Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103159 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 516(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 344(@300wpm)
“I never knew women could even move like that,” Rose gasped as we both slipped off our stools and moved closer to the dance floor. Jack had told us more than once to stay put, even though he had also told us to have fun. This was the first time I’d been able to see Hunter—and he looked to be enjoying himself.
He had a smile on his face as Kimber did a dirty grind against his thigh.
I watched as woman after woman moved against his body, their hands all over him, his hands on them, but not nearly as bad. He didn’t touch them inappropriately. A few times his smile slipped when one of the girls got a little too personal.
“Maybe we should leave?” Rose yelled out.
I couldn’t have moved if someone had screamed “fire.” My eyes were glued on Hunter, on how much he was clearly enjoying all the attention.
Kimber spun and pushed her ass into Hunter’s groin, and he took a step back, but still put his hands on her hips briefly before removing them. Had he pushed her away? I couldn’t tell. When Lynn wrapped her arms around Hunter from the side and tried to kiss him, he grinned and shook his head, drawing her arms away from his neck.
Then it was Kimber’s turn. Hunter attempted to tell her no, but she pulled his head down and kissed him—hard.
A rush of jealousy hit me so hard, I took a step back.
Friends. You’re friends with him, Kipton. He doesn’t owe you anything.
“I’m sure he has to dance like that with them, ya know?” Rose yelled over the song. All I could do was nod and give her a forced smile.
When I looked back out onto the dance floor, my eyes locked with Hunter’s.
He was frozen in place now, while the seven women danced around him. His eyes swept over me from head to toe. Kimber reached for his arm and drew his attention back to the group for a moment, but he turned and looked back at me. He looked surprised…and angry.
The song ended, and before the next one began, Rose turned and faced me.
“And that is why Jack didn’t want him to see you in that dress beforehand. I wasn’t sure what he was up to until I just saw how Hunter looked at you. Dammit, I’m so stupid. It all makes sense now. He knew he’d react this way. He had this whole damn thing planned out, Kipton. He wanted to see what Hunter would do when he saw you.”
I slowly shook my head as I watched Kimber tugging on Hunter’s arm again. He still seemed to be glued in place, like I was.
“Let’s go,” Rose begged as she headed for the club exit.
It took me a full ten seconds before I finally forced my feet to move. I could hear my name being called out by Hunter, but I knew if I turned around, everyone in the club and, most importantly, those watching from home, would see it on my face.
The hurt. The anger. The jealousy.
I was falling in love with Hunter Shaw, and my heart felt like someone had ripped it out as I watched him dance with those women.
I picked up my pace, only to be stopped by Jack. The triumphant look on his face made my stomach drop.
“You did this on purpose,” I said, my voice cracking while I attempted to keep my emotions at bay.
“Kipton, I noticed the attraction between you the moment you both met on Zoom.”
“You used me,” I said. “Dressed me up in this outfit to see what he’d do.”
Jack nodded. “It’s a social dating experiment, Kipton.”
“That I’m not a part of!” I shouted, causing a few people around us to look in our direction.
Rose walked back to me. “I think maybe you should hold off on yelling at him until the cameras stop. People are starting to stare.”
I drew in a breath and held it a few moments before slowly letting it out.
“It’s time for the date to end, so I need you to get into place,” Jack stated.
The way Jack was calmly telling me to basically get over it and do my job made me want to scream and run. I wasn’t going to quit. I needed the money, but I wasn’t about to let this asshole use me in the games he was playing.
Going forward, however, I’d need to make a few changes. It was clear I was working for a bunch of liars who didn’t mind messing with everyone’s feelings. Social dating, my ass. Jack and I were going to have a long talk, and the sooner the better.
“Kipton.” Jessie’s soft voice infiltrated my running thoughts. Turning, I followed her numbly as we made our way through the crowd. We stopped at the bar, and I tried to ignore the way people looked at me, the whispers I couldn’t make out.