Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 132097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132097 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 660(@200wpm)___ 528(@250wpm)___ 440(@300wpm)
Without waiting for Margot’s help, I carry her over to the couch, trying to ignore the way she feels in my arms.
When did she get so soft?
Figures that little Hattie Sage would grow up to be a huge book dork and a hot mess.
Emphasis on hot.
Yes, she’s filled out in all the right places, but I can’t figure out what it is about her when she’s nothing like my usual type.
It’s subtle, her attractiveness.
Hell, I didn’t notice when I stormed in like a runaway train. Didn’t even notice when her viper mother grabbed me and did her best to kill me with swamp juice.
What was that shit, anyway?
Tasted like I was drinking a frappe made from yard waste.
I sit on the sofa, adjusting Hattie so her legs are propped up, her head lolling against my shoulder. Her hair, long and blonde with natural curly waves I know Margot would kill for, tumbles across my arm and stomach.
Her mouth is partly open.
I don’t remember her lips being so full before, so inviting. Every man’s wet dream.
Christ, what if she already has a boyfriend?
Did Gramps ever plan for that complication?
“What now? What do I do?” I demand. Margot doesn’t look a bit concerned.
“Well, holding her until she wakes up again is a good start.” Margot heads into the kitchen to get her a glass of water. “And don’t yell at her, dickhead,” she calls back.
“Fuck off,” I mutter, adjusting Hattie’s head so she’s not in danger of straining her neck.
Her eyes flutter open from the movement, slowly widening.
So much green.
Deep, rich green with flakes of brown around her irises.
Her breath stutters as she looks up and tries to speak.
“E-Ethan?” she rasps.
I practically shove her up to get her off my lap.
Goddamn, what’s wrong with me?
“You fainted,” I tell her bluntly.
“You gotta stop doing that, Hatgirl,” Margot says, approaching with water and what looks like a granola bar. “Here, eat this.”
Hattie sends me a nervous look before taking a drink and accepting the snack. The glass clinks on her teeth.
I take the opportunity to scan her shoebox apartment.
It’s small and cluttered. The living room resembles more of a library back room than a real apartment. She has three large bookcases crammed into the small space and there are more books piled everywhere.
Literally everywhere.
At least they look organized, I guess.
Carefully arranged stacks, some piled up in cardboard boxes, a few tossed carelessly on the coffee table. It looks like an army of squirrels came digging for books instead of nuts in here.
“That mess was me, in case you wondered,” Margot says, noticing where I’m looking. “I wanted to find all her classics.”
“They’re ordered alphabetically. And by genre,” Hattie mumbles, ripping the wrapper off the oat bar and taking a bite.
“Yeah, but I don’t know the system.” Margot rolls her eyes.
My kid sister has no clue how obnoxious she is.
People say the same about me, of course, but the difference is I’m aware.
I just don’t care.
I lean back, pressing into the cushions.
My anger from this morning in Wilkes’ office has worn off, and now it’s time to approach this logically.
Demands and threats aren’t working.
When I pushed, Hattie shoved right back, calling me out for being an asshole.
That’s new.
Old Hattie would’ve let out a squeak and ran.
I can’t even be mad at her because I was a raging cock.
Still, she’s apparently so delicate a check with a big number causes her to pass the fuck out.
So I can’t just wave money in her face, either.
Not without giving her some sugar first.
Damnably obnoxious, this entire situation.
Will she even make it through a wedding ceremony conscious?
Not that the will says she has to be.
I take another look around the apartment. She’s clearly not living it up, so maybe it really was just the shock of a sudden windfall.
Perhaps she needs time to get used to the idea of someone paying her well for a job.
Yes, even in my thoughts, I’m an asshole.
If she needs time, I can spare that, but there’s a limit.
I have a schedule, and I need a damn answer soon.
I need to commit to marrying her or I’ll have to find another way to secure my inheritance.
And knowing my luck and Wilkes’ grim assessment, that won’t be easy.
Fucking fabulous.
“Could you keep this thing away for now?” Margot picks up the check and passes it back to me before sitting on Hattie’s other side.
“Look,” she whispers to Hattie as her eyes blink open, “you don’t have to go through with this. Don’t let him pressure you.”
“Yes, she does,” I interrupt.
Does my sister think I’m dicking around, trying to buy a wife for fun?
I have a thousand better things I could be doing.
Hattie gives me a nervous glance.
I try not to look like I’m pissed.
“It’s a lot to take in,” Margot says gently, patting Hattie’s forehead.
Fine, I’ll give her that.