Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Edward narrows his eyes at Thomas. “Wise.”
“But seriously, you’re a little over the top, am I right?” Thomas replies.
“Over the fucking top,” Edward fires back. “I’ll tell you what’s over the fucking top. You thinking that a male escort is coming to a party with me and my girl as I introduce her to the world.”
“He can be my cousin.” I try to think on my feet.
“Your cousin?” Edward fumes.
“Yeah, good idea,” Thomas replies. “This way I can innocently come and blend in but then disappear when you two are spending time together. But if you need me to step up and talk to either men or women, I can do that too.”
“No.” Edward straightens his cufflinks.
Time to bring out the big guns.
“Edward, I’m not coming unless you let me bring him.” I put my hands on my hips.
“Why are you intent on ruining our night?” Edward barks.
“Because I need backup and I know I only have one friend who can hold his own at a party like this.”
Edward’s eyes meet Thomas’s and I can see his brain ticking.
“Completely innocent, I swear.” Thomas holds his hands up. “If you want me to leave at any time you just have to say the word.”
Edward runs the backs of his fingers through his stubble as he thinks and I can feel his fury, simmering dangerously close to the surface.
“What about if he just came for an hour.” I try to sweeten the deal. “Until I’m comfortable and then he can go.”
“I don’t like this,” Edward replies.
I slide my arms around him and go up on my toes to kiss him. “I know, but you’ll do it for me.”
“Alora,” he sighs with an eye roll, and I know that I’ve won.
He turns to Thomas. “You even look at her the wrong way and I will kill you with a smile on my face.”
“Well…. That’s great.” Thomas widens his eyes at me and I bubble up a giggle.
Poor Thomas.
“Are we going to have a drink before we leave?” I try to lighten the mood.
“I don’t know, am I allowed to drink?” Thomas teases.
“No,” Edward snaps. “You are not.”
Have you ever had a moment in your life that is so surreal that it just doesn’t seem real?
I’m in one, right now.
Walking toward the front gates of the Prince of Monaco’s private residence. Holding the love of my life’s hand, who I anonymously met at a kink club three years ago and also happens to be a billionaire. I’m dripping head to toe in vintage Chanel, and my stilettos cost more than my car. The man walking beside us: a gorgeous male escort who somehow has become a trusted friend.
Shit like this just doesn’t happen, but whoever’s recently taken over as my guardian angel is doing a mighty fine job up there.
We walk along the pathway that leads around to a private road and a huge set of gates. There’s a giant twenty-foot stone fence covered in vines, and lanterns strategically light up the space. Guards are standing around, laughing and shaking hands when they see each other as if seeing long-lost friends.
My god….
It never even occurred to me that the guards of the rich and famous have their own social clique; they meet at these events regularly. I wonder if they ever exchange information about each other’s bosses…. Of course they would.
People stop talking and turn their attention to us as we approach. “Good evening, Mr. Prescott.”
“Good evening.” He nods.
Their eyes linger on me as they watch us walk by.
Edward squeezes my hand in his, as if reading my thoughts.
“Wiggle that ass, girlfriend,” Thomas mutters under his breath. “Give them something to talk about.”
A trace of a smile crosses Edward’s face as we walk, and I smile too, hopeful that in time Edward will come to like Thomas. They have a lot in common, sarcastic wit. One grumpy and one sunshine…opposite sides of a similar coin.
Though not the same.
We get to the front gates and the three guards standing in front of it, there’s three women in front of us, scantily dressed and hot as hell. “Identification and phones, ladies,” one of the men asks them.
“Of course.” The girls show them their licenses and their names are ticked off a list, they fill out a piece of paper and pass their phones over to a woman, she gives them a ticket and they walk inside. I watch the woman put them into a giant numbered shelving unit. They then walk through a metal detector.
Jeez….
Thomas and I exchange looks, a silent what the fuck?
The guards glance up and see us and move to the side. “Good evening, Mr. Prescott.”
“Good evening.” He walks straight through the metal detector, leading me by the hand.
“Ahh,” Thomas says from behind us. “I’m going to leave my phone too.” I glance back as he hands it over.