Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 71908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71908 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
“I am wooing you.” He snags a glass of champagne off one of the trays as the server passes by, handing it to me.
“I have agreed to marry you already,” I remind him before taking a sip, my eyes flicking around the room and recognizing a few of the faces I’d studied up on earlier. I notice a lot of people watching us, and most are female.
That green-headed monster tries to rear its head again, but I push it down, not wanting to make a scene. I mean, it’s my first date. I don’t think kidnapping and murdering an attendee would go over well.
“I’m not going to give you a reason to change your mind.”
“Are there any females here I should know about?” I said I wouldn’t murder anyone, not that I wouldn’t ask questions.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you have a thing for blondes?” I notice two women really eyeing him up, and I know one is a senator’s wife. They were on one of my information cards.
“I have a preference for black, curly hair, but in certain lighting, brunette.” What does that mean? He must see I’m not getting what he means. “Your hair appears almost black, but in the light or sun, it’s a shiny dark brown.”
“I’m being serious.”
“So am I, Sunshine.”
“Well, one of your blondes is closing in,” I tell him, taking another sip of my drink. I fight the irritation I have over the way her eyes are eating him up. It’s clear we are together; my body presses against him, his arm firmly around me.
“Paxton, I didn’t think you’d be here tonight. I was told you were out of the city.” She gives him a bright smile, completely ignoring me. Who told her this? I want a name.
“My fiancée took off to California, and I couldn’t help but chase after her.” He turns his head to look down at me. “She keeps me on my toes.” The woman finally flicks a glance my way, acknowledging I’m standing there. All the ways I could kill her flash through my mind, but I manage to control myself.
“Nadia, this is my fiancée, Naomi.” Paxton introduces us. I hate that he knows her name, which I know is absolutely ridiculous. I knew it too.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Nadia says, but I can tell she doesn’t find any pleasure in it at all. That goes for both of us.
“The pleasure is all mine.” I give her a smile that says I couldn’t care less that I’m meeting her.
In all actuality, I’m fantasizing about carving her eyes out since they can’t seem to stop eating up my man. I knew I should have spent more time with my Uncle Ronan. He is highly skilled at this.
“I had no idea you were engaged.” She keeps her attention on Paxton. “And no ring.” Nadia makes a tsking sound.
I’ll wring her fucking neck.
“All right, you got me.” Paxton tilts his head down, giving a slight shake of his head, almost bashful at having been caught. “I’m still trying to talk her into it, but I can’t help myself now that she’s agreed to go public with me but to introduce her that way.”
“Go public?” Nadia flicks me a fleeting annoyed glance. That I would have the audacity to hide being with Paxton. I wouldn’t, but Paxton is laying it on thick and making us appear to have been together longer than we really have.
This is that charm he has. It comes effortlessly and is as smooth as one of my blades slicing through flesh. I can’t help but question if I too fall so easily for it. I suppose I already know that answer. I have.
“Sorry.” He smirks. “I didn’t give you her full name: Naomi Marino.” A show of disrespect flicks across her face, but she quickly tries to hide it.
I guess she knows the name, but she is a senator’s wife. One who is more than willing to cheat on her husband, but hey, maybe they have an understanding. It’s not my business until it is, and she’s certainly made it so.
“Well, it was lovely to meet you.” Her shiny lips purse. “But I just saw Marth, and I have to speak with her.” Nadia scurries off. Paxton takes a small but deep breath that I’m only aware of because I’m still pressed against him.
“Don’t worry about her.”
“I wouldn’t.” Worry, no. That’s not the right word. I finish off my drink, and Paxton takes it, setting it down on one of the tables.
“Dance with me.”
“I enjoy dancing.”
“And I think I would enjoy the fuck out of dancing with you.” I let him lead me onto the dance floor. I get lost in him all through the first song. I really am enjoying this time with him. What I don’t enjoy is all the staring, but I suppose it also lets everyone know Paxton is mine, and we need to see to this ring situation as soon as possible.