Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 66184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Damn it, he’s right. But that doesn’t mean I need to make things easy. And I really, really shouldn’t get into his car, because I’m going to be his employee next week.
“You’re too bossy.”
“I am your boss.”
“And that’s why I shouldn’t go out to dinner with you … unless we’re going to discuss business?”
“Sure, we can discuss business.”
As I stand there hesitantly, he repeats, “Get in, Ana.”
I know this isn’t about business, but he’s given me an excuse to go with him, even if I know I’m lying to myself. I get in, breathing in a chestful of his enticing scent as I sink into the luxury of the seat. “Why are you taking me out?”
He gives me a look that makes it very clear why he’s here, and it has nothing to do with Community Bean. “I wanted to see you.”
“We can’t have sex.”
Derek arches a brow and my heart races at how irresistibly good he looks. “I see where your mind’s at.”
I give him a look that calls him on his bullshit. He and I both know why he’s here, no matter what stories we’re telling ourselves.
“You’re not on the payroll yet,” he reasons. “Maybe we should go to my place before dinner, so you can get it out of your system.”
CHAPTER 9
ANA
Ishould get out of his car. I should at least protest, and say that dinner in a public place is all that can happen between us. But my needy body keeps its mouth shut, and the next thing I know, he’s speeding toward the coast, then north to a town that’s not nearly as quaint and sleepy as the one I live in.
His home is a luxury condo in a prime area with sweeping ocean views. Inside, it’s filled with appealing textures that seem like an extension of him, all masculine with dark wood and stone surfaces. It’s sleek and expensive, but also very cold.
“Did you just move in recently?” There are no pictures on the wall, and no real decor beyond the furniture itself, which is also dark and looks like it cost a lot of money. The lighting is dim.
Derek frowns at my question. “No, I’ve been here two years. Want something to drink?” He heads to a tall dark wood cabinet and opens the doors to reveal shelves filled with bottles and glasses.
“Do you have ginger ale?” When he checks a small refrigerator that’s built into the bottom shelf and says he does, I ask for whiskey and ginger ale. As he makes our drinks, I wander to the windows, which are basically one entire wall of the room.
The view is stunning, one that I’d feel grateful for on a daily basis, and I can’t help but wonder how someone who lives in a privileged place like this always seems so unhappy.
“Here you are.” Derek hands me my drink, his fingers brushing mine, and then he stands so close behind me that his body warms me. I couldn’t talk about business now if I tried.
“Your home is lovely, and this view is gorgeous.”
“Thanks. I like it. Jansen has a unit in this building, too.”
“You work together and live in the same building? Don’t you get tired of each other?”
He shrugs. “We give each other space when we need it. He’d have been here tonight, but he’s traveling.”
Oh. Interesting. So they’re somewhat of a package deal? That’s good to know, but it doesn’t matter, since this can’t happen again after tonight.
Despite his nearness making my brain fuzzy, I try to continue the small talk as I sip my drink. “How did the two of you get into business together?”
Instead of answering, he takes the glass from my hand and sets it on the nearest table. “We can talk about that later.”
Apparently, the time for talking is done.
My skin tingles with excitement as he steps me closer to the glass, his body pressing into the back of mine. His breath heats the skin on my neck just before his mouth descends.
One of his hands glides up the front of my neck to cup my jaw. He tips my head back toward him, the hair on his face brushing against my cheek.
His other hand slides down the side of my body to my hip, where he tugs me closer, letting me feel him hardening against my backside.
He grows harder still as his mouth nips a path down the side of my neck to my shoulder, where he nudges the collar of my shirt aside to reveal my bra strap.
“Black today. How wicked.”
The comment makes me smile, because I thought of him and Jansen while I was putting on my bra this morning, even though I never expected to see either of them today.
He lifts my shirt over my head, then unzips my skirt and pushes it from my hips so it falls to the floor. His mouth marks different points on my back, slowly descending to my bottom half, where his hands caress circles on my bottom, his fingers occasionally slipping under the edge of the lace.