Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 145155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 145155 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 726(@200wpm)___ 581(@250wpm)___ 484(@300wpm)
“Where are you going?” One of her eyebrows rises as she waits for my answer and her arms are crossed in front of her.
She knows damn well where I am going, so I don’t answer.
Cameron interjects. “Come on, Mum, where’s my cocktail?”
She holds up her hand. “In a minute, Cameron. Give us some privacy, please.”
I glare at Cameron, warning him not to go anywhere. “Cameron can stay, Mother. I have nothing to hide from him. What is it you want to say?”
She walks over to the window with her back to me and pulls the curtains back and stares out at the view. “What is going on with Natasha, Joshua? And don’t you dare lie to me.”
Cameron does wide eyes to me, signaling silence.
“I’m still attracted to her,” I answer as I close my eyes and wait for the backlash.
She turns and smiles at me. “I know you are attracted to a lot of women, Joshua. God knows you’ve slept with more than your share.” I bite my lip as I listen to her. “You realize that if you allow her to persuade you into her bed, you will disgrace the family.” I smile. The fucking gall of this woman, I really have had enough of her shit for one night. Cameron shakes his head at me, again signaling my silence.
“Natasha would never have to persuade me into her bed. I would go there willingly.” She narrows her eyes at me, and I cross my arms in front of me in defiance.
“Tell me, Mother, does Dad know you use your money to intimidate people?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” she snaps.
“Natasha asked you tonight if it mattered to you if your boys married into money.”
“And?” she snaps.
“You totally ignored the question.”
“Of course, I want my boys to marry into money. Any self-respecting mother would want good breeding for her grand children.”
I stand up and start throwing my things into my bag again. “That’s funny, because if I know the story right, Dad’s parents didn’t accept you because you came from a poor family. Yet you have the audacity to judge Natasha.”
“Natasha is a self-absorbed social-ladder climber, Joshua, and even if you were not related to her, which you are, I would not approve. The girl repulses me.” That’s it. I pick up my bag and sling it over my shoulder. “Where are you going? Put your bag back down immediately until you tell me where you are going.”
I turn slowly.
“Josh, just go,” Cameron urges.
“You want to know where I am going, Mother?” I have never been so angry. She glares at me. “Do you really want to know?” I whisper again.
“Enlighten me,” she growls.
“I’m going to Natasha’s and then I am going to beg for her forgiveness for letting you speak to her like a piece of dirt tonight.”
“Don’t you dare apologize for me. I meant every word I said,” she screams.
“I won’t be home tonight,” I snap as I grab my bag.
“Joshua, no, you can’t sleep with her again. She’s bad news,” she says frantically.
“No, Mother!” I scream. “Natasha is the only thing that is good! I have been holding myself back from her out of respect for you. But seeing you don’t respect her, or me, it’s on, and you can blame yourself.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Totally!”
She runs and grabs my arm. “Cameron, talk some sense into your brother. Joshua, no. Don’t leave. This is what she wants, to cause trouble between us.”
“What? You can’t be serious. I am going to spend the night with the one woman in the world who doesn’t love me for my money. The one woman who I have no doubt can make me happy.”
“You’re a fool, Joshua. She will break your heart again and deep down you know that. This can never have a happy ending. As soon as her family finds out, she will leave you again and then who will pick up the pieces?”
I storm out and grab the keys to my car, trying my hardest not to punch something. I’ve had enough of this shit. Why is everything so fucking hard?
The apartment is too quiet when I enter. I used my key because I know she wouldn’t have opened the door if I knocked. She must be asleep. I walk into the bedroom and see her lying with her back to me. She hasn’t moved so I’m assuming she’s asleep. I watch her for a few minutes in silence. My heart aches just to touch her, to soothe her, to tell her everything will be alright. I just wish I knew if it will be. Probably a good thing she’s asleep. I’m too fucking angry with my mother to even talk to Natasha now. I will only end up fighting with her again, which is exactly what my bitch of a mother wants. I can’t believe she brought up Amelie…that’s low, even for her. How in the fuck am I going to explain that one? She might be the one punching holes in the door this time.