Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 65429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
I backed away, walking to the bar instead. I needed another drink. After I tipped the bartender, I ended up on the balcony Livvy and I were standing on the night of their engagement/welcome party.
It wasn’t long until I was aware that Livvy stood behind me. I could feel her from anywhere in the room. However, I waited for her to make her presence known, mindful that this wouldn’t be a pleasant conversation.
Our profound connection to each other was strong at that moment. On nights like these, I’d look up at the night sky, wondering whether Livvy stared up at them with me miles away. I often thought about if things would be different if she had stayed in Charleston and didn’t move to California.
I thought about our pregnancy scare or even worse…
If she had actually been pregnant.
Hundreds of questions consumed my thoughts, whether I was awake or asleep.
All I ever wanted was to do right by her. Even if I hurt myself in the process. One thing that did change in me after she left was that I never gave my heart to another woman.
I never opened up to anyone else.
I never let anyone in.
There were no girlfriends.
No dating.
No relationships in that way.
Not when Livvy owned every last part of me. She was my beginning and end. She would forever be a part of me, even when she was in the arms of her fiancé.
The motherfucker I hated so damn much, and still, I didn’t have any incriminating evidence on him yet. The days were coming to an end, and soon, I wouldn’t have any time left.
Livvy broke my train of thought, sarcastically asking, “Are you planning on having a private yacht, work trip with Varissa in your suite?”
Unable to hold back, I turned with my arms on the railing. “You sound jealous?”
She adamantly shook her head. “I’m not. But you’d think that attending someone else’s bridal party, you wouldn’t wear a skimpy dress that barely covers your body.”
“I hadn’t noticed. I was too busy looking at what you were wearing.”
Eyeing her up and down, I admired her fitted white strapless gown that was low cut in the front. Simply accentuating each and every delicious curve of her irresistible body with a high slit that came up on her right thigh. Her hair flowed loosely in large curls, framing her face. I couldn’t help but notice every feature, especially her pouty red lips.
“She’s captured the attention of every man in the room.”
“Yeah, including your fiancé’s.”
She glared at me.
“Shouldn’t you be riding Beau’s ass and not mine?”
She ignored my question. “Did you invite her here?”
“Does it look like I invited her?”
“Then why is she here?”
“Your guess is as good as mine, but this is a high-society celebration. She’s probably on the guest list to bring more attention to your big day.”
Livvy didn’t try to hide her jealousy, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t loving every second of it.
“How many times have you been with her?”
“Too many to count.” I pushed off the wall, purposely striding over to her.
After all these years, her bright green eyes still had the power to bring me to my knees with a simple look or smile. Something in her stare told me she wanted to express so much. There she was, my girl, lost in her thoughts as I candidly desired her.
Her smell.
Her touch.
Her taste.
Craving her.
Needing her.
Wanting her in every possible way.
Possessiveness washed over me at a rapid speed, spreading clear across the small distance between us.
“There you are, Ethan,” Varissa interrupted, stopping me dead in my tracks.
“I’ve been looking all over for you.” She spun to Livvy. “Can I just tell you that you’re going to make such a gorgeous bride? Your fiancé won’t stop talking about you. I hope to find a love like that one day, but who knows… maybe your wedding will bring me luck.” As if on cue, Varissa locked eyes with me. “I’d love to catch the bouquet.”
“There’s my gorgeous bride,” Beau exclaimed, reaching for her hand. “Mr. Charlesworth wants to meet you.” He nodded to Varissa and me. “If you’ll excuse us.”
After they were gone, Varissa smirked. “Dance with me.”
I simply nodded, and she grabbed my hand, leading me to the dance floor before I wrapped my arm around her lower back. She placed her left hand on my shoulder, and we entwined our other hands at our sides.
Varissa didn’t hesitate to set her leg between mine, so she was straddling my thigh.
She allowed no distance between us, purring in my ear, “I’ve missed you so much, Ethan.”
When Livvy came into sight, she was already glaring daggers in our direction. As always, her fiancé was oblivious to her, paying more attention to whoever’s ass he was kissing. I could physically feel Livvy’s restraint being stretched to the max. Her collected composure cracked momentarily as her eyes turned murderous, her nostrils flaring for a split second.