Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 156029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
“Oh.” She frowns as she reads. “So, he’s an architect who designs skyscrapers and he owns a steel company that supplies to most countries for the said skyscrapers.” She purses her lips. “His company has four hundred staff. Wow, he’s no slouch.”
“I never said he was. You did.”
“Just don’t tell Edward that he came to your work. He will go nuclear. Or your father, for that matter.”
“I’m not that stupid.”
Lara’s eyes hold mine. “Promise me.”
“Promise you what?’
“Promise me you won’t fall for this guy’s cheap pickup lines. He’s a player—the player of all players.”
“I know, I’m not stupid. Give me some credit, please.” I sigh.
“Good.” She smiles broadly.
I sip my wine and stare across the restaurant. If only she knew that I offered myself to him on a silver platter and he turned me down.
I close my eyes in disgust. What the hell was I thinking?
* * *
It’s 10:00 p.m. and all is quiet on the estate. I pull the curtains back and stare out into the darkness. My mind keeps going over the fact that Lara knew Edward was going away tomorrow.
How did she know that? Had I told her and forgotten?
No. I hadn’t even known it myself.
I see the two security guards walking down the road performing their last sweep of the grounds for the night, and I walk out onto my front porch. “Hello,” I call out as they approach my property.
“Hello, Charlotte.” They both smile.
“Lovely night,” I say, aiming for casual.
“Yes, and warm for this time of year.”
“Does my brother have company tonight?” I ask.
They glance at each other. “I believe so,” Ryan says with caution.
“Do you know who with?”
They exchange looks again. “A… female friend,” Ryan answers.
I fold my arms over my chest. “And her name is?”
They once again look at each other. “We’re not sure, Charlotte.”
I tilt my chin and think for a moment. “Is this the first time she has been to the estate?”
“No, I don’t believe it is,” Ryan says. The two of them keep walking past in the hope that their interrogation will soon be over. “Goodnight, Charlotte,” Ryan calls out, effectively ending the conversation.
“Goodnight.” I huff, and I turn back into my house.
I head straight for the kitchen and flick the kettle on.
Edward and Lara? Surely not.
She sees other people. It was only last week that she went on a date with someone.
I think back over all the times over the years when they have had aggressive arguments with one another… mostly over me. Although, I must admit, they have always seemed to know a lot about each other.
Why would they hide it if something was going on?
Are they fucking?
No. They’re not. I know they’re not. I’m just imagining things that aren’t there.
God, I really do need to get out more. Lara is right; I’m going crazy cooped up in this castle.
I make my tea and sit on the couch, my mind in overdrive.
I tap my tooth with my fingernail as I think. I wonder if Lara’s car is at his house.
I go into my office and pull the drapes back. I can see the lights from his house in the distance.
He has his own road in and out of his place, just like I do, but because his house is at the end of the estate, I wouldn’t have any clue who he has down there. Until tonight I’ve never wanted to know.
Well, damn this.
I go out to my front porch, sit on the steps, and put my trainers on. I’m going to see exactly who Edward is bedding tonight.
And if it is Lara, there is going to be blood. Whether that’s his or hers, I don’t know yet, but I won’t be impressed if they are sneaking around behind my back.
His, I decide. It will be his blood.
The thought of him sleeping with my best friend boils my blood.
She’s way too soft and sweet for him.
I know for sure if I had someone here for the night, Edward would be here in an instant, ordering them home. I look down at my white sweater. Hmm, this won’t do. I run upstairs and change into a black jumper and a black beanie. If I’m going to go spying, I may as well look the part.
I turn the torch on my phone on, and I look left and right to make sure the coast is clear. Then I slowly start to walk down the road towards Edward’s house. It’s a fair distance from my house, but I know the security staff have done their last check for the night and are tucked back in their office at my father’s. Wyatt finished work at 6:00 p.m. because he thought I wasn’t going anywhere.
I walk, and walk, and walk.
God, this seems it’s a lot farther in the dark.
I finally arrive at Edward’s house and duck behind a tree before I peer around it. Like my house, his house is made of sandstone and covered in ivy. Our houses are near identical, both two storied with four bedrooms. The only differences being that he has had his house updated to his tastes and added another large living area at the back. Unlike me, he won’t be leaving his house, so he has made it his forever home.