Total pages in book: 71
Estimated words: 69096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69096 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 345(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
“Can you?” I question with a perked brow.
I’m only asking because I’m not convinced I’ll be able to handle it.
“Yes,” he answers without hesitation.
“Because you’ve balanced it before?” I press on, “I’m right, aren’t I? You’ve slept with women you’ve worked with.”
“That’s irrelevant.” He shakes his head. “We’re talking about us, not any other women I’ve…”
“Fucked.” I toss a hand in the air. “I’m talking about my career, Declan. I can’t allow myself to be in a position that makes me vulnerable. This job is way too important to me.”
His gaze searches my face. “I understand. I’m not going to do anything that will risk your job. You have my word.”
That’s not good enough for me because I’ve learned, through trial and error that I can only depend on one person, and that’s me.
“If I feel we’re crossing a line that jeopardizes my career, the sex stops.” I scrub a hand over my forehead. “I can’t meet with you or sleep with you tonight. I have plans.”
It’s not a complete lie. I plan on going home to hang out with my sister until she hits the hay at ten p.m., and I’m left alone to contemplate whether I can keep the line between business and pleasure from blurring.
“All right,” he says in a low tone. “Once you’ve handled things with Rook regarding the Llura deal, we’ll meet to discuss our first steps. Does that work for you?”
I straighten my back. “It does.”
His hand dives into his pocket. Before I realize what’s happening, he’s shoving his phone toward me. “Add your number to my contact list.”
I do as I’m told because I know he’ll need my number since we’re going to work on this deal together. I don’t bother asking if he wants it strictly for business purposes because I already know the answer. He’s made it very clear that he wants our after-work activities to continue. I do too.
“Added,” I say as I drop the phone back in his palm.
“Can I offer you a ride to where you’re headed?”
I glance past him to where Rygar is still waiting patiently. “Thank you, but I’ll get there on my own.”
He nods. “I’m looking forward to working together. I’m confident we’ll make a great team.”
We already do in the bedroom. Who knows if we’ll click in the boardroom, but I’m about to find out.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Declan
Being turned down for dinner was not what I expected or wanted. I thought, by now, I’d be seated across from Abby at one of my favorite restaurants, awaiting the delivery of a medium rare steak to our table.
Instead, I’m eating crackers shaped like goldfish while I listen to Rook and Holden debate the merits of tap dancing.
“Neither of you know how to tap dance,” I point out from my position at Rook’s dining room table.
Both men shoot me a glance. They’re standing several feet away, nursing beers. I opted for a bottle of water because I wasn’t in the mood for anything stronger than that.
“That’s why I want Kirby to take lessons, “ Rook explains before he takes a sip from his bottle. “She told me a few weeks ago that she wants to learn tap.”
“She also told you she wants to be an astronaut before her sixth birthday.” Holden holds up his bottle as if he’s toasting to that. “The last time you tried putting Kirby in dance lessons, she came home in tears.”
Holden has always taken on the role of Kirby’s advocate. When she confessed that she didn’t want to continue with ballet lessons, it was Holden who got her to reconsider. He took her to the next two classes, but at the end of that, Kirby tossed her tutu in the corner and declared her days as a dancer done.
“It won’t hurt her to try it,” Rook reasons. “Kids change their minds on a dime, Holden. Whatever she disliked a month ago, she loves now.”
Holden shakes his head. “She hates disappointing herself.”
He’s right about that. Kirby Thorsen may only be five-years-old, but she possesses more self-awareness than most kids a decade older.
I attribute that to her parents. Rook and his ex-girlfriend are great parents. They’ve used their life experiences to guide their daughter on the path they think is best.
“Change of subject.” Rook glances toward the long hallway leading to the bedrooms of his penthouse.
Kirby is tucked snugly in bed, immersed in dreamland.
The kid can sleep through a thunderstorm, so there’s little chance that our discussion will wake her.
“To what?” Holden asks as he stalks toward where I’m sitting.
“Your buddy is buying a condom company,” Rooks says with a grin.
Holden’s gaze volleys between Rook and me. “Which of my buddies?”
Rook shoots a finger in my direction. “As if you had to ask.”
Holden settles into a chair next to me. “Condoms, Declan? Really?”
“It’s a good fit.” I cringe when the words leave my lips because I know what’s coming.