Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
I shook my head. “Today was the first time I’d spoken to him in three days, and he pretty much told me we weren’t right for each other and hung up on me without saying goodbye. This is absolutely a parting gift—no different than the cash a businessman in a motel room leaves by the door for the sex worker. He’s just got more money.”
Miles shrugged. “If he wants to use me and send me diamonds, I’m available.”
“Oh good. I’ll let him know that—when I toss his stupid gift back at his face tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 23
* * *
Sutton
The anger didn’t dissipate overnight. Just the opposite, it built and built, and now I felt ready to explode. Perfect timing, since I’d gotten to the office at six fifteen—knowing Jagger liked to start his day right after the gym—before anyone else got in.
I rode the elevator directly up to the executive floor and swiped inside. The receptionist wasn’t in yet, so I walked around the desk and kept on going. The blood in my veins pumped faster with every step. I had no idea if other people who worked up here got in this early, though I definitely didn’t want to make a scene and have my stepfather walk in. So I turned right to pass Edmund’s office so I could double-check that he wasn’t here yet. I’d already planned what I was going to say if he was, but thankfully his office was dark—as all of them seemed to be, except for the lone one shining a streak of light across the hallway floor. He’s here.
My swift strides suddenly slowed. Part of me considered chickening out—stopping and turning around, hauling my butt back out the door, and taking the stairs so no one would even know I’d been on the executive floor. And I might’ve done just that if Jagger hadn’t walked into the hall. He looked up, and his lips curved to a smile. Though it wilted when I brushed past him and walked into his office.
“Sutton, what’s the matter?”
He followed me back inside, and I motioned to the entrance. “Shut the door.”
He studied my face before pulling it closed. “Why are you upset?”
I took the diamond anklet from my pocket and held it out to him. “I’m not a whore.”
He blinked a few times. “What are you talking about?”
I waved the box around. “That night meant something to me, even if it didn’t to you. You could’ve just ignored me like you did for days after and left it at that. But instead you had to treat me like one of your fuck buddies.”
“That’s not what I was doing.”
“Really?” I tilted my head. “You told me you buy a fuck-off gift for your playthings. Can you honestly stand there and tell me you’ve never bought one of them an anklet like this?”
Jagger’s face fell.
I rolled my eyes. “Exactly.” I tossed the box to him and started marching back toward the door. Jagger caught up to me just as I reached for the handle. He wrapped his arm around my waist and squeezed.
“Stop.”
My anger suddenly morphed into hurt, and I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me upset. I tried to wriggle from his grip. “I need to go.”
“Hear me out first.”
I didn’t agree, but I did stop trying to escape. Once I stilled, Jagger spoke in a low, even voice. “I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
I swallowed back tears.
He continued. “You’re right. I have sent that gift to women who didn’t mean anything to me. But I honestly wasn’t trying to do that with you. You said the anklet that broke was from your ex. As much as I would have preferred to throw it in the trash, I got it fixed because it sounded like it meant something to you. At the same time, I hated the idea of you wearing it again, so I wanted to give you an alternative. I should’ve picked out something more personal. It was stupid, and if the roles were reversed and you’d given me something you bought for other men, I would be just as upset.” He paused. “Will you turn around and look at me now so I can apologize to your face?”
I wasn’t ready to look at him, but I didn’t fight him when he guided me to turn.
Jagger bent his knees slightly, so we were lined up eye to eye. “I’m sorry. Can you forgive me?”
I nodded.
“Thank you.” He brushed the hair back from my face and smiled. “Just in case a small part of you is still uneasy and thinks I’m full of shit about you being different than other women I’ve spent time with, I’m going to show you something.”
I let him take my hand and walk us back behind his desk. He pressed a key on his keyboard, and the monitor woke up from its screensaver. Jagger pointed to the top right corner, where the security feed from my floor was playing. “It’s been there since last Monday.” He shook his head. “I’m reading nine-hundred pages of bullshit from the DOJ that could mean the end of my company and meeting with lawyers all day long, and yet I can’t stop watching this fucking thing.”