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)
“I was planning to feed you after the zoo. You’ve got to be hungry.”
“You did all the work,” I laugh.
“Sandwiches? Do you eat sandwiches? Salad? Yogurt? Takeout? I could go grab something.”
“Peanut Butter and jelly?”
He claps, then points. He’s smiling like he’s actually happy that I’m letting him take care of me. “You got it. Don’t move. I mean, you can move. But stay there.”
I nod my head. It’s not a hard command. I feel like I could curl up and live in this bed.
It’s what happens after I leave that I’m afraid of, anyway. So I decide to shut off my brain for tonight. Tonight, I’ll live in this pretty little dream where a perfect, gorgeous man makes me have two incredible orgasms and then goes to nakedly make me dinner in bed.
Eventually, I’ll have to wake up, but I’m going to enjoy this dream as long as it lasts.
15
JAMESON
I’m waiting outside a deli roughly halfway between the offices of Landmark and Gray Wolfe. It’s chilly, early evening, and the city streets are busy with cars and people, like usual. My mind is busy with thoughts of what I did with Charli, but I’m trying to stay focused on the moment, as much as I want to live in memories of last night.
This morning, I made her breakfast in bed and tried to convince her to stick around longer. Eventually, she made her excuses and left. I haven’t stopped trying to figure out how to get her back to my place since.
But I need to at least get my shit together for this meeting, because it could be important.
Griffon Vanderlesh reached out today and asked to meet with Nolan and me. Nolan suggested refusing, but I couldn’t quite help myself. When I heard Vaughn would be coming along with his father, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to meet.
Nolan sips his water and throws me an annoyed look. “Tell me we aren’t only here because you are into that girl and Vaughn dated her. Is this some ego dick-measuring thing?”
I purse my lips in thought. “No,” I say slowly. “Sometimes you don’t even need to pull the cocks out and start measuring. It’s just that obvious.”
Nolan sighs. “I hate Landmark as much as you. Just keep in mind we’re not in the strongest position right now. They’ve got their boots on our necks. I would rather wait until we get our footing again to provoke them.”
I give my friend a look of disgust. “Come on. When did my ruthless business partner get so fucking meek? We’ve always enjoyed provoking these assholes.”
“I am ruthless,” he says, eyes blazing with anger. “That’s why I’m not willing to indulge some fantasy of revenge and payback if it’s going to be bad for our company. Gray Wolfe comes first.”
“Ah,” I say, holding up my index finger. “But if things play out the way I’m planning, my fantasy of revenge is going to be exactly what helps get us back on track. Remember?” The too-familiar guilt seeps through me. I already felt like absolute shit for the way my plan throws Charli’s needs under the bus. After yesterday and this morning, I feel even worse about it.
“Assuming we’re able to get this woman’s book back in her hands, you mean.”
“Her name is Charli.”
Nolan looks up, eyebrow quirking. “Is it that serious already?”
I shrug. “I’m a private person, Nolan. I prefer not to have amazing sex with multiple orgasms and then brag about it.”
He rolls his eyes, but smiles a little. We are constantly on edge with each other lately, but we’re still friends. “I’m happy for you. I do wish you wouldn’t mix pleasure with work, though.”
“I’m weaponizing my pleasure for the benefit of work. You should be thanking me.” I’m speaking lightly, but hearing my words aloud turns my stomach. I’m overstating it, aren’t I? All I’m planning to do is delay the good news to Charli a little while–to let Landmark publish her book and then pull the appropriate legal strings to get it taken down and back into her hands. Honestly, it could be the best thing for her book. The controversy should bring readers.
But I know I’m just rationalizing. I know Charli well enough by now to know how much it will hurt her to see the book go live with someone else’s name on it. No matter how it plays out or whether it’s in her best interest, that alone would crush her. It would crush her, and it was my fucking idea.
“Second thoughts?” Nolan asks, perceptive as always.
“No,” I say, before I can change my mind. Charli is being very careful to keep me at an emotional distance. Maybe that distance is getting smaller and smaller, but she’s trying to maintain it. She doesn’t want to be hurt again, and I guess she’s the wise one. What would she think if she knew what I’m planning?