Total pages in book: 165
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Half an hour later, she was checking her appearance in the mirror. Her hair was twisted back, her make-up done perfectly. The dress was a beautiful blue color that brought out the color in her eyes. Her only jewelry was her necklace.
“Let’s go before the others decide they don’t have to wear suits and we end up taking them out wearing jeans and T-shirts.” Hux shook his head as he took hold of her hand.
The others were all in the living room, waiting. Judd was pacing back and forth while Beck leaned against a wall, looking uncomfortable. Owen was sprawled on the sofa, and his gaze went to her immediately as she walked in. He jumped up and prowled toward her, like a jungle cat approaching his prey. As soon as he reached her, he drew her close, then tilted her over, his hand at the back of her neck as he kissed her hungrily.
When he stood her back up and drew back, there was red lipstick on his lips.
“Owen! You’ll ruin my make-up. And you’ve got lipstick on you.” She reached up to wipe it off, but he pulled away.
“Leave it. It’s a badge of honor.”
God, he was nuts.
Then Beck approached her. His gaze took her in as he reached for her hand, kissing the back of it. “Gorgeous.”
She smiled up at him before Judd knocked him to one side. Well, he tried to. He ended up just stepping in front of him so he could stare down at her.
“Darn it, Judd!” Beck moaned.
“You weren’t moving. Fuck. Can’t we just stay at home?” There was such heat in his gaze that it made her shiver.
“No!” Hux barked. “We’re going out for dinner. All of you, get in the car.”
Thirty minutes later, they were sitting in a really swanky restaurant. And garnering a fair amount of attention.
From women and men.
“If any other asshole looks at our girl, I’m going to kill them,” Judd snapped.
“Be my pleasure to help,” Owen drawled, glaring over at one table.
“Hey, you’re getting just as many looks,” Chloe told them.
And no one was more blatant than their server. She smiled hungrily, checking out the guys as she stood far too close to Judd.
He glared up at her, then shoved his chair over. She nearly stumbled in shock.
“Oh! Sorry.” She leaned her hand on Owen’s shoulder.
“You want to remove that. Now,” Owen growled.
Okay, now she felt kind of sorry for the girl.
“My apologies.” She gave Owen a frightened look and moved around to stand between Hux and Beck. “What can I get you all?”
Why was there so much innuendo in those words?
Chloe stared down at her menu. What to order? She had no idea what to get, and there were no prices.
Maybe a salad.
She didn’t really want a salad, but it was likely to be cheaper.
“Order what you really want,” Judd whispered to her. “If you don’t, I won’t hesitate to take you out to the bathroom and spank your ass.”
Yikes.
“And for you?” the server asked her. “The salmon salad is nice and light.”
“Actually, I’ll have the pasta. Thanks.”
The other woman nodded stiffly and left after running her hand along Hux’s arm.
“Gross.” Hux shivered. “I’m never wearing this suit again.”
Everyone was giving them strange looks. This wouldn’t have happened in Escana. No one would have blinked twice about a woman being out with four men.
She let out a deep breath. She didn’t know how she felt about living there again. But it did have its advantages.
Hux flagged down a waiter. “Can we speak to the manager, thanks?”
What was he doing?
An older man appeared, giving them all a charming smile. “How can I help?”
“The server we currently have is making us really uncomfortable,” Hux said. “She’s making us feel like we’re dinner. If you get what I’m saying.”
The smile on the other man’s face dropped. “I’m so sorry, Sir. I’ll find someone else right away.” The manager walked off, his face thunderous.
Maybe she should feel sorry for the other woman.
But she didn’t.
“Thank you,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry to be such a bother.”
“Why are you a bother?” Hux asked. “I’m the one she made uncomfortable.”
The food arrived, carried over by a different server. Judd immediately pulled her plate over toward him.
“Did you want some?” The plate was piled high so she could use his help eating it.
“No, I want to make sure it tastes all right and that it’s not too hot for you,” he replied, taking a bite. “Hmm, it’s all right. I could do better. We should have stayed at home.” He glared at Hux.
“No, we shouldn’t have. We need a night out to show our girl off.”
“I think we’re showing her off too much,” Owen said, staring around the room. “I’m going to have more people to add to my list.”
“What list?” she asked.
“The list of people I’m getting revenge on for treating you badly.”