Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56416 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 282(@200wpm)___ 226(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
He laughs. “Are you guys still doing that?”
“Yep, once or twice a month. You should really try to join in on the next one. It’s actually fun.”
He nods. “Yeah, if I’m in town, I’ll be there.”
Holden is looking around. There are people everywhere, and they’re noticing him and taking his picture. Two women have already came up to him and asked for his autograph. He, of course, is eating it up and enjoying the attention. He gets noticed everywhere we go, so I should have known better than to bring him with me when I’m trying to lay low.
“Tell me why we’re standing all the way back here. You’re King Beckett, Jasper’s most eligible bachelor—”
I cut him off. “That was five years ago.”
He laughs, “Yeah, well the nickname sticks. There are some seats right in the front. No one is going to ask you to move.”
The announcer comes on stage, and thankfully the front row seats that were open only seconds ago are filled up and we’re standing in the back row. Music starts to play, and models take turns walking out on stage. The speaker is talking about the clothes, but I completely tune her out and hold my breath until I see Haven walking out onto the catwalk.
I’m completely transfixed on her as she struts across the stage. She has on a bathing suit, and it shows off every one of her luscious curves. My hands fist at my sides because I know there are men in the room drooling over her, and I want to run to the stage and claim her right here and now.
She stops at the end of the stage and kicks her hip out while doing a shimmy from side to side. “Fuck,” I groan, and I thought it was low, but the people around me all turn and stare.
I don’t care, though. There’s no hiding how I feel about Haven. She turns, and then I have a perfect view of her ass as she walks back to the stage and disappears between the curtains. It’s only then I look at Holden, and my brother has his mouth hanging open, looking between me and where Haven was just standing. “She’s too young for you,” he whispers loudly.
All I can do is stare at him. Yeah, I know she’s too young for me. She’s too everything for me, but I can’t stop. I can’t stop thinking about her. I can’t stop wondering if she’s okay. I can’t stop wanting her. When I don’t answer him, Holden insists, “What are you thinking, King? The news gets wind of this and they will have a field day.”
“You act like she’s underage or something. I’m not a pervert. She’s twenty-five, Holden.”
He blows out a breath and pretends to wipe his brow. “Shhhew, well, that’s a relief. She’s still a little young for you. She’s hot, though.”
My head jerks, and I glower at him. “Don’t even think about it. Brother or not, I’ll end you.”
He laughs, holding both his hands up. “Whoa, wow! I never thought I’d see the day where the mighty King Beckett would fall in love.”
Out of reaction, I’m about to deny it, but I can’t bring myself to do it. The show continues, and Haven comes out two more times. Holden finally starts to understand and doesn’t try to talk to me when Haven is on the stage. I take her all in. The way she smiles almost shyly to the crowd, the way she moves, the way she flips her hair when she turns. I take my phone out and shoot a video of her as she walks across the stage, and it’s about the time that I lower the phone that our eyes meet.
Her smile widens, and there’s no doubt she sees me. She’s looking right at me.
All I can do is stare at her as my brother, I, and every man in the room fall for her and her absolute beauty.
She walks off the stage, and I nudge my brother. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”
He doesn’t budge, though. “What? What are you talking about? You’re not going to talk to her?”
I shake my head and start to push my way through the crowd. Thankfully, because of my size, people move, and I’m able to get out the door without anyone stopping me. The only person that insists on stalling me is my brother. He’s followed me, but he’s griped about it the whole way outside.
Holden grabs my arm. “King, stop, what’s going on? You’re obviously into her, why are you not going to stay and talk to her?”
I don’t want to tell him, but I need to get it off my chest. I need to tell someone because the guilt is starting to get to me. “She doesn’t know who I am.”