Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 323(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 323(@200wpm)___ 259(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“Ah,” Kam says, then claps and makes his way to stand beside me. “What would I do without you?”
His calming and comforting voice only eases the brokenness slightly. His genuine smile produces fine lines around his eyes that I never noticed before.
“It’s been a cold year,” I tell him and my throat turns tight.
“It’ll warm up soon, babe,” he replies and quickly turns, no doubt in an attempt to hide any true emotion that brought the glossiness to his gaze. If he thinks I didn’t see it, he’s mistaken.
One breath in, one breath out.
“I’m sorry it took this long.” His apology grabs my attention and I catch his gaze skipping from my collarbone back up to meet mine when he asks, “Have you eaten?”
Self-consciously, I reach up to pull the blouse back in place.
Cade cuts in before I can answer that I don’t think I’ve eaten since this morning. “Should we discuss the menu that was suggested—”
“Absolutely not, she can have whatever it is that she wants to eat. There’s no reason that she can’t,” Kam cuts him off, responding with a strictness that he’s always had. Ever since I was a teenager, when my dad died and Kam took me in to keep me from going to the state, I’ve never wanted for anything a second longer than it took for me to tell Kamden what it was I’d set my sights on.
Whether it be food, drugs … a man. He’s the brother of my long-time friend Trish, although I haven’t seen her in forever. He’s a good friend, a father figure in some ways, but in all things, my rock. If I’m honest, I felt most comfortable with him more than anyone else simply knowing his preference for men. I could tell him anything, show him anything, and he would never use me as other men had tried. Hiring him as my manager was unquestionably the easiest decision I’ve ever made with my estate. Recently, he’s also become my conservator.
“Everything was a misunderstanding and that place did more harm than good,” Kam says, meeting my eyes rather than Cade’s or the other men in the room I’ve yet to be introduced to.
A misunderstanding. The very word steals my breath.
“What’ll it be?” Kam asks, ready to take any order I give him and, in my periphery, Cade watches the two of us. I don’t miss the skepticism. Kam’s gotten me out of trouble for years. Never anything like this, though.
“I think I’d like to go over the necessities and meet these … gentlemen first?” I state, turning slightly so I’m facing the room. With the fire blazing just beside me, my back is to the corner. As the sun sets beyond the paned windows, the fire casts a shadow along the man standing the closest to me at the end of the long white couch.
The roaring flames seem to dance a little hotter as I take him in. His white collared shirt is tight over his broad shoulders. I’m not certain if it’s the lighting or something else that makes him appear even more intimidating in my home than he did in the courtroom. There’s a tension that crackles, an undeniable feeling that’s nearly suffocating as I force myself to meet his stare and not to back down. His eyes are gorgeous, a concoction of shades of emerald and ambers, his jaw chiseled as he remains where he is across from me.
After a moment he nods, acknowledging me for the first time.
I dare to speak, barely breathing. Interrupting whatever is brewing between Kam and Mr. Thompson, I comment, “Let’s get on with it,” and with that I break this man’s gaze to turn to the room again. “Shall we?”
Zander
All partners of The Firm have extensive backgrounds in high-profile security and personal client care. We are equipped to respond swiftly and appropriately to any need or crisis.
Ms. Bordeu stands through Cade’s introductions the way she stood through the hearing—still. Her delicate hands folded in front of her. Next to the fireplace in the sitting room where we’ve gathered, with her manager, Kamden Richards, close by her side.
Maybe I imagine that she glances at me a moment longer than the others.
Maybe I don’t.
Unlike in the courtroom, it’s my job to watch her now. I’m required to do it. Required to observe her reaction to everything. So why does it feel so damn forbidden?
There’s a tension I can’t shake, no matter how much I ignore it and focus on Cade. The gentle ticking of the clock seemingly intensifies as every second passes, as does the need to loosen my tie. Clasping my hands together, I ignore the heat that threatens to suffocate me.
I can’t ignore her, though. Every small sway of her body, every nod at Kam’s interruptions, every time her eyes glance down and then land back on me. Holding me there, daring to look away. I’m never the first to break our shared gaze. She’s always the one who closes her eyes and, once they’re open, directs them on someone or something else.