Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51530 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
When there’s no answer, I look around the room and notice the silver domed plates set up on the table. Instead of going to the food, I walk to the edge of the living room area and stand in the open doorway of Ford’s room. His cologne fills the air, and I breathe it in. I’ve always appreciated his manly scent that reminds me of being outside in the sunshine. “Ford,” I call out to the empty room.
The bed is made, and everything is tidy. I turn back out of the room before I do something crazy like roll around in the spot he slept in last night or lay my head down on his pillow. When back in the living room, I spot the note on the counter.
I pick it up and instantly recognize the small, neat writing on the hotel notepad.
Lily,
I went down early to try and meet up with a few clients. I’ll see you at the conference. I ordered you some breakfast. I also had the gift shop bring up two swimming suits. I’m sure you can find time to swim while you’re here. See you soon. Call me if you need anything.
Ford
I read the note again, trying to analyze it and see if I can read anything more into it than what’s already on the paper. He called me Lily instead of Lilian, which is something. The shortened nickname is new, and I like hearing it from him.
I’m not surprised that he ordered me breakfast or the fact he had swimsuits brought up from the gift shop. He’s always been considerate and would probably do the same for anyone.
As I sit down and uncover the domed plates, I grab a piece of toast and nibble on it, lost in thought. Could he have changed his mind since last night? Maybe he has thought about it, and he doesn’t want to date me. I mean, us together is probably not the best idea. Could I work for him if it doesn’t work out?
Damn. Somehow I’ve already ruined things before I even agreed to anything.
Unable to eat anything else, I pour a cup of coffee and start rounding up everything I need for the conference today. After stuffing a bottle of water, some mints, and my laptop into my tote bag, I look at myself in the mirror to make sure I look the part of Ford Blaze’s assistant. I slide my hand down my thighs. I’m wearing a skirt and low heels with a tucked-in blouse. Pulling my phone from my purse, I see I have fifteen minutes before the conference starts, so I make my way downstairs.
After picking up my registration packet, I make it through the rows of vendors. I pass by the booths and walk straight to the safety class. There are five classes that I’m attending today, even skipping lunch to try to get them all in.
I sit down at the table and take out my laptop, ready to learn. I really don’t want to let Ford down or for him to regret bringing me. Especially after everything with last night, I feel like I need to do a good job.
The first two classes, I stay in my seat as the speakers switch to other classrooms. I have ten pages of notes by the end of the second class. When I get up to go to the next one, I grab a protein bar off the refreshment cart and then quickly find my seat.
“You doing okay?”
My whole body tenses as Ford slides into the chair next to mine.
I lift my eyes to his, trying to read the look he’s giving me. “Yeah, how are you?”
He looks tired, and I curl my fingers into my palm to resist reaching up and touching him.
He shrugs, watching me. “I didn’t sleep very well.”
I groan inwardly. “I’m sure you didn’t. Most people wouldn’t when they lose an account that’s going to cost them a few hundred thousand dollars.”
His face transforms in front of me. “Stop, Lily. I don’t want to hear anything else about it. Do you understand that I don’t want to do business with a man like that?”
“Yeah, but your brothers—”
“My brothers don’t want to do business with a man like that either. You know us, you know all of us. Well, besides Huddy. But hell, he’d probably feel as strong about it as I do, and none of it was your fault.”
I nod. The way he’s protective of me has heat flaring in my chest. I’m about to tell him what I’ve been thinking about half the night and all morning. I'd like to talk more about what he told me last night, but before I can muster up the courage to say anything, the woman at the front of the room starts talking.