Total pages in book: 165
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
“You don’t need to apologize for him.”
She gave him a small smile. “But that’s my job.”
He opened his mouth to ask her more questions, but His Lordship spoke up.
“Chloe, what is the hold-up?”
Now that he knew to listen for it, he could hear the underlying irritation in the other man’s voice. And he saw Chloe’s face tighten.
Yep, she wasn’t the ice queen he’d first thought.
“I need to go.” She glanced down pointedly at where he had hold of her arm.
He let go quickly. Even if that was the last thing he wanted to do.
Chloe could barely keep her eyes open. This meeting was going on longer than she’d anticipated. Jonathan had met with several people in the company and last on the list was the CEO, Mr. Fical. Who liked to talk.
A lot.
“Chloe, why don’t you take a break? You’re looking a bit peaked.”
She sat up straighter. Shit. She was? They’d seen her fatigue?
Jonathan was going to be mad. But when she looked over there was no twitching hand. He seemed almost genuine.
That was odd.
“I’m fine,” she replied.
“I insist.”
Then she realized that he wanted her out of here. For what reason, she had no idea. But she stood and bent down to grab her handbag. A wave of dizziness struck her as she stood.
Do not faint.
With a smile, she shook Mr. Fical’s hand.
“I’ll be waiting outside when you’re finished,” she told Jonathan.
“Go get a drink, dear. We’ll be fine in here.”
Right. Sure.
She stepped out of the room and immediately saw the CEO’s assistant cozying up to Beck. She was reaching out to touch his arm.
Something blazed through her. Something that felt like jealously.
Which was utterly ridiculous. These men weren’t hers. Heck, they didn’t even like her.
Sure, Beck had made sure she was all right. Which is more than anyone had done in years. Jonathan certainly never cared about her welfare. Even if he pretended otherwise.
But she had the feeling Beck was sincere.
As soon as she stepped out into the room, his gaze hit her. Damn, he was seriously hot. All of those muscles. His chiseled face. But it was the way he stared at her that really hit her.
Like he saw her.
No wonder the assistant was trying to get his attention. Yet, he seemed to only have eyes for Chloe.
Because that’s his job.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, stepping toward her. He looked to the closed door then back to her.
“Nothing.” She smiled at him. Obviously, it wasn’t very convincing because his frown deepened slightly.
Did he ever smile?
Like you can talk.
He raised his eyebrows, clearly waiting for her to say something more.
Huh. Maybe she could talk eyebrow.
“I’m just taking a break for a moment. Bathroom,” she said awkwardly, stepping around him.
“I’ll call Owen in to escort you.”
“No need,” she said hastily. She didn’t need anyone following her to the bathroom. Let alone Owen. He was too intense. Dark. Slightly terrifying.
And yet there was this pull toward him.
We can talk about your punishment.
A shiver ran through her. How would Owen punish someone that belonged to him?
She knew that she wasn’t brave enough to try and find out.
Not that he could be truly interested in a woman like her. No doubt he was just messing with her.
Beck’s frown increased. “There is every need.”
She moved her gaze to the assistant, who was glaring at her. “How far is the women’s bathroom?”
“It’s just down the passage. You can’t miss it.” She gave Chloe a sickly smile.
“See? I’ll be fine.”
Beck looked torn. “I’ll stand in the corridor and watch you.”
Good Lord.
But she didn’t argue, just walked out of the assistant’s smaller office and down the hallway to the bathroom. She glanced back to find Beck watching her.
With a wave, she ducked into the bathroom. They were taking this bodyguard thing to the next level.
After using the toilet, she adjusted her clothing, then washed her hands. Another wave of dizziness rushed through her.
She really did need to rest. Maybe have something to eat. Her stomach rumbled just as the door to the bathroom opened. She turned with a bland smile that was wiped away as soon as she saw who was standing there.
Owen hit her with his dark gaze.
“Isn’t this the women’s bathroom?” she asked.
Had she somehow entered the men’s bathroom? How had she done that?
“Yes. So?” He strode inside, then turned and locked the door.
Drat. She should have done that.
“So . . . you can’t be in here.”
“I can’t?” He raised an eyebrow. “Who is going to tell me no?”
Well . . . she couldn’t argue that. She was thinking not many people told him no.
“You left the room without me.”
She gulped heavily. “I didn’t go far, and Beck watched me the whole time.”
“You didn’t lock the outside door. Anyone could have come in here.”
“Yes, they could have. To use the bathroom. No one is going to harm me!”