Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“I don’t want another assistant, Evie,” I said firmly.
Her green eyes met mine, and the look in them was a punch in the balls. Fuck. I’d never meant to hurt Evie. “I told you I won’t keep working for you. It’s not going to work. After what happened…” She swallowed. “It just won’t work.”
I straightened from where I’d leaned against the fridge and moved closer to her but stopped when she tensed. “Evie, listen, I know I acted like a major asshole.”
“You did, but I can’t blame you for it. I knew how you treat women.”
Ouch. Another blow. “You aren’t like other women.”
“For sure,” she muttered, scanning the length of herself, then frowning down at her iPad.
Screw it. I closed in on her and she jerked her head up in confusion. “I don’t want to lose you.”
She pursed her lips. “I’m not going to become your assistant with benefits.”
“I don’t want you to be an assistant with benefits…” Fuck, was I really going to say it? “I want you, all of you. I want to give this dating thing a chance. I want to give us a chance, if you’ll let me.”
Her eyes widened then narrowed. “You don’t date. You said it yourself.”
“I know,” I said quietly, leaning closer to Evie until I could have counted the freckles on her nose and cheekbones. “But I want to date you.”
There it was. I’d said it, and despite the burst of panic, fucking panic, I didn’t want to take the words back. If dating Evie was what it would take to keep her, I’d give it a try. I was pretty sure I would have done anything right then, just to keep her.
These words were too good to be true. “What exactly do you consider dating?”
Xavier was still close, so close I had a hard time focusing on more than the curve of his mouth and manly scent.
“Go on dates, spend time together, sleep together. I’m not an expert when it comes to dating, Evie.”
“Me neither,” I said. I regarded Xavier. He looked earnest, and I knew he wouldn’t lie about something like that, certainly not to get me into his bed again. My heart wanted to jump at his suggestion, but my brain pulled the brakes. “Last time we talked about it, you said people expect certain things from you. That didn’t change. The press will be all over us once word gets out that we’re dating.”
A flicker of worry passed Xavier’s face, and my stomach tightened. “See, that look tells me all I need to know. You’re worried about being seen in public with me.” I tried pulling away, but Xavier braced himself against the counter to both sides of me.
“That’s bullshit, Evie. We’re seen together all the time.”
“Not as a couple, and you know it.”
“I don’t give a fuck what the press writes about us, but last time they threw shit at you, you were upset and I don’t want that, and it’ll only get worse. The Blake incident was already a wet dream come true for the tabloids.”
“You’re worried about me?”
“Fuck, yes. Of course I’m worried about you. I know the nasty shit the press likes to throw at me, and they won’t go any softer on you once they find out you’re my girlfriend.”
I swallowed. “You said the g-word.”
Xavier chuckled. “I’d rather find your G-spot.”
I shoved Xavier’s shoulder lightly. “You’re impossible.” But I wasn’t angry or annoyed. I was confused and happy and scared, though. “Xavier, this is a big deal, for me, for us. If you’re doing this because you feel guilty or want to settle unfinished business or don’t want to lose a good assistant, then I’d rather you say it now.”
Xavier pulled back slightly, looking like I’d slapped him. “I wouldn’t mess with you like that just to settle unfinished business. I thought you’d be happy.”
“I’m happy, but I’m also worried. You were always so adamant about not dating and now you change your mind. A few days ago you were still screwing Dakota, and now it’s me you want. That doesn’t add up.”
Xavier sighed. “I never wanted Dakota. She was meant to distract me from you. I felt guilty after I slept with you, and when I realized I was going to lose you forever that just scared the shit out of me, but I was being a stubborn fucker and thought I couldn’t date anyone, least of all you.”
“Least of all me,” I repeated. “Yeah, I can see how dating the chubby redhead would be a blow to your image.”
Xavier grabbed my hips and stepped between my legs, bringing our faces close. “Don’t twist my words in my mouth, and don’t let your insecurities over your body be mine.”
I snapped my mouth shut. Xavier had never been truly angry at me, but now he looked mad. He leaned down slowly and brushed his lips across mine. I held my breath but he didn’t deepen the kiss; instead he pulled back a couple of inches. “What I meant is,” he said firmly, “I never wanted to date because I didn’t think I would be good at it.”