Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 57188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 286(@200wpm)___ 229(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
“We were close growing up despite the age difference. She was my best friend and my protector, but she left for college before I was ready. We were as close as we could be as adults, but she and her husband traveled for work and I was busy building my company.”
“Your company,” I said flatly. It didn’t take a genius to figure out he owned his own business, but that was all I knew. “What exactly is it that you do, Brady?”
His eyes widened in surprise. “You haven’t looked me up?”
I shrugged and looked away. “No. I like to get to know people for myself, not through the filter of other people. I want to know what you want me to know.”
He looked uncomfortable, but I promised myself that I wouldn’t get upset or hurt if he didn’t want to share.
“I’m just curious how you spend your days when you’re holed up in your office. What fires you up?”
He leaned forward with desire swimming in his eyes. “You.”
I bit back the disappointment I felt and changed the subject just as our margaritas arrive. “To the best margaritas in Houston.”
Conversation shifted to more mundane topics that didn’t mean anything. Subjects like sports and music, things I wouldn’t remember tomorrow or the next day. The highlight, other than the view of Brady, was the tacos.
The moonlit walk on the beach should have been romantic, and it was, kind of, but it was colored by Brady’s reluctance to open up and share anything about himself.
It doesn’t matter, I told myself over and over again. He didn’t owe me the details of his life. He didn’t owe me anything.
“Toni.” Brady stopped in front of me, pulling me from my thoughts. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” I said a little too brightly, punctuating it with a too-bright smile. “Just got lost in thought for a second.”
“What’s on your mind?”
I sighed and turned to face the water, black except for the moonlight glittering off the waves. I could’ve given him my usual snark and a flippant answer about how we don’t share intimate details about our thoughts and lives, but I didn’t want to do that. It wasn’t a bad thing that he was wary of people. I got it. So I turned back to him with a smile, wrapped my arms around him and pressed my lips to his.
Brady responded instantly, his hands gripped my waist before sliding down to cup my ass. He moaned like his hands belonged right there on my ass, squeezing and pulling me close enough to feel just how much he was enjoying this kiss.
My eyes fluttered shut and I gave myself over to the moment and to the kiss. I gave myself over to this man.
But only temporarily, my brain reminded me. Brady wasn’t mine, not to keep anyway. So I would enjoy this—whatever it was—for as long as it lasted.
And I wouldn’t, under any circumstances, give him my heart.
Chapter 21
Brady
“Want some company?” I found Toni in the kitchen after I got Layla settled for bed. She stood at the counter island with her back to me, giving me an excellent view of her small waist and round ass in her uniform of jeans and a fitted tee.
“Sure,” she said without any emotion.
“What’s going on Toni?” She’d been aloof since our date, our date which I thought was pretty wonderful. Toni was funny and smart, she had opinions on everything, and I just wanted to hear them whether I agreed or not. She read a lot and loved to travel even though her job make it next to impossible.
But since then, she’d been quiet. She pulled back as if she was no longer interested in getting to know me.
“Nothing’s going on, just making a sandwich.”
Of course, because she hadn’t eaten with us for the last few days either. “You’re upset.”
She turned to me, sadness in her eyes. “I’m not upset. Why would I be upset?”
“I don’t know, but you’ve been quiet and aloof. You’ve stopped eating with us and Layla has noticed.”
“I told her that you two need time together to find your footing. I just work here, but you and Layla will be family forever. That time should be for you two. Just the two of you.”
Just work here.
“Is that how you see it, you just work here?” My nostrils flared and anger coursed through my veins. I got in her personal space because I wanted her to feel as uncomfortable as I felt.
She nodded, her expression indignant. “I work here. And we sleep together. That’s it. Right?”
“Back to this again?”
“No,” she sighed. “I’ve given up on getting to know you, Brady. That’s not what you want. Long ago I also gave up on forcing myself on people who don’t want me. I’m sorry if you don’t like it.” She skirted around me, rinsed her plate and sat it in the sink with a frustrated sigh.