Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
His intense gaze tangles with mine, pinning me to the sofa. Those eyes seem to sift through every thought in my mind, getting right to the heart of me in seconds. No one reads me as quickly, as thoroughly, or as accurately as he does. It's fascinating and terrifying at the same time.
I can't get a read on him, but Lord have mercy. I'm not sure if I want to jump into his arms or hide from him. Both seem like good, solid plans at the moment. He is…well, he's something. Fearsome and beautiful and dangerous in ways I can't put to words. And hot. Heat pours from him, searing me everywhere it touches.
I didn't know they made men like him anywhere except in dreams and old movies. My heart feels lodged in my throat. My palms are sweaty. I'm nervous in a way I haven't been in a long time.
"You must be Gideon," Kane says, hauling himself to his feet. He extends a hand, clearly not affected by Gideon's presence in the same way.
Gideon slowly turns to look at my brother, pulling his gaze from mine.
I shiver, wrapping my arms around myself. Now that he isn't looking at me, I want his eyes on me again. I want that heat and intensity.
What in the world is wrong with me?
Get it together, Kenna.
"I am," Gideon says, his voice like silk as he shakes my brother's hand. "You must be Kane Maxwell."
"I am." Kane jerks his head toward me. "This is Kenna."
"Hello, Kenna." Gideon's gaze drifts back to me, settling over me like a warm blanket.
I like the way it feels a little too much.
"Hi."
We stare at each other in silence for another moment.
"Kane said you had to record today?"
"Yes."
Gideon lifts his chin. "Why don't you head on in and do what you need to do? I'll talk to your brother about what's been going on while you handle business."
I narrow my eyes, desire rapidly cooling. Of course a man who looks like him wants to send the little woman away to speak to the man in charge. Ugh. Well, I have news for him. I'm the woman in charge here. "He's here as a favor to me, Gideon."
A frown pulls his full lips down. "I'm not sure I understand."
"You won't be working for him. You'll be working for me."
"I'm aware."
"Are you? If you should be talking to anyone, it's me. But you've been here for two minutes, and you're already trying to get rid of me so you can talk to the man in the room about things that impact me, not him."
His expression clears, understanding dawning. "I didn't mean it that way, Kenna."
"No?"
"Of course not. I fully intend to have a conversation with you about everything, but I figured since he's here now and you have to record, he can fill me in on what's been going on while you're recording, and then we can pick up when you get a break." Gideon frowns at me. "I'm trying to make life easier for you. I know this meeting was last minute for you."
Kane places a hand on my arm, cautioning me to ease off. "She works in a man's world," he says. "She's had to fight for her place every step of the way. She doesn't mince words or put up with any bullshit. If she feels like she's being treated differently because she's a woman, she'll speak up."
"Don't apologize for her," Gideon growls at Kane. "She did nothing wrong."
"Apologize?" Kane laughs abruptly. "I'm simply warning you that my baby sister can be a badass when she needs to be. She knows exactly who she is and what she's worth, and she doesn't tolerate bullshit, especially when it comes to her career. I won't ever apologize for that, and neither will she."
"Good," Gideon grunts, his eyes still locked on me. Appreciation glints in their depths…and something curiously like pride. "She shouldn't."
Well, he's growing more interesting by the moment.
This is bad. Really bad. The last thing I need is to fall for my bodyguard. But somehow, I can already see it happening. This man is going to be a problem for me. A very big problem if I let him.
I can't let him. I won't let him.
Love is supposed to be patient and kind and all of that stuff. And maybe it is. Maybe it's the most wonderful thing in the world. But then it ends, and it's painful and awful and something you never recover from. Just ask my mom. She's been grieving for two years. She'll never stop.
"Go lay down your first track, Kenna," Kane urges me. "I'll fill him in on the details, and then you guys can talk."
I reluctantly agree, trying to figure out how the heck I'm going to wiggle out of hiring this man. The worst thing I can do for me is hire him. But I can't deny that I need him.