Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 46875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Some people know of me, but most don’t. And that out-of-court settlement was supposed to be the last the world would hear about me too.
“Well, this isn’t Jade’s house; it’s mine. So why are you on my porch?” she asks hotly.
Sounding like someone who’s just finished work for the week and has no time for anything else except getting inside and putting her feet up.
I widen my smile, hoping it’ll disarm her. But also because I can’t help thinking about poor Joey in there.
Whatever he’s done, it’s a cool problem to have.
Just wait until you’re a grown-up, Joey. You’ll look back on these days as the best of your life.
“I’d like to meet with both at some point, Joey’s an exceptional gamer, and I’d like to discuss that further with you at some point,” I tell Joey’s mom.
“But for now…,” I announce, taking a short breath in and feeling my own patience wearing thin, “I’d like to see Jade.”
There’s a long and painful silence, and the front door clicking open makes us all turn to see Jade standing in the doorway.
I can’t help but make a low, strange sound.
Seeing her in the flesh for the first time with her eyes locked onto mine again. It’s like seeing the whole world washed clean or something.
Like everything just looks brighter and more colorful as soon as she appears, even though it’s almost dark.
“I guess I owe you an explanation,” she says so quietly it’s almost a whisper.
I feel myself swallowing hard. Watching her gnaw at her lower lip, giving me a wide-eyed and innocent look, I can already feel my cock stirring to life. And unless I want to ruin this completely, I’d better get somewhere I can sit down if I’m going to be within Jade’s blast radius.
“And I suppose your job interview was going to mean my Joey would be home alone, is that right? And now you’re both groun…,” Joey’s mom starts to snap, but Jade’s mom is quick to hush her mouthy friend.
“Shoossh! Sheree, will ya!? It’s a job offer for Jade,” she hisses between gritted teeth, gripping her friend’s arm while shooting me a sympathetic look.
Straining to be polite and her cheeks red from her friend being so…whatever it is wrong with her.
“Why don’t we go inside, Sheree? Jade how about you and Mr. …?” she encourages her friend.
“Templeton,” I coach her, refreshing her memory without shifting my eyes from Jade.
“I’m May,” she introduces herself.
“Why don’t you and Mr. Templeton talk things over? You could use our kitchen. I’ll hang out over here until you’re done. Or I could sit in if you need a…” she starts to add, but Jade’s quick to let her mom know she can take it from here.
“Is it too late?” Jade asks me, cocking a brow, “…For that interview, I mean?” I fight the rising urge to walk right up to her and just put her over my shoulder.
Carry her off to the nearest bush or cave. Jesus, what is this girl doing to me?
But I play it safe, sucking air in between my teeth as I check my watch again.
“Alright,” I agree, giving the moms a knowing nod.
“I’m only in town for a short while, so…,” I lie. But only for Jade’s benefit.
“Then let’s go,” Jade gushes, making a tiny squeak of excitement to herself as she skips on ahead, her mom’s eyes following her before she gives her own little nod of approval.
“You going to be long?” Joey’s mom asks sarcastically.
“I won’t keep her too long; I promise,” I tell them both as I pass.
Just long enough to stake my claim proper-like.
Then I think the rest of our days should be long enough….
CHAPTER SEVEN
Jade
I try to keep it together. Try to look like I actually knew about a job interview with Zak in front of my mom and Sheree.
Even though I only sent him my resumé a few hours ago.
And even though hearing him say it gives me a jolt of panic, it’s like everything and anything else from Zak. Just incredible.
Opening our back door to the kitchen, his deep voice behind me makes me freeze to the spot.
Feeling his body close behind mine, too, he tells me in a low voice, “I hope you don’t mind me telling a little white lie about a job interview?”
I spin around to tell him it’s fine and find myself bumping right into him.
My hands were flat on his hard, sculpted chest through his sweater.
Zak’s hands grabbed hold of my elbows.
“Oops,” I gasp, feeling my face redden and get hot, expecting him to let me go but also wanting him to hold onto me forever.
“I just had to come and see you,” he rasps, and I can only stab little nods.
“…And once I got your resumé, well. I definitely had to come see you,” he adds, relaxing his gentle grip on me, and we go inside.