Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 94076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 470(@200wpm)___ 376(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
And then there’s Rex, standing behind his desk, his usual whiskey glass in hand.
He sees me standing at the door and gives me a slow, satisfied smile. He’s movie-star-stunning in his black tux, and I have to wait for my heart to stop flipping in my chest. Giddiness runs like champagne through my veins at the sight of him.
I force myself to step inside the room. Floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with leather-bound books line the walls, and the Chesterfield chairs in front of the desk and the couch in the corner are all mahogany leather. This is a man cave. And it smells entirely like Rex.
The Diamond Diva turns gracefully and hits me with a dazzling smile. The lady in the corner is equally lovely, a stunning Rubenesque blonde in a ruby-red dress. Both of them smile at me like I’m a cameraman, and their teeth are coated in Vaseline.
“Inara,” Rex greets me like an old friend. “It’s good to see you. Champagne?”
I hold up my badge like it’s armor. “I’m here on business.”
“Ah.” Rex sets down his drink. “Ladies, would you mind giving Detective Ramos and me a bit of privacy?”
They both murmur politely. I step aside as Rex comes out from behind the desk to shake their hands and congratulate them on their pageant win, promising to put his people in touch about their next meeting. The blonde leans forward to give Rex an air kiss, and her movement puts her impressive cleavage on display. My fingers lock into fists despite my best intentions.
To distract myself and take back some control of this meeting, I lean back on Rex’s desk and take a moment to sift through the papers stacked on the blotter. There’s a glossy, brochure-like proposal for a women-run television network, complete with descriptions of the programming. Mostly talk shows and reality shows about models.
I sense the moment Rex closes the door, and we’re alone. The hairs on my arms rise.
I force myself to act casually. “Did I interrupt something?” I smirk. Sorry, not sorry.
“Not at all. We were just finishing up.” He comes close enough to kiss me, and I hold my breath, waiting. I fight my disappointment when he only reaches past me to pick up his drink.
I lift the brochure. “Business proposal?”
“A rather good one. I’m half tempted to invest, even though it will compete with my other networks.”
“Competition is good.” I try to sound offhand, but he’s watching me so closely that my color rises. Can he tell I’m jealous? I can smell the womens’ lingering perfume cloying over top of his woodsy scent.
“Sometimes. I prefer a monopoly.” Now I know he’s not talking about business.
“You would.” I roll my eyes and ignore the happiness that makes my heart weightless. I slap the brochure onto the desk. “So that was the winner of the Miss Olympus pageant?”
He nods. “And the runner-up.”
I suck in a shaky breath. No wonder they were so stunning. I couldn’t compete with them on looks if I tried. “I’ll make this quick so you can go back to seducing the most beautiful women on the East Coast.” My voice wobbles a little.
“Little bird,” he murmurs, and even though he’s a foot away, I can feel his heat as if he’s pressed against me. “I wasn’t seducing them.”
I snort. “Right. It’s a good thing this place is so big. You can host the whole cast for a sleepover.”
He looks amused. He’s enjoying this. “You don’t have to believe me. You can ask them. It was all business. Besides, the runner-up has a thing for Miss Olympus, and both of them have a thing for St. James. If his spies are any good, I’ll bet he sends a helicopter for them within the hour so he can entertain them at Empire for the rest of the night.” He advances on me, and I realize my strategic mistake. With my back to the desk, it’s too easy for him to come close and cut off my escape.
My pulse is wild in my throat.
“As to a sleepover, I’m sure Hamish has offered accommodations to everyone. But the best thing about owning a mansion is keeping your guests well out of your way, in their own separate wing.” He reaches out to toy with a tendril of my hair. “Are you jealous?”
“No.” I lean to the side, dodging him, and he blocks me, trapping me against his desk.
“Tell the truth.” His dark eyes pin me, so I turn my head.
“I’d just hate for you to miss your party,” I lie to the floor.
“Oh, Inara,” He rasps into my ear. “I’m right where I want to be. Fighting with you is better than sex with anyone else.”
Tingles rush over me.
I risk touching him and plant my hands on his chest. He lets me push him back, smirking like he knows I need space to get my thoughts in order.