Total pages in book: 24
Estimated words: 21996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21996 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 110(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 73(@300wpm)
I finally make it to the top and practically burst through the doors, wanting to get to my office. Once I’m in, I yell something at Paul and the nurse as I lose my mind for a moment. My breath catches as the bride turns around to face me.
Long blonde hair cascades over one shoulder as big blue eyes slowly make their way up to mine. I’m a whole foot taller than her, and her size is almost comical compared to mine. But even as I stand before her, I’m already thinking of ways to make us fit.
“Everybody out,” I say without taking my eyes off her. “Except you,” I amend, as she begins to ask if she should go.
Once the room is empty, I feel a little less pressure on my heart, and I’m beginning to think a little straighter.
“Sorry about that,” I say, not wanting to intimidate her. “I’m Dane.”
I hold my hand out and, god help me, the small smile she gives me shatters my cold, dead heart.
“I gathered that. I’m Willow.” Her voice is soft and her hand is even softer as she places it in mine.
One touch, and I know that I don’t want to let go of it. The feel of her delicate fingers in mine has blood thundering to my cock, and I want to push her against a wall and hump her. Fucking hell, what is wrong with me? I’ve never felt so out of control.
“We were just about to sign some paperwork,” she says, looking away from me and taking her hand from mine.
She takes a step back, physically distancing herself from me, and I want to close the gap and wrap her up in my arms. A wall of ice has been laid between us and I’m angry at it. She glances over to the desk where her folder and all of the documents I’ve already signed lie open. Frustration and irrational anger flood me and I walk over, grab them up and take them to the fire. I chuck them inside, and a smile pulls at my lips as I watch them burn.
I may have thought I had the perfect plan to begin with, but I’m going to change things up a bit. Turning around on my heels, I face Willow. She looks at me in shock, and I can tell she’s a little wary.
“I’ll need to have some new ones drafted,” I say, trying to come up with some reasonable explanation as to why I just burned all the documents she was told she needed to sign. “Why don’t I show you to your room, and maybe you can freshen up for a later dinner?”
She bites her lip but straightens her shoulders and nods. “That would be nice, thank you.”
I want to walk over to her and take her hand in mine, but instead I settle for standing a little too close as we walk down the hall and to the west wing of the home. Originally, I’d wanted her to stay on the opposite side, but seeing her here now has prompted a change in me.
Something inside of me is screaming to have her as close as possible, and I’ve always been a man who listens to his gut. I’ve made a living off doing what I feel is right, and Willow is no exception.
When we get to the door that’s next to the master, I stop. “I’ll have your things brought in.”
“Thank you. That’s really kind,” she says, looking up at me and then quickly looking away.
I want her eyes on me at all times. Is that too much to ask?
“Okay then. I’ll let you get settled, and I’ll meet you for dinner in about an hour.” I stand there, trying to think of another reason to stay with her, but I can’t come up with one. “All right. I’ll leave you to it.”
I hear her giggle behind me as I turn to walk away, and I close my eyes tightly. I’ve embarrassed myself, but I also love the sound of her laugh, and I make a note to embarrass myself as much as possible around her, if it means I get to hear that again.
When I get back to my office Paul is waiting on me. No surprise there.
“Tell me you didn’t just burn those documents I spent hours going over?”
“You’re suspended on my accounts until further notice. Have Braxton take over for you,” I say, walking past him and settling in my chair.
“What did you just say?” Paul asks, shock clear in his voice.
“You heard me. Now get out.”
A moment passes before I look up and see he wants to say something but thinks better of it. I wait, and instead of making a scene he grabs his bag and leaves without a word. At least he did something right today.