Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 156392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 782(@200wpm)___ 626(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156392 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 782(@200wpm)___ 626(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
When did that happen?
Thankfully, he raises a brow with obvious disregard. “How about the clusterfuck of a party going on outside?”
That’s when I hear the of music and the general chatter. I honest to God forgot about that.
“Oh, the party.”
“Yes, the party that you threw on my yacht without informing me.”
I shrug. “What’s yours is mine. What’s mine is also mine.”
“By God. You’re such a brat.”
“Want to punish me again when we get home? Leo can end the party.”
“Leo is fired for letting the party happen.”
“I’ll just rehire him and pay him more. With your money.”
“Being married to you is obnoxiously expensive.”
“Not expensive enough to cover your lack of humanity. You should consider yourself lucky.”
“Lucky, huh?”
“Totally. No other woman would put up with a Tin Man. You should thank me.”
“For being a pain in the arse?” he says in a deadpan voice. “Let’s get a move on.”
“You’ll come around, babe.” I brush my lips against his as he places a hand behind my back and carries me to the bathroom.
My legs lock around his waist and I continue to explore his body, kissing him everywhere I can.
He puts an end to it too soon when we step into the shower and he fucks me against the wall.
So much for waiting for later.
Eli changes into some spare clothes he had Leo bring him. Then he says, “You’re fired, Henderson.”
I peek from the bathroom, putting on my dress. “You have been rehired and promoted, Leo! Let’s celebrate later.”
My husband glares at me and I lift my shoulder. “Warned you. Not my fault you don’t listen.”
He shakes his head and steps out. “I need a word with Lan. See you outside.”
“Okay.”
He takes a step toward the door, then stops. “Behave, will you?”
I wink. “Always.”
“I don’t even know why I try anymore,” he mutters as he steps past Leo. The latter offers me a rare smile and I mirror it, then top it off with two thumbs-up.
Leo and Sam have been nothing but supportive during the time my husband was being a wanker. They even called him unreasonable, which I screenshotted and will frame and then place on his desk.
By the time I’m done dolling up, I breeze past all the people who seem to have doubled in number in search of the one person whose company I want.
I spot Eli standing outside by the deck with Lan. The cousins are facing away from me as they stare at the dark water. Light reflects on the surface like a swish of deceptive color.
“Consider this my contribution after what I said.” Lan wraps an arm around Eli’s shoulder.
Broad shoulders with bulging muscles that I can still make out the contours of under the blue shirt.
“I’ll knock your teeth out if you don’t stop provoking me, Landon. I mean it.”
“Hey, relax. I didn’t know Barbie was…” he trails off as Eli shoves his arm away.
“You didn’t know I was what?” I ask with a smile as I join them.
“Still giving this waste of space the time of day,” Lan says. “You can do so much better.”
“And so can Mia,” Eli shoots back.
“Nonsense. I’m God’s gift to humans and she’s grateful to have me.”
I place a finger in my mouth and pretend to vomit. “Your presence gives me nausea.”
“Must be something wrong with your stomach.”
Eli shoves him away and places an arm around my back. “Ready to go?”
“And escape the cloud of narcissism around here? Absolutely.”
“Joke’s on you, Barbie!” Lan calls behind us. “You took the entire cloud with you.”
Eli glares at him and I catch him mouthing, “I’ll kill you.”
“Not if she manages to kill you first, cousin,” Lan says.
I laugh but still make a face at the arsehole.
During the ride back, I doze off, and I think Eli pulls me against his chest and I climb onto his lap, but I’m not sure.
The next thing I know, when I open my eyes, I’m surrounded by a familiar scent.
The soft light of a lamp illuminates my surroundings in stark detail.
My heart nearly pops out from between my ribs when I find myself cocooned in Eli’s embrace. My head rests on his naked chest, my arm is wrapped around his waist, and his hand covers my back.
I’m wearing a pink nightgown and my hair is loose, and I’m, without a doubt, covered with an ugly gray duvet while snuggling against my husband.
In his bed.
My breath hitches as I stare up at his sleepy face, at the sharp jaw and the dark lashes fanning his cheek.
This is so unfair. Why does he look hot even while sleeping?
Now, I don’t even want to sleep anymore and would rather watch his face.
My wedding ring shines under the soft light and I smile. He kept the side lamp on because he knows I can’t sleep in the darkness, didn’t he? Even though I was out by the time he brought me here.