Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29398 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
“How can you say that?” I can’t hear the L word come from his lips right now. I’m barely hanging on.
“How can I not? You and Violet are my whole world now.” I don’t know what to make of this. There is no need for him to lie. He already blew the plan up. That had to mean something, right?
Unless he’s still trying to get into my pants and feels like I’ve been indifferent to him most of the evening and is trying to turn it back around. But that sounds stupid. Who would jeopardize a deal they've been working on, which I assume is worth millions, for sex? I don’t think sex is hard for Carr to get if he wants it.
“Robert came to our hotel today.” What is there to really lose at this point? It feels like I’ve already lost everything. I was trying to fight my feelings for Carr, but after he pulled out those papers for me to sign, I knew it was too late. I’d already fallen hard for him.
Plus, Robert will be getting this deal if Carr has already taken himself out of the running. What would he gain from this? I might as well lay everything out on the line. There is no reason for Robert to blackmail me now.
“What?” Carr grits out. I hold Violet closer to my chest. I could be losing her too.
“Robert Remington?” Mr. Yamamoto asks. I’d forgotten he was still standing there. We’re in the entryway of their home.
“Yes, he said something that was very upsetting.” Heat rushes to my cheeks. I really don’t want to talk about sex in front of the Yamamotos.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Should we maybe—?” I glance toward the double doors, trying to signal that we should go.
"Did what Robert have to say have to do with our business dealings?" Mr. Yamamoto asks, stepping closer.
"Kinda." I mean he is basically blackmailing me for something I haven't even done. But I knew deep down it was going to happen. At least before he showed up at my hotel door.
"Anything that man tells you is bullshit. He's a prick and a sleazebag," Carr says. I can tell he’s really pissed off. He doesn’t even care that he’s talking like this in front of the Yamamotos.
"I didn't believe him at first.”
"And now you do?" Carr jerks back like my words have smacked him in the face.
A sense of guilt immediately fills me as I stare at Carr’s hurt expression. That’s something you can’t fake.
“I didn’t say that.” My thoughts are so damn scattered at the moment. There are so many things I want to say, but I really don’t want to have this all play out in front of an audience. Carr runs his hand through his hair, taking a breath. I can tell he is trying to temper his anger.
“Then, what?” he pushes, and the dam breaks. I blurt it all out, telling them everything that Robert said. It’s not as though I’ll see the Yamamotos again. So I let all the details come out.
“That motherfucker,” Carr growls.
“I was the one who asked for the nondisclosure agreement.” Mrs. Yamamoto steps forward. “I ask it of anyone who comes into our home when children will be present. It’s to protect them.”
“Oh gosh, I’m so sorry.” I’m not sure who I’m speaking to, the Yamamotos or Carr. I suppose both of them.
“Thank you for dinner,” Carr tells them. “We need to be going.” His hand goes to my back as he opens the door for me.
“Thank you,” I tell them again, stepping outside.
“McRae,” Mr. Yamamoto calls.
“Not right now.” He cuts him off. This deal is more than dead.
“Understandable.” Mr. Yamamoto nods before closing the door.
I don’t want to let Violet go, but I have no choice. I hand her over to Carr so that he can load her into her car seat before we get in.
Neither of us says a word during the drive. My guilt only grows with each second. I was supposed to come here and help Carr. That was the whole point. All he has been to me from the very start is sweet and kind.
Now I've gone and ruined everything. Not only that, I ruined a deal for him. One that probably was in the works for months and lost him a lot of money. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive myself.
“Relax,” Carr tells me, kissing the top of my head when we step onto the elevator. He carries Violet, who is sleeping in the car seat.
When we enter the suite, he carries her into the nursery. I stand there so unsure what to do. A few minutes later, Carr steps back out.
“I’m sorry,” we both blurt out.
“You’re sorry? You didn’t do anything. It was me. I ruined it all, and now I’m probably fired, and I’ll never see you or Violet again.” I can’t stop the tears now. The thought of them no longer being in my life is crushing.