Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
He was clearly ready to go and her stomach twisted in disappointment.
He smiled at her. “I’m pretty sure I finished everything around the house that was on your list, but if not, just let me know and I’ll find the time to come back and get it done.”
She slid off her chair so that she was standing, doing her best to hide the sadness filling her now that their time together was at an end. “So . . . I guess I should thank you for this weekend.”
He arched a dark brow. “You mean the work around the house, right?”
She nodded, her cheeks flushing. “Yes . . . and well, everything else.” Including sex, though she didn’t outright say the word.
“Jessica,” he said, his voice a slow, deep growl, “I didn’t sleep with you because you paid for me at the auction. For Christ’s sake, I’m not a prostitute.”
She rolled her eyes at him, trying to keep things light. “I didn’t mean it like that but I’m aware last night was just a one-time thing. And since it was fun and hot and sexy . . . it deserves to be included in that thank you.”
He paused for a moment, his intense green eyes holding hers. “What if I want it to be more than a one-time thing?”
Her heart nearly stopped in her chest, then resumed beating at a rapid pace as she tried to process his unexpected question. What, exactly, was he suggesting? Did he want them to be friends with benefits? Was he looking for a random hookup when the urge struck? An occasional fling? She needed him to spell out what he wanted.
“What do you mean?” she asked in a cautious tone.
He leaned against the drafting table and crossed his arms over his chest. “Would you go to my father’s political fundraiser event with me next weekend?”
Surprise trickled through her. “Like, as your date?” she asked, unable to keep the skepticism from her voice.
“Yes, my date,” he clarified with a sexy half grin. “These political events are so fucking trite and stuffy, and I could really use a plus-one so I’m not bored to tears.” Reaching out, he skimmed his fingers along her jaw, then down the side of her neck, making her shiver from his touch. “And if we end the night in my bed, that would just be icing on the cake.”
He wasn’t offering her anything more than being his date at a social event. No promises, no commitment—not that she expected more when he’d already addressed his concerns about her brother being his best friend and business partner.
What he was proposing was casual, and she took the invitation at face value. Two people enjoying each other’s company, and if sex happened, all the better. Considering how much she had on her plate with the Curvy Girl Couture Lingerie launch coming up and the Belle Demoiselle contract within reach, she had enough to juggle without overthinking things with Derek. So, she decided that she’d just enjoy her time with him, for as long as it lasted, and not read too much into a few outings together here and there.
He was waiting for her response, and she gave him a genuine smile. “Sure, I’ll go with you.”
“Good.” He looked oddly relieved, as if he hadn’t been certain what she’d say. “I’ll send an email to the event coordinator and have you added as my guest. I have a really busy week at the office, but I’ll be in touch about the details.”
“Okay. . . I guess I’ll see you then.”
“You will,” he replied with one of those playful grins, then slid his hand around to the back of her neck, dipped his head toward hers, and captured her mouth with his.
A soft, surprised sound escaped her parted lips, giving him the perfect opportunity to deepen the connection. And he did. This kiss was nothing like the chaste one he’d treated her to in the kitchen earlier. His tongue swept inside, curling and tangling seductively around hers, lighting her up, and immediately kindling a desire that made her want to rip his clothes off and have her way with him right there on the floor of her office.
By the time he ended the kiss and stepped back, she was breathless, overwhelmed, and aching. And when he looked down at her, the barely there smirk that appeared on his lips told her that it had all been a deliberate ploy on his part, the rogue.
“I just wanted to give you something to think about and look forward to,” he said, his own voice deep and husky as he gave her a sexy wink, then grabbed his duffle bag and headed toward the front door.
She watched him go, not sure how she was going to wait an entire week until she saw him again.