Greyson matched my energy. “Hey, that’s Mrs. Dime-store Cunt Stockford to you.”
Holy shit. He married her? Greyson Stockford, perpetual playboy and bachelor, had married a townie bitch he barely knew. I had pedigree, beauty, money, and all the right connections. These two women, who clearly dug their wardrobe out of a bargain bin and had probably never been to Paris, had beaten me?
Again the uncomfortable sensation that perhaps the problem was with me crept over me.
Hailey rounded on him. “When I need you to fight my battles, I’ll ask.”
He grabbed her around the waist, picked her up, and kissed her—all over her cries of outrage. “But I shined my armor just for you, little bird.”
“You as my knight in shining armor? Don’t make me laugh.”
Still holding her high around the waist he kissed the space between her breasts. “I’m not trying to make you laugh. I want to make you—”
Pierce stepped forward. “While Greyson starts his honeymoon on my carpet, can you tell me what you want?”
My gaze traveled to Madison and then back to him. “Is it too late to say…you?”
Pierce shifted to bring her against his side. “Yes.”
I spread my arms as I blinked at the moisture behind my eyes. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.”
“What do you want, Skylar?” This time his voice softened with something that sounded dangerously close to pity.
It was time to cut my losses. I still had my pride.
Stiffening my spine, I tossed the invitation on the side table and closed my purse. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend. I have a flight to Paris to catch. I think it’s time for a…new start.”
Ignoring Madison and the rest, I approached Pierce.
He started as I stepped into the light. Apparently, the makeup didn’t cover the black eye as well as I thought.
He frowned. “Skylar…”
I shook my head and quoted from my favorite movie. “‘I never did mind about the little things.’” I then leaned forward and kissed his cheek, ignoring Madison’s hiss in response. “Watch your back tonight. He’s…not well.”
Before leaving, I turned back one last time. “Be kind to Tompkins. He had no idea what my plans were. As you know, he’s always had a soft spot for me.”
Throwing my shoulders back, I tossed them a small smile and left.
If there was any redemption for me at all, I’d never return to Cliffs End.
CHAPTER 60
MADISON
Iyanked Hailey out of Greyson’s arms and moved a few steps away. “It absolutely shouldn’t happen this way.”
“What?”
I waved my arms as I continued to rant. “The moment should be sweet, endearing, something I’d tell my children one day. It should be over a romantic dinner, or a picnic, and flowers and chocolates should be involved.”
Hailey grabbed my hands to stop my arms. “What are you talking about?”
I lowered my voice as I looked in Pierce’s direction. He was talking to Greyson. Probably planning world domination after they eliminated Jameson as a threat. “The moment I realized I was in love should be magical,” I said.
Her lower lip pouted. “Ah, honey. Do you need me to get the water bottle and spritz you?”
“Very funny. Maybe. I can’t seem to wake up from this particular nightmare. But I’m serious. It definitely shouldn’t be the moment his ex-fiancée boldly kissed him in front of me. That wasn’t a moment I could tell my kids about.”
“Madison. This isn’t real. Greyson said they are just setting a trap.”
“You’re right. Of course, you’re right. But what about yours?”
She looked over her shoulder at Greyson. “Mine isn’t real either, not really.”
“Are you sure?”
“Not really. I mean there was a bishop but that could mean anything. Right?”
My eyes widened. “How should I know?”
Her expression matched mine as she turned to full on stare at Greyson. “Holy fuck. I might actually be married.”
“I know.”
“Like married married.”
“I know!”
She dipped her head close to mine. “We could sneak out the back. You and me. We don’t owe them anything.”
I was tempted to take her up on her offer. There was just one problem. “You love him.”
“What?”
“Greyson—you love him.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I told you the man kidnapped me! He’s arrogant and stubborn and a pain in the ass and—”
“And you love him.”
“Stop saying that. It makes me look insane.”
“Fine. At the very least you like him…a lot.”
“Stop saying that.”
“I’ve known you for ages and I’ve never seen you look at a guy like the way you look at him.”
“Have I mentioned he drives me crazy?”
“I think that’s why you like him.”
She sighed as her shoulders dropped. “Dammit.”
“What?”
“I like him. I might actually be dumb enough to be close to loving him. Son of bitch. I’m in love with my husband.”