Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75457 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 377(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
It transported me back to when Jameson and I babysat Stevie when Berk worked late. We’d tuck her in bed, then sit and talk for hours. I missed those moments horribly when he left New York.
Whenever those nights ended, Jameson would always walk me the three blocks to Keats’s townhouse, where I lived at the time.
We never held hands on those walks or kissed goodnight, but I always felt there was a simmering attraction between us. I have no idea if Jameson felt that too. I couldn’t tell since he rarely glanced in my direction as we slowly walked down the sidewalk side-by-side.
“You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?” Jameson chuckles. “Death by tripping.”
I turn back around to see him setting my boots to the side. “What if I am?”
That question catches him by surprise. He tosses me a sly smile. “I knew it.”
“That wasn’t a confession.” I glance to the left when I hear Dudley approaching. “Dammit, I should have kept my boots on. I need to take him out.”
“I’ll do it,” Jameson offers. “Duds loves me, and I can use the fresh air.”
“We were just outside.” I look toward where Dudley’s leash is on the table. “We just walked seven blocks to get here.”
Jameson chuckles. “A man can never have too much fresh air.”
I study his face. “You don’t mind taking him out?”
“Not at all.” He grabs the leash. “Tonight was fun. It was good to see Berk and Stevie.”
He’s right. It was fun, but I won’t admit it. “Stevie was happy to see you.”
He nods slowly, his gaze catching on Dudley. “I’ll take him for that walk now. I won’t be long.”
It’s barely past eight o’clock, but I’ve had my fill of him for the day. “I’m going to take a hot bath and then turn in.”
“I’ll lock up when I get back,” he offers. “Goodnight.”
“Night,” I whisper as he clips the end of the leash onto Dudley’s collar. “Be careful that he doesn’t run away. It always breaks my heart when he does.”
Jameson’s gaze locks on mine. “No one is running away tonight, Sin. We’ll both be back here within the hour. I promise.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Jameson
Dudley tugs on the leash as he leads me around the corner, headed away from the building that houses Denia’s penthouse.
“Slow down, little guy,” I warn him. “Pace yourself because we’re wandering the streets of Manhattan until I clear my mind.”
I suspect it could take all night or even days, but I’m granting myself an hour to try and screw my head back on the right way.
I’ve been caught up in Sinclair’s spell since we sat down at the pizza place.
I was too close to her.
I knew it was a bad idea, but when she set her sweet ass down next to me, I couldn’t move.
Brushing my leg against hers may have been a mistake, but it felt electric. It woke my cock up, and that was not welcome.
I didn’t want Sinclair to catch sight of my hard-on pressing against the fabric of my suit pants, so I tossed a paper napkin onto my lap.
That did nothing but accentuate the tent in my pants.
My phone vibrates in my jacket pocket, so I fish it out with my free hand.
I read the text message on the screen.
Kalon: I’m turning my phone off in five, so tell me you’re not trailing Sinclair. I’m not bailing you out tonight.
Instead of texting back, I hit the call button.
Kalon answers immediately. “Why the fuck are you calling me right now? Can you not read, James?”
“You’ve got five minutes until your mystery lady lands in your bed.”
“Her bed,” he corrects me. “I’m on my way to her place now. Again, why the fuck are you calling me?”
The sound of a truck horn silences me before I can explain that I had dinner with Sinclair and some of her family.
“Where the hell are you right now?” Kalon questions. “You’re trailing her, aren’t you? Jesus, James. Go home.”
I laugh. “I’m walking her dog. I had dinner with Sinclair and her brother. Her niece was there too.”
Silence lingers between us until he clears his throat. “So you’re saying her plans were with her family, and you grabbed a seat at that table, and now you’re doing her a favor by walking the dog?”
I nod even though he can’t see me. “That about sums it up.”
“That’s progress,” he says. “I’m at my final destination for the day, so I’m signing off for the night. I’ve got to admit I’m surprised Sinclair invited you to her family dinner.”
“She didn’t,” I admit. “Her niece did.”
“She’s too young to realize you’re an asshole,” he quips. “I’ll talk to you when I talk to you, James. My dick owns my time for the rest of the night.”
He ends the call, and I’m grateful because I have no fucking clue how to respond to what he said.