Total pages in book: 12
Estimated words: 11119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 56(@200wpm)___ 44(@250wpm)___ 37(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 11119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 56(@200wpm)___ 44(@250wpm)___ 37(@300wpm)
“Sounds like fate to me,” he said.
Of course she remembered Robert Black. How could she not? He’d starred in most of her bedtime fantasies ever since they’d first met. She wasn’t sure how she could forget. “It’s all a coincidence.”
“There are no coincidences in life, Ms. Jones. Fate isn’t so fickle.”
Fate? As in the two of them together? What game was he playing? Did he think she’d readily open her legs so he could have one last fling? Was she part of his last bachelor hurrah?
“Well, I don’t give myself away for free, and I can’t be bought, no matter how much I need this job.”
“The job is already yours, Ms. Jones. That’s not in question. And please don’t mistake me for a man who needs to take without permission.” He leaned in close enough that his subtle cologne tickled her senses. “And I can be very patient,” he whispered.
He abruptly pulled back, nodded once, and walked away from her, turning a corner and moving out of sight. She felt an odd sense of loss after he was gone. Had she wanted him to continue? You’re sick, Karlee. Sick, sick, sick.
After collecting her thoughts, she sought out Elizabeth. If Karlee was trapped at the mansion, she might as well start planning for the wedding. And she needed a serious distraction from her unwholesome thoughts.
It was time to get to work. She’d need to know exact numbers and flower types so she could get everything ordered in time. With only two days’ notice, she really needed to get back to her laptop at the shop. This delay could cost her if her suppliers couldn’t come through in a bind. She was a hot mess of stress and unexplainable pent-up desire. What she really needed was a big glass of wine. Maybe the whole bottle.
She found the bride-to-be talking with the wedding planner. When Elizabeth saw her approach, she excused herself and met her halfway.
“Karlee, did everything get worked out? I feel terrible about your truck.”
“It’ll be fine,” she said, feeling guilty because Elizabeth was so damn nice. Why did she have to be so nice? “Mr. Black said he’d drive me to the impound lot first thing in the morning. You don’t mind if I stay the night, do you?”
“Of course not. Why would I mind?” Elizabeth smiled and touched her arm. She was so graceful, so ladylike—the exact opposite of Karlee. No wonder she had ironclad confidence.
On her best day, Karlee was covered in soil stains and an assortment of scrapes and bruises. Running a flower shop was not a prim and proper way of living.
“I do have to meet with the dressmaker this afternoon, though. The list of flowers is on the table in the upstairs hallway. I’m open to suggestions. Feel free to start planning while I’m gone.”
“I’ll do that.”
The bride-to-be rushed off, leaving her alone. Karlee wandered around the main floor, admiring the architecture and artwork. Mr. Black had more money than he knew what to do with, while she was barely making ends meet. Of course, she’d gladly trade places with Elizabeth, so she couldn’t gripe too much.
She slipped off her broken heels and padded up the winding staircase barefoot. The polished wood banister felt cool in her too-warm palm. Why were her nerves shot? An uneasy anticipation made her entire body feel hotwired. She wanted to avoid Mr. Black as much as she craved to meet up with him again. No, for the sake of her contract and her very soul, she had to keep her distance from that dark-haired temptation.
Karlee prided herself on hard work and old-fashioned values. She wasn’t impressed with this new side of herself peeking through, and she wouldn’t allow Elizabeth’s fiancé to sweet talk her into anything inappropriate—even if it meant losing the job and walking back to the city.
She made it to the top of the fairy-talesque staircase. A massive crystal chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling, and a long Oriental runner covered part of the hardwood in the hallway. Karlee saw the table in question. It looked like a priceless antique, the dark mahogany bringing out the richness of the grain. Upon reaching it, she caught her reflection in the oversized mirror above the table. Damn, she looked like shit. Her eyeliner was even running. She leaned closer to the mirror and attempted to make herself halfway decent, using a finger to remove the excess makeup. That’s when she felt his presence.
“Don’t worry, you look beautiful. Just how I remembered you.”
Karlee whirled around. Now he’d added liar to his list of offenses. “I seriously doubt that.”
He had this sexy little smirk that melted her from the inside out. “I didn’t expect to find you up here. By yourself.”
“I-I was looking for a list of flowers.” She pawed behind her, feeling for anything paperlike. “Your fiancée told me it was okay to come upstairs.”