Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
The pain in his voice is raw and gutting. It makes me want to climb inside his heart, find all the hurt, and take it away from him.
“His loss,” I bite out.
“I don’t know why I called him. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry,” I whisper, dropping a kiss to his lips. “I’m sorry he hurt you.”
“Me too.” Dante pulls me to him, hugging me tight. “Can we stay like this forever?”
“I’d like that.” I kiss his neck and close my eyes. “I’d like that a lot.”
He rubs circles with his fingertips over my back, lulling me into a comfortable sleep. Sure, getting off with Dante feels good, but moments like these are like a soothing balm to my soul.
We stay wrapped up in each other’s arms, both of us fading in and out of sleep. It isn’t until the sun peeks into the windows of the vehicle that he reluctantly releases me. Our goodbye kiss doesn’t feel long enough. And watching him leave is painful as fuck.
As I sneak back into Cato’s mom’s condo and flop onto the guest bed, a stark realization settles over me.
I want Dante.
In all the ways.
I just have to figure out how to make that happen.
Dante
A few days later…
I’m furiously typing an email out this morning, bitching at the camera installation people who’ve rescheduled for the third time, when my phone rings. I gladly abandon my computer to take the call, hoping it’s Jax. Instead, it’s my buddy Adrian.
“Hello, bossy Mr. Frosty.”
“Ha,” Adrian deadpans. “You have time to talk?”
“Depends. I’ve only had one cup of coffee this morning. If it requires thinking, I need to make some more.”
He chuckles. “No, asshole. I’m not going to ask you to run figures. I need advice on something.”
“Let’s hear it.”
“Hold on.” He shuffles around and then I hear a door close. “I don’t want him to hear.”
Him?
My curiosity is piqued.
“New assistant?”
“Unfortunately,” he growls.
“Does he suck?”
Adrian coughs and then curses under his breath. “What?”
“At his job…” I let out a laugh. “Wait. Do you like him?”
“Fuck no, I don’t like him. He’s obnoxious.”
“But…”
“No buts. How do I fire him and not get into a lawsuit?”
“Same way you fire everyone else.”
“Everyone else is incompetent.”
“But the new guy is not?”
“He’s the best damn assistant I’ve had.”
I scratch at my jaw, unable to keep the stupid grin off my face. “So let me get this straight. He’s really good at his job, but you want to fire him anyway.”
“Correct.”
“Why?”
“Personality differences.”
“Oh, come on, Adrian. You’re a prickly fuck. I’m not sure you get along with anyone but me. If we worked together, you’d try and fire me too, though.”
“True. You work about ten percent of the time and run your mouth the other ninety.”
“He insults me, yet he wants my advice,” I tease. “Seriously. What’s the actual problem?”
Silence.
“Adrian…”
“He’s gay.”
“So? I’m gay and you love me.”
“I don’t love you. I tolerate you.”
“Same thing. Why is it a problem? Is he hitting on you?”
“Never mind,” he grumbles. “Forget I said anything.”
“You can’t drop this bomb in my lap and expect me to forget.”
“It’s just…”
You like him, Adrian Frost. Admit it.
“I can’t stand him,” he finishes. “He’s annoying.”
“Hmmm.”
“What’s with the hmmm?” he demands. “It’s like you know something I don’t. Help me, Dante. Please.”
“Is he cute?”
“How the hell should I know? I’m not gay.”
“What does he look like? Is he seeing anyone? Maybe I should get his number and try to get to know him better for you—”
“No,” he snaps. “I don’t want you talking to him.”
Someone’s jealous.
“Does he have a nice ass? Take a picture and send it to me. Something to spank off to later,” I taunt, knowing good and full well Adrian’s too possessive of his new assistant to do such a thing. I just need him to get to admit it.
“He’s mine,” Adrian snarls. “I’m not sending you pictures, especially not of his ass.”
“Yours?”
A pregnant pause.
“He’s my assistant,” he corrects, sounding more flustered than I’ve ever heard from him.
“Okay,” I concede. “I’ll back off. But let me give you a piece of advice.”
“I’m listening.”
“Don’t fire him. Maybe try and get to know him a little. It sounds like there’s something about him you like and it’s scaring you away. It’s not a bad idea to make friends with your employees, Adrian. Getting to know your assistant might make you actually keep him. You’ve wasted a lot of time going through new employees. He’s capable and does a good job. Don’t let him get away because you don’t understand his personality. Your personality isn’t the easiest to understand if we’re being honest.”
He lets out a heavy sigh. “You’re right.”
“Come visit me soon,” I say with a grin. “And bring the boy.”
“You can’t hit on him.”
“I’ve got my hands full with my own guy.”
I close my eyes, thinking about the last few nights. Ever since I went to see Jaxson at Cato’s, we’ve spent every night together. Yes, he fucks me like a madman, but there’s an intensity now between us I can’t begin to unravel and understand. All I know is I want him, each day a little more than the last.