Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 83718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83718 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
I laugh. “Who said I was trying to seduce you?”
She pushes up on the couch and shakes her head, yawning. “The champagne, the dancing . . .” She cocks a brow at me. “The snuggling on the couch with your fingers stroking across my stomach?”
I grin. I’ve never smiled as much as I do around her. “Nope. Not a seduction. Just spending time with you.”
She stands and stretches her arms over her head. “If you say so. Good night.”
When she heads toward her bedroom, I follow and catch her before she hits the stairs. I turn her around, trapping her between the wall and my body and putting a hand on either side of her head. “Sleep with me.”
Her gaze drops to my mouth, and she groans. “You’re so painfully tempting, but I’m dead on my feet. I’m afraid I’d fall asleep in the middle and shatter that fragile male ego of yours.”
I laugh. She can hardly keep her eyes open, and she thinks I’m asking for sex. “Not sex. Sleep.” I lower my mouth but give her only the faintest brush of my lips against hers. “I want you in my bed.”
She searches my face for so long that I’m convinced she’s trying to come up with a polite way to refuse me. “Are you real, Brayden Jackson?”
I chuckle and kiss the tip of her nose before sweeping her into my arms. “I could be a dream. Better sleep next to me to make sure I’m still here when you wake up.”
Molly
Brayden Jackson was, indeed, still there when I woke up, as real as the heat in my blood and the flutter in my stomach when he rolled me onto my back and trailed kisses down my body, wishing me good morning in a way I could certainly get used to.
I had breakfast with Noah and Mom then headed to the banquet center to get my employees started on the setup.
Within the first hour of arriving there, I found out that Bella’s stomach flu had spread to two other servers. I spent my morning making calls to employees who had the day off, but most had other plans or couldn’t get childcare at the last minute. By the time we’re on break and I’m preparing to run over to the ceremony site, I’m still short a server. That I can manage, but as I change into my dress for the ceremony, I say a prayer that the stomach flu won’t spread to any more of my staff before the night is through.
I adjust my dress and head to the locker room mirror to check my makeup. I have other staff members taking care of the less labor-intensive reception setup, and I want to be there to see Nic walk down the aisle.
I’m checking my lipstick when Austin pushes through the door and flips the lock behind him.
Frowning, I meet his gaze in the mirror. “We keep that door unlocked. The restroom and shower stalls have their own locks.”
He folds his arms and heads toward me. “I was hoping we could talk.”
I slide my lipstick back into my purse and turn to him. “Is everything okay?”
His face goes serious, and he shakes his head. “I’m really hurting.”
Oh, no. “Are you sick?” I cross the room and put a hand to his forehead, but before I can even register the temperature of his skin, he grabs my other hand and presses it against his crotch. I yank away and stumble back, and he unzips his pants and prowls toward me. His hand slides into his black briefs.
“Come on, Molly. I know what kind of slut you are. I know what you like. Everyone does. And I see how you look at me.”
“Fuck you.” I’m backed into a stall door, my gaze darting between him and the exit as he steps closer.
“Fuck me? It’s your lucky day. You can. And I know you want to.” He smiles, his eyes bright, as if this is some sort of game. As if we’re having fun here. “Nobody will know.”
“Don’t come a single step closer.” The old, sick terror claws at me, and I want to close my eyes and pretend this isn’t happening.
“Or what? You’ll tell my mommy? I think we both know what she thinks of you after she caught you and Gabe together. I’m just an innocent, curious kid. And you’re a slut who can’t get enough dick. Just ask Jason Ralston and Brayden Jackson and all the other guys you’ve fucked in your office.” He closes the distance between us with a final step, and I move fast, driving my knee up into his crotch. He shouts and crumples to the floor.
I dart around him, unlock the door with shaking hands, and run upstairs.
His shouts echo in the stairwell behind me. “We all see how easy you are. You aren’t fooling anyone!”