Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78850 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 394(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
I’ve left my career and house, and dumped my fiancée all because when I close my eyes, she’s all I see.
My addiction. Whatever, I now accept that I can’t quit her. I want to wake up every morning inside her, and go to sleep every night the same way.
I don’t even care if I ever step foot in a courtroom again. I’ve conquered that part of my life. I worked hard, tackled it, and won.
Because that’s what I do. I win. But with Raven… I bring the drink to my lips and finish it. I fucked up. I wanted to hurt her, break her, and now I need to put her back together and fucking worship her. But first, I need to get her to forgive me.
What if she says no?
She can’t say no. Not if I don’t give up. That’s one thing everyone in Raven’s life has done.
No one has ever put her first: not her father and certainly not Rachel. But I’m going to.
I want to give her everything. And not just my money. I want her to know that I’m hers.
That I’d easily die for her, since living without her is not an option.
Is that love?
She’s become my world…
My life.
Sweat beads on my forehead. I take my glass and suck on the last piece of ice.
Yeah, I’m fucked. That’s love alright.
RAVEN
Costa del Sol, Spain
“Are you ready?” Cher yells from her room to mine. I take a step back and look at myself in the full-length mirror. We went shopping today and got new dresses. Cher’s is strapless and mine is a halter, both white to show off our amazing tans from three weeks of sunbathing.
I straightened my hair tonight, kind of shocked at how long it is, past my breasts. I like it, though. It’s kind of got this wild, nasty vibe going on. And considering I’ve given up on anything to do with my past, I’ve decided to reinvent myself right now. Yep, I’m going for the free-bird attitude.
“I’m ready.” I sashay out.
Poor Brody looks up from the TV. He got stung by a jellyfish this afternoon and is sprawled out on our couch, looking miserable.
“How’s the foot?” I smile sympathetically.
“Wow. You look… amazing.” He sits up on his elbows.
“Thanks.” I flash him a saucy smile and step into the kitchen to grab the tequila from the freezer. I’ve found that alcohol helps numb the pain, and since my heart seems unable to stop burning, I’m working on drowning it.
“Dammit, I knew I should have gotten that dress. Let’s trade?” Cher flounces in as I finish pouring three shots.
“No.” I hand her the glass and walk over to Brody. “To us.” I throw the shot back and promptly exhale.
“Okay, let’s do this before I decide to stay home with Brody and watch TV.” I grab my handbag.
“Again with the negativity. Did you not have fun the other night?” Cher puts the tequila back in the freezer.
“No, you had fun. I cried in the bathroom for as long as I could, then got yelled at by the owner.” I roll my eyes.
“Yeah, don’t do that tonight.” Cher smiles at me.
We look over at Brody.
“Don’t wait up for us.” Cher throws him a kiss, as I mouth, Help me.
“Be careful. Don’t take drinks from strangers,” he calls after us.
I slam the door shut and we walk down the street, the tequila already making me feel nice and toasty.
“Okay, so don’t get mad, but I invited Matteo and Danny to meet us tonight.” Cher keeps looking straight ahead.
“What?” I grab her arm. “I told you I’m not ready for that.” I specifically told her no. And now I’ll have to keep a conversation going with a guy I have zero interest in because Cher wants Matteo.
“Relax, they know, but it’s time you at least have a conversation with someone besides Brody and me.”
We’re still a block away, and I can already hear the nightclub’s music. I take a deep breath, smelling the ocean. If it’s really bad tonight, I’ll ditch them and walk to the beach to sit and cry there.
“Okay, there they are. Smile.” Cher pinches me as she calls out to them.
“God,” I say with a groan as I walk behind her, hugging Danny first while Cher laughs at something Matteo said before he breaks away to kiss both my cheeks.
And nothing… not even the slightest flutter. What is wrong with me? Both these guys are young and hot, so even though I have nothing in common with them, I should at least feel some sort of energy when they touch me, right?
Jesus, maybe Cher’s right. I really am turning into a ninety-year-old woman. If I wasn’t getting myself off every night, I’d worry my sex drive was completely gone.
“Shall we party, my beauties?” Matteo motions for us to go first. There’s already a line to get in, but he slips the bouncer some money, and we’re in.