Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 58051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58051 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 290(@200wpm)___ 232(@250wpm)___ 194(@300wpm)
“Is this seat taken?” My smile grew at her startled gasp.
Pippa looked up at me with suspicious blue eyes, but she wore a welcoming smile. “Have a seat. Ryan said you were looking for me.”
“I need a woman’s perspective on something.”
She shoved her laptop aside and gave me her full attention. “Did you knock someone up? Paternity suit? Stalker? Entertain me with something other than payroll and diaper changes. Please!”
I laughed and shook my head. “None of the above, at least not that I know of,” I told her on a frustrated sigh. “Given the current state of things, I would be lucky if a woman even wanted to be associated with me these days.”
Sympathy mixed with amusement crossed my sister-in-law’s face, and I couldn’t resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Yeah, they’re beating you up pretty bad on social media, but if it makes you feel better, I got your back.”
“Thanks, Pip. But there’s something else I need from you, starting with advice.” I ran through Brody’s ridiculous idea of a fake girlfriend to help solve my public relations nightmare. “I need someone beautiful, normal, and most of all, not crazy.”
Just then the purple haired chef stopped at the table with an oversized plate in one hand and a bowl in the other. “It’s time for you to eat,” she told Pippa abruptly.
Instead of bristling at her tone, Pippa looked up with a satisfied smile. “Have I told you how much I love you Nina?”
“Yeah, but it never gets old.” She set the plate down with a wide grin. “Zucchini and onion white lasagna. Vegan.” Next she set the bowl down with a flourish. “Carrot and lobster bisque with truffle oil.”
Pippa practically melted in her seat. “My mouth is already watering, Nina.”
“Words I live to hear. Enjoy.” She took a step back and I reached out to her. “Why are you touching me, Playboy?”
“Because Nina, you’re just what I need.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re nice to look at D, but you’re not my type.”
I frowned. “I’m everyone’s type.”
“Sure, for a night or two, and I’m too old and too wise for a night or two. And too damn tired,” she said on an exhausted sigh to prove her point.
Pippa laughed. “Plus, she’s got wild hair and is a well-known chef, not exactly normal, as you put it. Try again.”
Nina looked confused, but she shrugged, taking the out Pippa had given her. “All right. Later.”
Pippa turned back to me with a gleam in her eye. “You just can’t help it, can you?”
“Help what?”
“Flirting with every pretty woman in your orbit.”
I shrugged. “Flirting is fun, and most of the time it’s harmless, not meant to go anywhere.” I liked to flirt with women of all ages. It was entertaining, and it made everyone feel good about themselves.
“You.” Bella’s sultry voice came from behind me, and it wasn’t filled with gratitude as I’d expected. “Derek Gregory,” she growled, and the sound sent a shiver down my spine.
I turned slowly, with a grin I had on good authority was nothing short of panty-melting. “Bella. Hey.”
She rounded the table and bent so she was right in my face, so close I could see the threads of gold in her deep brown eyes, her index finger poked at my chest. “Don’t you hey me. You know what you did.”
Yeah, I did. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Ha!” She poked me again and let out a loud, phoney bark of laughter. “Then let me refresh your memory. You got me the number for an attorney, as requested, so thank you for that.”
“You’re welcome,” I said when she paused to take a breath. “I’m happy to help.”
“But you did more than that, didn’t you? Who in the hell asked you to pay the damn retainer, Derek?” She waited a beat for me to answer, but I had no come back. “The number would have made us even, but this? This puts us nowhere near even. How could you do this to me?”
“If I asked you would have said no.” It was clear she wanted nothing from me, and the fact that she’d asked me to recommend a lawyer was nothing short of a miracle.
“Damned right I would have. Now Ian probably thinks I’m one of your kept skanks. And by the way, since I didn’t ask for this, I will pay you back, and we won’t be even until I do. Got it?” She poked my chest to punctuate every word, and those pokes weren’t gentle. “I’m so annoyed with you right now,” she growled, and the sound once again hit me with a sensual tug.
“Most people would just say thank you.” It was a foolish thing to say to a woman as angry as Bella was right now, but dammit she was gorgeous when she was all riled up.