Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23247 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 116(@200wpm)___ 93(@250wpm)___ 77(@300wpm)
“This had to come from the man Charlotte’s chosen to be my husband,” Betsy exclaimed. “And I would never have realized it if not for you.”
Un-fucking-believable.
“Thank you so much, Mr. Tsaldaris!”
His first instinct was to strangle her for being so damn dense, but when she threw her arms around him once again, Lukas’ vengeful side immediately gave him the idea of how to better punish her instead.
Lukas pulled her close as soon as she tried taking a step back, and he lowered his head to purr straight into her ear.
“You’re welcome, my Betsy.”
The words had their intended effect, with her body buckled against his in shock.
That should teach her.
But just as his arms loosened around her, it was then Lukas felt her nipples pebble against his chest, and his plan immediately turned into a double-edged sword.
Fuck.
Both of them jerked away from each other at the same time, and as Betsy bent down to scoop her son off the floor, it was then her gaze clashed with the huge, huge bulge behind her boss’s pants.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Betsy found herself babbling all of a sudden. “I...um...emergency...D.” She knew she wasn’t making any sense, but she also knew she had to get as far away as possible from the billionaire.
You signed a contract to marry another man, Betsy Lark! So stop playing the harlot!
Betsy struggled to keep her tears in check even when she was already in the safety of her bedroom.
The bond between mother and son was such that Betsy truly believed D would feel whatever it was she was feeling. So what kind of parent would she be if she were to allow her one-year-old son to share in her heartbreak?
How do I solve this, God?
Not even for D's father had she felt such powerful attraction, and the way her body instantly and uncontrollably reacted to him terrified and shamed her.
She knew she should kill such feelings immediately, but how was that possible when even now her mind continued to torture her with memories of what she had seen...and what it meant?
Lukas Tsaldaris wanted her.
And the knowledge made her body burn hotter with desire and shame.
That such a man wanted her - a single mother who was a broke college dropout - made Betsy's head reel, and oh!
Was that the answer to her prayer?
Did these feelings for her boss only exist because the idea of him being attracted to her was good for her still-fragile ego, which had taken a huge beating after being dumped by the boy she had thought was her first love?
Your pride is just making you think you want him, but you really don't!
You love D, not him!
And as D's mother, there is only one right thing to do.
Chapter Eight
LUKAS: You told her she was RIGHT?
Charlotte: Well, she is, isn't she? YOU bought all that stuff for her son, and aren't you also the man she's contracted to marry?
Lukas: You're having fun with this, aren't you?
Charlotte: No one's stopping you from clearing things up, Lukas. The question is: why aren't you?
BETSY: Hi, Charlotte. I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time. And please don't feel the need to reply right away or anything. I just wanted to ask if there's anything you can tell me about my future husband. I know that my not knowing his identity is part of how your agency works, and I totally understand. But I guess I just want to...picture him better. And maybe find out if there are things I should learn or practice so I can be a better wife to him.
Charlotte: That's so very sweet of you, Betsy. Your future husband is so lucky to have you! And let me see. I guess it's safe for me to tell you that he's the quintessential tall, dark, and handsome type.
Betsy: That kinda worries me. What if I'm not pretty enough for him? Has that ever happened to any of your clients?
Charlotte: Never.
Betsy: So you really think he'll like me?
Charlotte: Absolutely.
Betsy: What about his likes and dislikes? Does he have hobbies that maybe I can learn to share?
Charlotte: He loves to read business books, I think? Oh, and he loves Mediterranean cuisine! He also speaks fluent Italian, Spanish, and Greek. Aside from English, I mean.
Betsy: Gotcha! That's a huge help. I think I'm starting to picture him. Thank you, Charlotte. And I'm sorry if I sound impatient or ungrateful, but I'm just...curious, I guess? Is this how it usually works? Is there always an interval of sorts between selecting couples for marriage and actually getting them married by proxy?
Charlotte: It's not the rule per se, but it does happen more often than you think. For a variety of reasons. But it's not something for you to worry about, I promise.
LUKAS: I'll be away for work for about a week.
Betsy: Understood, sir.