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)
When I started dating Chandler, I found him handsome and charming, and he swept me off my feet. I thought we were a good fit until … everything. After which I caught him cheating. I surprised him at the office with lunch from his favorite restaurant, only to walk in on him and April in a compromising position there was no way he could talk himself out of.
As soon as he had me under his thumb, I learned he isn’t the kind man he showed me when we first met. He’s domineering and controlling and mean if he doesn’t get his way. I’m forced to be his significant other at events that are important to him, even lunches where he’ll just be seen dining out, but we don’t sleep together. I refuse and he doesn’t want that from me anyway.
Having learned my lesson about walking in on him, I sit down in a chair and wait. Sure enough, ten minutes later, April steps out of his office, her lipstick smeared, her long brown hair tangled around her face.
“Oh, hello, Taylor,” she says in a smug voice. “Chandler is expecting you,” she says as she opens a drawer behind her desk, removes her purse, and walks out, presumably to go to the ladies’ room to freshen up.
I roll my eyes and wait for him to join me, which he does five minutes later, looking completely put together, as if nothing had gone on with his assistant behind that door.
I rise and force a smile. “I’m here. You’re late.” Just because I’m doing his bidding doesn’t mean I have to be pleasant when we’re alone.
He runs one hand through his sandy blond hair. “We’re on my schedule, remember?” he says coldly. He adjusts his jacket sleeve, then looks me over, narrowing his gaze. “Why aren’t you wearing the diamond earrings I bought you?”
I clench my jaw before replying. I didn’t think he would keep track of what he buys me or when I wear things, but I should have known better. He wants the world to see that he spoils me with gifts, all to make him look good.
“I thought pearls looked better with this suit,” I say, bringing my hand to the necklace my parents gave me when I graduated college.
He frowns. “Make sure you wear the diamond earrings and necklace to the charity gala this weekend.”
My stomach dips as I realize I’m going to have to find or replace that piece of jewelry. I don’t reply and he gestures for me to precede him. We exit his office, walk into the building lobby, and out into the hot, humid air.
CHAPTER FOUR
Jack
I’m not the kind of guy to sneak out after a one-night stand, so I was shocked and disappointed when I woke up and Taylor was gone. I can’t say I like being on the receiving end, but I’m sure she had her reasons. There’s a part of Taylor that’s locked up tight. I noticed it last night, and I don’t take her leaving personally. Or I try not to.
I glance at my watch. I overslept and didn’t rise until almost eleven, which is unlike me, but then again, we were up late. I wish she’d stayed because I genuinely liked her, not to mention the sex was phenomenal. She’s beautiful, fun, and we laughed. A lot. I admit I’ve never had as much fun eating dessert as I did with her. But she’s gone and until now, I didn’t realize we hadn’t exchanged last names. I’m in Charleston for another couple of days, and I’d like to see her again. Unfortunately, the likelihood is slim.
I sit down at the desk in the outer area of my hotel suite. Opening my laptop, I pull up the search engine and type in “Taylor, charity, Charleston.” None of the results match who I’m looking for. Of course, I didn’t get the name of the foundation where she works and though she mentioned her father’s real estate company, I don’t have that either. It’s like searching for a specific fish in the vast ocean, an impossible feat.
Frustrated, I turn my thoughts to food and call downstairs for breakfast. While waiting, I shower and dress in jeans and a T-shirt. It’s hot as hell in Charleston and unless I’m meeting with people for business, I’m not going to dress up. I step past the bed, look down, and see something shiny on the floor. Bending, I pick up a diamond earring I assume Taylor lost last night. I twirl the post between my thumb and forefinger, staring at the glittering diamond, a knot in my stomach because I won’t be seeing her again.
Without thought, I slide the earring into my front jeans pocket and when a knock sounds on the door, I let the waiter with the food cart into my room.