Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 109(@200wpm)___ 87(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Sometimes, you just knew.
And that was how it was with his wife. Even though they had been together for less than a month, he already knew Hope as if he had known her for a lifetime. He knew about his wife's quiet strength and gentleness. He knew about her desire to see the best in people—even when there seemed no goodness in them to be found. Or at least that was how it seemed to him. But Hope somehow managed to prove him wrong each time.
The urge to see his wife seized him out of the blue, and he was at once restless and impatient. Colin signaled to the female attendant now waiting discreetly nearby and placed a hundred-dollar bill on the counter. A much-deserved tip, with how the woman would soon have her hands full with Princess.
Colin turned to leave, but Princess's fingers tightened around his arm, surprisingly strong despite her intoxication. She pulled herself toward him, rising on tiptoes as her free hand caught the back of his neck.
He saw her intention a second before she moved, turning his face just enough that her lips landed clumsily at the corner of his mouth rather than fully on target. The near-miss sent a jolt of alarm through him, not because he was tempted, but because of how instinctively he had recoiled.
Colin stepped back firmly, steadying her with hands on her shoulders, maintaining clear distance. "That's enough."
Hurt flashed in her eyes, quickly masked by drunken bravado. "Your loss."
He guided her gently toward the waiting attendant. "Please make sure Ms. Halstead reaches her room safely," he instructed, pressing a folded bill into the young woman's hand.
"Of course, sir."
As the attendant led Princess away, Colin remained rooted in place, watching them disappear into the elevator. He knew alcohol had lowered her inhibitions, exposed desires she might have otherwise kept hidden. Princess wasn't entirely to blame.
He was.
He should not have been alone with her in the first place. And only now was he starting to realize how all of his actions in the past few days must have brought his wife shame. How the hell had he been so blind?
Colin took the next elevator up, watching floor numbers illuminate in sequence, each bringing him closer to a confrontation he wasn't prepared for. It disturbed him to remember how Princess' attempt to kiss her had left him cold...while he only had to remember the taste of Hope's lips, and he would have a sudden need for a cold shower.
This wasn't proceeding according to plan. Hope was supposed to be a means to an end: revenge, closure, perhaps a business-like companionship. Not someone who made him question decisions made over martinis with a woman he'd once believed was his future.
He would make it up to her, Colin thought grimly as the elevator doors slid open on their floor. He would find the right time to apologize. Acknowledge that he had been an ass. He owed her that much.
And after that...
Chapter Five
Lala's outfit for the gala on Day 3 was a crimson gown with a deep V-neckline that Hope was starting to lose hope on, pun not intended. It hadn't seemed this deep on their first and second fitting. But now, it was making her feel a little too exposed.
A knock sounded on her bedroom door, and she asked Colin to come in. "What do you think?" she asked worriedly as he entered. "Is it too much?"
"You look breathtaking in it."
"But?" She totally heard a 'but' coming.
Colin's lips tightened. "It's nothing."
"I could just change—-"
"It's fine," Colin said curtly.
Was it just her or was he in a bad mood?
"Is something wrong?" she asked gently.
A muscle started ticking in his jaw.
"Is it Princess? Is she in trouble—"
"Stop being so nice about her."
Her eyes widened, but she was more surprised than hurt by the sharpness of his tone.
"I'm not blind," Colin gritted out. "It took me a while to see the truth, but I know she was deliberately trying to cause trouble between us yesterday."
"I never said—"
"It was just one mishap after another," Colin said with a curl of his lip. "Only an idiot wouldn't have realized what was happening after the fourth or fifth incident."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm the one who should say sorry," Colin said grimly.
Oh no. Here he goes again.
"I should never have left you—"
She cut him off and did her best to keep her voice steady as she reminded him, "We talked about this, remember? You were very clear about what you wanted from this marriage. And I was just as clear when I told you I was fine with it. So please stop apologizing for something we both signed up for."
"And that's all our marriage is to you, isn't it? A business arrangement."
"There's no need to test me like that" she said lightly. "You're making it sound like you want this marriage to mean something to both of us. But we both know that's not true. So please just take my word for this: I don't have any designs on your fortune. And that won't ever change. What you've promised me once this is all over...it's enough."