Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 106798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106798 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
I nod, tucking my fingers into my back pockets.
“What time will you start?” he asks.
“It’s up to you, but I’d rather not start later than nine.”
Zach twists his lips. “Nine-thirty?”
With a soft laugh, I lift a shoulder. “Sure. Nine-thirty will work. Do you have any other questions for me? More references? My social security number so you can run a background check on me? Fingerprints? How much I charge for my services?”
“No.” Amusement flickers in his eyes. “The Mumfords are the only reference and recommendation I need because they are very particular and diligent. And old.”
I roll my eyes.
“I’m sure you had to pass at least one lie detector test to work for them.”
“They are older. And thorough,” I say, nodding several times. “And I know you’re a fan of thorough.”
“Indeed.” He focuses on the glass of water in his hand for a few seconds. Since he’s not drinking it or offering it to me, I assume it’s for Suzanne.
“Well, thanks. I look forward to working for you. I can … uh … let myself out and see you Tuesday at nine-thirty.”
“Thank you, Emersyn.”
“Em.”
“Emersyn.” He presses his lips into a firm line like he’s biting his tongue.
Okay, he prefers Emersyn. I bolt out of the house before he has a chance to see my grin.
CHAPTER TWO
“Hey, babe!” Brady strolls with a client toward the free weights.
My eyebrows peak in a subtle acknowledgment as I take a swig of water. There are a few perks to dating a guy who manages a gym, like free membership. This means I have access to the locker rooms—specifically the showers.
Not everyone can have a guy give them a rock each day with something they love about you written on it. And not every girl gets to have a bounce house for her birthday party either, but that’s stuff for a therapist to deal with when I can afford one.
Brady doesn’t let me spend the night after we have sex. If I ask to shower, he’ll get suspicious. If I flat-out tell him I’m homeless at the moment, he’ll dump me. Brady constantly brags about my creativity, hard work ethic, strength, and independence. I like who he thinks I am, and I realize that’s messed up since it’s a little misleading at the moment. His vision of me is a goal, and I could use a goal to work toward. Photographer. Travel blogger. Homeowner. A moderately put-together human being.
My dream of finding an unconditionally loving man to marry seems to wane a little more each day. I want everything my mother never had—love, emotional security, and a partner in life.
After working out for an hour to justify my shower, I head toward the women’s locker room with a good ninety minutes to spare before I need to be at the Hayses’ house. That extra half-hour Zach requested might be a blessing.
“You’ll have to run home to shower, babe,” Brady says from behind me.
I turn and release my hair from its ponytail. “Why?”
He leans down and kisses me while sliding his hand over my ass, giving it a firm squeeze. “Because they just put a new layer of sealant on the grout, and it can’t get wet for twenty-four hours.”
“Well, that’s inconvenient. I have to get to work, and going home is a little out of my way.”
“You clean houses, Em. I’m not sure why you need to shower until you’re done with work anyway.”
I hold out my hand. “Give me the key to your place and let me go shower there.” He lives two blocks from the gym.
Brady smirks, scratching his jaw. He’s a massive man, a total gym rat with a closely shaven head and a few tattoos on his biceps and chest. He’s sexy and protective. Some days he’s even a little generous, so I can overlook the parts of him that aren’t the Zach Hays Gold Standard.
Brady clucks his tongue several times while shaking his head. “I have a rule: no one in my shower unless I’m in it too.”
I guess this isn’t a generous day. That stinks … and so do I.
“Fine. Let’s go to your place and shower together.” I cross my arms over my chest and push up my cleavage.
He takes instant notice. “I’m working, babe.”
“You’re the boss. You can run a quick errand.”
“Can’t,” he says while his gaze remains glued to my chest.
“Sure? Because I’m feeling very generous.” My tongue makes a slow swipe along my bottom lip.
“How generous?”
I remind myself that he is my boyfriend, and I do love our sex life, so offering sex in exchange for a shower is not the worst sacrifice. I’m just pissed off that he won’t hand over his key and let me grab a quick shower at his place without getting something in return.
Glancing at my watch, I frown. “Anything you want. Yes or no, Brady?”