Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 75553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Griff nodded. “It definitely seems like she has doubts about our relationship,” he admitted. “I think it’s time that we turn things up a notch, just to scare her off the scent, you know?”
Though he was talking about our relationship, Griff was barely looking at me. I wondered if pushing him into the kiss last Friday was such a good idea after all. I didn’t like how cold and distant he was acting. Then I realized what he’d suggested. “Turn things up a notch?” I repeated with a furrow of my eyebrows. “What do you mean exactly?”
But instead of giving me an answer, Griff just replied, “Follow my lead.”
My heart was thumping against my chest. I had no idea how to feel about all the conflicting emotions I was experiencing. On the one hand, I was happy to spice things up between us, but just a few days ago, Griff had made it clear nothing more was going to happen between us. Talk about mixed signals!
Still, like the dutiful fake girlfriend-slash-secretary that I was, I dressed up in one of my nicest cocktail dresses, spent a few minutes applying some basic make-up, and then styled my hair in a cute updo. Overall, when I looked in the mirror, I felt certain I was worthy of the title of ‘Griff’s girlfriend’. It was a shame he didn’t feel the same way.
“Ready?” Griff asked as he emerged from the bathroom wearing a smart but casual suit. He looked dashingly handsome and I couldn’t get over how much he suited formalwear--even if a devilish part of me cared more about the body he was hiding beneath it.
With a faint blush across my cheeks, I nodded. “Yep, ready to go,” I told him as I grabbed my purse. He took my arm and we walked together to the elevator on our way to dinner.
It wasn’t hard to find the rest of the group. There were a large bunch of Anderson employees hovering near the main bar of the hotel. They were all dressed rather glamorously as they chatted over colorful cocktails. I eyed a few of the women there that I’d never seen before. They were all beautiful, tall, and tanned, unlike me. For a moment, I wondered if I should have bought a new outfit to wear. My old trusty little black dress didn’t seem to fit in anymore.
“Griff! Remy!” Kelly greeted when she spotted us. “Come over here, you simply must meet everybody!”
That was when Kelly began the long-winded exercise of introducing us to everyone else present. I was told so many names that I honestly didn’t think I retained a single one. Thankfully, Griff was charming and attentive as ever. I got used to just clinging to his side while he made the small talk.
“Here you go, Remy,” a blonde woman I’d forgotten the name of said as she passed me a cocktail. “It’s called a ‘sex on the beach’.” She winked at me as she passed me the peach-colored beverage and I welcomed its fruity scent with a smile.
“Thank you,” I replied as I took my first sip and moaned. “It’s lovely.”
The conversation turned more adventurous as drinks flowed easily and a dirty joke or two were told. Once I’d finished my second cocktail, I realized that I’d begun to relax. My smiles came easier now and my fake laughs didn’t sound quite as fake. In spite of Kelly’s eyes still lingering on me every now and then, I felt at ease.
Because of that, I didn’t flinch when Griff’s arm wound around my waist and he pulled me close. He leaned down and pressed his face against my neck. His breath was tickling my skin and I couldn’t help but smile. I knew that this was just for show. Griff had told me he wanted to knock things up a notch, so I guessed this was the way he was doing it. Even though that’s what my head said, my heart was fluttering with every second that he was pressed close against me. I never wanted him to move away.
Soon, however, the table was ready for dinner. Griff pulled away a little, but he kept his hand on the small of my back to guide me into the next room. The touch of him felt hot even through the material of my dress. I couldn’t help but want him to touch me in other places too.
“Here, Remy,” he whispered in my ear as he pulled out a chair for me just like he had done at our last dinner together. I was overwhelmed by just how much of a gentleman Griff could act when he tried.
“Thank you,” I replied as I took my seat gratefully. As soon as his hand left my back, I could feel myself yearning for his touch. However, as soon as he took the seat next to mine, Griff was quick to take my hand in his own as he made conversation with our colleagues across the table.