Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 650(@200wpm)___ 520(@250wpm)___ 433(@300wpm)
She knew she had good instincts when it came to judging people and their motives. She could determine whether they were liars and what kind of character they had. The bottom line was she believed Andrii and she wanted to be like him—taking a deep breath and jumping in with both feet.
She nodded her head slowly, determined she was going to let go of her fears.
* * *
* * *
“He wrote a song for me,” Azelie announced as she flung herself into the chair beside China. “Andrii plays in a band, and he wrote a song and played it for me. Right there in the club. He told everyone the song was for his lady.”
She couldn’t help sounding breathless. Andrii made her breathless. He’d been so loving and sweet, holding her all night, whispering the most outrageous things to make her laugh. There were no nightmares when Andrii slept in her bed with her. There was no room for them because Andrii made sure of it.
Penny’s breath exploded from her throat. She patted the tabletop beside Azelie’s hand. “A band? He plays in a band? And wrote a song for you? Musicians are the best lovers. It’s their artist’s soul.”
Doug groaned and slapped his palm against his forehead. “Don’t tell her such nonsense, Penny.”
“What are you doing encouraging her to be a groupie?” Carlton demanded. “And musicians aren’t necessarily the best lovers. Any man who pays attention to his partner’s needs is a good lover.”
Penny rolled her eyes. “You don’t understand the significance of a man with a poet’s soul. His very artistry gives him a superior skill right off the bat.”
Doug made a noise in his throat that sounded like a cat dying of strangulation. Then he began a coughing fit. Azelie politely pushed the glass of water she hadn’t yet touched to him in the hopes of saving his life. He had turned an alarming shade of lobster red.
China and Blanc hid their smirks behind their hands. Azelie glanced toward the counter, where Shaila was serving a customer. At least she acted as though she were serving a customer, but in reality, she was listening to the conversation right along with half the coffee shop. The discussions between the merry widows and their two male friends were legendary.
“Penny.” Carlton did his best to sound reasonable, but his voice shook with the effort. “That is quite possibly the most ridiculous thing that’s ever come out of your mouth. And over the years, you’ve managed to spew a lot of insane nonsense. It’s a wonder you haven’t been committed.”
“Ha!” Penny returned. “You’re just jealous because I took an entire year and followed several of the top bands.”
“You didn’t follow them,” Carlton objected. “You had sex with all the band members.”
Penny nodded, completely without one iota of remorse. “Which, may I point out, makes me an expert when it comes to musicians and their sexual prowess.”
Doug choked some more. He took another drink of water and glared at Penny. “You will not encourage our girl to follow bands and sleep with the members.”
“Of course not.” Penny turned her entire focus on Azelie and gave her a very straight-faced lecture. “Honey, you don’t sleep with musicians, you have sex with them.”
China and Blanc both erupted into giggles. Half the customers in the coffee shop followed suit, although they tried to muffle their reactions.
Carlton threw his hands into the air. “That’s it, Penny. I’m officially banning you from talking to Azelie. You’ve spent half your life corrupting the young.”
China sobered quickly. “That’s going way too far, Carlton, and you need to apologize.”
“That’s so true,” Penny said. “I only managed to corrupt a few other girls, introducing them to a rollicking good time with the best lovers ever.” She blew on the tips of her fingernails. “I like to think I’ve made women aware of the differences between bad sex, decent sex and fantastic sex. All women should know.”
“There’s no talking to you, Penny,” Doug declared. He switched his gaze to Azelie, his features softening. “Half the things she says are pure bullshit designed to make our heads explode, Azelie. It gives her great joy to watch Carlton and me lose it over her nonsense.”
“If you know I’m spewing nonsense,” Penny challenged, “why does your head explode?”
Azelie thought that was a very good point. She was very aware everyone in the coffee shop was listening to the conversation. She was glad they were no longer discussing her date. She didn’t want to answer questions about Andrii in front of everyone. She still feared there was a good chance word would get back to Billows and he’d find a way to harm Andrii.
She considered Billows’ odd behavior at the club when he’d come in with his supermodel trophy displayed on his arm. When he’d come over to the table, he hadn’t been looking at Azelie, he’d been looking at Lana. He’d all but ignored the fact that there was a man at the table. There didn’t appear to be jealousy or anger toward Kasimir at all. When she went back over every detail, she realized he’d barely glanced at Azelie.