Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Knox confirmed the address with the driver, an apartment building on the Upper East Side, a few blocks from hers. Her heart pounded hard, anticipation building inside her.
On the ride, Knox held her hand, running his thumb over the pulse point in her wrist. “Nervous?” he asked.
She let out a laugh. “Not nervous. It’s just… I don’t do this often.” Or ever.
His smile put her at ease. “I never took you as a one-night-stand kind of woman.”
“And yet, that’s all this can be.” She needed him to believe her intentions. Jade was the type of woman who usually couldn’t have sex without her emotions eventually becoming involved. But knowing what this was, and wasn’t, up-front should help.
“Because you’re on a man fast.” To his credit, he didn’t sound like he was making fun of her.
She grinned. “That and I tend to fall easily,” she admitted. “And there is no way I’m getting involved in another relationship. But one time should be safe enough.”
His sexy grin had her heart kicking harder in her chest. “Who said anything about just one time?”
She caught the naughty look in his eyes, and her panties grew damp. “You know what I mean. Tonight only.”
The car came to a stop and Knox nodded. “Don’t worry, beautiful. We’re on the same page.”
Her stomach fluttered at the endearment. He opened the door and climbed out, extending his hand to help her out of the car.
Tension built inside her as they passed the doorman, who smiled at her and acknowledged Knox by name. They took the elevator to the penthouse, the ride seeming to take forever.
Flashes of the movie Fifty Shades of Grey passed through her mind, but Knox didn’t push her against the wall and ravish her. And that was too bad—her body was hot and ready for his.
The doors opened and he pulled out his phone to scan, allowing him access. Then he extended his arm, indicating she should enter ahead of him. After stepping inside, she looked around his apartment, which was decorated professionally but with a heavy accent on the masculine feel. She loved the open space, and though she’d prefer lighter accent touches to the darker color scheme, the place was gorgeous.
“I love the decor,” she said, taking in the far windows overlooking Manhattan at night and the mocha-colored sofa, which had a comfortable, beckoning look.
“Thanks. I pretty much got what I asked for.” He glanced around the space, as if seeing it from her perspective.
“Which was?”
He shrugged. “Masculine and comfortable.”
She laughed. “You sound like my brothers.”
“Speaking of your brothers, I heard Nick’s a father.” Knox tipped his head, indicating she follow him, then led her through the large living room and over to the kitchen area, which was also open concept. “Can I get you something to drink?”
Even his gentlemanly qualities turned her on. “No, thank you.” What had he asked her? Oh. Her twin. “Yes, Nick’s the father of a bouncing six-year-old girl and his wife, Aurora, is pregnant again.”
She grinned at the thought of Leah, an adorable spitfire Jade loved to spoil. “He and Aurora met up again at one of Harrison’s movie premieres. It’s a long story, but essentially, they had a one-night stand, no last names exchanged, when they were younger. He left and she had no way of finding him to let him know she was pregnant.”
He shook his head. “Wow. Thank God for fate.”
“I know. I can’t imagine them not ever becoming a family.” Her eyes misted when she thought about what her brother might have missed out on.
“Good for them. I’m glad.” He placed his phone on the counter. “So, you don’t want anything to drink. What do you want, Ms. Dare?” He began undoing the button on his cuffs, causing her mouth to go dry.
She’d already agreed to do this, so there was no reason to be shy. “You,” she said, reaching for the first button on his shirt. “I want you.” She undid his shirt, slowly revealing muscular, tanned skin, and a dark sprinkling of sexy chest hair.
She breathed and inhaled his musky male sent and nearly moaned as arousal washed over her. She laid her palms on his chest, leaned forward, and pressed her lips to his warm skin as she’d daydreamed about doing earlier.
A low growl sounded from his throat. Next thing she knew, he’d lifted her up, and she had to wrap her legs around his waist to hang on. She expected him to carry her into the bedroom, but instead, he walked her across the room and pressed her back against the cool glass window. Then finally, finally, his lips were on hers.
His tongue thrust into her mouth and devoured her, as if he was starving. His lips were warm, his breath minty. He must have picked up a candy on the way out of the restaurant, too. The flavor exploded on her tongue, but beneath the fresh flavor, she tasted the man. Everything that was Knox aroused her, and she wanted more.