Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
“What about a bit of mustard on your tongue,” he suggested.
“I don’t like mustard.”
“I know, you always ask for no mustard. That’s why it’s a punishment.”
“That’s diabolical,” she told him.
“Thank you.”
“Hey! That wasn’t a compliment.”
Grasping her chin to keep her face still, he moved his mouth to hers. Fuck.
Why were they here again?
His cock throbbed incessantly. All he wanted was to take her back into the limo, lie her out on the back seat, and feast.
You need to calm down.
He just had to make it through this banquet. And then he’d have her all to himself. Reuben knew he was on edge. He’d been away from her for days, which hadn’t sat well with him.
There had been several times when he’d picked up the phone to demand that she come to him. But he’d held back, reminding himself that she was scared of flying.
He would get her on a plane one day. But when he did, he’d be with her to take care of her.
His worry over Juliet and her injuries, combined with not having Faith in his sight, had wreaked havoc on him.
He was tired.
That wasn’t something he was used to admitting. But he felt exhausted.
“We should go in,” she said.
“Do we have to?” he groaned.
“Yes. Although I need to check my makeup. You’ve probably smudged it.”
“It looks fine.”
“But Cammie spent ages on it and she’ll be upset if it’s wrecked when I go in. I better check it.”
“Faith,” he said sternly. “You look beautiful. Who cares about Cammie and her feelings?”
“She’s my friend. She’s been good to me.”
He grunted. He didn’t care about her friend. Taking her hand, he led her into the main ballroom area, where someone guided them to their table.
Great. Now he got to sit with a bunch of pompous, boring bastards.
And Alejandro and Cat. That was something.
“Blossom!” Turning, Reuben drew Faith against him so her back was pressed to his front as Cat threw herself at them. He braced her so she didn’t fall over. She seemed to be having some trouble walking tonight.
Cat wrapped her arms around Faith, holding her tight. Thank goodness Reuben was bracing her.
“Yay! You’re here. Weren’t those reporters out there nuts? Ooh, you look so gorgeous. So classy.” Cat sighed. “I wish I looked as pretty as you.”
“You look beautiful,” Alejandro said from behind his wife, frowning slightly. “You’re also in trouble.”
“Me? Why?” Cat turned to pout up at him.
“You ran off on me.”
“Pfft. Because I saw my new best friend, Blossom.”
“And now you’re squeezing the life out of her. Poor Faith can hardly breathe.”
“Oh, sorry!” Cat leaned back and gave Faith a chagrined look. “Sometimes, I don’t know my own strength.”
“It’s fine, Cat. It’s really good to see you too.”
To her surprise, she actually meant that. Cat might be a bit crazy, but she was fun and nice. She was also a friendly face at an event where Faith didn’t know anyone.
They all took their seats. Unfortunately, Reuben and Alejandro were seated together, so she and Cat were too far apart to talk.
She glanced up with a smile as an older man sat next to her. Her smile dropped a bit as she recognized Lucien Leonard. The man who’d visited Reuben the other day. Shit, his sister wasn’t here, was she?
“Hello. We meet again.”
“Mr. Leonard. Good to see you,” she lied.
“Now, please, call me Lucien. Unfortunately, we didn’t get introduced the other day.”
“I’m Faith,” she replied. “Are you here alone?”
“Ahh, yes, my sister had something else to do. And I’m currently unattached.”
Okay. Yeah. That smile was creepy.
“Leonard,” Reuben said in a sharp voice, leaning over her. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
“Yes, I was kindly invited. It’s good to see you. Perhaps I can have a private word with Alejandro later.”
“He’s busy,” Reuben said as he stood. “Swap seats with me, baby.”
She moved into his seat gratefully. Alejandro did the same with Cat so they were sandwiched safely between the two men.
“Baby, do you need a drink?” He nodded at the wine and water on the table.
“I’ll have a white wine, please.”
Reuben nodded stiffly as Lucien turned to speak to the other person next to him.
“Are you all right?” she asked quietly.
“I don’t like him talking to you,” he told her. He poured her a glass of wine and put it in her hand.
Well. She guessed he often acted crazy. So it shouldn’t be unexpected.
“Yay. Now we get to talk.”
Turning, she blinked in surprise to find Cat sitting beside her. “Tell me what your favorite color is. And your favorite food. Ooh, ice cream?”
“Reuben’s is vanilla,” she told Cat.
“Pfft. No, it’s not. No one’s favorite is vanilla,” Cat protested.
Faith grinned. “That’s exactly what I said.”
“How are you doing?” Cat asked. “With Reuben.”
“Um, well . . .” She didn’t want to gossip. Or complain.
“It’s okay, you can tell me. I’m a vault.”