Page 12 of The Sculptor

“I’ll keep it with me always,” she had said back then, and fuck if seeing the proof doesn’t mess with my head.

My grip tightens on her as she tries wrenching away.

“Isheforcing you to marry this bastard?”

I’m surprised her father waited this long to marry her off. But then again, men go through many wives in the circle her father runs in. For all I know, this is Ramsey’s third fiancé.

“Let go.” Her voice is all grit and hate. “This is none of your business.”

I arch my brows. “But isn’t it? Your chivalrous husband-to-be called me to your home to evaluate your tits—”

“Yes, just my tits.” She smacks my hand away and pulls up her dress, concealing her drawing. “Not to perform an inquisition. Finish your measurements, Dr. Potter, and get out.”

The way her chin quivers smothers most of my anger. She might be saying all the right words, but the heart on her hip and the tremble in her body tells me something is very wrong here.

Sighing, I stand and take the last few measurements—let’s be honest, I don’t plan on doing anything to this woman’s tits. They were perfect years ago, and that hasn’t changed.

“Alright, Ray. I’ll let you have your little secret, but not your augmentation.” I toss the measuring tape into my bag. “It was great seeing you again. Take care—”

“What?” She grabs my arm as I try walking away. “You have to do the augmentation or at least…” Her breath hitches as my brows rise.

“Or at least what, Ray? Lie for you?” I chuckle. “You know the rules of our game. If you want me to lie to your fiancé, then offer me something I don’t already have.”

She scoffs. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? You have everything.”

I glance at the massive diamond on her finger—its mere presence disgusts me. “Not everything.”

It’s hard not to smile when she lets out this defeated whine. “What do you want?”

“Let’s not start with what I want, but with what I don’t have—your number.” I grab my phone from my pocket and unlock it. “Put your number in and call yourself.” I won’t have her giving me a fake number.

“That’s ridiculous.” She scoffs. “I’m engaged to be married.”

“And I’m a virgin,” I pop back. “We’re both lying. You’re up to something, Ray, and if you don’t tell me what that something is, then you’ll have to cough up your number. Otherwise, I’m gonna tell grandpa in there that his dream of smothering himself in your double Ds is nothing but a fantasy.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” Her eyes narrow.

I’ve always loved how confident Ramsey is in her skin. She believes bodies, in any shape or form, are works of art. It’s why they are her favorite canvases. So, her standing with one hand on her hip with her perky tits on display has my cock pushing against my trousers in protest.

I take the last remaining steps between us. “Trust me when I tell you, Ray, I will dowhatever it takes”—I push my phone into her hand—“to get what I want.” I tip my chin, holding her glare. “But you already know that, don’t you?”

Prowling around her back, I lift her dress, pausing to help her slip her arms through. “Give me what I want, Ray, and then I’ll leave you to your… happiness.”

She pulls in a breath, and I use the opportunity to touch her, gathering her silky hair in my hands and moving it to her shoulder. It takes an impressive amount of restraint to keep from kissing the exposed skin on her back as I zip her up.

“Fine.” She shivers under my hands. “But don’t make problems for me, okay? I can’t afford to mess this up with Langston.”

Just the sound of her speaking his name douses the flame burning inside me. “Always a pleasure, Ms. Ford.” I take a step back and pluck my phone from her hands as soon as she’s finished inputting her number. “I’ll be in touch regarding a surgery date.”

“Wait—” She reaches for me, but I don’t give her the opportunity. Grabbing my bag, I fling open the door, finding Langston lounging in a leather chair right outside the door.

“What size did you go with?” he asks, rising.

I force a smile. “Let’s just say you’ll be pleased with the results.”

Fuck him.

“That’s my boy.” He pats me on the shoulder like we just made a business deal and weren’t just discussing altering someone’s body which is already perfect.

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