Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129084 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 645(@200wpm)___ 516(@250wpm)___ 430(@300wpm)
Smirking, he gives me a wink. “Everything.”
Riding the elevator together this time doesn’t worry me. It never should have in the first place. I’ll never please some of the other employees, the gossipers, the energy drainers, or the soul suckers.
Instead of making sure I never give them any ammo on me, I enjoy the conversation with Noah and walk off the elevator in a fit of laughter. “What happened during the next game?”
“The umpire had a decision to make. Expel me from the game because his daughter liked me or piss her off more.”
“What did he do?”
He laughs. “I was thrown out, but the coach fought the call, and I was back in by the third inning. As for his daughter . . . um, yeah. That’s a story for another time.”
“Seems we have a few stories to share one day.”
Audrina looks utterly annoyed with her crossed arms and puckered face. Her eyes stay on Noah, but when I look at him, he smiles at me. I don’t know what possesses me, but I smile right back, not caring about anyone seeing or judging me for it.
It feels good to have that weight off my shoulders.
Just a few days ago, I thought Noah was here to ruin my life, but in less than an hour, he made me feel comfortable enough to lower my guard and give him a chance. I’m glad I did because I saw the real him, and I’m grateful for that opportunity.
We reach my office, and I stop outside my door. Noah stands in front of me, his gaze dipping to my mouth and then back to my eyes, lingering between blinks as if he has other things on his mind. Me, specifically.
If he only knew that I was starting to feel the same. That will be short-lived once I tell him he’s a father. I can only imagine how much he’ll hate me.
Today was good, a step closer to seeing the kind of man he is and telling him. But since we’re in the office and surrounded by others, now is not the time to share the news.
Surprisingly, those same conditions exist, making it feel like the end of a first date—a little awkward, a lot of anticipation, and that moment. That moment, like now, when it’s so tempting to close my eyes and kiss him again. Just once would be enough to satisfy my craving since I left the Hamptons, left the bed with him sleeping, and thought we’d have a second chance.
That chance never came . . . until now.
A throat clears, and we both step back. My shoulders hit my door, and the doorknob stabs my ass. Leanna smiles, sympathetic to the reality that she’s definitely interrupting something.
It’s in the air, the tension, that anticipation.
Instead of rushing to make excuses or apologize, I breathe it in, reveling in the connection I’ve only ever had with this man. I lick my lips and look down at the shoes that he admired earlier.
Leanna says, “Mr. Bancroft wants to see you.”
Noah nods. “I’ll be right there.”
Reaching forward, she takes the drink and the sandwich. “I’ll put this on your desk.”
“Thank you.”
She slowly turns and walks away, leaving us alone again.
My heart races, and I suddenly feel a little awkward, like other peoples’ eyes might be on us, so I say, “I’m almost done with the Torres file.”
“Good.” Shoving his hands in his pockets, he clears his throat. “That’s good. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” When I swallow, his gaze grazes over my neck as if the sight of it alone could bring him to his knees. My breathing deepens as memories come racing back to me . . .
His lips kissing my inner thigh.
The tickle of his fingers against the back of my knee.
The scrape of his tongue against my clit . . .
Oh God. “I need to go,” I say, scrambling to open my door. I’m absolutely certain that if I stand here another second, I’ll combust before his very eyes.
“Bye, Liv.”
“Bye.” I shut the door behind me and toss the bag of chips on my desk. I rub the cold bottle across my neck and chest for relief from the fire burning inside me. “Good lord, that man.”
Rushing to my desk, I sit down and quickly pull my phone from my purse. Holding the bottle to my cheek, hoping it can cool me off, I dial my mom. As soon as she answers, I say, “I’m in trouble.”
“What’s happening?” she replies in a panic.
I really shouldn’t worry her like this. I giggle, though, through a silly grin. “Mom, he’s nice.”
“Who’s nice, Olivia?”
Going against everything I had told myself to do, I instantly recognize the feeling coming over me. After setting the bottle on the desk, my shoulders sag in defeat. Emotionally, I’m right back there in the Hamptons with him again. “Noah.”