Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58253 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 291(@200wpm)___ 233(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“Breathe, beautiful.” He ran a knuckle over her cheek. “And tell me what you need.”
She flushed at how easily he distracted her. Which was the main reason for her setting ground rules. “I need you to know that I’m in a transitional stage of my life,” she said, repeating what she’d been trying to convince herself of since he’d walked out of her apartment and she’d wanted to call him back for more.
“Understood.”
She couldn’t read much beyond his somber expression and tone.
“Which means this can’t be anything serious.”
He raised an eyebrow, cupped her face in his hands, and kissed her long and hard. He didn’t come up for air, instead he breathed her in, his tongue twining with hers. She melted for him, giving whatever he asked for and more.
Nipping her bottom lip, he lifted his head. “Keep telling yourself that. I’ll be away for the week on business, so promise if you have any trouble with Jeremy, this time you’ll call the police.”
She nodded. “I promise. Where are you going?”
“San Francisco to shoot some promotional commercials for the network.”
She smiled. “Oooh, sounds fun.” She’d miss him, not that she wanted to admit as much.
“About as fun as a torn rotator cuff, but it’s part of the job.” He frowned at the prospect, which made her feel better about him having to leave.
“I’ll be back next Thursday. So I’ll pick you up Friday night at your apartment.” After another brief swipe of his lips, he stood and walked out the door, leaving her staring after his tight butt in those black sweats. It was a good thing nobody was here to see her drool.
Chapter Twelve
Dex spent a long week in California doing his least favorite part of the broadcasting job. It was the reason he tried not to take advertising gigs like Brady and the Manning brothers did. Not to mention, this was the worst time for him to be away from the city and Samantha. He worried that Jeremy would show up when she was alone and defenseless, but he needed to trust her to be smart and not get caught alone with her ex.
His plans for the evening were set, thanks to having the right connections and people willing to do favors. But first he had a meeting with his agent and headed to the Meridian NYC to meet up with Austin Prescott. Though Austin lived in Miami, he was in town to see clients and he’d requested an early lunch meeting.
He gave his car to the valet at the hotel where he’d met up with Samantha over two weeks ago. It was hard to believe how much his life and outlook had changed in that short span of time. When he’d pulled into the circular drive the first time, his focus had been his career. Now he caught himself thinking about Samantha as part of whatever his plans were for the future.
Once he was in the restaurant, he caught sight of Austin sitting with his personal assistant and wife, Quinn. She’d been Austin’s right hand for over a year before one of his ex’s left a baby girl on his doorstep and he’d called Quinn for help. Next thing anyone knew, Austin and Quinn were a solid couple and neither had looked back.
He strode over to the table and stopped by Quinn. “I’m glad you’re here too,” he said, leaning over to kiss her cheek before turning to his agent. “Austin.” They shook hands and Dex joined them at the table.
“How’s Jenny?” he asked.
“Five going on twenty,” Austin said with a shake of his head.
Quinn chuckled. “But she’s a daddy’s girl,” she said with a smile. And of course, she pulled out her phone and showed him a picture of the little cutie in high ponytails on either side of her head.
“She’s adorable,” he said with a chuckle.
“And a handful. But Austin’s mom agreed to watch her while we came to New York on business.”
Austin reached over and took his wife’s hand and placed a kiss on top. “Not just business,” he said in a gruff voice.
“Okay, we might go way back but I don’t need to hear that.” Dex gestured for the server and ordered an Arnold Palmer.
“Refills?” he asked the couple.
After they answered, Austin straightened in his seat. “So… business,” he said, his lips pulled in a tight line. “Ian mentioned you helped out his sister.”
Great. The Dare family gossip tree was going strong. Austin was a Dare by blood. Paul Dare, Samantha’s uncle, was the Prescott kids’ sperm donor dad. The only reason Dex knew the details was because he and Austin had become friends over the years Austin had represented him.
Dex glared at his agent, not thrilled with his personal life being up for discussion. “I was there for her,” he said, deliberately being vague.