Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 242(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 242(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
“You’re…ready?”
My sex clenches over the gruff way he says the word. “Yes.”
He continues to stare down at me, his breathing measured.
“What are you thinking?” I ask when the silence stretches too long.
“I’m trying to come up with a way to get rid of everyone immediately,” he replies in a hoarse rush, slowly backing me up against the wall of the hallway, ducking his face into my neck to inhale me. “Jesus, Vida. You had to tell me this now? In that tight little dress? My dick is going to be stiff as a board the entire party.”
I wiggle my hips against his. “It’s a good thing that shirt is loose.”
His lower body pins me to the wall with a slam, his mouth ghosting over mine. “I’m obsessed with you, you know that?” He visibly struggles to rein himself in. “Did you bring your Yale application with you?” He shakes my backpack. “Is it in here?”
After a heavy swallow, I nod. “Yes. You can look, but please don’t try and intervene.”
“Vida.” He closes his eyes, his frustration evident. “I promised you I wouldn’t. I’m just going to have a look. But so help me God, if I find what I suspect I’ll find—that you’re a brilliant applicant and got passed over for someone whose father could afford to donate five million dollars to Yale—I’m going to have a hard time not doing something about it.”
“I know it’ll be hard to leave it alone, but I don’t want a school that doesn’t want me. And I definitely don’t want to take advantage of your kindness—”
“Kindness?” Tripp bursts out, his tone incredulous. “Angel, if you let me do nice things for you, even if they involve money, do you think you would be the only one benefitting? I get you as a girlfriend. I could buy you a fleet of jets and the island of Maui and I’d still be getting the better part of the deal. I would have you. And the girl I’m crazy about would have what she needs.”
I’m struck speechless.
It’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me.
It’s also a terrifying sentiment. He’s asking me to not only accept his wealth and power but utilize it.
“I’m crazy about you, too,” I manage around the object in my throat. “And I trust you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be here doing something that scares me so much. I just…I have to think about the rest. I’m proud. I want to achieve things on my own.”
“You will.” He clears his throat, briefly glancing down at the space between his feet. “But this is who I am. I’m a Sterling, and that comes with billions of dollars and a lot of privilege attached. It’s not going anywhere and it’s all a part of me. When you turn down what I can offer you, it feels…a little bit like you’re turning me down, too.”
“Tripp,” I gasp, the backs of my eyes smarting with tears. “Please don’t say that. What I want is you. Just you. None of the trappings.”
He cups my face gently. “It doesn’t work that way.” A tear sneaks out of the corner of my eyes, and he catches it with his thumb, frowning. “My God, what the fuck is wrong with me, making you cry when you’re braving this party for me? I’m sorry, Vida. I’m an asshole.”
“No, everything you said is valid and I’m going to think about it. I promise.” I kiss the side of his hand. “Let’s talk about it again later, okay?”
“Okay.” He bends down to give me a hard kiss, edged with affection. “Let’s go in.”
ELEVEN
Vida
Walking into the party isn’t as hard as I was anticipating.
Tripp’s words are still ringing in my ears, and I’m starting to think he’s actually serious about us. He’s not just waxing poetic about some fantasy future that will never unfold. It hurts him when I reject his wealth. When I won’t let him buy me gifts or take me out to five-star restaurants or phone his associates at Yale. I thought I was doing the right thing by dating only him, not his money, but maybe his money and power are something I can’t avoid. Or reject without hurting him.
My hand is held tightly inside Tripp’s as we walk out onto the deck where the party is in full swing. A group of girls sing along to “Pink Pony Club” while a scattering of young men take selfies on their phones. All activity ceases the moment Tripp and I walk out into the open.
“Guys, listen up,” Tripp says, his voice clear and confident. “I would like to introduce Vida. My girlfriend. I know you’re all going to make her feel very welcome.” He brings my hand to his mouth and kisses the back of it. “Vida, this is everyone.”
There are mixed reactions, but the common thread is stunned.