Total pages in book: 220
Estimated words: 212755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1064(@200wpm)___ 851(@250wpm)___ 709(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 212755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1064(@200wpm)___ 851(@250wpm)___ 709(@300wpm)
A deep breath came through the phone. “Just see what happens?”
Yep.
Unfortunately, that was all I had for him. “Yes, worst-case scenario is that he doesn’t want any more than what you’ve got and things are awkward for a few days. But then you’d know and you’d be able to protect your emotions better.”
“So just ask him out?” His nervous tone didn’t make me confident he’d actually talk to Declan. “Once he’s done with studying. So maybe tonight or maybe later this weekend, but I’ll do it.”
Maybe he’d do it?
“Okay, crisis averted?” I tried to sound upbeat. “I’ve got to get ready for dinner and you don’t need to hear me shower.”
Laughter poured through the phone. “Definitely not, especially if you’re going to get ready to play later.”
I laughed…maybe? “I don’t know if I’m seeing him or not. He said he needed a few days to get some stuff done, but I don’t know if that’s code for needing space to figure shit out or not.”
I should’ve taken my own advice and asked him.
Monkey could see but monkey could not do.
“Then shouldn’t I be telling you that you should be talking to him?” His question had me sighing, which just made the drama queen giggle.
“It’s not the same. He and I are just getting to know each other, and his exposure to kink has been on the spanking and tie a guy up kind of thing, not pups and stuff like that.” Hopefully, it wouldn’t end up being too much for Cohen.
No, I told myself not to second-guess him.
Nothing he’d said or done over the weekend had said I was too much for him or that my pup was more than he could handle.
Hell, I’d ended up staying until Sunday morning and he hadn’t been radiating boredom or drama, so I wasn’t sure why I was letting old insecurities keep popping up.
“He seemed to take everything well, and we didn’t have full-on sex, but things got hot and heavy and we had fun.” He’d definitely been into it even if all we’d done was get each other off with our hands a few times. “That has to be a good sign.”
Fingers crossed.
Toes too.
“I’m not going to rush him into anything, but I’m going to see what happens.” Forcing a smile into my voice, I did my best to sound happy. “And if he doesn’t work out, there are a few other people around here that could be fun to get to know.”
Because I still hadn’t found the right time to mention Ian.
“But I’m off to shower…have fun and talk to your sexy Dom.” Or I’d figure out a way to help.
Disconnecting the call, I laughed as a text came in seconds later.
Bitch that was evil.
Oh yeah…but that was what made me the best friend ever.
Chapter 11
Cohen
“I have a serious question for you.” Bishop’s tone was even, but I thought I saw a twinkle in his eyes as he leaned back in his seat and watched me.
Refusing to give any kind of reaction, I nodded and mirrored his position. “Go ahead.”
His lips finally turned up and he shook his head. “Completely unfazed. I’m not sure if I’m impressed or frightened.”
“Drama queen.” Chuckling softly, I grabbed a breadstick. “Ask away. Now you have me curious.”
His grin widened and he grabbed a breadstick, mirroring me this time. “What do you do for a living? You talked about meetings and seem busy, but I don’t think you actually said what you do.”
Hadn’t I?
Maybe not.
“I guess it's because I get weird reactions.” People were so judgmental. “I’m primarily an angel investor. I have a small company that’s partnered with several others to provide financing for small start-ups and new companies.”
He blinked a few times before nodding. “So, what, Eli and Preston were one of your first?”
“Yes.” Relief flooded through me when he just took in how wealthy I must be and immediately moved past it. “You know how in some families Grandpa invented something like Velcro and then the money just gets passed down?”
Bishop nodded and I could see his mind whirling as I finished the story. “Well, my grandma invented a few tweaks for kitchen appliances and my parents managed not to fuck it all up.”
Laughing, he broke off a piece of the breadstick. “Yeah, that generally happens. So you guys have money and common sense and you help grow it through investments and silent partnerships? Sounds smart and helpful.”
That was it?
Glad he wasn’t weirded out, I nodded. “Yes, so if I’m not careful, it sucks up more time than is probably healthy.”
“Ah.” He popped the piece in his mouth and studied me as he chewed. “You spent the last couple of days in meetings that you were supposed to have over the weekend, didn’t you?”
And I was caught red-handed.
“Yes.” I wasn’t sure if I looked guilty or just silly, but I shrugged as he shook his head.