Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“With that look, you two must fuck like bunnies.”
I flinched. Then cringed, knowing my reaction gave too much away.
“You do fuck, right?” he asked slowly.
“We’ve fucked. Yes.” I paused before muttering, “Once.”
“What?” he exclaimed.
I cringed again and hesitated, not wanting to voice all the reasons I had for holding back from having sex. Admitting them aloud left them exposed and gave Corbin the opportunity to question their validity. I wasn’t ready to defend my choice to stick to foreplay, or to receive feedback on it.
No matter what I said, he wouldn’t understand how I lost control when I fucked her on my desk, without a condom, and the door unlocked, allowing anyone to walk in. I’d been reckless and acted without thought. I’d reacted on feelings.
And I didn’t do feelings.
Clearing my throat, I tried to explain. “We do…other things.”
Corbin faced me completely, demanding I acknowledge his wide-eyed stare. “What the fuck, man?”
Relief nearly buckled my knees when I saw Aspen and Rose on their way back, saving me from answering.
“What has you so shocked?” Rose asked with an amused glance at Corbin.
I peered at Corbin, finding him still slack-jawed and staring.
“Of course, I’m shocked. Lucian just told me—”
Fear struck my chest that he’d call me out, asking Aspen for an explanation he couldn’t get from me. “Corbin,” I warned.
“That he likes pineapple on his pizza.”
Relief washed through me in a rush, air flooding back into my lungs at the same time as both women said, “Ew.”
I shot Corbin a glare, then offered Aspen a self-deprecating smile and shrug. Before anyone could add another word, a voice cut in from outside our circle.
“Oh, wow. Mr. Daire and Mr. Black. Two of the most prominent business moguls here tonight. I’d love to chat if you have a moment.”
I never got a chance to look his way. My eyes locked on Aspen instead; her face ghostly pale. My chest tightened at the sight. Whatever hit her so hard, I felt it too, sharp and personal.
CHAPTER 5
ASPEN
Blood drained from my head to my feet, taking my heart to the pit of my stomach, where it churned until I thought I’d vomit.
Without even seeing his pointed nose, thin lips, and dark, beady eyes, I knew exactly who it was. Brian Kerr. A star football player from high school who’d paid my boyfriend to watch the homemade videos he’d made of us without my knowing. A piece of shit who continued to proposition me for a live performance until graduation. An asshole who cornered me after a game, assuming he could take what he wanted.
I wondered if he still remembered my knee in his balls as much as I remembered his disgusting, sweaty hands.
Despite his nasally voice sending me into a tunnel vision of memories, I knew Lucian was watching me. His gaze stroked along my cheek, seeing more than I wanted him to. No way in hell would anyone see me at anything other than my best at an event hosted by Quinn Music Group. Not Lucian, and definitely not Brian himself, because no way in hell did I want him to think he affected me after seven years.
He doesn’t affect me, I reminded myself.
He doesn’t affect me. He doesn’t affect me. He has no control over me. I am in control.
I repeated the words like a mantra, taking deep inhales through my nose and long exhales through my mouth. Confident in that reminder, I lifted my chin and wore a cool, calm, and controlled exterior like a coat of armor.
Glancing at Lucian, I caught his studious look and raised brow—but ignored it, stepping forward into view of Brian and bracing for impact. Lucian angled himself closer to my side, sliding his palm along the bare skin of my back, where it had been all night. Unbidden, my body heated where the rough pads of his fingers stroked along each vertebra down my spine while the rest of me remained frozen.
Brian was angled away from me as he shook Corbin’s hand, smiling like some car salesman with his bland, brown hair slicked back and lanky body barely filling out his cheap suit. He didn’t notice me—especially once Corbin introduced Rose, and Brian’s gaze snapped to her, lingering in that disgustingly familiar way that set my teeth on edge.
“Rose Berkshire?” Brian repeated unnecessarily. “Any relation to the club, The Berkshire?”
Rose carefully extracted her hand from Brian’s lingering grip and offered a guarded smile. “Yes. My father started the club. However, after he passed away, I took over.”
“I’ve heard fantastic things about The Berkshire.” He waggled his brows, looking Rose up and down. “I would never assume that a pretty thing like you would be behind such a…place like that.”
Gross.
And dumb. If Corbin’s scowl grew any darker, he’d give Lucian a run for his money in becoming the new dark and dangerous. Not that he had anything to worry about, because Rose could handle herself.