Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65031 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“You’re late, Cinderelliott,” Winston growls, making me smile with relief as I push through the door into his office.
I only have room for one bossy asshole. The others can all go to hell.
“Good morning to you too, boyfriend.”
13
Winston
“A word, big man?” Nate darts his gaze to Ash. “Alone?”
Her brows furl, and a brief flicker of worry glitters in her eyes. She quickly schools the expression and smiles at me. “I’ll go check to see if Perry needs any help.”
I nod at him and check out Ash’s cute ass as she exits my office. Nate closes the door behind him, hiding us from prying ears.
This should be interesting.
“Let me guess,” I deadpan. “You’re here to tell me I’m too close to her and you want to protect my fortune from her greedy little paws?”
His jaw clenches. “I’m that transparent, huh?”
“Indeed.”
He sighs and takes a seat across from me, running his fingers through his gelled hair. It’s a mannerism he’s had for as long as I can remember. Dating back as far as prep school when we both played rugby. If the score was too close for comfort, he’d rake his fingers through his hair as the worry ate him alive.
Question is, why is he letting my life worry him to death?
“Listen,” he murmurs as he studies me. “She’s just not who you think she is.”
I arch a brow, waiting for him to continue.
“She has secrets.”
“Don’t we all, Nate?”
“Hers could negatively impact you.” He throws a hand in the air. “Don’t look at me like that, Win. I’ve been your best friend for fucking forever. Sometimes, your eyes are so focused on the prize, you forget to take a look at the world around you.”
“Serves me quite well, don’t you think?” I challenge, coolly darting my eyes over my office, indicating all that I’ve achieved. “You’ve watched me rake in the money for Halcyon in a way my father never could. If I’m such a shrewd, focused man, how is it you’d think I’d let a little girl crawl into my world on her hands and knees and wreck everything for me?”
“I know you’re not stupid. I just worry. Ever since . . .”
He trails off, leaving Meredith’s name unspoken but no less impactful. It’s because of her, though, that I know better than to let my dick and heart call the shots. The Constantine mind is what moves mountains around here.
“We’ve been over this. Ash is a plaything. I’m not sure why you think there’s more.”
“You bought her a car, a wardrobe, and fuck knows what else, man. And then I overhear Deborah arranging to have an apartment set up for an employee, which has to be her because you sure as hell never bought me an apartment. When does it end? The pussy can’t be that good.”
“The pussy is fantastic if you must know.”
“Enough to put a ring on her finger?”
“What is it with you people and your obsession with marriage? I’m not marrying Ash. We’ve beat this horse to death.”
“I’m sorry,” he grumbles. “I’m overstepping, but I wouldn’t be your best friend if I didn’t look out for you. You’ve helped me out of all my fuckups over the years. Forgive me for wanting to be there for yours.”
I chuckle at him. “I have the money and means to erase my fuckups, but I do appreciate your concern.”
“Well, now that that’s cleared up, want to go out for drinks tonight?”
Not really, but sometimes duty calls.
“Certainly. Let me just clear it with my girlfriend first.” I smirk at him when his eyes widen in shock. “Oh, that’s right. I don’t have one. As much as Mother would love to marry me off to a rich European princess or heiress to a fortune that rivals ours, I’m not biting.”
He leans in and flashes me a devilish grin. “Speaking of financially compatible matches, I heard Layla Reynard’s on the market. Her husband passed away, and she inherited everything. Your mother would be so proud.” His eyes gleam. “Not to mention, Layla never got knocked up by Reynard, so her tits and ass are still fine as fuck.”
“You go from defending my honor against a poor teenager to trying to pimp me out to someone we went to prep school with and is probably still mourning the loss of her husband. Never cease to amaze me, old friend.”
“Fine, maybe I’ll hook up with Layla, because we both know Reynard was probably a terrible lay. She’s probably desperate for some good dick, which I could provide. That would make Mommy Constantine proud.” He winks at me. “But your mom might be so impressed she’ll also want some good dick—”
“Finish that sentence and I swear to god I will strangle you with your own tie.”
He laughs, and I shake my head at him. Always trying to get a rise out of me. Asshole.