Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 99500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99500 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 498(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 332(@300wpm)
Kiss me.
Please kiss me.
I try to contain the needy whimper, but it escapes anyway. His eyes flicker in a dangerous way I’ve never seen before. It reminds me of Spencer, which surprisingly doesn’t kill the mood like it should.
Kiss me, Hugo.
He leans in closer and I flutter my eyes closed. My lips are parted, waiting for his soft ones to touch mine. I’m practically drooling with the desire to taste him.
And then he kisses me.
Not on my mouth like I’m desperate for him to do.
No, he kisses me on the forehead.
The disappointment coursing through my entire body has my eyes snapping back open. He’s already releasing me and stepping back. If it weren’t for the inferno in his gaze and his thick erection straining against his expensive slacks, I’d have thought I dreamed up the entire fantasy of our heated connection.
I didn’t dream it up, though.
He wants me so badly he can’t stand it.
So why does he deny us what we both want?
Clearing his throat, he turns back to his coffee. “Grab a quick bite to eat and then we’ll head out.”
With those words, he strides past me, unable to look me in the eyes. I remain rooted in the same place he rocked my entire world only moments before. The wetness from his lips on my forehead remains. His scent lingers. The overwhelming fiery need he stoked earlier still rages on with no hope of quelling.
How do I have any hope of surviving an entire day working with him?
Karla hates me. I figured that out about three seconds after Hugo left me with her to go to his morning meeting with his campaign manager, Vance. Karla is his lovely assistant but wasn’t too thrilled to learn he’d hired me as well. She feels threatened, that much is clear, and for good reason.
She loves him.
I’m not an idiot. I saw how her eyes lit up when we walked into the office. The look she gave him was one of barely hidden longing. Hugo was oblivious, but I picked up on it right away. Especially since he left me alone with her. I’ve been iced out ever since.
As she turns on her charm to take another call, I fidget in my chair beside her. When I’d chosen the dress I’m wearing, I’d only had Hugo in mind. But with every disdainful look Karla shoots my way when she gets an eyeful of my tattooed thigh, I’m beginning to think pants are a better work attire choice. I wish Hugo would get done with his meeting so she would at least pretend to be nice.
My phone buzzes, stealing my attention and causing my heart rate to skyrocket. I’ve received texts all morning, each one the same as the one before—all from new numbers, but all clearly from Ben.
Unknown: I miss you, gorgeous. Please talk to me.
One comforting thought is he’s all the way in LA, near his job and family. He’s not going to actually hop on a plane to come to harass me in person. Eventually, he’ll get bored.
As soon as I block the newest number, my phone buzzes again. I let out a frustrated huff. But it’s not Ben this time. It’s him.
Spencer.
Heat creeps over my flesh, warming it and painting it crimson as I read his vulgar words.
Spencer: Did you confess to Dad that you had my tongue down your throat last night?
Flashes of his strong, firm body pressed against mine as he kissed me last night flood through me. I shift uncomfortably in my seat. At the time, it’d felt so good—so right. With him holding me down as he ravished me, it was easy to forget why I hate him.
“You shouldn’t be on your phone,” Karla snips, her cold voice cutting through some of the fire burning inside me. “Mr. Park would not be pleased if he were to walk in and see you.”
Embarrassment at being chided has me swallowing hard and forcing a nod. I’m not too worried about Hugo. He loves me. Certainly isn’t going to fire me for texting with his son. I don’t need to argue that with his secret admirer, though. Before I can put away my phone, she takes another call. I use the moment to text Spencer back.
Me: I’m working. Leave me alone.
His response is immediate.
Spencer: Maybe I should tell him his precious “love” wants to fuck her stepbrother… Is that what you want, leech? Next time, there’ll be no dry fucking. I want to feel how wet you get when you’re being bad with me.
His words are crude and maddening.
Completely messed up.
And yet, I can’t ignore the curl of heat deep in my core, aching for just that.
Sick, sick girl.
I don’t understand him. He’s been so hot and cold since the day I’ve met him. Stupid me yearns for those warmer moments. As if I have the power to melt away the black ice over his heart.