Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
Even worse, it turns out that Harry is descended from Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark expedition, and that’s part of the reason why he’s so afraid to tell his dad that he’s gay. Evidently, their family is quite prominent in these parts, and has been in the Minnesota area since forever.
“But wasn’t Meriwether Lewis originally from Virginia?” I asked in a hesitant tone. “I didn’t know he eventually settled in Minnesota.”
“Oh, he didn’t,” Harry enthused. “But his expedition passed through this territory during its travels, and he wrote of our beautiful city in his journals. Of course, Minnesota wasn’t a state quite yet. This land belonged to the Native Americans, but that was one of the purposes of Meriwether’s travels. He was looking to liaise with various Native American tribes on behalf of Thomas Jefferson, the President, and he succeeded,” Harry said, his chest practically puffing out with pride.
I nod, acknowledging the amazing achievement. But the conversation only turned for the worse after that because it seems that Jordan Lewis is also committed to continuing the storied Lewis legacy. I sink lower in the seat of the car, recalling the older man’s words at dinner.
“So do you think you’ll have children?” he asked in a smooth tone while dessert was brought out. “A little girl or little boy, maybe, to continue the Lewis name?”
At that, Harry sputtered. I know the thought of sex with a woman makes him nauseous, and sure enough, he turned a little green. But I stepped in for the save.
“We are, but not any time soon,” I lied through my teeth. “Harry and I both just graduated, so we want to take some time to enjoy being together, sans kids. But I’m sure it’ll happen someday.”
“Good,” Mr. Lewis said in a dark tone, blue eyes flashing. “I look forward to seeing you pregnant, Juliette. Family is very important to us.”
Then, that masculine gaze raked over my form again, and was I imagining things, or was it possessive? Did Jordan Lewis just look me over as if he’s the one who’s going to knock me up? His gaze seared my curves, and to my horror, my insides went hot as my nipples hardened. Even worse, Jordan could see the effect of his words. The hard pebbles of my tips poked out against the soft fabric of my dress, and I could swear the alpha male grinned. Literally, the older man flashed a satisfied smile, as if he was looking forward to taking me upstairs before breeding me hard.
This is silly, the voice in my head reprimands in a stony tone. You’re engaged to his son, not him. In fact, you have the Lewis ring on your hand right now!
I look down, and sure enough, the diamond flashes at that moment. But for some reason, it feels as if Jordan’s the one who gave it to me, and not Harry. Oh my god. I feel so confused as my face heats up, my insides quivering as my thighs clench with need. I feel as if this ring binds me to the powerful older man, and not the younger one who fades in his shadow.
Okay, I’ve had enough. I can’t go forward with this farce when I’m so conflicted and confused. I can’t wear this ring anymore, either, and begin to pull it off while turning to Harry.
“Harry, we have to talk,” I say in a stern voice. “We can’t be married, and we can’t keep pretending—”
Suddenly, bright lights overwhelm us. Literally, the entire cab of the Accord is flooded with light so bright so that I can’t see. Then, I hear a sickening crunch as I’m heaved forwards violently. All goes black.
4
Juliette
When I wake up, everything is blindingly white. The ceiling, the walls, and the bedsheets are all shades of antiseptic white. Even the TV mounted on the ceiling is playing a flurry of electronic snowfall.
“What happened?” I moan while holding a hand to my head. “Ouch, that hurts!”
A huge man materializes at my side, and his expression is grim. I blink, trying to focus, and realize that it’s Mr. Lewis.
“You were in a car accident, Juliette,” he bites out in a low tone. “What do you remember?”
I shake my head.
“Just that Harry and I were talking in the car, and then there was a terrible crunch—”
“It was a truck slamming into you,” Jordan bites out, his expression savage. “A dumbass who was drinking crossed the median and hit the Accord head on,” he says in a wooden tone. “Harry never had a chance. Neither did the other driver.”
Slowly, my hand comes down from my head as I stare at the billionaire.
“Wait, what?” I whisper, eyes wide and staring. “What are you saying?”
“My son was killed,” Jordan says in a harsh voice, his blue eyes blazing in the white cube of a room. “Harry lost his life today, which means that you are my closest kin now.”