Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45531 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
He smirks, leaning in again. “So, I guess this is okay.”
This time, he doesn’t touch my leg, but the kiss is just as fiery. We disappear into the kissing. Nervously, I touch his arm and tighten my grip to feel his muscles bulging against my palm, the unstoppable power of them, the firmness shocking me. These are fingernail-snapping biceps, that’s for sure.
My cellphone rings. It’s Mom. Crap. I forgot I told her I was meeting her after work. That was my excuse for hanging around outside the building.
“Hey, Mom,” I say when I answer.
Insanely, I wonder if she somehow knows. If she can sense what’s just happened. Is this where my road to madness begins?
“Hey,” she replies. “Where are you? I know I was a little longer than I said I’d be.”
“I…”
I hate lying to my mom.
“It’s okay if you left,” she says after a pause. “Don’t worry. I won’t be mad.”
I sigh, and she goes on, “I’ll see you at home?”
I’m grateful to be able to tell her a truth, even if it isn’t the truth.
“That sounds great. Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
After hanging up, I look at Jacob. He’s sitting upright, tension coating every part of his powerful figure.
“I should go,” I murmur.
I almost wish he’d say, Yeah, we should… somewhere quiet, somewhere private.
He looks around the street, as if only now remembering we’re in public. Anybody could’ve seen us. Is he ashamed of me? He called me beautiful, but maybe he’s ashamed of thinking I’m beautiful. I should let go of this self-hating stuff. It’s not helpful.
“Let me reach out to Wayne Dalton for you,” he says. “I can arrange a meeting, tell him it’s about something related to Metis.”
“But he’ll run straight to Trent, won’t he?”
We’re back to talking about business as if nothing happened, but we can’t ignore it. His lips show signs of kissing. His attention moves up and down my body like he can’t control himself. Everywhere he looks, my body buzzes, my lust rising.
“I’ll make him sign an NDA beforehand,” Jacob says. “Anything in the interview will be strictly confidential, punishable by law.”
“But this could put your business in jeopardy,” I whisper. “It could lose you millions.”
As he reaches toward me, I will him to touch my leg again, despite the nerves, despite the truth of who I am… despite the fact we’re in public. Despite Mom.
He takes my hand, holding it with surprising tenderness. I’m sure I can feel the power in him, but he’s restraining it.
“It’s not about the money. The truth is all that matters. We agree on that, don’t we?”
I squeeze his hand, struggling to understand what’s happening between us, but I can answer this at least.
“Yes, we do.”
“I won’t be able to use anything Wayne says if he signs an NDA, will I?”
“I doubt he’d agree to go on the record either way, but this will get you closer to the truth.”
He kisses me one last time, but then leans back, his body shuddering.
“I should go,” he says.
He nods. “It’s probably for the best. Before I get any savage ideas, but first… let’s exchange numbers.”
As I return to my car, I can feel his gaze on me. At the door, I turn and look at him…
I’m right. He’s consuming me with his stare as if he can’t look away.
I’m home before Mom, which is good because I don’t have to explain where I’ve been. I don’t want to lie to her. She’s the only family I’ve ever known, and she’s always been a great parent, supporting me, standing by me, and imparting her wisdom about men.
Mom sits heavily on the couch, letting her head fall back and closing her eyes. She stays like that for a time as if she’s waiting for the tension to drain.
I know the feeling. Ever since I left Jacob, I’ve been waiting for the taut feelings to seep away, expecting my mind to stop dragging me back to the kiss, reliving every moment. Every breath, the lust in his hand as he inched higher… Deep within, a feeling flurries, telling me I should’ve let him go all the way.
“Are you okay, Mom?” I ask after a pause.
“Just work.” She sighs. “I keep waiting for him to notice me.”
My veins freeze. My heart goes into tap dancing mode in my chest.
“Who?” I ask, though I know the answer.
She opens her eyes and looks at me. “Mr. Jennings. It’s not like I think I deserve a promotion or a raise, but sometimes, it’s as if I’m not even there. He looks right through me, and when he speaks, he’s dark and grumpy. I guess I should just get used to it.”
Please don’t let this happen. Please don’t let Mom want him like that.
“It’s probably just his personality,” I say. “Maybe he’s only grumpy and withdrawn at work.”