Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113880 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 456(@250wpm)___ 380(@300wpm)
I stay close because Allie seems wound up to the point of breaking. “And I’ve booked for you all to go to a club tonight,” Kirsty says. She waves her hand around her like she’s trying to fan away an unpleasant odor. This place is beautiful, but you’re the only woman here. You need to see these men out with women they’re attracted to, where they will really be in their element. A limousine will collect you all at 9 pm and will wait to bring you back. Dress to impress. Take some candid shots. We might be able to use them to make the article appear fresh and edgy.”
Allie doesn’t say anything in response, just drifts behind Kirsty as she strides in the direction of the exit.
By the time Kirsty has left in a cloud of overpriced perfume, and Jonathan has taken his strange, intense self out the door, I’m exhausted, and Allie looks wrung out.
She’s the one to close the door, sealing us back into our sanctuary and the relief amongst the group is palpable.
“I don’t like that woman,” Russell says. “I don’t like her one little bit.”
“I don’t think anyone does.” I rub my jaw, then shift my neck from side to side, loosening the muscles.
“She’s okay.” Allie’s hands are gripped tightly together in front of her and her shoulders are practically around her ears. Lying to protect someone so obviously shallow and unpleasant just shows how loyal Allie is.
Loyal and tense.
“What do you need from us right now?” I ask. “Your boss is really putting the pressure on. Do you need to ask us more questions? We can sit here while you work out what you need? We can relax by the pool and share in a more natural way…or…” I trail off, not knowing how to let her know that there’s another option. I could massage away all that stress, or the three of us could fill her mind and body with other more pleasurable things than what she’s buried under right now.
Whatever she needs is what I want to give her.
Whatever will bring back the sparkle to her eyes and the brightness to her smile.
I want to help her remember the goddess she is.
Allie tips her head to the ceiling and purses her lips around an exhalation that goes on too long. I glance at Gabe and Clay. We haven’t had a chance to talk, but they know their number in the lineup. They know what happened last night. We don’t have twin telepathy, but I’m hoping they’ll get the hint I’m trying to convey through my intense stare and my raised brows.
Allie glances around at all of us, waiting expectantly, and her eyes are suddenly glassy. Shit, she’s going to cry. There’s no way she’ll want to break in front of all of us because once she shows that vulnerability, she’ll be on a different footing. All control and professionalism will be out of the window. Thankfully, I’ve stayed close to her side and in two strides, I pull her into my arms and rush to the stairs, praying I’ve done the right thing. She gasps with surprise but then buries her face into my chest, bringing her hand up to cover her eyes. The hitch of her chest against mine breaks my heart. Fucking hell. If I could get her stupid boss in a room, I’d tear her a new one.
Hushed, hurried conversation follows us, and two sets of footsteps thud against the wooden floor. I glance back to find Clay and Gabe, with matching worried expressions, following us to the upstairs level. My door is the closest, so that’s where I take Allie, who’s still shaking but has managed to get the crying under control. When I sit on the bed with her still in my arms, she doesn't look at me.
“Hey.” I brush her hair back from her face. “It’s okay. Everything’s okay.”
She struggles out of my embrace as Clay and Gabe stride through the door, filling the small room. Resting her hands on her thighs, Allie breathes in a few steadying breaths and then swipes at her damp cheeks. “I’m okay. Everything’s fine.”
“That woman’s a piece of work.” Clay’s usual easygoing smile is replaced by a scowl and, when he reaches out a hand to rest on Allie’s shoulder, she doesn’t recoil.
“Seriously, what was her deal?” Gabe asks.
“She doesn’t trust me. That’s her deal. She delegates, but then has to make sure that everything is being handled exactly as she would do it. There’s no room for me to have my own ideas. It’s like being a puppet on long strings. For a while, I can do things I want to do, then she yanks on the bar and I’m dangling all over again. It knocks the wind out of me.”