Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
"Hey, can I have a sec?" I look up at the voice. It's Girl Number One from the staring duo earlier, but she's not scowling anymore. Her friend stands at her shoulder. They're both blonde, athletically built, both wearing short skirts, with flawlessly made-up faces that make them look like mannequins. No judgment; they're gorgeous.
"Uh, sure," I say.
"Are you, like, his girlfriend?" Girl Number Two asks.
"Pardon me?"
"Luke Cross," she says, as if I'm clueless. "He was all over you. Are you his sidepiece or his girlfriend? It's a fair question."
I don't know why I say it, but suddenly I blurt, "His girlfriend. What is it to you?"
Her expression shifts from suspicion to outright admiration. "Woah," she says. "Congratulations."
"Thanks," I mutter.
"You hit the jackpot."
"I'm not with him for the money, if that's what you're thinking."
Enjoying the shocked looks on their faces, I spin and walk away, finding a quiet corner to sit.
Sera: So I just did something...
Luke: Crazy?
Luke: I wouldn't expect anything less from my Sparkplug. Care to enlighten me?
Sera: These two women came over, acting all shocked that you kissed me. They asked if I was your sidepiece or your girlfriend, so I said I was your girlfriend just to shut them up.
Luke: That's fine by me.
I want to ask if he means it's fine that I said it, or if he's fine with me actually being his girlfriend. But although we're moving fast—at least by my standards—that would mean moving at warp speed.
Sera: They seemed super impressed by you. They used your full name like you were some sort of tech god. Honestly, it's getting harder not to Google you.
Luke: I can't stop you from doing that, but I've enjoyed being just another silver fox with you, Sparkplug.
Sera: You're not 'just another' anything.
Sera: Meeting you has turned this conference from pretty interesting to downright magical. Oops, now I'm being cheesy.
Luke: I won't hold it against you, because I feel the same. I need to get back to work, but I'll text you with dinner arrangements.
Sera: You better, and don't worry, I'll be good. I'll let you be mysterious a while longer.
Luke: Thank you. Maybe I'll reward you with more sexting.
Sera: Promises, promises.
I clutch my phone to my chest, a cheesy smile on my face, that intoxicated feeling flowing through me again. My mind returns to last night when he stood shirtless in my hotel room, his muscles defined, his chest broad, his abs well-sculpted, every inch of him radiating desire and intensity.
Now, we're going on a date. It's my first real date in years. It feels like something straight out of the romance books I'm always devouring.
Fantasy, meet reality.
Chapter Six
Luke
I wake from my power nap, determined to enjoy this date even if it kills me. The code has proven difficult to untangle, but I don't have to work on that for at least a few hours.
After a quick shower, I put on a fresh suit and head to Sera's hotel. She was right about people watching me at the CES showroom. I feel it constantly, which is one reason I've enjoyed being just Sera's silver fox and nothing else. On the elevator up to her room, I accept it can't last forever.
But I don't have time to dwell on it. The moment she opens the door, I'm captivated. She's wearing a pale green dress the same shade as her eyes, the fabric flowing gently around her hips but clinging to her curves up top.
Her hair falls in soft waves around her shoulders, with subtle makeup enhancing her natural beauty. She clutches a small handbag.
"Fuck," I whisper.
When she laughs, her whole face lights up. No, her entire being. "Is that a good fuck or a bad fuck?"
My answer is to place my hands on her hips and pull her against me. She moans as I press my body to hers. I could spend all night holding and appreciating her curves. Goddamn.
She pushes her hands against my chest. "Haven't we got plans?"
"You're right." I pant. "I don't want to ruin your outfit until after dinner. Have you ever been to the Top of the World? It's got amazing views and great steaks."
She smiles. "Sounds perfect to me."
"Let's go, my lady, before I bend you over and claim you, every damn inch." I watch as a flush spreads across her face. "I love the way you blush when I reference your steamy novels."
She takes my arm, clinging to me tightly. I can practically feel her desire radiating from her. The hired car waits outside our hotel. She raises her eyebrow in that classic Sera way.
"Still haven't Googled me, then?" I say, opening the back door for her.
She brushes her hand along my chest. "Did you forget what I said? I keep my word."
"That means I need to extract a promise from you to reenact some scenes with me..."