Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76452 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
My heart is racing as I let his words settle inside my chest. “Girlfriend works,” I say, my voice hoarse with emotion.
He doesn’t say a word until he’s parked in the side parking lot of the building that houses the deli. He doesn’t let go of my hand as he puts the car into Park, turns off the ignition, unbuckles his seat belt, and turns to face me. “I need to see your eyes when you say it.”
“What?” I ask with a soft laugh.
“Your eyes are so damn mesmerizing. They sparkle when you’re happy, and I need to see if that sparkle is there. Tell me again.”
It feels as though I’m melting inside. Melted chocolate, just like his eyes. This time it’s me who lifts our joined hands, and I press my lips to his palm. “You, Spencer Pennington, are my boyfriend.”
“Fuck.” He’s over the console, his lips molding with mine, and I’m thankful for the tinted windows. “Just me?” he asks against my lips.
“Just us.”
“I like that, Charlie girl. I like it a whole helluva lot.” He grins, and it’s his eyes that are sparkling. “Let’s go grab some lunch. The sooner we get this day over with, the sooner I get you back in my arms.” He reaches for his door and climbs out, and I do the same, meeting him in front of his car. He gives me a “why didn’t you wait for me” look, and I shrug, making him smile and shake his head.
“Oh, do we have plans tonight?” I ask as he pulls open the door to the deli, motioning for me to go in first.
“Baby, we have plans every night. Every night of forever, just go ahead and pencil me in.”
“So needy,” I tease. My heart races, and my belly flops at his words. Every night of forever sounds like a damn fine plan to me.
He wraps his arms around me and leads me to the counter. We order our food and then find a nice quiet table in the back. “So, what did you bring me today?”
“Some kind of report from the bank. Honestly, I didn’t look at it. Dr. Phillips asked me to deliver it.”
He nods. “I’m pretty sure it’s last month’s numbers.”
“Is the buyout still going to go through?” I ask.
“Yes. It’s still going to happen.” He takes a bite of his sandwich and swallows before he speaks again. “I have a confession.”
“We’re minutes into this thing, and you’re already making big confessions?”
His lips tilt up in a smile. “Smart-ass. But really, I didn’t need to go over the staffing.”
“What?” I ask, confused, and take a sip of my lemonade.
He shrugs. “I just wanted to spend more time with you. We were finally at a place after all of these years where we were getting along, and I craved that from you. I needed to see what, if anything, would happen, and here we are.”
“You must think I’m easy, huh?” I’m only half joking.
“No. Not at all. Charlie, we’re still taking this as slow as you want. Honestly, I just needed to know no other man gets to see you, to kiss you and hold you. That’s all for me. The rest is just a bonus.”
“That goes both ways.”
“That’s what exclusive means.”
“Is this the right thing? Spencer, you’re still my boss in the grand scheme of things.”
“It’s a nonissue.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. He types at the screen and slides it across the table for me. “That’s an email from human resources. I posed the question. I knew you would need reassurance, and I need you.” He says it so simply.
“I can’t believe you did that.” I skim the email, and he worded it so that it wasn’t obvious it was the two of us that are in a relationship.
“That’s the thing, Charlie. I’m pretty sure there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you.”
“That’s getting deep, Pennington.” I wait for the nerves to kick in, but it never happens. Spencer has succeeded in tearing down all the walls around my heart.
“We’ve been dancing around this”—he motions between the two of us—“for far too long. I’m tired of moving in circles. I’d rather be slow dancing with you in my arms.”
“What do I say to that?” I ask, feeling all tingly inside. That’s what this man does to me.
“Just say you’re mine, Charlie. Give us a real chance. The rest will fall into place.”
“You sound so certain.” Even as I say the words, I know he’s already cemented himself inside my heart.
He just grins and takes a bite of his sandwich. For the rest of lunch, we talk about our plans for that night. He wants me to come to his place, but I decline and explain that I need to spend some time with my sister. There is so much going on that I need to catch her up on. He pouts but doesn’t complain. All too soon, we’re pulling back into the hospital parking lot, and he’s walking me to my car.