Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46899 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
And here we go. I forced a smile, even as my jaw tightened to a painful degree. “It’s not like that.”
“Oh? Looked like he was ready to carry you to a suite and start the honeymoon in front of Nonna.” She was joking. I knew she wasn’t jealous, but it was still weird, so weird to talk about it, I mean I know they never slept together but they’d sure as hell kissed.
I let out a long hard exhale through my nose. “It’s not real. It’s just… to keep everyone off my back. Strategic. Easy. Clean. That sort of thing. You know how I work.”
Raven gave me a long look over the rim of her glass. “Temp, I hope you know what you’re doing.” She lowered her voice. “Men like Louis don’t like being toyed with.”
“I do.” The words came too fast. Too sharp. “I have it under control.” My phone buzzed in my pocket. “Besides, he knows exactly what he signed up for, doesn’t he smile well for the show?”
On cue, he smiled and charmed the men around him.
Good timing.
My phone buzzed again.
The vibration rattled against my clutch like a warning bell or early alarm I wanted to hit snooze on. I quickly pulled it out, heart thudding, and turned my back to the crowd—mainly Raven. “Hold on, I think it’s time to take my birth control pill.”
Raven choked on her drink. “You’re like actively—” She shook her head. “I thought it was a farce but you’re still, okay, no judgment, I mean, it’s fine.” She held up her hands. “Get yours.”
“I am, thank you,” I said smoothly. “I should at least get to take advantage of his gorgeous body and the way sweat drips down his six pack when he’s—”
“What?” Louis said smoothly. “When I’m what, wife?”
Ah, the way he said wife sounded like a threat. Embarrassment burned the back of my throat. “Oh, you know.”
“I do, I just like details.” He winked. “Excuse us, Raven, it seems my wife has forgotten exactly what happens when sweat drips between the rivets of my dick muscles.”
God, I was going to kill him.
He grabbed me by the wrist and led me down the hall then pressed me up against the wall before we could make it to a guest room. His mouth was on mine before I could protest. He pulled back just enough to murmur against my jaw, “They’re probably watching. He always has people watching in here, Tempest, so just one small taste, let me steal it from your mouth before they talk more.”
I was intrigued.
I was surprised.
Annoyed.
And for the first time in a while, I felt—alive and like I was in danger all at once. He brought things out in me I was genuinely confused about but one thing I wasn’t confused about? The firmness of his kiss and the way he stole my yes directly from my lips before I had a chance to even utter the word into the universe.
I kissed him back.
I met each kiss with one of my own like a dueling of the mouths, of the tongues… of the egos.
I dug into his hair with my hands and gave myself over to the lie, and God did it feel like the best thing I’ve ever done in my entire existence when he took my tongue and sucked until it was almost painful, like he wanted me to moan in both pain and pleasure. He was more aggressive than I’d assumed he would be. He took control in a massive way that disarmed me.
“Shouldn’t you have a little fun too in convincing everyone, Tempest?” He drew back, his mouth hot on my neck as he trailed the backs of his fingers along the outside of my left breast. “Shouldn’t you get yours too?”
Too much. Too close. I shoved him lightly. “I don’t think you can handle me.”
He reached around me with both arms and gripped my ass. “I’m handling you now.”
A throat cleared at the end of the hall.
I quickly turned.
Dad stood there, arms crossed. I almost laughed. “You should run.”
“You’re my wife.” Louis tucked me close to him.
“You.” Staring hard at Louis, Dad crooked his finger. “My office. Now.”
“Oooooh, you’re in trouble,” I sang.
He smacked me on the ass, and I let out a little squeak. “Worth it.”
“Was that necessary?” Dad asked.
“Absolutely,” Louis said soberly. “My hand would have missed the feel of her supple—”
Dad threw a punch cross his face.
“Dad!” I rushed to Louis’s side.
Dad shook his hand. “Sorry, old habits, forgot for a minute that you’re married.”
“Bullshit.” I laughed. “You’re not senile.”
“I have nerve damage.” He shrugged. “Compulsive punching is a symptom.”
“Is lying another one?” Louis piped up. “Just curious.”
“Keep talking.” Dad glared.
“Go.” I rubbed Louis’s back. It was pure instinct. When I realized what I was doing, I quickly snatched my hand back and watched them walk away from me. Then I shakily reached into my purse and grabbed my phone once I was finally alone.