Total pages in book: 186
Estimated words: 178688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 893(@200wpm)___ 715(@250wpm)___ 596(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 178688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 893(@200wpm)___ 715(@250wpm)___ 596(@300wpm)
“Break up with the boy toy. Tomorrow. Then we can go back to hosting the wedding of the century. We’ll plan a public appearance, and you’ll wear that black dress I love so much,” he demands.
Bile crawls up my throat, and I might empty my stomach, though there’s nothing in it. “Tyler will never agree to this.”
“He will as long as you convince him. You’ve apparently been acting while you’re with me, so turn on the charm. Be demanding and make it believable. You’ll marry me, Gemma. Because there’s too much at stake for your fuck buddy’s life and your own. Not to mention, your father’s livelihood and this piece of shit cottage. The choice is yours, but don’t make the wrong one.” He chuckles.
“Cheer up, buttercup.” Robert comes closer and forces his mouth against mine. I try to push him off, but he’s too strong. He tastes like stale coffee and sweat, and it’s enough to make me gag.
“Fuck you,” I mutter as he moves past me. He opens the door, and before he leaves, he silently threatens me with a glare.
“We’ll have plenty of time for that during our honeymoon.” Once he’s gone, my knees give out, and I fall to the ground. No matter how much air I try to suck in, I can’t breathe. Hunched over, I’m hyperventilating, and my head feels like it might explode.
Tears stream down my face because Robert’s words aren’t threats. He’s a man of action and will do every single thing he said. I’m not stupid and fully understand that from being with him for so long.
Somehow, I stand and walk to the couch. I cover my face with my hands and let my wails release. The pain is too much to comprehend. The loss I already feel nearly destroys me.
How will I ever be able to let Tyler go and marry a maniac who’s determined to ruin my life? I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t, but Robert uses my weaknesses against me. He knows I’ll do whatever I can to protect the people I love, even if that means being miserable for eternity.
He’ll never allow Tyler and me to be together.
I wipe the tears away, trying to figure out how to convince the man I love that we’re over. It’ll destroy me—and him—but I have to be strong because our lives are on the line.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
TYLER
I’ve been strolling around the gym with a cheesy grin on my face that I can’t wipe off. This past week has been amazing, and nothing could piss me off right now. Gemma’s mine again, and everything between us has worked out perfectly. Our mutual attraction and the feelings we have for each other are beyond my wildest dreams.
After I close the gym, I walk home and immediately jump in the shower. Gemma and I have breakfast plans in the morning, and if the weather cooperates, we’ll go on a hike too. Honestly, I don’t care what we do as long as I’m with her.
Thoughts of her take over as the water streams down my chest, and my dick comes alive at the memories of her mouth on me. I loved the way her hands slid down my chest before she gripped my shaft and stroked it hard and fast. Or how she moaned when I growled out in satisfaction.
It’s all too much.
I pump my cock, squeezing tightly as flashes of Gemma flood through my mind. The way she simultaneously looked at me with so much hunger and tenderness has me increasing my pace. Resting one hand on the shower wall, I pump with visions of Gemma kneeling in front of me and am soon grunting out my release, exhaling roughly as my head tilts back in relief.
Fuck.
I miss her so goddamn much.
Though we see each other every day and most evenings, I can’t seem to spend enough time with her. Everything’s still new and exciting, but it’s always felt that way when we were together.
Once I’m out of the shower and have dried off, I slip on a pair of shorts and look for food. I see a note on the counter from Everleigh.
Hanging out with Ruby at the pub and will probably crash at her place. See you tomorrow!
P.S. Can you take Sassy out for me PLEASE?
That little shit.
She probably didn’t text me because she knew I’d give her hell for leaving me to dog-sit.
Quickly, I slip on some gym shorts and a T-shirt.
“C’mon, Sassy. Let’s go for a walk.” She immediately bounces when she hears her favorite word. I grab her leash, and we go around the block. She stops at every tree and sniffs every yard. By the time we get home, it’s been thirty minutes, and my stomach is raging with hunger.
After warming some leftovers, I sit down on the couch and click on the TV. As I flip through the channels, I scarf down the food and stop on an old episode of Seinfeld. Once I’ve finished eating, I take my plate into the kitchen and grab a beer. Just as I settle back in my spot, a knock sounds on the door.