Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
“Oh.”
“Oh, indeed.” He scratched his chest as he worried his bottom lip. “I know the research project sounds simple enough for anyone to do, but if you’re as good as you claim to be, you might help us gain a fresh perspective. Though I truly think he’s wasting our time.”
It was still as clear as mud, but I was intrigued. “Is this a secret research project?”
“No, I rather like the idea of Blower wondering why I’ve hired an outside investigator. An American, no less. He’ll be mad with curiosity, which will hopefully convince him to quit faffing about and close this bloody deal once and for all. However…” Graham shifted to meet my gaze. “You and I would remain quiet. I know that might not be ideal for you, but it muddies the waters a bit if my employees know I’m fucking the man I’ve commissioned to do a job that in a way affects their jobs.”
I nodded as I mulled over his request. No, I wasn’t in the market for a secret lover. I’d been there, done that. The circumstances were different this time, though. If we stuck to the rules, there was no danger in mistaking our intentions. This wasn’t going to turn into something more. Sure, I liked Graham, but I didn’t really know him. I was here for sex.
And there was a poignant honesty in sating bald-faced attraction without strings that was almost healing in light of the mess I’d left in LA. It was another reset.
So yeah, it was an interesting proposal, and it appealed to me on a few fronts that had nothing to do with a booty call. I loved history, I loved research, and I needed money.
“I’ll do it, but I want to see the property in person.”
“That’s not necessary,” he assured me solemnly.
“Maybe not, but I want to do some exploring, and it’s a good excuse to see your country. I don’t need a tour guide, just a map and train fare…when the time comes.”
He cocked his head. “All right. That can be arranged. We’ll add it to the contract.”
Contract. I was leery of signing another legal document with Horsham’s name on it after I’d just given myself permission to ride him like a cowboy at a rodeo show. But he was a businessman and this was a transaction of information and cashola.
I smiled, holding out my hand. “Sounds like we have a deal.”
Graham captured my wrist and gallantly kissed my fingers. “Good. As for us…this is for fun only. When one of us is done, it’s over, no hard feelings.”
“Yes. Totally. Just so we’re clear, I’ll prioritize your project, but I need to beef up my résumé before I go home next year or I’ll be working the front desk at the gym again. I’m going to look for a part-time job.”
He looked as if he were going to argue. “Where do you want to work?”
“Ideally, at a university, a museum or a gallery. I’m not picky. I sent a few résumés out, so we’ll see what happens,” I replied.
“Hmm.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing at all. I’m hungry.” He smacked my ass and jumped out of bed. “Come along, Ray-n.”
I stared after him for a beat, confused by the abrupt change in conversation and the way he pronounced my name. He called me Ray-n and not Raine, as if it were a two-syllable word. Huh.
I followed him to the bathroom, a dozen questions on the tip of my tongue. But between the dazzling opulent marble bathroom, complete with fluffy Egyptian towels and fancy fixtures, and the Adonis checking the water temperature in the walk-in shower, I forgot every single one of them.
My heart did a funny flip in my chest when he held a hand out and invited me in. He washed my hair and my body, standing under the spray while he pressed kisses on my shoulders and rubbed soothing fingers over my crease. It wasn’t long till we were tangled in each other’s arms, water sluicing over our fused lips.
He flicked his thumbs over my nipples, bit my chin, and licked a trail along my neck and slowly sank to the tiled floor. I widened my eyes in surprise, but if ever there was a moment to go with the flow, this was it. I sifted my fingers through his hair and let go of my worries, rocking my hips as he sucked me like a pro. I wasn’t going to last, and I didn’t have the willpower to try.
I was completely under Graham’s spell. He might have been on his knees, but there was no mistaking it—he was the one in control. Completely.
A niggling voice in my head warned me to be on guard and to not blindly trust the bear at my feet.
No worries. I could be careful. Not that it was an issue—Graham was nothing like Damian. He was single and refreshingly honest. He didn’t want a relationship; he wanted sex. I sensed no danger here and God knew, I wasn’t going to make the same mistake twice, so yes, please.