Seven Days to a Kiss

Ethan didn't even have the decency to give them to me himself. He w

s generous. The mansion, a significant portion of Ethan' s stock po

knew it. It all seemed so meaningless. What good was money to a dead woman?

n the phone in his study.

to the phone. "That deal is worth millions! I don't car

reputation for being difficult and for having wandering hands

, terrible idea, beg

oud of fury around him. Tara was trying to soothe h

I said, my voice

red at me as if I' d just gr

said. "I know him. I

short, harsh l

cert. Just me and my guitar. I'll sing the blu

e concern. "Jocelyn, you don't have to do

. I took a deep breath. "I'll do it. I'll get you t

narrowed. "And

tasting like ash in my mouth.

hing in his jaw. He looked at Tara, then back at

uch?" he sneered. "You think you can just buy my a

you want. I don't care. But don't com

But he didn't say no. It was a

The air was thick with cigar smoke and the scent of expensive whiskey. Hugh

sang about lost love and broken hearts, about dying embers and last chances. Hughes listened, captivated. I fended off his clu

s that felt like a life

lady," he slurred, signing

o powerful it almost knoc

purse, the door to the suite opened. It was Ethan.

"I was so worried! Jocelyn told me to come here, she said Mr

es, who was looking confused. Then she

ed to Ethan. "She tried to se

ra' s tear-streaked face to me, holding the contract.

ch," he

hard, across the face. My head snapped back, and I stumbled, fal

ving, his eyes blazing with a h

"For money. For a deal. I will n

ms, and carried her out of the room, leaving me on the floor