Total pages in book: 140
Estimated words: 138003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 690(@200wpm)___ 552(@250wpm)___ 460(@300wpm)
I nod like the world’s worst real estate agent.
Dear God, I hope there’s some wine left when I get back to the kitchen. I could do with a glass or five. I love this place, but I feel ridiculous showing Raif around. His Chelsea house was five times larger and on its own grounds! And don’t get me started on the place in Gibraltar.
If Mum had any idea, she’d likely be throwing whatever’s left of the champagne down her neck.
It’s what I’d be doing if I had to listen to Brin.
But I do feel really rotten springing my “good news” on her as I did.
“Yeah.” I clear my throat, suddenly realizing he’s watching me. “We used to fight over it as kids.” I move closer to the window, coming to stand next to him. In the window, there’s such disparity in our reflections. Raif is tall, broad, and stylishly pulled together while I look like a Victorian chimney sweep. “But now, the grandkids fight over it.”
“I can imagine. It looks like fun.”
“Yeah, it was.” Pulling my sleeves over my fingers, I link my hands at my front.
“I bet it still could be,” he adds. “Why don’t you show me where you used to play as a little girl?”
For a minute, I think he’s being serious. I suppose you might say I’m a bit charmed by his interest, but when I turn my head, I see that all too familiar expression.
Part provocation, part vexation. All sexual alchemy.
“You could sit in the open doorway. It looks like it would be just the right height for you to wrap your thighs around my head.”
“No, it’s higher than that,” I counter.
“Then I’ll climb. Stand on a rung.”
“And I’ll stomp on your fingers and make you fall off. I did that to Daniel once.” I move my gaze back to the garden. “Broke his arm.” He got me back. I’ve still got the scars to prove it.
“You broke your brother’s arm? That’s…”
“Brutal? It’s how we were. Still are, really.” It’s weird how I would brawl with my brothers, giving as good as I got, but the one time I needed to be fierce, I froze.
“Are you cold?”
I tuck my chin to the neck of my T-shirt and give my head a shake. I hate feeling like this. Why are these memories resurfacing today?
“Lavender?”
“You didn’t fight with your sister?” I ask, pushing away his concern.
“No.”
“Talk about a dead end.” The words are no sooner out when I physically cringe. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”
“It’s fine. We didn’t grow up together.”
“That’s sad. Sometimes I can’t stand my siblings, but I can’t imagine a world without them. Who would I have to annoy? Well, there’s you now, I suppose.” I force my lips into some semblance of a smile. “Maybe the change of audience will be nice.”
“Don’t even think about it.”
“I hope you’ve got a will. I wouldn’t like to think I’d annoy you into your grave.”
His lips twist with a black sort of humor.
“Come to think of it, I always said the only man I’d ever marry would be a rich one with at least one foot already in the grave.” I turn my head and allow my eyes to slide down his body. “I mean, a fall for a man your age could be fatal.”
“I’m sure you could think of more fun ways to kill me off.” His arm slides behind me, his hand molding to the curve of my hip. And I feel the effect everywhere.
“Yeah. I suppose I could tell my brothers about the deal we’ve made.”
“You could, but then you won’t get to experience our wedding night.”
I slide him a superior look. At least, that’s what I’m aiming for, even as my stomach pleasurably flips.
“I know I’m looking forward to it.”
I fight a shiver at his low purr.
“But then again,” he adds with a deep inhale. “You might not need to tell them because they might easily guess.”
“Unlikely,” I say, turning to watch a finch hop around from branch to branch on Polly’s beloved apple tree. It’s that or stare at his lips a bit longer. Why do they have to be so lovely? Chiseled and full and far too inviting. Urgh. A mouth like that on a man is such a waste. It makes me want to get fillers.
“I don’t think so.”
“Whit’s not going to be at lunch,” I retort, “and neither is Dan. The other two have their heads stuck far too up their own bums to notice anything that’s going on in my life. Especially Brin. The man is a legend in his own mind.”
I find Raif’s forefinger at my chin. I allow him to turn my head.
“If you don’t stop… whatever this is,” he murmurs as his eyes roam over my face. “They will guess something isn’t right.”