Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75770 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 303(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
“Sebastian…”
“Yeah?” I say into the phone.
“You have to tell River.”
EPISODE 88
MISTY CONUNDRUM
Emily
Misty’s eyes narrow and she glares at me, her jaw tense and her cheeks beginning to redden. Her lips are pressed tightly together, and for a moment I expect her to snarl.
I play my own words back in my mind.
I’ve sucked his cock and he’s eaten my pussy. We’ve showered together and fucked each other bloody raw. Many times. And it’s been a splendidly good time. What do you say to that?
What the hell was I thinking?
Misty has basically claimed River. Who does that?
Easy.
Someone who’s a bit…unhinged.
My flesh goes cold. This woman could be deranged. She could be dangerous. God knows she has enough money to crush anyone she wants, and right now her wrath appears solely focused on me. Sure, we have a non-disclosure agreement that covers all of us and what goes on here on the island, but that won’t matter to a person who thinks I’m cutting in on her territory—territory she feels entitled to.
Damn it.
I was acting like an overindulged little nipper. I was feeling jealous and I wanted to throw it in her face that River and I have been intimate.
I, of all people, should know better than to let ego get involved in any part of my life.
“I’m kidding, of course,” I say, willing my voice to stay calm. “You look as if you want to rip my hair out.”
She says nothing.
Deny it, Emily. For God’s sake, deny it!
“None of that happened, but what do you expect, Misty? Do you want the rest of us to think you’re some kind of arsehole? We’re all on equal footing here. River isn’t yours any more than he is mine. Or Ariel’s. Or Heather’s. Or anyone else’s.”
Misty’s demeanor remains rigid as she turns and walks to the davenport which was only moments ago covered with her designer garments. She falls quietly into a sitting position.
At least she’s no longer staring me down.
I could leave. Make my escape from this woman whose sanity I’m questioning. Is she simply a spoiled little rich girl who may not get her way? Of is there something deeper at work here?
Why River?
And why do I even care?
The answer to the second question is simple. As much as I’d like to deny it, River has gotten under my skin. Do I want to move to Montana? Of course not, but I also don’t want to see any of the other women with their claws in River.
I’m being ridiculous, and I know it. He’s not mine, and until now, I wasn’t even sure I wanted him.
I breathe in deeply, get my ego under control. Is it River I want? Or is it just that I want him to choose me?
A little of both, I fear.
“Why did you say it then?” Misty finally asks, casting her gaze toward me. She seems better now. Not so tense.
“Say what?” I ask.
“That you and River were together.”
Right. That. “I told you why. You were acting as if you own River, and you don’t.”
Misty looks away for a moment but then turns back to meet my gaze. “I don’t believe you, Emily. You were very specific.”
I raise an eyebrow at her. She thinks that was specific? That we fucked and ate each other? Lord help her. We did so much more than that, and every bit of it was sumptuous.
I tentatively take a seat next to her. Right now she’s as pliable as a rag doll. In fact, she looks almost defeated or resigned. How could I have thought she was threatening mere moments ago? She sighs and looks at me with eyes so lost, I almost feel sorry for her. Almost. But I know one thing. Misty has a story. And I’d like to be the one to root it out.
“Level with me,” I say.
“About what?”
“Why are you here? You don’t need a billionaire husband, Misty. You can buy and sell the rest us, including June, who’s a successful model.”
“Is that why the rest of you are here?” she asks, her brow furrowed as if she’s genuinely confused.. “For the money?”
Bugger. I can’t give too much away. I swallow. “Of course not. Evangeline made sure we were all independent women who take care of ourselves. It just begs the question, though. Why? You could have met any of these men through conventional means. You have the connections.”
“I don’t care if you fucked River,” Misty says.
I raise my eyebrows. Is she bloody serious? That is her response when I ask her why she’s here? After she said River is the only one for her?
I keep my jaw from dropping. I honestly don’t know what to say to her.
Turns out I don’t have to say anything because she continues.
“I don’t care if every woman here fucks him. All that matters is that I have a chance with him. A real chance.”