Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 114467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 114467 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 572(@200wpm)___ 458(@250wpm)___ 382(@300wpm)
“Then,” Max finally says, “you are at the right place. We aren’t just a team as you can see. We are a family. If one of us is hurting, the rest of us help carry that burden. But what we don’t do is go down with someone who isn’t willing to fight.”
“With your speed, your build, and your hands, I’m betting that you are going to take pretty boy’s spot on the leader board this year,” Matthew says, pointing at Evan, who just throws his head back and laughs.
“I’d like to see him try,” Evan says. “I’ve held that title for three straight years.”
“That’s only because I hung up my skates,” Max says, shaking his head.
“Delusional,” Evan says.
We are almost done with the meeting when a knock sounds on the open conference room. I look up, and I stop and just stare.
“So, this is where the party is at,” the woman says. Her long reddish-blond hair sways as she walks in, the slit in her skirt giving a nice view of her long, toned leg. My eyes watch her every single fucking move. She walks into the room, knowing she owns it and that all eyes are on her, including mine. “Sorry to interrupt. Did you want me to come back?” She looks at Matthew and smiles while he glares at her.
“Did I not say to dress appropriately?” he hisses. Her blue eyes just glitter as she throws her head back and laughs.
“This is conservative,” she says to him and then approaches Max, who gets up and hugs her. She moves flawlessly from one to the other, never lingering more than a couple of seconds with each.
“Was that Zara’s skirt?” Evan asks her when he gets up and give her a big hug.
“No.” She shakes her head.
“Good. Don’t ever lend it to her either.” He smiles, and she walks over to Matthew.
“Hey, old man.” She jokes with Matthew, who doesn’t get up, and then she turns to me. Fuck if she isn’t the most beautiful woman I’ve ever saw, and I’ve lived in Hollywood. “Hi there. You must be the new guy.” She holds her hand out. “I’m Zoe.”
I don’t say anything, or better yet, I can’t say anything because Matthew knocks her hand down. “He doesn’t need to touch you.”
“Oh, good God,” she says. “He’s my client.” Now she turns to me, and I stop and watch her.
“Okay, I’m out,” Max says. “Let me know when you want to work out.” He walks out of the room.
“I have to go meet with Oliver about some charity and other shit,” Evan says, pushing away from the table. “We still on for dinner, right?” He looks at me, then looks at Zoe. “Your sister is here somewhere, she said she’ll come looking for you when she’s done.”
“Perfect,” she says, and she puts her bag down on the table and then takes off her jacket. She turns to Matthew. “You can go also.”
“Why can’t I stay?” he asks her, leaning in his chair.
“Because one, it’s confidential, and two, I don’t want you to.” Zoe smiles at him. “You can even leave the door open.”
“Fine.” He gets up. “But there are cameras in this room.”
“Oh, damn,” she says, looking at me. “So no sex in the middle of the table.”
I don’t know what to do or say, but the laughter that escapes me fills the room. Matthew stops and turns around to glare at me and then scold Zoe. “Don’t talk about sex in this building,” he says through clenched teeth, then turns to me. “In case you didn’t know, she’s off-limits.”
I just nod and hold up my hands. “Won’t be an issue,” I say. Fuck knows the last thing I need is to be chasing the sister of the one guy who took a chance on me. I also know that if I didn’t have so much shit hanging over my head, I might ignore him.
“I don’t date my clients,” Zoe says. “Though once they sign a contract, they’re fair game.” She winks at me, and I swear she knows how to get under Matthew’s skin.
“I’m calling Dad,” Matthew says while Zoe laughs.
“Okay, you go do that.” She shoos him away with her hand. When he’s out of the room, she turns to me, and I stop breathing and even blinking. “I was just kidding about all of that.” I don’t bother answering her—one, because I’m not sure I could find my voice, and two, because I don’t know what I would actually tell her.
“Now, are we ready to get started?” she asks. Grabbing a pen and paper, she looks me straight in my eyes.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I answer her, and for a minute, I just hold my breath and watch her.
Chapter Four
Zoe
His laughter fills the room, and I’m suddenly feeling just a touch better. Walking into the office, I did a quick sweep of the room and put on my biggest poker face to date. My eyes wanted to go back to the stranger in the room and look him up and down, and no matter how I told them not to, they did it on their own. My eyes met his, and I let my gaze linger for just a second longer than I should. His blue eyes are dark like the deep end of the ocean.