Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65480 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Her eyes and mouth widen at the same time. “It could also be dangerous. You have to get in with criminals if you want to take them down.”
“Every time I think I have something good, they switch their operation.”
“What if the person feeding you the information is the one running the ring, and they’re trying to divert your attention?”
I open my sandwich and take a bite, the meaty goodness filling my mouth. An explosion of cheese and bacon hits my tongue, turning me into a ravenous beast. I have to make more money, so I can afford to eat three square meals a day. Freelance journalism pays well if you can dig up the right dirt, but I haven’t found enough information to make the quick cash I need to cover all of my bills.
“We could work on a sting operation together.” Clarke lifts the coffee mug on the desk in front of her and chugs the rest of the liquid before slamming it down with a thud. “Another set of hands and eyes are better than one. I mean, that’s if you want my help.”
“Yeah, I’d love some.” I swivel in my chair, and Clarke has to scoot hers back to make some space for me. “It’s a date.”
My cubicle at The Philadelphia Inquirer is so small we have to sit knee-to-knee, chomping down our food as we plot our next move.
Clarke taps me on the shoulder to get my attention, speaking between bites. “Would you mind tagging along with me today? I have to interview your brother and his teammates. You know how I feel about your brother. No offense but he’s such an ass.”
“None taken. I’m the only girl he’s not a total jerk to, so I get it.” I bite the inside of my cheek and think it over. “Yeah, I guess I can help you out. Things are kinda awkward right now. The apartment my brother shares with Ethan Waters flooded, and they’re staying with me for a few weeks.”
Her mouth opens in shock. “You have Ethan crashing at your place? I’m so jealous right now. He’s insanely hot.”
I snort. “Don’t be. He’s a world-class dickhead and a manwhore. You’re too good for him.”
“But…” she counters, holding her finger out in front of her, “… I bet he’s amazing in bed.”
His naked body and thick cock creep into my mind for a second too long. Ethan has invaded not only my life and apartment but also my mind.
“I wouldn’t know anything about that,” I confess. “But after what I saw this morning, you might be right about that.”
She giggles. “You saw Ethan naked already, didn’t you?”
I nod.
“Now I’m even more jealous than I was before.”
I lift a stack of papers from my desk and stand. “Ethan is the last person I want to think about before I’ve had the chance to drink my second cup of coffee. We have a staff meeting. Hurry up and finish your sandwich before we’re late.”
She stuffs the remaining piece of her breakfast bagel into her mouth and mumbles something I can’t make out between bites.
“We’re going to have so much fun teaming up.” A tiny squeal escapes her lips, and I try to hide my disgust about Ethan. He makes me so angry I could spit, especially after the bathroom stunt he pulled this morning.
“I’m not looking forward to the interview with the Flyers,” I admit. “But I’ll do this for you.”
She sticks her tongue out at me and grabs a notepad and pen from my desk before following me out of my cubicle. “You’re no fun… all business and no pleasure. Maybe you should consider hooking up with Ethan. It might be good for you. When was the last time you had sex? For real, girl, you could use a little bit of Ethan Waters in you.”
I laugh at her stupidity, hoping no one heard her as we walk through the crowded office and to the conference room in the back. “I think I can live without him.”
I’ve done it for years.
“I still can’t believe Ethan Waters, of all people, is staying at your apartment.” Clarke shakes her head, laughing. “You’re in trouble, girl. I bet you won’t last a week without jumping into bed with him.”
“Wanna bet?” I quip, wondering if there’s some truth to her words.
She flashes a crooked smile and then winks at me. “Good luck with that.”
After this morning, I’m not so sure I’ll make it through another day with Ethan. This might be a bet I can’t win.
I almost made it through the staff meeting this morning without thinking of Ethan and his cocky smirk. Almost. And I almost made it to the Wells Fargo Center where our pro basketball and hockey teams play, without fantasizing about him naked. I haven’t been able to get Ethan out of my head. Somehow, he manages to annoy me even when we’re apart.