Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 79932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 400(@200wpm)___ 320(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
I grinned at the way she was trying to play aloof, but she didn’t realize I’d been doing this for years. I could spot somebody who was already committed to the deal a mile away, but I played along, pushing off the desk and returning to my seat.
“I’m going to need you to be available,” I explained. “I spend half my time here in New York and half my time in Calgary where my team is, and in between I travel widely. Sometimes at the drop of a hat. Any girlfriend that I’d actually settle into a relationship with would be available to be at my side at any time.”
Aspen furrowed her brow. “That seems a little ridiculous,” she said. “And pretty one-sided. Would you really only pick a girlfriend whose only interest was traveling with you and being at your beck and call?”
I considered this, then shrugged. “That’s fair. Honestly, I’ve never really thought about what I’d expect out of a serious relationship. My friends’ fiancées and wives have careers of their own and they pick where they go when we travel as a group, but it’s important to me that during this time we show face. The more they see of you, the more they’ll believe you’re mine.”
Aspen worried that bottom lip between her teeth again, and I couldn’t help but want to relieve her of the pressure.
“Okay,” she said. “What else?”
“I’ll also need you to be monogamous to me. The second you’re seen out in public with me and declared my girlfriend, there’s a chance that paparazzi will take an interest in you. Your day-to-day routine, your night life, everything. If you’re out there trying to relieve an itch with someone who isn’t me, they’re going to report on it. I really don’t want that kind of publicity. I know it’s a lot to ask…three months is a long time to go without—”
“You don’t have to worry about that,” she cut me off, laughing anxiously as she shook her head.
“No, I do,” I pressed. “I’m not taking this lightly. I understand asking you to give up any sexual relationships for three months is intense, but this will be a part of my deal-breaker. If I’m going to stay committed, you have to stay committed, and I know if I’m not offering it then the urge might come up to seek the release elsewhere, and that can’t happen—”
“Again,” she cut me off. “Not an issue. I don’t do relationships either. I’ve never had time to even consider anything serious, and anyone who’s come close to even trying to date me more than once has run for the hills the second they realize that the only ambition I have is to take care of my sister.” She smiled. “Not an issue,” she reiterated.
Damn, that seemed seriously easy for her to agree to. If she was so willing to let go of the idea of sex for three months straight, she must not have had anyone treat her the way she deserved in the bedroom.
Or, she must know how to get herself off really well—
Fuck. Just a thought of her touching herself filled my mind and made my blood run hot.
Jesus, I couldn’t afford for my thoughts to go that direction, so I slammed an ice-cold wall against the fantasy and pressed on.
“All right,” I said. “That’s good to know, because if there was ever a breech in that stipulation of the contract, it will be terminated.”
“I get it,” she said. “Anything that mars your public persona or reputation will void the contract. I told you about the one thing I was worried about, unless you think dating a lowly barista will bring you down a few notches, then I think we’re good.”
I smirked, narrowing my gaze at her. “You’re not lowly anything,” I said. “Do you love what you do?”
Aspen considered for a moment, then nodded. “Yeah, I do.”
“Then that’s all that matters. As long as you take joy in what you do for a living, it doesn’t matter if you’re a barista or a billionaire. What matters is that you’re happy, so the whole lowly comment seems more of a you thing, doesn’t it?”
She pursed her lips at me, and I really liked the way she looked like she wanted to either throttle me or throw her arms around me.
“Fair,” she said, echoing my early sentiment. “There are times I really wish I had more money to give Brecken the life she deserves—hence me sitting in your office, entertaining this ridiculous idea in the first place. But when it comes down to it, we’re fed, we’re safe, and she’s chasing her dream. That’s all that matters to me, and I don’t care how I obtain it.”
“Well, maybe we can help you with the money thing,” I said, and she straightened in her chair.