Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97865 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 489(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
“The most beautiful dress we carry. Do you need help getting ready? I brought my styler kit. You could probably use some help with that hair.”
I scrunch my nose. “Messy buns are in right now.”
“Baby girl, that’s a nest. Come on. Let’s get you inside. Mr. Monroe will be eating out of the palm of your hand when I’m done with you.”
Yeah. . . that’s the opposite of what I need. Can we replace hands with puss—ugh, what’s wrong with me? I’m clearly sexually deprived. It’s the only explanation. I’m strung out on this whole boss fantasy.
I shake off my insanity. “Yep. Sure. Any chance you can make me into a hot blonde?” He looks at me like I’m crazy. “It was worth a shot.” I unlock my door and wave him in. “Let’s see what’s in that box.”
“Jesus.”
“Right? Girl, even I have a hard-on. Wow.”
Wow isn’t the word. I think I might cry.
“Fay, honey, what’s wrong?” Fredrick panics.
“Nothing. It’s just. . . I don’t think I’ve ever looked this pretty.”
“Girl, pretty doesn’t cut it. You look stunning.”
I stand in front of my full-length mirror, staring at the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen. The dark, emerald-green silk falls to the floor, the halter neckline wrapping around my neck, exposing my entire back. My hair brushes my shoulders in thick, beautiful waves, and my makeup is perfection.
“You must be something special to him. He’s going to have a heart attack when he sees you.”
I slap him on the chest. “Nice try. I know you’re fishing, but for real. I’m just his assistant, remember? And he’s not that old, but I look good, right?” I bite my lower lip, but a giggle slips out. “Sorry, that’s being—”
“Girl, you need to own this. You look hot. I’d almost do you.”
“Why, thank you,” I smirk, shimmying my shoulders. The buzzer sounds, indicating Theo’s downstairs.
“Your prince has arrived. Here.” He hands me a tube of lipstick. “This is a gift from me. Enjoy your evening. I’m going to sneak out.” He kisses my cheek, gathers his stuff, and shows himself out.
I take one last look in the mirror, but I feel like I’m looking at a stranger. She is hot, though. I stifle another laugh and grab my small clutch. Carefully walking out of my room so I don’t topple over in these heels, I answer the door. Theo is standing on the other side, his hands in his pockets, looking too good for my sanity. His gaze travels over my body like a caress. When his eyes lock with mine, I notice his lips are firmly pressed together, and his brow is furrowed.
“You look mad. Do you not like it?”
He inhales a slow breath. “It’s exactly what I described.”
Heat rushes along my cheeks. “Well, you hit the mark with the whole fairy godmother thing. Dressing me up in fancy silk. I definitely feel like a princess. I even shaved.” And why did I admit that? “Just my legs—I mean. . . well, I actually shaved everywhere.” Shut up, Fay. “Nice tux. Armani?”
He nods, his lips curling into a smirk. “You look stunning. Shall we? Do you have everything you need?”
I wave my little purse. “Yep.”
We make our way down the stairs, and I’m extra careful not to trip over my dress and tumble down. When we exit my building, a shiny black town car awaits. A driver walks around the vehicle to open the door.
“James,” Theo says, and James nods and steps aside. The length of my dress is challenging, so I pull it higher than I probably need to climb in.
“Jesus,” Theo mumbles behind me.
“I know, sorry, but it’s so constricting. I can’t get in any other way. . .” I lift my dress higher up my thighs and plop down on the seat. “There. . . all good.” Theo waits until I’m seated, shakes his head, and slides into his seat as James closes the door. “You made that look easy.”
He turns to me. “You made it hard.” His eyes skim down my dress, and I follow, realizing my legs are exposed. The temperature in the car feels like it went up a hundred degrees. For someone who made it clear nothing would happen between us, he sure looks like he’s fighting the urge to tear my clothes off and eat me alive. His phone rings, and he pulls his eyes away to take the call. I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
“Re-evaluate everything. I don’t care. Then rerun it. Keep this between us—and email me the files when it’s done.” He hangs up, his eyes strained out the window.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“Just business.”
He stays lost in his thoughts for the remainder of the drive. I pull my phone out and shoot Mindy a text.
Me: You’re never going to guess the day I’ve had. Or where I’m headed.