Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 97944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97944 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“Well, in that case, why don’t we take this to the bedroom? I’ll show you all your perks—”
Tate’s pocket starts vibrating, killing the moment. “Hold that thought.” Dropping my legs, he slides his phone out and curses at the screen. “Fuck, I gotta take this.”
“Booo…” I jump off the counter as he goes into the living room, a pout firmly in place. The ringtone I set for Fay starts playing, and I replace that frown with a smile. “Hey, buttercup.”
“Hey! I was waiting for you to call me! Theo said he spoke with Tate yesterday after you guys left the police station and it didn’t go well.”
“No truer words have been spoken.”
“Oh, Mindy. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. It’s good to know Chad isn’t a total creep, but I kind of hoped he was so this could be over.”
“It will be soon.”
“I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’m super flattered somebody is going to these lengths to get my attention, but they’re doing a lousy job of it. If they knew me better, they’d be showering me with tequila and tacos.”
Fay chuckles. “Speaking of shower, are we still on for tomorrow?”
“Is the pope Catholic? Does a bear shit in the woods? Do—?”
“Yeah, yeah. I assume you’ll have Tate with you?”
“Yes, ma’am. Can’t seem to get rid of him. Mark him as my plus-one.”
“Will do. Theo seems to really like him. We can shove them in front of the TV while you and I work on all things wedding.”
“God, I can’t believe you’re getting married soon.”
Fay squeals through the phone. “I know! It’s so crazy. I still can’t wrap my head around it.”
“I can. I knew from day one that you two lovebirds were meant to be. Hot office romance. They should write a book about it. One of those erotica tropes—”
“Oh, please.”
“Oh, Mr. Monroe, I used all your staples. Spank me, daddy—”
“I never called him ‘daddy.’”
“But he did spank you for misusing office supplies, right?”
“No! I mean, there was that one time—” I let out my hysterical, hyena-sounding shriek, cutting her off. “I don’t know why you’re laughing. Just wait. Before you know it, it’s going to happen to you! Who’s to say it isn’t happening already? I hear bodyguard romance is trending.”
“Yeah, right. I’d rather cut my tit off.” Actually, I take that back. The way Tate sucks it into his mouth, laving it with his incredible tongue, it’s imperative the tit stays.
“Suuure. Oh, Tate. Spank me into submission, daddy.”
“Gross! I would never call him ‘daddy.’”
“Then what do you call him?”
“For the most—hey! Nice try. I’ve called him lots of names—nothing that can be repeated to your innocent ears. If you remember, I hate him. Now, if you’re done talking about the horror show that is my life, I have to shower. Gotta go intoxicate the masses.”
***
The whole elevator ride to Theo and Fay’s penthouse, I try conjuring up what I’m going to say when Fay asks why we’re late and I look so flushed. All of which she’ll see through if I don’t pull it together.
The elevator opens, and I storm out. “Okay, before we go in, we need to get on the same page. It’s best they don’t know or get wind of our extracurricular activities. Fay will get all mushy and try to marry us off. Theo will fire you before possibly murdering you. I’m going to assume he’ll frown upon the unprofessionalism—not that I find it unprofessional. I think you’re doing a great job.”
He chuckles, offering me his sexy-as-sin smile.
“Don’t smile. I need to make it through this evening unscathed, and that’s not going to help.”
“Don’t smile. Got it.”
“Or laugh. Also a trigger.” Or be here at all. Fuck, he looks hot in his cargos and tight-fitted tee.
“Babe, calm down. I’m not going to blow your cover.”
“You better not. And no more ‘babe’ while we’re here.” Otherwise, I’ll have a lot of explaining to do. I stand up straighter, take a deep breath, and knock.
I was trying out a new contouring video I saw on YouTube.
I accidentally flushed my keys down the toilet.
We decided to walk all the way here.
Tate thought he saw an alien and took off after it…
The door opens to my favorite face in the whole world. “Finally—”
“An alien contoured my keys.”
“What?”
“What? Never mind. Tonight is about you!” I hug her. A little too aggressively. When I pull back, she has that look. Dammit. I only lasted five seconds! “Sorry, I had to bring my guard dog. As long as you put a bowl of water down, he’ll be a good boy and sit in the corner.”
Fay slaps me on the shoulder and steps aside. “Be nice. Hi, Tate. Nice to see you again. Come on in. Theo’s in the living room.” Tate nods and passes us to walk inside. I try to follow suit, but Fay grabs my arm. “Not so fast, missy.”