Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
He rises to his feet. Taking my hand, he leads me to the bedroom, pausing to put the towel in the bathroom, and instead of telling him I should leave, I go along willingly.
I slide into the bed beside him, and he picks up the portable hotel phone. “I’m hungry,” he says.
I laugh. “Again?” He devoured a burger and fries a few hours earlier.
“Again. Are you going to join me?”
A smile pulls at my lips. “Fine. You decide what we should eat.” What am I doing? I should be getting dressed and going home, not becoming more involved with the man who just gave me the best orgasm of my life.
Dessert arrives not long after and we eat a variety of treats, some with our fingers, others off each other’s bodies before showering together and getting back into bed. Despite knowing it’s smarter not to get to know him, he tells me more about his big family, his sister and twin brothers, and his partners and their significant others.
After we talk, he tackles me to the mattress for another round of earth-shattering sex, then falls asleep while I lie awake, waiting until he’s out cold and won’t notice when I slide from beneath the sheets.
I don’t want to sneak out and leave him without saying goodbye, but it seems easier this way. I can’t bring anyone into my life because Chandler will go out of his way to destroy them by whatever means necessary. He’s not just my ex, he’s my current blackmailer, a man with power and influence.
In his mind, I’m still his significant other, on call whenever he needs me for an event or whatever else he deems important. My family is well-connected in this town, and that, too, makes me the perfect Stepford wife on his arm. But I can’t wait to get him out of my life, and I’ll never stop trying to find an escape that won’t destroy me in the process.
I step closer to the bed, memorizing Jack’s face so when I’m feeling down, I can think about him and have a reason to smile. Then, I tiptoe into the outer area of the suite, picking up my clothes and dressing before quietly letting myself out the door.
CHAPTER THREE
Taylor
The next morning, I wake up and memories of last night immediately flood my mind. Jack. I curl against my pillow, imagining his cedarwood scent, and I can’t help but smile. In a world of shitty people, he’s one of the good ones. A great guy, relaxed, fun, and yes, sexy. In fact, it was the best sex I’ve ever had. I hold the memory of him close for a few minutes longer before facing the world.
I pick up my phone from the nightstand. It’s nine a.m. I overslept and there are way too many missed voice messages from Chandler.
I take the phone with me to the bathroom and hit play while I brush my teeth.
“Taylor, we’re having lunch today at Hank’s. Meet me at my office at eleven thirty so we can walk in together at noon.”
I roll my eyes. It would never cross his mind to think I had a business meeting or other plans. Luckily, I make my own hours, and I’m always on top of things.
I press the next message.
“Taylor, I need to know you got my message. Call me back.” I hear the irritation in his voice.
And the next.
“Where the hell are you? When I call, I expect to hear back.” My stomach twists at the annoyance in his tone.
And lastly …
“I don’t appreciate your games and I can assure you, if I don’t hear from you, there will be consequences.”
I ignore his threat, knowing there’s nothing he can do without me coming back at him with what I know. I rinse my mouth and pick up the phone, pressing Chandler’s number in my list of recent calls. Luckily, he doesn’t answer and it goes directly to voicemail. “I didn’t get your messages until now,” I say in a forced, calm voice. “I’ll see you at your office at eleven thirty.” I disconnect the call and my stomach churns as I run the shower and step beneath the spray.
An hour later, I’m dressed in what Chandler views as appropriate attire for the woman on his arm: a light blue sleeveless dress ending just below the knee and Louboutin heels. When I looked in the mirror when I got home, I realized I’d lost one of the diamond earrings I’d been wearing last night. A gift from Chandler, so for today, I choose a pearl necklace and matching earrings instead.
One glance in the mirror to check my makeup, and I’m ready to go.
I call a rideshare because I know Chandler will want his driver to take us to the restaurant and a little while later, I walk into his office. The outer area is empty, his assistant, April, nowhere to be found, for which I’m grateful.