Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 395(@200wpm)___ 316(@250wpm)___ 263(@300wpm)
“This girl is special,” I say. “I think I like her.”
He’s scowling. “This is the part where you tell me what was so amazing about the book. Because if I find out you were just following your cock, I swear to God…”
“Initially, my cock was in the back seat catching up on sleep while my kind heart took the wheel. Sure, my cock might have woken up and fought for the wheel a few times once things got going, but my motivations in going after her were temporarily pure. I was just trying to be a decent human being.”
Nolan folds his arms. “Your definition of decent doesn’t line up with any dictionary I’ve read.”
“That’s exactly your problem. You really aren’t supposed to read dictionaries. They are reference material, and super outdated. Have you heard of the internet?”
As usual, Nolan looks torn between annoyance and amusement with me. That has kind of always been our dynamic since we were kids. We met in middle school because he had a thing for my sister, Cleo. I kicked his ass when I found out. Then he kicked my ass the next day because I supposedly “jumped him from a bush and only won because I surprised him.” He called me a “sucker-punch throwing pussy,” if I remember correctly. But I saw it for what it was. Give me a little time to plan, and I’ll win any fight. Even if I have to emerge from a bush to do it.
Whatever the case, we bonded after that. I made sure he never dated Cleo, of course, but we bonded. We found ourselves to be a pretty effective duo. I try not to take life too seriously, which helps push Nolan outside of his boring ass box. He treats life like it’s a test he doesn’t want to fail, which occasionally is good for balancing out my chaos, I guess.
“Initially, your cock passed,” Nolan says slowly, as if he’s just now realizing what I said. “Does that mean your cock has had a change of heart?”
“First of all, it makes me uncomfortable when you talk about my cock. Don’t stop, baby. Second, yes. But the important part is I had nothing but decency in mind when I decided to help her.”
“That was…” He checks his phone. “You met her less than three hours ago. I’m really not sure I want to give you any credit for what you ‘initially’ felt. You changed your tune pretty quick.”
“I felt bad for her, man. Have you ever seen someone try to pull a door when they had to push for that long and in such a high stress moment? It was fucking tragic. I had to throw her a bone.”
If glares could melt butter and I was made of butter, then I’d be ready to spread on toast by now, because Nolan is furious. “Does she even have a book? Tell me she at least has a book, because I just vouched for you and swore up and down that you wouldn’t rush off from the convention we’ve spent months planning for a girl without a book.”
“I held the manuscript in my hands and read the first two chapters. All joking aside, it was good. We can definitely make it sell.”
He runs his hands down his face. “We can’t keep pulling stunts like this, Jameson. Landmark is riding our asses. Sure, it’s bullshit, but they’re chipping away at our reputation every month. We had three of our authors jump ship and sign with them just last month. Three. If that keeps up, we’ll be operating in the red within a year or two.”
“I know. Believe it or not, I listen in our meetings and I read the reports you send me. I’ve been trying to come up with a plan to help. Maybe this is it. We just need a big splash signing.” I consider mentioning the fact that she’s Vaughn’s ex, but I decide to hold onto that one for myself a little longer.
“And this is really just about the book? You’re not at all motivated by wanting to sleep with her?”
I raise my eyebrows and roll my lips together. “I mean, it’s mostly about the book.”
He stares at me.
“I have a pulse. She’s beautiful. I’d be insane if I wasn’t at least wondering what it would be like to have my hands on her.”
“I’m asking you to remember that Gray Wolfe and our partnership comes first. Before any woman. Can you at least do that for me?”
“I always do,” I say, feeling a little irritated. He has never shoved his nose this far in my personal business like this, but I suppose I am tying it to business in a way I never have before. I’ll be walking a thinner line than I realized.
“And you really just met her? This wasn’t some elaborate stunt you set up?”