Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29423 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 147(@200wpm)___ 118(@250wpm)___ 98(@300wpm)
“Petty shit,” I agree.
“I had to take the day off for it, and they didn’t even vote. It’s annoying.”
“We can get their club memberships cancelled.”
“Is that the rich person’s version of egging their house?”
“With a little more permanency and public humiliation.”
“Unfortunately, the guilt I’d feel would outweigh their humiliation, so I can’t say yes.”
Her glum look makes me laugh. I kiss the top of her head. “You’re adorable. This is why we’re dating.”
She scrunches her nose. “You can’t say that. This is a pretend relationship.”
“Not for me.”
“I’m going to ignore you now.”
“I’m six-four with my hand on your waist. How does that work?”
“I have amazing skills.”
“Mmm. I bet you do.” I’d like her to use some of them on me, preferably with all our clothes off.
“That sounded like a sexual mmmm.”
“It was.”
“We’re not at that point in our relationship,” she scolds with her cheeks pink.
“I’m glad you’re accepting that we have a relationship and me having sexy thoughts about you doesn’t mean I’m going to act on them until you’re ready.”
“You’re having sexy thoughts about me?” She holds up a hand. “No, forget I said that. I don’t want to hear them.”
“They’re pretty simple right now. Mostly it’s just you and me nude with my hands and mouth on various body parts. Like my hands on your ass and my mouth betw—” the rest of the sentence is muffled because she slaps her hand over my mouth.
“None of that.”
She waits until I give a nod of agreement. “I’m going to go home and call my boss to talk to her about the CCTV. At this point, I don’t even want to get credit for the project but I hate that I’m being accused of lying.”
“Okay.” Trident’s been trying to reach me for the last thirty minutes, but I can handle everything that needs to be addressed over the telephone. The miracle of technology.
“So. See you later.”
“A gentleman never leaves his date in the middle of the street outside the restaurant they ate at. We take our date home and see her to the door.” I raise my hand for a taxi. “Besides, what would Gertie think if you came home alone?”
“You’re evil for using her against me.”
I pretend to be hurt. “I’m but a mere man and must use all the tools available.”
Against her will, she laughs. “Fine, but only to the door.”
Since I’ll be going inside, I just keep quiet.
“To the door,” she repeats.
“Mmmm.”
Chapter Eleven
HARLOW
He does not stop at the door. Gertie is leaving when we arrive, and he takes full advantage of it, holding the door open, petting the dog, waving goodbye. She was half in love with him by the time she got into her town car.
I scowl at him on the ride up to the fourth floor.
He just whistles with his hands in his pockets like he doesn’t have a care in the world.
“Are you always like this?” I ask.
“Define ‘like this.’”
“Getting everything you want.”
“Yes.” He gives me an impish grin. It’s the face of someone who has always gotten his way. “But usually, what I want is the same as what everyone else wants so everyone wins. And sometimes it’s just luck.”
I huff out a short breath because as much as I say I want him to leave, there’s definitely a part of me that’s getting used to him being by my side. And that’s why it’s so dangerous that he’s around. If I start relying on him, I’ll be devastated when he leaves. I’m barely recovering from the loss of Grams. I don’t need to lose another love in my life.
Wait. Did I just mentally call him my love? I avert my face so he can’t see my expression. I’m doomed.
“Do you have a headache?”
His hand comes between my forehead and the side of the elevator. I hadn’t even realized I was lightly pounding my head against it. I sigh and straighten.
“No. Just had an unhappy thought bubble.”
“What was it? Let’s deal with it.”
Again with the support. How will I function on my own? I can’t rely on him more than I already have. I face him. “You have to leave. You can’t force yourself on me like this. If I say that I don’t want you around, you have to respect that.”
“Babe—“
”No babe,” I interrupt. “You don’t get to call me that. I’m not your babe, your love, your anything. We have a deal, and I don’t even know if I want to go through with it now. You need to leave me alone.”
The doors open, and I rush out, nearly running down the hall to my apartment. Hands shaking, I manage to open the door. I look back to see Calix standing at the elevator, one foot out of the car, holding the door back. He looks puzzled and, I don’t know, even hurt? Why would he be hurt?