Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96065 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 480(@200wpm)___ 384(@250wpm)___ 320(@300wpm)
Heal you.
Heal you.
Heal you.
I shudder and turn into Caius’s chest on instinct, needing his protective shield. He obliges me, hugging me to him. A cold, prickling sensation covers every inch of my skin, both bared and that which is hidden under my dress.
“Are you okay?” Caius asks, voice low and breath tickling the top of my head.
No. No. No.
I’m on the verge of tears and it doesn’t make sense. Am I about to start my period? Why the sudden onslaught of emotions?
“I, uh, yeah,” I lie. “I need a drink.”
Caius pulls away to look into my eyes. His dark gaze is mesmerizing, warm, and comforting. It’s hard to believe I’d thought it was chilling at one time. He frowns, clearly not believing me, but nods in acquiescence. I’m grateful when he takes my hand, guiding me toward the bar area.
“Refreshing or relaxing?” he asks as we stand in line.
“Relaxing.”
He orders a glass of wine for me and one for himself. I down both glasses in quick succession. His eyes turn to narrow slits as he studies me, searching for truths in my expression.
“I’m fine,” I assure him, blood buzzing as the alcohol warms my belly. “I just… Does Huxley give you the creeps?”
He snorts and nods for the bartender to refill our glasses. “Which one?”
I break into a grin, thankful for some levity. “The older one, obviously. You’re threatened by Doc Junior? You know, Caius, he’s not as cute as you, in case you were worried.”
“I was not worried,” he says coolly, handing me my refilled glass. “Go slow on this one. I don’t want to have to carry you out of here over my shoulder. Everyone will surely look at your ass then.”
I can’t help but preen at his jealousy. If you’d have asked me weeks ago if I was capable of being the girl who was slightly turned on when her guy was jealous of other guys, I’d have laughed.
We walk away from the bar area and I already feel tons better. Huxley is just one of those arrogant, powerful men who is so fake it gives normal, free-thinking humans the creeps. I’m glad his speech didn’t last long and I didn’t have to listen to him a second longer. Doc Junior’s mother must be the one with a real personality because the two men hardly seem cut from the same cloth, aside from their dashing good looks.
I notice Bastian and Megan speaking with another couple. From afar, they’re a lovely pair. It feels like another world or dimension or thread of time where she was my partner in college. Megan was so shy and withdrawn and awkward.
What happened?
CUP happened.
Now she wears the shimmery gold gown well. Her spine is straight, shoulders back, and dazzling smile in place. In a way, she reminds me of Eva. Sweet and beautiful, but missing something real inside. Like they hollowed out what made her unique and replaced it with something generic.
Will she ever be the girl I knew again?
Caius
Romy felt it too.
There was something about Huxley’s speech that unnerved me. Whether it be him or the words coming out of his mouth, something wasn’t right about it.
Maybe he just puts me on edge because his son is a twat. I can pick out assholes from a mile away. Takes one to know one. Doc Junior—what kind of stupid name is that anyway?—is a carbon copy of his father.
Doc Junior and his buddy Dr. Portman had a predatory vibe I’d been able to pick up on the second I laid eyes on them. It wasn’t just because they were salivating over Romy like she was a part of tonight’s dessert menu. There’d been an arrogance there like they’d known they could have her if they truly wanted.
Over my dead body.
I’m not thrilled with my recent obsession with her. I realize I’ve thrown away everything I’ve worked so hard to build to be with her. It’s messy and dangerous, yet I can’t seem to stop. The game I’d been so skilled at playing feels as if it’s over.
She’s the queen with all the power moves.
“I’m going to go say hello,” Romy says, gesturing to Bastian and Megan. “You coming with?”
At least she’ll be marginally safe from admirers with her brother. I’m not exactly keen on carrying a conversation with him, so this is a good opportunity for me to see what Dad is up to.
“I’ll come back for you in a bit. Stay with your brother.”
Romy smirks at me. “Don’t be gone too long or Dr. Portman might come sweep me off my feet like he promised.”
Hearing his name makes my eye twitch. Naturally, this amuses Romy to no end and she laughs. I grab onto her delicate jaw and press a chaste kiss to her lips in lieu of a goodbye. Her smile falls and her eyes grow hooded with desire.