Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
“I don’t care about Cooper. He’s a friend, but he’s never going to be anything more,” Kala said, forcing herself to move closer even when every single instinct in her body screamed to get away. Only Cooper got this close. Only Cooper got to kiss her and love her and hold her against him. To touch her when she wasn’t expecting it because it was always okay for him to touch her.
Only Cooper.
How would she move through life without knowing he was waiting for her? He would find someone, but it would probably be some airhead who wouldn’t know how to take care of him because he obviously had terrible taste in women.
Ben Parker’s lips hovered above hers. “And what am I?”
She had to find a way to tag out. She was willing to, maybe if she had to and couldn’t figure a way out of it, let him kiss her. Not like a full-on kiss. More like a peck. She could handle a peck. She was not going to barf. Barfing would totally give up the game. “I don’t know. I think we should figure it out. I have some things I need to do, but I could meet you later.”
“Sex club things?” he asked, his jealousy obvious.
“It’s a lifestyle club,” she returned. “I haven’t had sex with anyone, Ben. Not since I met you.”
God, she hoped her sister hadn’t lied to her about the op when she and Ben had found themselves pretty much alone. It was in Croatia, and they’d spent a night in a castle hunting down an informant at a party given by a billionaire.
Ben’s hand came out and caressed her cheek. “That was your choice, baby. It would have gone very differently if I’d been in charge.” He leaned over and brushed his lips against hers.
Thank the universe he didn’t try to use his tongue. Ick. Ick. Ewww. Ben lips. Lips of Ben. She was going to need all the mouthwash. Vodka was a disinfectant, right? Her sister so owed her.
And how will you hold this shit over her head for the rest of time and long after we are dead if you walk away from your family, moron?
She stepped back, praying she hadn’t actually gone green. “Meet me in two hours. I know this restaurant where they’ll give us a private room and we can talk. It’s called Top.”
Her uncle’s place. Uncle Sean would ensure privacy for the two of them. He would also ensure security.
“All right,” he said and reached for her hand. Then dropped it as he glanced to the left and his eyes widened. “Well, shit. Your timing is perfect as always, McKay.”
Kala felt her heart squeeze as she caught sight of what she’d missed while she was pretending to be lost in her sister’s crush’s eyes. Cooper stood about twenty feet away, having obviously come in from the back parking lot. He stared at her like he hated her. It was right there in his eyes, the betrayal.
She fought back nausea. Real nausea this time. She’d been ready to walk away from him for his own sake, but this…he hated her. It was there in his eyes.
He would never speak to her again. Never.
“She’s all yours, Parker,” Cooper said with a shake of his head. “Maybe she can string you along for years like she did me. Good fucking luck.”
He strode off, his boots ringing against the concrete.
If they’d made that sound in the first place, she wouldn’t be in this position, but no.
God, she felt so hollow.
This was what she wanted, and now she couldn’t stand the thought.
She had to go after him. The impulse to chase the man down was right there. She could chase him down and beg his forgiveness.
But she couldn’t, and there would be no forgiveness for her.
“Well, that’s going to make things awkward,” she said and sighed before turning to Ben. “I’m sorry you had to see that. We are friends. I’ve never led him to believe anything else. I promise.”
Kenzie never had. And she was Kenzie right now.
Because if she had to be herself, she would likely lie down and wish she could fade.
He reached out and stroked her hair. “All right. We can talk more about it at the restaurant. I’ll be there in two hours. Maggie, don’t stand me up. I know I should be all modern man about it, but I’m afraid I’ll hunt you down.”
“I’ll be there.” Her sister would drop whatever she was doing and haul ass to see this man.
Her sister might have a future.
Hers was over.
She turned and walked back in the club. Where she wouldn’t be a member for long because she would leave this place to Cooper. And her friends. And everything.
She turned the corner and he stood there in his jeans and T-shirt, his eyes on her. He’d obviously gone around to the back entrance. “Cooper, I…”