Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115997 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 580(@200wpm)___ 464(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
“Look, I thought we’d discussed having an open relationship—”
“You discussed!” I slammed my hand down on the table, the sound of the impact of my ring against the wood punctuating my disgust. “I never agreed. You knew that was never going to fly with me. I would never agree to that!”
“Your father wants—”
“My father doesn’t make my decisions for me.” I recognized just how true the words were, but only because it was dawning on me just how false they had been in the past. Even Jeremy was Dad’s choice, not mine, and I’d been so hungry for his approval that I’d gone against my gut and given a second chance to a relationship that had never deserved a first. “And as much as he’s desperate for political ties, he’d never expect me to accept less than I deserve, and I’m finally seeing that you, Jeremy, are way less.”
He swallowed and glanced down at my hand. “If you’re still wearing the ring, then there’s still hope.”
“I haven’t taken it off because your actions have rendered me speechless,” I replied, walking past him toward the kitchenette. “I don’t know how to tell people why I’m not wearing it.”
“So just keep wearing it,” he suggested, following me.
I pulled a bottle of water from the fridge and didn’t offer him one. He’d taken enough from me already. Then I twisted the top off and drank almost half of it in greedy gulps before setting the bottle on the counter. “If we’re going for complete honesty, let’s just lay it out,” I said, bracing my palms on the counter and hopping up to sit on it. “Neither of us really honestly wants this. It’s been engineered by everyone around us for optics.”
“Not just for the good of my career, but for yours too.” He tugged his tie loose.
“I never wanted to go into politics.” I shook my head.
He laughed, and it wasn’t the happy, melodious sound he’d perfected over the years. It was raw and a little ugly, but at least it was real. “Let’s not pretend we both don’t know exactly why you went into politics.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Exactly why you’re still here.”
I gripped the edge of the counter, preparing myself for the scathing verbal assault that had made him such a star in the DA’s office. After all, public service looked much better on his résumé than private practice.
“Don’t act like there haven’t been three of us in this relationship from the second I saw you again in DC two years ago.” His eyes narrowed. “Or did you think I didn’t recognize your bodyguard out there? Like you didn’t have his picture stuck to your fridge for the first year of our relationship. You’ve never gotten over him. I may have slept with other women, but I sure as hell didn’t love any of them.”
Other women? How naive had I been?
“How were we supposed to have a devoted, committed relationship when there was never any room for me in your heart?” Jeremy continued. “You might not like it, but we both know he’s been standing between us for the last two years. Of course I went looking for someone who actually wanted me, because you never really did. It didn’t matter that he left you in New York. You’ve still been pining for him.”
I sucked in a breath but didn’t deny it. “Mind your words, Jeremy.”
He put up his hands and backed up two steps, leaving the kitchenette. “Oh, heaven forbid I speak against the saint that is Nathaniel Phelan. Tell me, is he the reason you’ve been declining my calls? The reason you were so quick to take Newcastle’s place on that plane? Did you know he was here? Have you been having the same kind of fun you’re guilt-tripping me for?”
“I don’t owe you an answer,” I said, lifting my chin. “But just so you don’t think I’m anything like you, no. I didn’t seek Nate out. He just happened to be ordered here and assigned to me.”
“Of course he was.” Jeremy glared at the wall as though he could see Nate standing on the other side of it. “That’s the thing with you two, right? You seem to magically appear in the other’s lives.”
“Your point is?” Nate and I had a connection I despised but also marveled at, and it wasn’t up for discussion, not with Jeremy.
He moved quickly, reaching for my arm, and I slid out of his grasp. “Touch me again, and I’ll scream. You’ll be dead in seconds. Nate doesn’t care who your daddy is.” The threat left my mouth before I could think twice about risking Nate’s career over a situation I should’ve been able to handle myself.
Then again, the threat worked, because Jeremy took a step back.
“Have you fucked him?” Jeremy’s face turned a mottled shade of red. “I mean, this time around?”