Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“Maybe you should see a doctor?”
He groaned. “A psychiatrist. Because my mind seems to have only one track lately. You.”
There was something so sexy about the way Wilder wasn’t afraid to tell me what he thought. Our attraction wasn’t a one-way street, but I hadn’t had the courage to admit that—at least not yet. I took a deep breath. “You know, I…”
My words trailed off when a woman appeared beside us—the tall brunette from earlier. She was even more stunning up close. She flashed a megawatt smile and looked only at Wilder. “I hope you won’t find me too much of a daft cow if I cut in?”
Great, that face comes with an equally sexy British accent.
Wilder’s grip on me tightened. “Maybe the next song.”
As if on cue, the band played the last note of the song and rolled into a new one.
She smiled. “It seems the band agrees we should dance.”
But Wilder still hadn’t loosened his hold, so I helped him along, wiggling from his grasp. “It’s okay. You two enjoy.”
“Sloane—”
But I kept going, not stopping until I was back at my table. Unfortunately, Elijah wasn’t around to distract me, so I sat there alone, watching the two of them glide around the dance floor while I micro-analyzed everything—the way her hand rested on his chest, how his held her hip. They definitely had history, and that didn’t make me feel good.
When the dance was over, Wilder came right over. “Sorry about that.”
“It’s fine.” I forced a smile that probably made me look like the Joker. “No big deal.”
“Natasha and I went to college together.”
Great, Harvard. Beauty, British, and brains. I continued to pretend it didn’t bother me. “That’s nice.”
Wilder’s brows pulled tight. “Are you angry with me?”
“Of course not. Why would I be angry? Dance with her all night, for all I care.”
His jaw hardened. “Really? You wouldn’t mind if I danced with her all night?”
“Why would I? We’re just friends.”
The muscle in his cheek ticked. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Pretend that’s all we are. You know that’s bullshit.”
I looked away, shaking my head. “I’m sorry, Wilder. I shouldn’t have come to London early. I’m giving you the wrong impression.”
“The wrong impression?”
“Yes, the wrong impression.”
He stared at me in silence, but I refused to meet his gaze. After the longest time, he frowned. “Whatever. Have a great time tonight.”
I felt tears threatening as he stalked off. One of the ladies sitting a few seats away looked at me with concern in her eyes. She leaned forward like she was going to ask if I was okay, so I abruptly stood to avoid her and went in search of the ladies’ room.
When I found it, there were a few women chatting near the sinks, so I locked myself in a stall to collect my feelings. I blotted my eye makeup and took a mint from my purse before flushing, even though I hadn’t used the toilet. The bathroom chatter had quieted, so I opened the door, expecting to be alone. But I wasn’t.
The tall brunette, Natasha, leaned over a sink, lining her lips in blood red, but her eyes moved immediately me. She flashed a vicious smile. She’d definitely been waiting for me to come out. “Hello.”
I nodded and stepped to the sink. “Hi.”
She grinned. “You must be American?”
I knew I had a New York accent, but I didn’t think one syllable showcased it.
Her smile widened at my confusion. “Brits don’t say hi.”
“Oh.” I turned on the water and tried to pay attention to getting my hands wet, but it was impossible to ignore her studying my face in the mirror. I looked up and met her gaze. “Can I help you with something?”
“Actually, I thought I’d help you.”
“And how would you do that?”
“By giving you some advice on Wilder Hayes.”
My jaw clenched. I wanted to tell her I didn’t need her advice, but I also couldn’t bring myself to stop her from talking, because I was equally curious.
She turned to face me directly. “I saw the way you look at him.”
“And how is that?”
“Like he’s the catch that he is. Let’s face it, the man is the full package.” A dirty grin crossed her face. “And bonus—he has a very full package.”
I wanted to come across as cool and collected, but my skin betrayed me. I felt heat rise from my neck to the top of my head.
The woman’s eyes gleamed when she saw my face. “Oh my. You’ve got it bad, and you haven’t even fucked him yet.”
I turned off the water and reached for a paper towel. “Does this conversation have a point?”
“I’m only trying to save you some heartache. Wilder is an easy man to fall for. He’s handsome, rich, intelligent, and the best lay I’ve ever had. But he’s also emotionally unavailable.”
It felt like steam might billow from my nose and ears, I was so angry. “Did you ever think that maybe the reason he wasn’t emotionally available is because you were just an easy lay?”