Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Wait, what’s he doing now? Damage control?
“There’s an ugly side to this industry, and you’ve just seen the worst of it. I think we all know that. We all get caught up in the same rat race, and it makes us unspeakable jackasses, but that’s not the ugliness I want to focus on.”
I inhale sharply, holding it in.
Brock, no!
I know you’re still in shock. It’s been a weird day for everyone, but this is so not the place to vent.
“Brock,” I whisper, knowing he can’t hear me back here.
I just wish he’d let go, sit down, and breathe.
Before he says anything he’ll regret.
“I’m not immune,” he continues. “The same ugly side of this industry—the same perfectionism, the same ruthless competition, the same worries over reputation—that made Apollo Finch do what he did consumed me for a while. It chewed me to pieces.
“I forgot the hospitable in hospitality. I neglected the art of service. Worst of all, I lost the magic of travel—the joy of new experiences and the connections from sharing them with someone else—and the price was my own heart.” He breathes in before he looks over his shoulder at me and then turns back to the mic. “Until it happened. An angel came down and gave me a sorely needed kick in the ass.”
My heart stalls.
He turns to me again, but he’s still half facing the audience.
Is he really talking about me? Here? In public?
My heart restarts with a flutter.
His piercing blue eyes meet mine with an urgency like they’ll never let go.
“This isn’t about me, or that damn award, folks. This is about Miss Piper Renee. You’re beautiful and brilliant. You always find the silver lining. You’re the most caring woman I know, and the most talented strategist who’s ever worked for me. And when I thought someone might hurt you to get even with me, I lashed out. I lost my head. The thought of seeing you hurt—” He shakes his head. “Piper, I couldn’t. I can’t. I love you too much, and I’d rather make sure you know it than stand here collecting a thousand of these dumb awards.”
Whoa.
My ears are ringing.
Did he really just say—
My heart takes over, overriding my other senses.
I blink back tears as I totter toward him on legs half turned to jelly.
He isn’t even talking to the crowd anymore, who have halfway burst into their own startled conversations.
“Piper, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have let you go even for one day.” He reaches out and captures my hand.
All the butterflies in the universe swarm my belly, tickling me until I’m wearing the biggest smile of my life.
“Sunshine, if you’ll have me, that’s a mistake I’ll never make twice,” he rumbles. “I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to find a way to apologize—to tell you the truth—and I won’t let you go again. I love Winthrope and this business, but not with my all. Not when my whole heart belongs to you. Piper, I fucking love you completely and I always will.”
Shredded.
A tear runs down my face. Since I can’t speak, I just fall forward, and he catches me.
His arms close around me.
I would hug him too—hold him forever—but I can’t. I’m floating away.
Especially when his lips close over mine.
The audience breaks into applause.
This kiss tastes better than the hundred desperate fever dream kisses I’ve had since the day I walked out of his house.
And he only ends it to lead me off the stage and into the hallway behind us, where he pushes me against the wall.
“Let me see your arm,” he orders, breathing so raggedly.
I shudder as I hold it up.
It’s sweet that he cares, but this banged-up arm is the last thing on my mind.
His lips left me totally spellbound.
“Swollen. Bruised,” he murmurs, gently squeezing down the length of it. “I’m glad you’re okay, but fuck. I never should’ve let this happen.”
“I’m not okay, Brock,” I whisper. “I’m pretty sure I’ll die if you don’t kiss me again.”
My eyes haven’t left his lips this whole time.
His lips twist into a smile as he leans in closer.
“Goddamn, I love you.” His lips brush mine, barely holding back just to say, “I love you so much, Sunshine. Never leave me again. I’ll do my best not to be a jackass. Promise me.”
“I promise,” I manage, my heart pounding.
This cozy warmth floods me, tingling from my fingers to my toes.
His arms wrap around my waist and he moves in.
His tongue flicks against my lips, claiming and so, so hot.
I open my mouth, savoring the way he caresses me with every movement.
This kiss feels like coming home.
And he kisses me until I can’t think.
When he pulls away, leaving us both breathless, he tucks my head against his chest, stroking my hair.
“I’m sorry as hell I have to ask, but I need to know. What did you want?” he asks.