Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 22707 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22707 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 114(@200wpm)___ 91(@250wpm)___ 76(@300wpm)
“Exactly,” Joseph rumbles, his tone low and growly. “In private, we’re all yours, Emma.”
With that, I begin to sob and Joseph pulls me into his lap while pressing kisses to my temple.
“Don’t cry, baby,” he murmurs in my ear. “You mean everything to us.”
Gray leans in for a kiss too.
“We adore you, Emma, and this is going to be worth your while, we promise,” he vows in a hoarse voice. Both men are touching and stroking my curves, and suddenly, the food doesn’t matter anymore. The ambience doesn’t matter, nor does the restaurant. The only thing I want is to be with my men, and they can sense it.
Together, we stand and Gray pulls out some bills to throw on the table. Then, Joseph literally sweeps me into his arms right there in the restaurant before striding towards a back door.
“What are you doing?” I squeal breathily, my eyes wide. “What’s going on?”
Gray follows on foot behind us as we exit the restaurant and make our way to the valet.
“We’re claiming you, pretty girl,” the older man rasps, his blue eyes bright as we get into the Lexus. “You’re ours now, don’t you know?”
As I’m manhandled into the front seat, with a sudden certainty, I know those words are true. I belong to these men already, and there’s no way to fight my attraction to the powerful Senators now.
7
Emma
* * *
Three months later.
One of my favorite things about Joseph’s building is the in-house coffee shop on the ground floor. Nothing beats being able to take the elevator downstairs at 5 a.m. to get my caffeine fix, instead of having to walk around the block to the nearest Starbucks. I realize I’m spoiled, but this is one of the amazing benefits of living in a full-service fancy condo.
When I enter, the barista looks up and smiles.
“Hey Emma,” Siri chirps. “Same?”
I nod.
“Yes please. Thanks so much.”
“Coming right up!” she says cheerfully. It makes sense that Siri knows my order because I have a huge caffeine addiction and despite my attempts to break it, I’ve never been successful. Joseph said he’d buy a high-end espresso machine for me, but I said no. I like the shots a barista pulls, and it’s never quite the same as the ones you make at home.
As a result, I’m at Everyman Espresso a lot. Hell, I basically live with Joseph now, so I’m down here pretty much every morning, and Siri has become an acquaintance of sorts. She’s around the same age as me, and cute too with curly brown hair and sparkling hazel eyes.
“Order for Emma!” the young girl calls from the counter, although there’s no one else at the cafe but me at the moment. “One mocha with extra whipped cream and two large black coffees,” she nods I stroll over and pick up the tray.
“Thanks, girlfriend,” I say. “You’re a lifesaver.”
“No, thank you,” Siri burbles. “Most of the building doesn’t really start waking up and coming down for coffee until closer to six, so you’re our first customer of the day.”
I snort ruefully.
“Believe me, if I didn’t have a full schedule requiring me to get up this early, I wouldn’t be buying coffee at the crack of dawn either. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I slept until the sun rose, but I’m guessing you’re in the same boat because I always see you in the mornings.”
Siri shrugs and smiles sunnily. “I don’t mind. I like getting the day started early because then my shift ends early too and I can go do my own thing.”
I nod. “Makes sense.”
But then she perks up. “Oh by the way, can I interest you in fresh butter croissants? They’re straight out of the oven,” she offers.
I’m tempted but shake my head.
“I shouldn’t because I’ve been eating so much lately, and a butter croissant is the last thing I need right now. I should go back up.”
But then my stomach growls and the barista laughs.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Siri says before holding up her finger in a shhh! sign and winking. “It’s on the house for being our best customer,” she says in a faux whisper.
I begin to protest, but Siri’s already turned away to grab the pastries. Simultaneously, my cell phone rings in my pocket and I struggle to balance the drinks while reaching for my phone. Who could it be? It’s only 5:30 a.m.
But sure enough, it’s one of my lovers.
“Hey baby,” Gray growls on the other line. I try to hide my face discreetly with my hand because I can feel myself blushing. It’s been three months since our relationship began, and yet I still can’t stop myself from going red when I hear them use an endearment.
“Hi,” I murmur with a smile to myself.
“You getting coffee?” he asks.
“Yes. Why, are you upstairs?”