Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 67518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67518 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
A beat later, I sigh. “Umbrella magnolias have a more rustic feel. Yes, they’re a little on the expensive side, but sparingly, it’ll work.”
After my customer leaves, I place her deposit and my notepad into my apron when a peony brushes over my bare shoulder.
How dare he.
Use my passion against me.
The silky petal sends another tremble down my spine, actually more.
A trillion tremors dance across my flesh, moving like a current over my body straight to my core.
I turn.
With a flourished bow, Victor holds out the bunch. “For the lovely Lux.”
I look Victor up and down in all his dark glory and narrow my eyes. “Do you have any idea what I’d like to do to you with these flowers?” I grit in a low, curt tone. “It involves―”
He plucks another from the bunch skimming my cheek. “Based on your tone, it’s nothing compared to all the things I will be doing to you with my flowers.”
As the petal caresses softly over my lips, my tonsils vibrate in a lengthy moan.
Victor steps forward, invading and becoming the air I breathe. As he replaces the lush, pink petal with his mouth, I turn my head away.
“But what I had in mind,” I begin, dropping my palm on his chest and looking up at him, “was your dick and a blood-red climbing rose. Most notable for its thorns, which I’d stick straight into your—”
“Luxury.”
It’s all of one word—my name—punctuated by his hand claiming the nape of my neck.
I hadn’t seen the power beneath his calloused touch coming, although he’s not exuding said power.
Victor’s eyes go dark with craving and contained rage. And a good dose of discipline to stop him from following through.
His mouth brushes my earlobe. “Sounds painful. I’ll have to decline.”
“I’m declining anything you have to offer.”
We enter a power struggle, but the brick wall of his chest crushes my body.
“Fancy a cuppa?”
“No.”
“Listen, I’ll agree it’s all gone pear-shaped with us.”
“What?” I look up, still struggling to get away. I can’t believe the world disappeared the second I set eyes on him.
“I’m saying things keep going wrong for us, Luxury. I’m trying to be a normal bloke here.” He holds me delicately now, but I suspect that if I fight, push away, reject him, he’ll crush me in his embrace.
“You’re turning over a new leaf with the flowers? From my shop. Thanks for ruining my first chance of being on the recipient end of said flowers. Let me go.”
A cocksure smile floats over Victor’s face, a second too late for him to contain it.
“You’re arrogant,” I hiss. Victor’s body is no longer washing me under a current of emotions, ranging from acrimony to zeal. I settle on detachment, biting my tongue from further humiliation.
“You are coming with me to dinner.”
“No.”
“Lunch.”
His hand claims my wrist, and he turns back into the doorway. “Aliyah, you don’t have to kill me. We’ve made up.”
I gasp. Dammit, my friend is not above threatening the life of someone who’s hurt either one of us.
She tosses two thumbs up.
“Excuse me, we haven’t mended shit,” I reply.
Victor contradicts me. “I’m taking your beautiful friend to lunch.”
“Now, I’m confused.” Aliyah laughs softly. “Lux, should I murder him or not?”
I wrench my arm away. “He’s not worth the bullet.”
19
VICTOR
He’s not worth the bullet. Fuck me. I never felt more worthless with a bloody nose and a black eye. Not until this afternoon.
Now, I’ve returned to Hotel Delacroix and glare over the choppy Hudson River. I’ve not been prone to grand gestures since I was Luxury’s age. My index finger encircles my thumb while in thought. When Luxury’s enfolded in my arms, my respect for humanity is revitalized. She’s a simply delightful woman who asks for nothing and deserves more than the billions at my disposal.
“Victor, might I make a suggestion?” Burt’s inquiry reaches over my shoulder.
“Are you tracking the X-Members who are currently visiting New York or are in the general vicinity?”
“Vigilantly, sir.”
Turning away from the window, I glare at the man who’s been more of a father than the wanker I never speak to.
Questions teem in Burt’s steely eyes.
I grab a tuft of hair. “She’s not like any other woman I’ve encountered” in years. “I’m not prone to apologizing, Burt. You taught me to admit my faults against my mother and that wanka’s wishes. Surely, I should have yielded to your suggestions on those rare occasions when I was in the wrong.” Now, I’m too obstinate to oblige.
His eyes brighten.
“Should I purchase her jewelry?”
“You’re aware of the answer, Victor.”
I chuckle to myself. “She’s cheeky, barely legal. I should make use of my belt and her backside.”
“That’s quite the option.”
Aggravated, I deter from our banter and grit out, “I promised to explain.”
“What precisely?”
“Obviously, I’ve not had a change of heart about assassinating her father.”
“But it seems you expect Ms. Whitson to appreciate your intentions, of which she’s not aware.”