Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92167 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 461(@200wpm)___ 369(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Aside from the fact I’m going against his wishes. Betraying the trust he put in me.
“Not at all, just please make sure they know to keep a lid on this. He’s not ready for everything to come out yet.”
“I’ll take care of it. I have a few more questions, do you have the time for that?”
“Of course I do. Ask away.”
She spent another hour on the phone with Adam, answering his questions and asking some of her own. After hanging up with him, she walked into the bedroom and took a deep breath as her gaze traveled over the king bed’s bright white sheets and the brown folded comforter.
Storing her portfolio, she dragged her fingers along the mattress top, trying to figure out how tonight was going to work. Lord knew she craved Linc but he’d refused to go further than kissing.
She pushed those thoughts away. This was nothing more than a means to an end for him. She was a fake fiancée. And, as a woman who was a high school dropout, single mom, and overweight, she wasn’t exactly a catch. Yet, there were times when she caught him watching her that she swore he saw something else. Something he was attracted to.
“Get over it, Emma.”
She left the bedroom and paused in front of the open closet to hang her navy blue whimsy wrap dress. Thankfully, it was wrinkle free so it would be fine after hanging for a few hours. Next she hung up her A-line midi dress in black and pink. It was one of her favorite dresses, black on the top with a pink floral print on the bottom, reminding her of a field of flowers with some small sparkles rising from the petals.
Finding his garment bag, she made sure that had been hung up as well. Her heart twisted as she stared at their clothing side by side.
Waxing poetic.
The door opened and she turned, letting her hand drop away from his suit as he stepped in the room. Sweaty. Shirtless, again. And more than capable of rendering her breathless.
“Your call go okay?” He walked toward her, barely slowing by the door to toe off his tennis shoes.
With all those muscles and tattoos on full display, it took a moment for her to realize he’d spoken to her. She nodded. “Fine.” Wow, she sounded like she’d gulped down a grater and it was wreaking havoc on her throat.
He paused at her side and brushed a kiss along her cheek. “Perfect, you can tell me all about it while I get cleaned up.”
Trailing him, because that wasn’t a hardship, she drew up short at the sight of the bathroom. There was a large shower, with more than enough space for the both of them, plus a bench which was going to star in her fantasies. It was clear glass. She would be able to see everything.
Sucking in much needed air, she backed up. “I’ll wait for you to finish.”
He looked at her over his shoulder, wickedness in his gaze as he hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his shorts, shimmying his hips, teasing her gaze with flashes of the skin below. “You sure? I can listen to you while I shower. In fact,” he said, his voice dropping, “I often imagine your voice when I shower.”
Good God, I’m going to spontaneously combust.
“I’m sure.” Backpedaling, she nearly fell over the bed as she rushed away.
His laughter followed her. As did his shorts. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
She caught her reflection as she passed the mirror. Skin flushed, lips parted, and hunger in her eyes.
This was going to kill her. Not even Dawson’s encouraging words helped. Ride him like a cowboy, or cowgirl.
On the balcony, she curled up on a chair and did her damnedest to forget that Linc Conner, ex-professional baseball player for the Pennsylvania Dutchmen, was naked in the same room. Enjoying a shower. Sudsing up his body and letting the water sluice off him. Emma whimpered and squeezed her legs tighter.
Chapter Thirteen
Linc reached for Emma’s hand once more. She had this uncanny way of slipping free. Like she didn’t want to touch him in public. They’d decided on a lovely night out on the River Walk. The evening was warm, despite being later in the year, and people were out in force.
Brightly colored umbrellas surrounded by small lights added to the atmosphere. He got them both some ice cream while watching people move by on tours of the river.
“Here,” he said, offering her both cones.
Emma pulled her gaze from the moving tour boat and lifted her eyebrows. “You want me to eat two ice creams?”
“Pick one, Freckles.” He lifted one. “Mexican Raspberry.” Then the other. “Almond Joy.”
His cock jerked in his jeans when she licked her lips and her gaze flitted between the two choices. When she captured her lower lip in her teeth his groan slipped out.