Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97053 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“But the loan would be guaranteed on the land, right?” Mr. Wilde asks.
“Probably,” I say.
He shakes his head. “You owe me a crossword clue,” he says.
I nod, getting the message. Our discussion is over. Business is done for the day. All I can for hope is that the idea percolates. This is a risk, and a big one. Like they say, they don’t have money to lose. But there’s a massive upside here. I just want them all to think about it. I just want them all to know that how it’s always been doesn’t have to be how it always will be. If they do, maybe Mr. Wilde will have a change of heart.
TWENTY-ONE
Iris
This evening, I haven’t felt as out of place as I expected. Maybe because I’m with Jack. The Colorado Club is beautiful. I’ve never seen the main building other than the door of the goods entrance, and the kitchen. It lives up to the hype. At the same time, it’s not stuffy or snobby. Everyone’s friendly and warm. But not overly familiar.
“Was it as bad as you thought?” Jack asks as we head out of the restaurant, Blossom.
Neither of us have talked about Jack’s presentation earlier in the evening. “Your freezing idea?”
He chuckles. “I meant the restaurant, but you can tell me what you thought about my idea, too.”
I sigh. “I thought it was good. It all makes sense. But… my dad… I’m not sure if he’s willing to take such a big risk.” Jack starts to say something, but I stop him. “It’s not me who needs to be convinced. And there’s no point in pushing Dad. He’ll have to come around to the idea. Or not.”
“Okay, so what about spending your evening at Blossom?”
“Jack Alden, how could I have a bad evening with you? I feel how much you care in every word. Every time you check in on me about the food and my beverage. The fact you’ve taken so much time to think about my family’s business. The way you pick out the things on the menu that you think I’ll like before even thinking about your own order. You’re kind and caring and any evening with you would be one of the best evenings of my life.”
His mouth twitches at the corners. “I was concerned you’d feel uncomfortable.”
“The meal was lovely, the view spectacular, but I was always going to have a great evening, because I spent it with you.”
Jack takes my hand and presses it to his lips. “I don’t know how I got so lucky. I can’t imagine…”
I let him leave his words unfinished. I don’t want to imagine what life will be like when Jack goes back to New York. I know there will come a time when I don’t know him anymore. I can’t bear to think about Jack back in New York, dating some society girl. Getting married to a suitable woman from a good family.
It might just kill me.
We don’t discuss it, but as we exit the Club, we get into one of the golf carts outside and head over to Jack’s lodge. Our relationship isn’t all about the sex, but I’d happily spend the rest of my life naked with Jack.
“I’ve been wanting to get you naked all evening,” he says, as we pull up in front of his lodge.
“I thought you liked me for my witty conversation, Jack.”
“That too,” he says. “And your kindness, the way you look after your family, your intelligence and creativity. But that dress?”
I splurged on this blue dress online and it only arrived this morning. It covers me neck to toe, but it fits close to my body.
His eyes grow hooded and he cups my face with his hand. “That dress is the kind of dress that needs to be taken off.”
My nipples press tight against the lace of my bra and heat rises in my body, like I stepped into a sauna. I just nod at Jack. It’s all I can do. My mouth is dry, my knees are weak, and everywhere he touches me, he sets alight.
I don’t remember climbing the stairs to the lodge and getting inside. I don’t know how we ended up in the bedroom. But now that we’re here, I’m very aware of everything. The pulse in my neck, the shallow breaths that make my chest rise and fall, and Jack, kissing every inch of skin he uncovers as he peels off my dress.
His hair is silky between my fingers. I would kill for hair this soft.
“Jack,” I say, as my dress pools at my feet.
“Like I said, the dress looks great on my bedroom floor. And now I’m going to devour you.”
I step away from him and shake my head. “No,” I say, and I slide to my knees. “I want to devour you.”