Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 96720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96720 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
He took a drink and swallowed it down. “She’s the reason I started my foundation. Well, that and personal experience.”
“My personal experience tells me that I should start some kind of bear-eradicating charity,” I said, tapping my leg.
Neil followed my hand. “Yes, I did notice your scars. You’re coming along, though. Your balance is much better than it was the last time I saw you.”
“Thanks.” It seemed like a weird thing for a sex-acquaintance to compliment me on, but at the same time, I liked that he’d noticed. It was difficult to tell, from day to day, if I was making any improvement.
“I’m not sure there’s much need for a reverse-conservation program,” he began dryly. “But if you’re looking for a way to assuage Charlotte’s guilt over your fortune, why not something along the lines of a medical charity? Lord knows this country is a disaster when it comes to accessible healthcare.”
“It’s gotten slightly better,” I protested. “But that’s what Charlotte suggested, too. I tried to call up a hospital and pay off all the outstanding bills, but they didn’t take me seriously.”
“I should think not. You need someone who has experience with these types of things. I can recommend the firm I worked with to establish my foundation,” he offered.
Unfortunately, I already knew someone suited to the job, and if I didn’t offer it to her first, mother would have a fit. “My sister does that for a living. I’m sure she can help. But if I need it—”
“You can call me any time.” He put the bottle back down. The night was so still, I could hear the tink and scrape of the glass touching the stone.
This was a peaceful life. One I could have, and never work another day. Never worry about making more money, because I would always have enough. Never worry that I was failing the family name, because it was carrying on in my businesses already.
And I could make Charlotte happy.
“Personal experience,” I repeated from his earlier statement. He ran a foundation that got therapy and safe housing for victims of sexual violence, and he’d shared his story in the press numerous times. “Did making the foundation take some of the pain away?”
He nodded, eyebrows raising. “Yes. In a way that totally surprised me. Now, it was somewhat delayed by my grief over Emma and the troubles after, but now I believe I can say that I’m at peace with what happened to me.”
“Nothing anywhere near that serious happened to me.” I felt like a dick for saying it, but it was true. “But I do want to do that hospital thing. My injuries were serious, and I had major complications, but it still wasn’t as expensive as anything other people go through.”
“Then that’s where to start,” Neil agreed. “You and I, we’re never going to run out of money. We couldn’t if we tried. An important thing I learned from Sophie is that performing charity, showing up to dinners and writing million dollar checks simply isn’t effective enough. This is something that touches you. Why not pursue it with the same zeal with which you built Ascend Red?”
“I think that was a bit different. I built that because I wanted to make people’s fantasies come true.” It had been a totally selfish desire, aimed at making me feel like some kind of miracle worker.
“Sophie would tell you that paying off medical bills is a fantasy for most working-class people,” Neil said grimly. “We paid for her sister’s kidney transplant, and it astonished me how much everything cost. Truly, a fantastic amount of money to people who have very little.”
I nodded slowly. Some kind of foundation that could pay for medical bills and treatment, then. Something that was important to me.
That sparked an idea.
“They’re incredible, aren’t they?” Neil mused.
I didn’t follow.
“Sophie and Charlotte,” he clarified.
“Absolutely.” And not in terms of sex. They were both fascinating women on their own.
“Having Sophie’s perspective on things like this has changed me for the better. I’m sure it’s the same with you and Charlotte.”
“She’s changed everything about me.” In ways I could never have anticipated. “For example, I never thought I would get jealous sharing a partner before. And yet, today…”
He smiled a slow half-smile. “Oh, got under your skin, did I?”
I laughed. “A little. I assume that was on purpose?”
“Entirely. I love being jealous, and I love making other men jealous.” He sighed in contentment. “I hope I didn’t take it too far?”
I shook my head. “No. It was hot.”
“We’ll have to do it again sometime.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Are you switching from Black Orchid to Ascend Manhattan, then?”
“It may be the only time I ever switch,” he quipped.
A sudden yawn assailed me; I hid it behind my hand and forced it into silence. “I think I’ll try sleeping again. This… really put me at ease.”