Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 61160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“If you’re going out with me, he shouldn’t be.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like.”
Her cheeks flushed red. “He knows that I’m coming back home to him at the end of the night.”
I pressed the emergency stop button, bringing the car to an immediate halt. “Is that true?”
“What are you doing?”
“Asking you a question,” I said. “You really have a boyfriend?”
“Does it matter?”
“It does.” I stepped closer. “Because if that’s the case, we should end the night right now.”
“Well, if that’s how you feel, I’ll get off.” She didn’t make a move to start the car again.
I pressed my hands against the back wall, trapping her in place, looking into her soft green eyes.
“Allow me to ask you this one more time,” I said, noticing the faint mole above her top lip, the way her breathing slowed with my every word. “I honestly think you’re the most beautiful fucking woman I’ve ever met. If you belong to someone else, I can accept that, but I won’t torture myself by willingly being around you, all while knowing I can never have you.”
She sucked in a slow, unsteady breath.
“Are you really taken, Chloe?”
“No … ” Her voice was a whisper.
“Good.” I ran my fingers through her curls, inhaling the soft scent of her strawberry and mint-scented perfume. Then I forced myself to stop before I gave into the temptation to taste her lips.
Pulling away, I stepped back and hit the start button.
When the doors glided open on the private garage floor, Dillon was leaning against a black town car. He looked between the two of us, his eyes bulging out of his skull.
“Good evening from the Four Seasons,” he said in his best American accent. “Is there something I can assist you with at this hour?”
“Not at all, sir.” I smiled at him. “We’re going out for a bit.”
“For a bit? Without proper coverage?” He narrowed his eyes. “Or the slightest advance notice?”
Chloe shot me a confused look, and Dillon let out a breath.
“I’m only concerned because it’s drizzling and you both are dressed so nicely,” he said. “I’d hate for someone to see you…all drenched and wet, you know.”
He pulled my baseball cap from his bag and handed me his favorite umbrella.
“This hotel thinks of everything,” Chloe said.
“Yes.” I kept my eyes on Dillon. “They do.”
“Anywhere in particular you’re going?” He refused to back down. “I have some recommendations I’d love to give you.”
“We’re having dinner at the Space Needle.” Chloe offered. “I don’t think we need anything, though.”
“Good to know.”
I moved past him, gently tugging Chloe toward a black Audi with tinted windows.
“I thought you were driving,” she said.
“I am.”
“Then you should probably walk me to the other side of the car.”
“Right.” I’d forgotten about the right-side rules just that quickly.
I walked her to the passenger side and helped her onto the seat before sliding behind the wheel.
As I’d promised Dillon, I waited until I saw my other two guards slide into a separate car and flash the “You may go now” signal in my rearview mirror.
I steered my car out of the garage first, and they followed for a block before moving in front of me and leading the way.
“Do you mind turning on the heated seats?” Chloe asked.
“Not at all.” I hit the control. “Would you like me to turn off the air conditioning as well?”
She shook her head. “No, I just need my panties to get dry.”
“What?”
“Nothing…” Her cheeks turned redder than they had all night. “You didn’t hear anything.”
I heard every word you said.
We rode in silence as I followed my team, and I couldn’t help but notice the way her dress inched up over her thighs whenever I turned a corner, the way she crossed and recrossed her legs whenever she looked over at me.
Too Much Too Soon
Chloe
Seattle, Washington
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
Windshield wipers fought the raindrops as the car cruised across Seattle’s wet streets. I was beyond grateful for their distraction, for preventing me from leaning over and inhaling William’s intoxicating cologne. Or worse, unfastening the remaining buttons of his black, muscle-revealing shirt.
I felt his gaze lingering on me for most of the drive, and I did my best not to give in and look at him too many times.
He pulled right under the Space Needle’s entryway, and I noticed that the parking lot was entirely empty.
That’s odd…
“Do you think they’ll care if we park here?” he asks.
“No, I don’t think so.” I craned my neck in search of the usual staff who guarded the building at night, but they were nowhere to be found.
“In that case, stay there,” he said. “I’ll help you out.”
He stepped into the rain and let up an umbrella before walking to my door.
Grabbing my hand, he pulled me against his side and walked me toward the entrance.
“Good evening.” A staff member held the door open as we approached. “The elevator to Loupe Lounge is down the hall and on your left. I sincerely hope that you enjoy your dinner.”