Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120186 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 601(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Am I blushing right now? What the hell? I can’t be so desperate for attention that something as small as a compliment sends me over the edge.
The song ends and turns into one with a more upbeat tempo. Jackson looks around over the top of my head and sighs. “I’d better go wrangle Dad. If he’s not careful, he’ll end up making handshake deals with ten different strangers that he won’t remember come morning.”
It feels like I’m in an alternate dimension. He apologizes, compliments me, and is also funny?
All in one night. Something is very wrong here. I’m left waiting for the other shoe to drop when Jackson steps away, heading back toward his father.
My gaze moves to the bar, and I freeze. Shit. Where the hell is he?
“You and Jefferson looked real cozy.” Kade’s deep timbre sweeps over me, and I shudder, turning in the direction of his voice. I barely bite back a gasp when I find him so close he’s nearly touching me.
He has a fresh drink in his hand, and the brown liquid sloshes inside the glass as he lifts it to take a sip. Murder flickers in his icy-blue eyes. I should try to defuse the situation and soothe his anger, but all I can think is, why? It’s not my responsibility.
“His name is Jackson,” I correct him. “And as my soon-to-be husband, he has a right to dance with me.”
He merely stares down at me, his frame dwarfing mine. Sparks of warmth fill my belly, and ignoring them seems impossible. Still, I try, telling myself it’s only his proximity that makes me feel this way. My eyes gravitate toward his lips and the way they mold against the glass. The liquid flows inside his mouth, and I watch the way his throat bobs as he swallows. Fuck. I look away before he can see how far gone I am for him.
“I don’t give a fuck what his name is or who he is. He’s touching you, and I don’t like it.”
“Well, I hate to break it to you, but neither of us can do anything to change it, so you’ll have to get used to seeing him touch me.” I cross my arms over my chest and stare up at him through my lashes.
“There are plenty of things I can do to change it. He can’t touch you if his arms are broken and his fingers are missing.”
“Knock it off,” I growl. “If the only reason you’re here is to cause problems, then you can leave.” The murderous rage in his eyes grows, and a smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. I don’t know if I should curse myself for baiting him or push him further.
“Problems? That used to be your middle name. Wild. Free. A rule breaker. What happened to you, Allie?”
I narrow my eyes at him and poke him square in the chest. “Me?” I can’t believe him. “Don’t turn this around on me. What happened to you? You’re the one acting like a different person.”
Kade lifts a brow in question. “I mean, I killed my own father. At this point, I have nothing left to lose, right?”
Oh no. He starts to pull away, and I reach out, grabbing his arm to stop him. “Don’t do anything stupid, Kade. Please.”
Kade narrows his eyes and shakes off my hold. “Oh, little filly, you know I only accept begging if you do it on your knees.”
Shit. I brace my hand against my churning stomach and watch as he walks away. Whatever he’s going to do, I have a feeling the night is about to implode on itself. I walk off the dance floor and head straight to Saint.
Her silver dress hugs her curves, she holds a champagne glass, and her long, honey-colored hair hangs over one shoulder in movie-star waves. Calder stands a few feet away, talking to someone. He’s wearing a tuxedo as well, and I notice him watching me out of the corner of his eye. Saint looks up right as I reach the table, wearing a big smile on her face that vanishes when she sees my distraught face.
“What’s wrong?” she asks right away.
“So much.” I shake my head, trying to keep myself from drowning. “Jackson is being way too nice, and Kade... I swear he’s going to ruin the entire night before it even starts.”
Saint reaches out and grabs me by the shoulders. “Everything is going to be okay. What can I do to help?”
“Is there anything you can do?”
She shrugs and then frowns. “I can have Calder try to talk to Kade. That’s not to say he will listen as he doesn’t seem to listen to anyone, but it’s worth a shot.”
It’s better than nothing, right? “Yes, see if he can talk to him.”
Saint gestures for Calder to come over, and a sense of relief washes over me. “Thank you,” I breathe. “Mom’s already on edge, and I just want the night to end without a huge explosion.”