Total pages in book: 9
Estimated words: 8854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 44(@200wpm)___ 35(@250wpm)___ 30(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 8854 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 44(@200wpm)___ 35(@250wpm)___ 30(@300wpm)
“Well, that’s all of you.” I place my wine down. I might need something stronger.
And as if reading my mind, Danny stands. “I need a drink.”
“Help yourself.” I motion to the drinks cabinet and watch as he pours himself a Scotch, James joining him and helping himself to the Grey Goose.
“Well, if we’re resorting to alcohol,” Jude says, checking the fridge below. “Any champagne?”
“Second shelf,” I wave a hand, at a loss.
“You know, violence isn’t the flex you think it is,” Dec says quietly from his place by the dining table, making every man in the room still and look at him. “Staying is better.”
There’s a brief, uncomfortable silence.
“Well,” Ty murmurs, passing Jude a corkscrew. “That just raised the emotional temperature.”
“Fuck me,” Becker breathes. “I could’ve stolen the top spot and be halfway to Rome faster than you lot can pull your heads out your arses.” He gazes at me, like I might be able to wrangle everyone. He’s a joke. He’s one of the worst.
“What?” I ask.
“Nice clock.”
I look over my shoulder to my grandfather’s carriage clock. “The clock stays,” I tell him with a ton of warning.
“Okay,” Frank muscles in and claims a tumbler, holding it out for Danny to pour. I smile when The Brit looks down Frank’s body, like, what the hell are you wearing and where the hell did you come from?
1816, Danny.
“If we’re talking charm, wit and devastating,” Frank toasts the air. “Then—”
“You’re not winning,” Josh finishes. “Pipe down, rake boy.”
“Gentleman,” Johnny steps forward, chest proud, eyes gleaming dangerously. “The top should, without question or lengthy debate, be awarded to a gentleman who understands restraint.”
“Restraint?” Ryan shows pure amusement. “Didn’t you once challenge a man to a duel over a single look?”
“He deserved it.” Johnny pulls out a pistol.
“You gave the duke a gun too?” Jesse blurts, outraged, waving a limp, pointed finger the duke’s way.
“Wow, look at that.” Danny, unusually disarmed, moves in and takes in the antique weapon. “Automatic?”
“What?” Johnny looks at him like he’s been resurrected. Ironic.
“What if the top isn’t about dominance?” Jack asks.
“It is,” Jesse mutters.
“What if it’s about who women trust most.”
“Trust? You had an affair.” Jesse laughs, head thrown back and all.
“You want me to list all your wrongs?” Jack fires back with serious intent.
Jesse doesn’t shrink. Not outwardly anyway.
I watch on a secret smile as Ty slowly and discreetly takes one step back. As does Becker. Jesse looks left and right without moving his head. Josh bites into his bottom lip, checking all the other men. Brad leans back on his heels. Jude freezes and then jumps when the champagne cork shoots out and hits the ceiling. My playboys.
“Alright, that stung,” Jesse says quietly.
Jude pulls down a flute and pours, offering one to the duke, prompting Johnny to step forward, a face full of fascination, and take the glass, sipping cautiously. “Veuve Clicquot?” he asks, after rolling the liquid around in his mouth and swallowing.
“You have champagne where you’re from?” Ty asks, truly curious, maybe even awed.
Johnny looks at me and shakes his head, in disappointment, I think. I have nothing for him.
“Right, I’ll settle this,” Jesse finds his peanut butter and takes another finger scoop while every single other man looks on in sheer disgust. “I’m at the top. We’ve established that.”
“You’ve announced that,” Jack breathes, as tired as me of this conversation. “Numerous times. It’s not the same thing.”
“Hmm,” Jesse hums around his finger. “I thought you preferred structure.”
“I prefer stability, and loud men at the top rarely provide it.”
“Oh fuck off, you’re just pissy because I got seven books and you only got one.”
I nearly spit out my wine. Has he no shame?
“Stability is overrated,” Drew collects a glass and holds it out for Jude to pour for him.
“I knew you’d say that,” Luke, done, goes to a chair and drops heavily into it.
“And yet you’re still listening,” Drew retorts. “And if anyone mentions I only got a novella, I’m leaving.”
“You look like you’d tie the tinsel too tight on purpose,” Theo says, and Jesse releases a bark of laughter around his finger, earning a death glare from Drew.
“Only if someone asks nicely,” he counters with a sarcastic smile.
“You lot arguing like this is adorable,” Josh opts for a Scotch and chinks Danny’s glass.
“Oh good,” Danny murmurs, icy eyes on Josh when he swigs and gasps his appreciation. “The cowboy speaks.”
“Former cowboy,” Josh smiles, not perturbed. “Current Oscar winner. Let’s be accurate.”
“Do they give awards for arrogance?” Becker asks.
“I don’t know, do they?” Josh fires back, making all heads swing back and forth as fast as the insults and sarcasm.
“Back to the point,” Danny knocks back his drink, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. “The top goes to the man who commands a room without asking.”
“That’s leadership,” Dec’s head drops back, looking to the heavens for strength. Or maybe for some reasonableness to give to the others.