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)
Finally, he pulled up to Samantha’s building, frustrated to see the paparazzi there, too, on the public sidewalk. Ignoring their shouting, he left his vehicle with the doorman who promised to keep an eye on it.
Samantha had put him on her permanent guest list and he took the elevator to her apartment. He knocked and waited for her to answer, hoping she wasn’t furious with him for putting her front and center before the tabloids.
He heard the sound of her unlocking the door and it swung open. Samantha stood before him in her work clothes, a gorgeous vision in a pencil skirt and white V-neck blouse. She wore makeup and did not have the look of a woman whose life had been wrecked again. But she didn’t look happy, either, not that he blamed her.
“Dex! I’m so sorry.” She stepped aside so he could walk in.
Her words confused him but he waited until she shut and locked the door before asking, “Sorry for what?”
“Those pictures and the text,” she said anxiously. “I don’t have anything that could be affected but I know the network is going to be upset with those photos. I dragged you into my mess from the beginning and I’m beyond sorry. Should you even be here now? The doorman told me there are paparazzi outside.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m with you because I want to be.”
“I know but being my friend shouldn’t cause problems for you,” she murmured, a frown furrowing her brow.
Ignoring the discussion of their relationship status, her earlier words buzzed around his brain. He couldn’t figure out how she knew the network would care one way or another and suddenly realization dawned. “Austin. Did he call you?” he asked of his agent and her cousin.
She pulled her lush bottom lip between her teeth. “Well, to be fair, most of my family called this morning. When TNZ posts, it usually goes viral.”
Dex walked over and braced his hands on her hips. “Listen to me. As far as I’m concerned, we’re in this together.”
And he’d keep being there. That was the only way he could prove to her he was worth trying another relationship because he wasn’t going anywhere.
She stepped closer and then she was in his arms, hugging him tight, the tension in her body ebbing. “Thank you. But your career—”
“My character speaks for itself,” he interrupted her, his tone gruff. “If they don’t like it, they can shove their morality clause up their asses and I’ll sue.”
Despite the seriousness of the conversation, he felt her laughter against his chest. “You’re special, Dex.” She glanced up at him and he tipped his head, pressing his lips to hers… but not for long.
He wanted nothing more than to mess her up, smear her red lipstick, and take her against the wall, fucking her until her eyes teared and she came hard. But she was dressed for work and had obviously put time and effort into her appearance, no doubt due to everything going on around them, so he stepped back.
“Can I give you a ride to work?”
She smiled and nodded. “Before we walk out together, are you sure?”
“Dead sure.” He held out a hand and she placed her palm in his, confirming they were a team.
* * *
Pretending to be fine in front of Dex hadn’t been easy but she’d been doing it since the wedding. Nobody needed to see her fall apart. Despite her own emotional issues courtesy of her upcoming discussion with Jeremy that was bound to turn into an argument over the forensic accountant, and splitting up, or her buying out the business, today was about Dex. He was the one with a career at stake because of her life choices and he needed her support this time, not the other way around. The truth was, her stomach was churning, she was nauseous, and she hadn’t been able to eat anything today.
Samantha had been running on fumes since her wedding. Nerves that day had spiraled into a daily state of anxiety, something she’d kept to herself. She didn’t want anyone worrying about her more than they already were. Not even Dex knew how upset she was over the conversation she needed to have with Jeremy.
By the time Dex dropped her off at the building where her office was located, she’d grown dizzy but shook it off and chalked the feeling up to the ever-present anxiety. Today’s was worse, as men and women with cameras were waiting outside of both her apartment and work, standing on the sidewalk, snapping photos of her as she exited the car. It was so bad, Dex walked her to the doors, shielding her with his big body. Once inside, she’d insisted on heading upstairs alone.
She needed space to think because she understood the problem, even if Dex refused to see it. Them being together only fed the gossip and gave the paparazzi more to write about. She wasn’t a household name but for sports fans and women who followed hot athletes, Dex was well known. Add in his new contract and name in sports media, and his being with her made for juicy headlines and could possibly put his new job at risk.