Total pages in book: 15
Estimated words: 14146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 71(@200wpm)___ 57(@250wpm)___ 47(@300wpm)
Jared fucked her mouth and she was surprised when he gave her a warning that he was close. She continued to suck him as if her life depended on it. When he erupted, she swallowed it all down, relishing the taste.
She leaned back and licked her lips once he finished, staring up at him.
“You spoil me, and I will more than make up for that tonight.” He pulled her to her feet, slammed his lips down, and she melted against him. “Come on, before I call in sick and tell all of my staff to take the rest of the day off.”
Within minutes, they were out of his apartment. Jared dropped her off at her shop. By the time she got in and opened everything up, her customer who’d insisted on conducting their business alone had arrived. Their incessant knocking at the door alerted her to their presence.
She rushed forward, opening the door and greeting them. The moment she did, she had to keep the smile on her face. With her research about Jared, she’d discovered his family, and here stood his brother William.
Jared rarely talked about his family. He wasn’t a big fan of their business ethics or the way they conducted themselves. Jared was the anomaly of the family, at least that was how he described himself.
The person who’d called yesterday had been a woman and had certainly given a different name. She’d advised Meredith that a man would be coming in her place.
Stepping back, she allowed William to come into her shop.
“This is a rather quaint shop,” he said.
She had a large property. It had once been a modest warehouse with a main ground floor. With time and investment, she’d turned most of it into the shop, supplying an abundance of fabrics, and sectioned off another part for use in stock.
She’d been so impressed with her work. With William looking on, she couldn’t help but feel small and meaningless. This was her life’s achievement until she and Jared made a life for themselves.
“So, how can I help you?” she asked.
He reached into his jacket and pulled out a checkbook. “How much will it take to get you out of my brother’s life?”
She tensed up. “Is that why you went through all of this? To remove me from your brother’s life?”
“Oh, please, as if you were going to entertain him for long. You could see this as me doing you a good service. There’s no way he’s going to want to marry you. You’re not anything special. Pretty, but not beautiful. I don’t want my brother distracted, and we certainly don’t want a nobody invading the family.”
“Your family knows about me?”
“Your name came up while I was visiting my brother. I had to check up on you, and imagine my surprise at what I found.” He shook his head. “Now, give me a price.”
****
Jared stared at the engagement ring. He’d spent all morning going from one jewelry store to another, not stopping until he’d found the right one. The perfect one. This, with the modest diamond in the center, was perfect.
Meredith wasn’t big on extravagance. She was a woman of modest taste. He couldn’t wait to get her pregnant. He’d been disappointed this morning, but the moment he saw how devastated she was, he knew he had to make her feel better.
They had plenty of time. Yes, he wanted a big family, but he knew more than anything, he wanted Meredith. These feelings weren’t going away.
“Sir, I’ve got Meredith Shaw here,” Mary said.
Jared frowned and got to his feet, going to his door to see Meredith standing at Mary’s desk. “Meredith,” he said.
She turned toward him. There was a frown on her face as she came toward him. She stopped and turned toward Mary. “Thank you so much for coming to get me.”
Jared looked at Mary, confused.
“The main reception wouldn’t allow her up.”
This pissed him off, and he nodded at his PA before entering his office. The ring burned in his pocket where he’d placed it.
“What’s the matter?” It was past lunchtime, and he’d already eaten. “Do you need something to eat?”
“I just got a visit from your brother.”
This made him tense up. “William?”
“Yes. He was my very important customer who needed my entire shop closed for him to come and visit.”
“Please tell me he at least bought something.”
She shook his head. “Nope.” She ran fingers through her hair. “He tried to pay me.”
“He tried to?”
“Yep. I guess it’s no surprise that your family doesn’t want you anywhere near me. I’m an embarrassment to them. He wanted to pay me off. That was why he came.” Tears filled her eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t…” She didn’t finish as she held her hand up and stepped toward the window.
She didn’t stand too close but she looked down over the city.