Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 80035 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80035 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 267(@300wpm)
He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
“You’re going to make me say it,” I grumbled, sipping a fortifying gulp of coffee before blurting, “Did we…you know?”
Hank pursed his lips in amusement. “No, we did not.”
“Right. I didn’t think so,” I bluffed. “I have another embarrassing question.”
He made a flourishing gesture. “Please continue.”
“Did I…” Ugh, this was even more painful. “Did I come on to you?”
“Yes.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. “Oh, crap. I’m so—”
“Cool it. You’ve already apologized. It’s fine.”
“Not really. I’m naked under this towel. How’d that happen?”
Hank snort-laughed. “You sure you want to know?”
“No, I don’t want to know, but yes…tell me.”
“You stripped, then passed out on my bed.” He paused at my loud groan of dismay and added, “I couldn’t wake you up, and I didn’t know who to call. I considered going downstairs to the bar, but I didn’t know how to explain this, and I wasn’t sure who you trusted, so…here we are.”
“That’s pretty awful. Thank you for letting me stay. You have no idea how big a scene that would have caused. People talk in this town, and I’ve never been drunk in public.” I eyed him over the rim of my cup. “I’d appreciate it if we could forget last night. Forget we met and erase every weird and unfortunate thing that popped out of my mouth from your brain. Please.”
“No problem.”
My shoulders sagged in relief. “Thank you. You’re very cool. I don’t know how to make this right, but I can get you game tickets if you want. Are you a hockey fan?”
“I am, but…I have season tickets. I’m covered. Thanks.”
“Oh. Well, I’ll take care of the hotel room for sure, and I can leave you some money for—”
“The room is paid for and I don’t want your money, Denny.” The look in his eyes indicated that he wanted something, though.
“What do you want?” I swallowed hard. “Oh, uh, did you change your mind? Do you want…sex?”
Hank barked a laugh. “For fuck’s sake, no. I don’t want sex. Like I told you last night, I don’t use sex as a bartering tool, and I’m too old for you anyway. What are you…twenty-two?”
I frowned. “Yeah, how old are you?”
“Twenty-nine.”
“You’re not that old. But if you’re not interested, that’s fine. Just say so. No…” I pinched my nose and tried again. “I didn’t mean that. I’m not interested either.”
“You were last night,” he teased.
“I wasn’t in my right mind.”
“Understood.”
I sipped my coffee, feeling smaller by the second. “Since I came on to you and made a total fool of myself, I guess you know that I’m…”
“Bi?”
“I’m not out, though.”
Hank inclined his chin. “I know.”
“Did I tell you that last night?” I wrinkled my nose in distaste.
“No, it was a guess. Don’t worry…I won’t say a word.”
We shared a smile, but his didn’t have the “Thank God that’s over, let’s move on” spark I was hoping for.
“What’s the catch?”
Hank set his cup on the desk. “There’s no catch.”
“But…” I prompted.
“I could use your help.”
I hung my head and released a theatric gush of air. “So this is what extortion feels like.”
He snorted. “I have no mal intent whatsoever. I don’t want money, hockey tickets, or ten seconds worth of fame. However, I would like ten minutes of your time to convince you to do a commercial and an ad campaign for the mill.”
“A commercial,” I repeated, adding in a confused tone, “That was your proposition. I sort of remember now.”
“Yes, I would normally go through your agent, but he hasn’t answered our calls. In a way, I get it. We’re a family-owned business based in Denver, and it’s hard to make wood sound sexy without being crass.” Hank gave a sophomoric grin, adding, “We’ll pay you, of course, and—”
“No, I’m sorry, but…I can’t.”
I slid my cup next to his on the desk and sheepishly stalked over to the pile of clothes he’d probably folded for me after I’d performed a drunken striptease.
Yeah, it was all coming back to me, and the shame was real.
I wriggled my boxer briefs on under the towel, let it drop, and then finished getting dressed.
Hank sighed heavily. “It wouldn’t take much of your time. A couple of hours, tops. We’re a solid company with—”
“Doesn’t matter,” I intercepted. “It wouldn’t work. I can’t—I can’t talk to people.”
“We’re talking right now.”
“Yeah, I know, and it’s weird. Maybe that’s because last night happened, and I feel like I know you better than I should. But new day, old me. I play hockey. That’s it. I don’t do commercials, and I avoid talking to the public whenever possible.” I pulled my socks on and shoved my feet into my shoes. “Honestly, it would have been easier if you’d just wanted to have sex.”
Hank’s eyebrows shot to his hairline. “That would be extremely unprofessional, not to mention morally suspect on my part.”