Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“I can read your body just fine.” He looked me up and down. “It’s in desperate need of my dick.”
My jaw dropped to the floor.
“Looks like your mouth would appreciate a taste, too…”
“I’m um—” I stepped back. “I think I should go to my room now.”
“I think so, too.”
“Down the hall and to the right?”
“The left.”
“Don’t follow me.”
“Don’t keep talking.”
“I honestly think we shouldn’t speak to each other again unless we have to.”
“I agree.” He stepped closer. “You should start walking away from me.”
“I would like the last word.”
“Take it.”
“I won’t cross the line with you while I’m here,” I said. “I can promise you that.”
“You’ve made that clear already.”
“So much for letting me have the last word.”
“I thought you were planning to say something I hadn’t heard before,” he said. “See you when I have to, unless you change your mind. I’m very much open to giving without receiving, by the way.”
I bit my tongue.
The last word wasn’t worth it…
FOURTEEN
PRESENT DAY
TRAVIS
Las Vegas, Nevada
Operation: Fake Fiancee
Week 1
Day 1:
Miss Brave & Mr. Carter get acclimated to Waldorf Astoria Residence
Day 2:
Daily interview rehearsal begins for Good Morning America, Hello Vegas, MMA Junkie, The Snarky Glove, UFC: Behind the Scenes
Day 3:
Proposal Photoshoot
Day 4-7:
Miss Brave & Mr. Carter need to make public appearances at four casinos so the press can have pictures ahead of the dinner with Nike & Mr. Truss
FIFTEEN
PRESENT DAY
TATIANA
T-Mobile Ice Hockey Arena
Las Vegas, Nevada
If anyone stumbled upon this moment, they’d assume they were seconds away from witnessing one of the most elaborate proposals of all time.
I was standing at the center of the rink with Travis, his hands wrapped around my waist as the words, “I love you, Tatiana,” flashed on the Jumbotron above.
White and red rose petals surrounded us, and six-foot candles burned flames that melted pink wax onto the ice.
Travis slid his hand against my sides as he stared into my eyes. Then he got down on one knee.
He stared at me for several moments, my diamond ring twirling between his fingertips, but no words fell from his lips.
“Can you move your head a little to the right, Travis?” Mr. Ralph called out from the seats. “And like, no offense, Miss Brave, but could you look a little less constipated and a lot more in love?”
I smiled a bit wider.
“Now you just look happy about being constipated!” He snapped a few shots and made his way over to us. “You need to make me believe that this is the happiest day of your life, the day that the man you love is finally making a commitment.”
“I can’t really focus with the candle flames this close to my head,” I said. “I feel like they’re seconds away from burning off my hair.”
“Nonsense!” He pushed them closer. “This is romantic, and nothing says romance like towering candles and roses. Travis, it might help if you talked through the shoot to make her more comfortable.”
“I don’t think so.” He let go of my hands and stood to his feet. “I would never propose like this. It’s not me at all.”
“That’s okay. ‘Monogamy’ isn’t you either.” Mr. Ralph shrugged. “Get back into position.”
“My engagement, if it were real, would be one hundred percent private, Ralph.” He looked up as the screen transitioned to ‘Will You Marry Me?”
Suddenly, more rose petals fell from the ceiling and onto the ice.
“What’s your point, Travis?”
“That I wouldn’t make my fiancee share our private life with the media.”
“This is operation fake fiancée.” He crossed his arms. “Isn’t that what your paperwork says, or did you get a different version?”
“I just don’t see the need for these pictures,” Travis said. “I know my fans, and they won’t buy this. Sponsors will see right through it, too.”
“Oh! Me! Me! Me! I have something to add!” Madeline held up her hand like a schoolgirl.
No one acknowledged her presence, but then she started jumping up and down.
“Yes, Madeline?” Mr. Ralph gave in.
“I agree with Mr. Carter about this,” she said. “If all of a sudden, he starts willingly sharing his personal life, it’ll just invite unwanted speculation about something being wrong. The fun in being part of his haters is doing our own sleuthing.”
“Haters?” Travis narrowed his eyes at her.
“Your fans, too.” She smiled, and Ralph put away his camera.
“Fine,” he said. “We’ll knock this one off the list. In the meantime, let’s get some shots of Travis watching Miss Brave skate. He would do that, correct?”
I shrugged and headed to the seats to pick up my bag. I slid out of my shoes and unlaced my skates while Travis and Ralph discussed other photo options.
“Holy shit, tell the crowd to be quiet!” Madeline screeched. “Mr. Stuart from Nike is calling me!”
There’s no one else in this arena.
“Hello, sir!” She leaned against one of the candles. “How are you?”
Travis walked over and blew out the flames before her hair could catch fire.