Total pages in book: 165
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 166103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 831(@200wpm)___ 664(@250wpm)___ 554(@300wpm)
It could be just what he’d said. That he didn’t want someone following him around, getting in his way.
Or it could be something else entirely.
She gulped as both of them stared down at her, Owen with a darkness that called to her soul in a way that wasn’t healthy.
Beck with an intensity that was surprising given the rather formal, stiff way he had always treated her so far.
“Yes.”
That was it? Yes?
She gaped up at him. “Um, you know you’re not the boss of me, right?”
Owen just looked back at her, one eyebrow raised. What was with his eyebrows? It was like they were trying to have a conversation with her, only she didn’t know the language.
“I don’t understand eyebrow speak,” she muttered.
“Eyebrow speak?” Beck asked.
Shit. That was embarrassing. She hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
“The thing he does with his eyebrows. Like he’s trying to say something just by moving one up. Instead of using actual words.”
Owen just smiled.
It was a dark, wicked smile.
Girl, you are in loads of trouble.
“I can use my words. If that’s what you want?”
Hadn’t that been what she’d just said? Although now that she saw that grin . . . she might be regretting that.
“But you might not like what I have to say.”
Shit. What was she doing? There was no way she could win a battle of words. Or any other sort of battle. She wasn’t even sure if he was being flirty or threatening. With this guy, it was difficult to tell.
“Owen,” Beck said warningly.
Owen shot him a gaze. And there went that eyebrow. It was a rascally sort of thing.
Whoa. Okay. Why was her Little poking out? What the heck? That was the second time in two days. She needed to get tighter control over herself.
“His Lordship is in the car. Go sit with him.”
Owen didn’t seem daunted by Beck’s order. He simply strode out of the door without looking at her.
Why did that make her feel sad?
Urgh, she was an idiot. What exactly was she hoping for? When he reached the car, though, he didn’t get inside. Instead, he drew the door open and turned back to look at her.
Was he wanting her to go to him?
Then he did something that she never thought she’d find remotely attractive or sexy on a guy.
He crooked a finger at her.
Be still her silly little heart.
He was insane.
So why did her feet start to move of their own accord?
To her surprise, Beck reached out to lightly touch her arm. She sucked in a breath, surprised. He drew his hand back immediately.
“I apologize,” he said.
“It’s okay. No need to apologize.”
He watched her carefully. “There might be times when we’re guarding you that we might need to touch you.”
“Um, okay.” This seemed a weird time to talk about this. And hadn’t they covered this in the two hour seminar yesterday?
Although maybe he knew she’d kind of zonked out.
“I just want to say that if you do feel uncomfortable with us, you can come to me. Or anyone here at the palace.”
She gave him a surprised look. Did he think she was worried about one of them being inappropriate?
His gaze flicked down to her then away. He seemed to have problems looking at her. She thought it was because he liked to be aware of his surroundings . . . but she was also starting to wonder if it was her.
“I’m not uncomfortable.” Well, not for the reasons he was assuming anyway. She seemed to be unusually attracted to these guys.
Even Grumpzilla.
Beck’s gaze met hers briefly before flitting away again. It was odd. Did he not like to look at her? She knew she wasn’t the prettiest person in the world. But she wasn’t an ogre.
But was she making Beck uncomfortable? She took a half step away from him. Now, she felt terrible.
“If you want me to, I’ll talk to Owen about the way he spoke to you,” he blurted out while staring out at the horizon.
Oh.
Was that what he’d meant by her being uncomfortable? He’d heard some of what Owen had said and was worried about her?
That was . . . really sweet.
Owen was his colleague. And she assumed they were friends. Why would he offer to speak to him for her?
He’s probably worried that you’ll complain about Owen’s behavior and get him into trouble.
Ahh, yeah. That was likely it.
“Owen isn’t making me uncomfortable,” she reassured him in a soft whisper. “I’m fine.”
She climbed into the car. The last thing she wanted was to create any issues.
Beck sat in the back of the car with Lord Fothersam and his gorgeous PA. It wasn’t his preferred spot. He’d much rather be up front in the passenger seat. But he’d thought it best to put Owen in that spot after he’d seen the way he’d fixated on Chloe. He’d been talking to her. Voluntarily.