Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
The fury that surged through Drew’s bloodstream was insane, and he curled both hands into fists at his sides. “I’m going to kill that fucker the next time I see him.”
She shook her head. “No need to get your hands dirty,” she said, a small smile tugging at her lips, confusing him until she said, “I slapped him for the vulgar comment, hard enough that he probably saw stars.”
Drew couldn’t help but grin with relief, and pride. “That’s my girl,” he said, the praise automatic, even if she wasn’t going to be his for long.
That pink flush staining her cheeks deepened because she liked getting his approval. And man, that did something for him.
Her voice cut into his thoughts.
“Apparently, my father heard everything Elliott said to me, and he was livid. I’m sure that by now, Elliott is unemployed. But regardless, I just want to hear your side of the story. All of it, so I understand his jealousy and rage.”
Drew swallowed back a groan. That dick was the last thing he wanted to talk about, but considering what the bastard had said to Georgia about Drew using her to get back at him, she deserved to know their history.
“It’s pretty simple. We went to law school together,” he said, sitting forward on the couch and bracing his arms on his thighs. “I was always top of the class, and Elliot…was not. I was head of the law review magazine, I passed the bar exam the first time. I always edged him out, not because I was trying to be competitive with him, but because I worked my ass off for me. And since he was an insecure and jealous little fucker, he resented the fact that I was flat out better than him.”
“I can believe that,” she murmured.
“So, he instigated a rivalry, which truly was one-sided because I didn’t have to prove shit to him to be successful. Hell, he wasn’t ever on my radar. But his snide remarks continued through law school. Once we graduated, I thought that would be the end of seeing him again, but we both applied to McKenzie Goodwin because they’re one of the most prestigious and reputable corporate law firms in New York City. I was hired, and Elliott wasn’t, which made him even more spiteful, even though he was hired on at your father’s firm shortly after.” Drew shook his head at the stupidity of it all. “It was all really childish if you ask me.”
Georgia arched a brow at him. “I suppose it didn’t help matters that a proposal you put together led to McKenzie Goodwin being awarded representation for an eight-billion-dollar merger over Elliott’s proposal from my father’s firm.”
“How did you know about that?” he asked, surprised.
“My father told me.” Her smile softened her features. “I think he was secretly impressed by you.”
Drew shrugged. “Clearly, our proposal was what the company was looking for. But that loss pulled the rug out from under Elliott for the second time, in a big way. Especially since he lost the deal to me. Shortly after that, I made partner while he waited another year, and for someone who is so competitive, I’m sure the whole thing chafed.”
“I’m sure it did,” she murmured in reply.
He exhaled a deep breath. “So, when Elliott saw us together when he clearly wanted you for himself, it had to drive him insane to think you chose me over him.”
“Which now all makes sense,” she said, smoothing a hand down the front of her skirt, her gaze holding his. “Thank you for telling me all that. Why didn’t you mention it before? I know I asked.”
“Because I didn’t want to waste our valuable time together talking about that asshole.”
Her grin told him she understood.
The living room then grew quiet for an uncomfortable span of time before Georgia spoke again. “You said there was something you needed to talk to me about?”
He scrubbed a hand along his jaw, his chest already becoming uncomfortably tight. Doing the right thing had never felt so fucking wrong, and it took effort to start this conversation. “I do. Tomorrow I have a meeting with my boss that is going to change things for me.”
She tipped her head to the side, her expression unreadable, making it difficult to gauge her emotions, which he hated when she was usually such an open book.
“How so?” she asked, clutching her hands together in her lap.
He held her gaze and pushed through. “I’m accepting an offer to head the legal team representing a new corporation we just signed. It’s a massive deal and a huge boon for my career. It’s going to consume most of my time, and I’ll be traveling to Europe often in the next six months.”
“Congratulations. That’s really fantastic.” She smiled at him, but it didn’t reach her eyes because she was smart and knew he had more to say and was clearly anticipating what was coming.