Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 58090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58090 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
She has a picture of me in her office. A picture she looks at every single day.
“Pax?”
I snap out of my thoughts and look down at her. “I brought you lunch.” I hold the bag out to her.
“You brought me lunch?”
I shrug when she takes the bag from me. “Yeah, it’s your favorite Cowboy Burger. I thought you might be hungry.”
Her eyes soften as she looks from the bag to me. “Pax, this is so incredibly sweet.”
I grin and press a soft kiss on her cheek. “Anything for you, Hartford. You should know this by now.”
She stares at me, almost bewildered, and I smile.
Damn, this girl has no idea that she owns me.
But she will.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Hartford
Throughout all the years I've known Paxton, never once has he surprised me with lunch. It's such a boyfriend-like gesture. It fills me with warmth, and I can't help but grin foolishly as I hold the bag of food.
"Wow, thank you. Mind if I chew your ear off while I munch?" I ask.
He nods and settles into the chair opposite my desk.
I sink back into my seat, then eagerly dive into the bag. "Aw, sweet potato fries too? You're too good."
The way Paxton’s studying me right now makes me nervous. Has he always looked at me like this?
Like he wants to unravel me?
“I know how much you like them.”
I pull out the contents of my bag, setting everything up. “Did you already eat?”
He nods. “Yeah. After this, I’m stopping by Moore’s Restaurant to see if they need anything for next week. They’re one of our first clients, so I want to take care of them.”
I nod, remembering how excited Paxton was to land their first client back when he started selling for Atta Boy. Before that, just like Brock, he was a cellarman, brewing beer and coming up with new flavors. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man love beer as much as Paxton. And not just drinking beer. No, he loves the complete process. From grain to glass.
“You’ll have to tell Willow I said hi.”
“I will.” He leans back in his chair as I savor my first bite. “What all do you have to do today?”
“I need to finish my article. That’s what I was working on before you arrived. The main components are going to be safety and ensuring consent before any of the fun activities ensue.”
“Yeah, safety’s a big one. I think my finger finally healed.” He stares down at his finger.
“I can’t believe you cut your finger,” I say, remembering the night it all happened.
He blushes slightly. “I was preoccupied. You were so hot in that outfit.”
“Maybe I’ll wear it again,” I say between bites of my burger. “Oh wait, you cut holes in it and ripped it off me.”
“I’ll buy you a new one.”
So there will be a next time, but then what? Do we go back to being friends? Do we continue to be friends with benefits?
That’s not what I want, and I need to tell him that.
I take a sip of my soda, but we’re interrupted by a knock at my door.
Phillip, a copy editor, peeks his head inside. “Oh, I didn’t realize you had company. Hey, Pax.” Phillip pushes his glasses up his nose. “Was seeing if I could get started on your article. What time are you thinking you’ll be done?”
I set down my soda, glancing at my computer. “Give me an hour?”
He nods. “Okay. See you two later.”
Paxton waves at Phillip, then smiles at me. “I should get out of your hair. I need to get over to Moore’s. I’ll see you tonight, right?”
I nod, knowing I can’t tell him how I feel about him right now. “Yes, tonight. I’ll be home around six.”
He gives me a kiss on the cheek and leaves my office. After he’s gone, I slump in my seat.
How am I going to tell him I want so much more than what we’ve been doing? Will he feel the same? I swear there were times last night that I thought he was telling me the truth. That he meant the words coming out of his mouth.
Have I been tempting him for all these years?
I’m just too afraid to ask for fear of the unknown.
After my lunch, I finish the article, and around five, I pack up my things for the evening. As I’m leaving, Mr. Charleston calls me into his office.
It’s bittersweet. The article’s done. Now what?
“I’m reading the first few lines of this article, and I love it.”
I smile. “I’m happy you’re pleased with it. I had a great time learning about BDSM.” And that’s not a lie.
Women should embrace their sexuality and not be afraid to go after what they want in the bedroom. Even if it’s being controlled by the man.
I have to say, it’s so hot seeing Paxton be controlling, even though he’s nearly losing all of his willpower to not ravage me like a wild beast.