Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 89592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89592 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
“Just finishing up. Her place was definitely bugged. If she talked about coming to the club, they heard her,” he replies.
“I want all of her electrics replaced. See what you can do about transferring her stories to a new laptop, without transferring any corrupt files. Her writing is important to her. Don’t fuck this up,” I grunt.
“I got it, Clay. I’ll handle the laptop myself. We still have a few problems. The sister was still thrown out of school. She’ll be here on a flight in the morning. You’re not going to like the shit she’s gotten herself into. I need to talk to her sister, but she isn’t answering her phone,” David says, sounding annoyed.
“Gregor came back earlier than expected. He was in the apartment when we arrived. She may not answer for a while.” I grin to myself.
I saw the looks that passed between those two. I’m steering clear of that apartment. If I didn’t know my brother so well, I just might fear for him.
“That’s not the only problem. Sidney’s friend, Marnita, she’s having a bit of trouble. What do you want me to do?” he asks.
I throw my head back and blow out a breath. “We need to put an end to this shit,” I growl.
“I’m just about sure the bugs in Sidney’s apartment have given all of this ammunition. She’s better off there with you,” he sighs back.
“Yes, but the ball has already started rolling down the hill,” I huff. “Look into the friend, see if this indeed will snowball. If she needs us to step in, you get your ass on a plane and go help her.”
“Got it,” he responds.
“And David, for now, I want this contained. If she needs help, give her a reason to come see her friend. The wedding or I’m sure one of the rooms around here needs to be remodeled.”
“Understood,” he says before hanging up.
The shower cuts off just as the call ends. I settle my back against the headboard and wait. My eyes are closed as I wait to feel her presence.
Sidney has this energy that courses through her straight to me. I feel it each time I’m near her. I’ve felt it throughout the night. It’s even stronger when she’s in my arms.
Perhaps that’s the reason I’m choosing to stay the night in the same room as her. I try not to dwell on that thought.
It takes longer than I expect for her to come out. When I hear the blow-dryer running, I remember my mistake. I knew as soon as I turned on the shower, I fucked up. It was a miracle Sidney didn’t go off on me.
A smile tugs at my lips when I feel her enter the room. I turn my head and open my eyes to see her standing at the side of the bed, staring at me. She’s draped in one of the silk gowns I had placed in the closet for her.
It clings to her chocolate skin perfectly. The peach color does amazing things to her complexion. My cock twitches beneath the covers, just from taking her in.
Her hair looks cute. It’s not pin straight like it was earlier this evening. It’s now in a crown of short wavy curls. I think I like it better than the straight hairstyle.
There is a better man inside of me than I thought. My first mind is telling me to drag her into this bed and stake my claim. The other part of me calls for calm, clarity, and patience.
I peel the covers back in a silent command for her to join me in bed. She shifts from foot to foot before slowly climbing in. Her eyes never leaving my face, even though they’re narrowed at me.
I lean over and kiss the tip of her nose. I won’t dare sample those lips again tonight. I don’t own that much restraint. I know I don’t.
“I’ll take care of it,” I murmur, twirling a lock of hair around my finger.
“You better,” she snaps.
I grin but hold myself back from kissing the sass from her lips. “Let’s get some sleep. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow,” I mumble, pulling her into my chest and settling down into the bed.
It takes a few minutes before Sidney relaxes against me. So long, at first, I don’t think it will happen. When she finally does relax, she places her hand on my ribs and runs it up to my chest.
I reach for her fingers and kiss the tips. “Sleep, Sid,” I yawn.
“I’m halfway there. You’re the one that wanted to hold me. I get touchy when I’m this close to someone in my sleep,” she yawns back.
I chuckle. “Is that right?”
“Mmm-umm,” she murmurs sleepily.
I smile, my lids too heavy to lift, my mouth too lax to respond. I haven’t been this comfortable in years. Just think, this is the first woman I’ve allowed to sleep in my bed…ever.