Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 408(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Names like Donati and Caprisi have been buzzing around, but I’m not ready to stick my nose in those people’s business. For now, I’m putting Danika back into her box and going back to my life as Dean Foxx. Although I am still keeping my distance from Kaye and Lakia for now.
I decided to do this small book signing as a distraction from all the shit I have going on. Gabby was fired, but her name and the publisher’s name are both in the lawsuit. Lauren was dropped from her contract as well.
Too bad the bitch didn’t pay attention to the fact that the work had to be her original work, or she would be dropped and would be financially responsible for any suit stating or proving otherwise.
See, I can handle shit in a sane manner. Nobody has died … yet. Ireland might have been good for me after all.
“Ach, that smile better mean yer thinking about me, love.”
I pop my eyes open to find none other than Ronan McGowan standing in front of me. I bite my lip as I stare up at him. His eyes look so much clearer and intense than I remember.
What are the chances I would run into him at a book signing in California? Why the hell is he here? Shit, how do I look?
“Ronan? What are you doing here?” I whisper.
“I’m looking after some things for my sister’s husband. My woman is in town signing books, so I thought I’d pop in and give her a snog.”
I can’t help the smile that comes to my face. God, this man is persistent. I clear my throat and lift a brow.
“Your woman? What’s a snog?”
“Aye, my woman,” he says as he reaches behind my neck and captures my lips in a deep, searing kiss. I have to grasp the table to keep myself from lifting out of my seat. He breaks the kiss and pulls away. “That, love, is a snog.”
“You’re going to make those rumors about me start up again,” I breathe and shake my head.
He gives me a questioning look. I brush it off. This is not the time or place to tell him that an author who was mad my first book became a bestseller ran around telling anyone who would listen that I fucked her husband while she watched.
We had been cool before that. She was my critique partner in the beginning. Her first two books didn’t really do much, but she refused to change covers and get a real editor. That wasn’t my fault or my problem.
The next thing I knew, she was besties with anyone who had my name in their mouth in a negative way. The same folks she talked shit about repeatedly. I never knew her husband and I wouldn’t fuck his funny-looking ass if they paid me to.
However, once the rumors started, everyone started to call me a ho and put out there that I fucked to get where I was. People will believe some shit that doesn’t make any damn sense just to have a reason to hate you.
“Excuse me, I believe I was next,” a guy comes up and says while holding my book.
I jerk my head back as I watch the dark look that comes over Ronan’s face. The guy looks between the two of us and takes a step back. I reach under the table for my bag.
Not that I don’t have male readers. I have met a few at this event today. One said he reads with his girlfriend. She couldn’t come out today because she had to work, so he was here to get them both signed copies. I thought that was cute.
I’m not alarmed by the fact this guy has come to my table. I have male readers, but I have rarely had a white male reader come to a signing. Something feels off.
Before I can pull my piece, the guy tosses my book down on the table and hurries off. A piece of paper falls out of the book onto the table. Ronan moves lightning fast to pick the paper up and read it.
Fury fills his expression. He balls the page up and shoves it into his back pocket. I look up at him with furrowed brows.
Turning his head, he gives a slight nod I would have missed if I weren’t watching him. I quickly glance to see who the gesture was for. I catch the back of a redhead rushing off through the crowd.
“What did that note say?”
“How much longer do you need to be here?”
“Ronan, what did the note say?” I bite out.
I don’t have time for games. I need to know if some shit could pop off. I don’t want to drag him in the middle of some of my shit.
“It’s nothing ya need to fuss about, love. When yer done here, we can go for dinner. I’ve missed ya.”