Total pages in book: 224
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 215705 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1079(@200wpm)___ 863(@250wpm)___ 719(@300wpm)
“And I’m the best you have, or I wouldn’t be here,” I counter. “You kept me for a reason. To make money.”
His lips twitch ever-so-slightly. God, I hate how easily I remember those lips on my lips. “I kept you for many reasons, Carrie,” he says, his voice low, seductive, “but yes. Money was one of them. Did you call your father and your brother?”
“No. I did not.”
“Why?”
“My father hasn’t returned my calls in twenty-four hours and I haven’t spoken to my brother in two years.”
“Why two years?” he demands.
“Not that it’s your business, but if you must know, even a sister can only take so much. I hit a wall.”
His expression doesn’t change but there is a sharp punch of tension that radiates off of him. “If you lie to me, I’ll know.”
I snap and grab his lapel. “Stop threatening me, and let me be clear, I’m working with you, Reid, and I’m doing so when you burned my family. I might not be cutthroat. I might not be devious, but I am smart. I am the woman who cuffed you and left you in a hotel room. In other words, I need to trust you, damn it. Be honest with me, Reid, even if it’s not what I want to hear. If you lie to me, I promise, I will fight back.”
His hands come down on my arms. “What will you do to me, Carrie?”
“It depends on what you to do me,” I say, and the air shifts, a whip of heat flaming around us and I’m suddenly not sure we’re talking about work anymore.
“A sin for a sin,” he says softly. “I can live with that if you can.” His gaze lowers to my mouth, lingering, and I know he’s thinking about kissing me and Lord help me I want him to. I hate this man, and yet I want his mouth and his hands on my body.
“What do you want from me, Carrie?” he asks softly.
“I told you what I want. Honesty.”
“Then you want to know what I’m thinking right this minute?”
“Yes,” I dare. “I do.”
“I’m thinking, that until I’m finally—”
My phone buzzes and Sallie announces, “Your father is on the line. He says you aren’t answering your cellphone.”
My body wants to scream at the timing and Reid’s jaw hardens a second before he sets me away from him. “Come to my office when you’re done and tell your father it’s really fucking cozy.” He turns and walks out.
I blink, shocked at his reaction that I need to understand. That I can only assume he believes my father will make me understand and this does not please him. “Carrie?” Sallie asks.
“Put him through,” I say, rushing around my desk to grab the receiver, aware the call is likely being recorded. “Hello,” I say, preparing to manage this call with extreme caution.
“Hey, honey. I—” The line crackles. “Horrible service.” There is more static. “Working the Montana land deal I told you about,” More static. He curses. “You okay?”
“Yes. Yes, but—”
“Good. Did you—” The line crackles. “Oh hell,” he murmurs. “I’ll try later, honey. I’ll call back soon. In case you can hear this, I’m in Montana. The land deal looks good. Our new future. Poor service. More soon.”
Frustrated and uncertain about a new firm that starts with a land deal in Montana, I set down the receiver in the cradle, and decide I’ll get my answers from Reid. Just not now. Not when I have half an hour until I talk to the staff. I glance at my cellphone, which shows no call from my father. I don’t think he even tried to call before now. Frustrated, I snatch the folder I’ve prepared for Reid and round my desk, wasting no time exiting my office and making my way to his. I start to open the file again, but I can’t fight with him right before the meeting.
I knock. He actually opens the door and before I know his intent, he drags me into the office, shuts us inside, and presses me against the door, his big body once again crowding mine. His hands are on either side of me.
“Stop shoving me against doors and walls. I’m not your property.”
“And yet you are.”
“Don’t go there, Reid,” I warn.
“I already did. And you are mine. I own you. I know it and you know it. The question becomes, do you accept it or did your father convince you to run?”
“As I remember it, you’re the one who got owned. That’s what’s going on. I owned you and now you have to own me.”
“You’re pushing me, Carrie. Are you sure you really want to go where that leads?”
“I’m pushing back and you aren’t used to it because you live to intimidate.”
“What did your father say to you?”
“We were disconnected. He’s in Montana trying to get in on some land development project. And what do you think he’s going to say when I do talk to him? He’ll say Reid Maxwell’s an asshole who’s stealing his company. He’ll want me out, but I’m not getting out because I need the money, love the company, and apparently, I’m also a glutton for your punishment.” I shove the folder at him. “I did up a speech for you to approve.”