Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
I fell asleep the moment my head hit my pillow.
Hopefully, I can catch up on sleep tonight, so I’m well rested for my date with Sean tomorrow.
I take the final step that brings me into the open doorjamb.
I spot Sean sitting behind his desk, but his back is turned to me. Since he left for the office before I did this morning, I haven’t had a chance to see him yet today.
“Excuse me?” I say softly. “I have a one o’clock meeting with Mr. Wells.”
I said the very same words not more than three minutes ago when I approached Sean’s assistant. He smiled and told me that his boss was expecting me and then congratulated me on my work on the upcoming campaign.
It felt good to be acknowledged for all the effort that I’m putting in.
Sean spins around in his chair. An instant smile coasts over his lips. “Calliope.”
He’s up and out of his chair before I take another step forward.
Looking sexy as sin in a tailored dark blue suit and green striped tie, I stare at him. “Sean.”
“Are you hungry?” he asks as he moves past me to shut the door. “I hope you are. I ordered in a few of your favorites.”
My gaze falls to his desk and the many take-out containers. There are fish tacos, chips and salsa, fresh cut fruit, and a plate of rice cereal treats off to the side. To wash it all down, there are two cans of soda and a couple of bottles of water.
“This is incredibly thoughtful,” I whisper.
He moves to stand next to me. “I’ve missed you, Champ.”
I look up and into his eyes. I see calmness, confidence, and compassion there. I’ve never had anyone put in this much effort just for me.
“I’ve missed you,” I say.
His hands leap to my cheeks. “I could barely sleep last night. I was so excited for this lunch.”
I let out a small laugh. “Seriously?”
His lips find mine for a tender, sweet kiss. “Seriously, Calliope. If I haven’t already told you, I’m falling for you.”
Those words mean everything to me. I no longer feel scared by the thought of falling in love again. I only feel joy and a sense of peace I’ve never felt before.
I belong with him. I belong in his arms, in his life. I belong in this wonderful man’s world.
I kiss him, but this time it’s deeper. It lingers, and when our lips part, he breathes out a sigh. “That puts every other kiss in the history of kisses to shame.”
Running a fingertip over his bottom lip, I smile. “We will do that again after we eat.”
He gazes into my eyes. “I hope you have a huge appetite because I ordered extra.”
“I’m starving.” I move toward one of the chairs that face his desk. “I can’t wait to eat.”
I lean back in my chair and watch Sean as he takes a business call. After his desk phone rang the first time, he called his assistant to remind him that he had been instructed to hold all calls.
I could tell by the shift in Sean’s expression that something needed his immediate attention. He confirmed that when he told me he needed to return the missed call but wanted me to stay put.
He handles whoever is on the other end with ease, even though I can hear that they have raised their voice. The phone may be pressed to Sean’s ear, but the volume of the caller’s voice is loud enough that I can catch bits and pieces of what he’s saying.
Not wanting to full on eavesdrop, I glance around Sean’s office.
The first time I was here, I was too nervous to notice any small details. I was completely focused on the man sitting behind the desk because I had called the police on him just hours earlier.
My gaze catches on a series of framed photographs sitting atop a shelf near the window. I push back from my chair to get a better look.
As I make my way toward them, I glance at Sean to find his gaze pinned to me. A slow smile slides over his lips.
I know that look.
If he weren’t in the middle of a heated business discussion, I imagine he’d have me pinned to the wall or spread out on his desk with his head between my legs.
I shake off that thought because I don’t want to have to explain why I’m blushing.
I turn my attention to the framed photographs. One is of Sean and Declan. They look a few years younger than they are now. I can tell that they’re in an office. It’s much smaller than anything I’ve seen in this building but behind them is a cardboard sign with their surname scribbled across it in black marker.
The picture next to it is of a couple with two boys standing in front of them. The woman in the photo is cradling a baby in her arms. I pick up the frame to get a closer look, and I instantly recognize the taller of the two boys. It’s Declan. The other one has to be Sean. He can’t be more than nine or ten years old.