Beholden by Corinne Michaels

Author:Corinne Michaels [Michaels, Corinne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Beholden
Barnesnoble:
Goodreads: 22188422
Publisher: BAAE Publishing
Published: 2014-10-20T16:00:00+00:00

The hotel in midtown Manhattan is arranged perfectly while everything else in my life is a mess. I look around and want to leave already. This is the worst possible place for me, being in this room, all dressed up but feeling naked and exposed. I was on camera when I found it all out, everyone saw. But more than that, he ripped me wide open when we spoke.

I hear people moving around me but I don’t see faces. “Cat, there’s a small problem in the bar area.” Taylor’s hand touches my shoulder and I jump.

“Sorry, Tay. What did you say?” I close my eyes and dispel all my issues for the moment, willing myself to focus.

When I finally look up, Taylor smiles and repeats her previous statement. “The rooftop bar is claiming we didn’t reserve it exclusively. I handled it, but I figured you’d want to know,” she says and looks at me, waiting.

Everything is in slow motion.

“Catherine? Can you handle this?” she questions me.

“I don’t know,” I say, looking up into her eyes, begging her to help me in some way. I feel lost. “I’m going to need you to stay by my side.”

“Is he coming?”

“I couldn’t tell you. I assume he is, but please,” I grip her wrists and plead, “Keep him away from me. I can’t.”

She twists to hold my hands in hers. “I think one day you’ll see the strength you actually have. You’re going to get through this, but I’ll be by your side the entire night.”

I attempt to smile but fail. “Thank you.”

“You look beautiful, by the way.” She releases my hands and grabs her phone and answers. “Yes, I’m aware but the contract states differently.” She pauses letting the other person speak. “Oh, that’s fine, but then I want a full refund.” Another pause. “You seem to have me confused with someone who cares what your problem is. I’ll either be getting a full refund or you’ll secure the roof. Figure it out.” Taylor disconnects the phone and I’m impressed.

“Well, looks like my sweet, timid assistant has found her New York attitude.”

“After spending enough time around you, it was bound to happen. Besides, when you get this new job, I’m hoping I’ll be moved up as well.” She smiles and I make a mental note to make sure that happens.

“If I get the promotion.”

“You’ll get it. I believe in you.”

A few guests start to filter in and when I glance around the room, making sure everything is running smoothly—I see him. He’s sitting at a table watching me. I want to look anywhere else, but my eyes don’t move. We assess each other unsmiling and unwilling to break the only connection we have right now. His eyes don’t waver even as someone approaches him. The hurt radiates through me remembering why we’re like this. This morning, the sight of him made my heart race, but right now it makes me sick. Refusing to give him any more of my attention, I turn my head and walk to the bar.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.