Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 152(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 101(@300wpm)
Once I’ve bathed her, dressed her, and combed her hair, I read her a story and turn off the light. I head back to my room to freshen myself up before meeting Jack in the study. I had changed out of my dress before bathing Macy because I didn’t want to get it wet.
Now, standing here in a tank top and shorts, I have to decide if this outfit is appropriate for a meeting with my boss—my boss who has seen me in my bikini and played with my hair. Do I seem overly comfortable? But will I look stupid if I change into something more formal just for a short talk?
Shaking my head, I tell myself I’m overthinking things and make my way to the study, palms sweaty and pulse racing.
There’s a dim light coming from the room and the soft sound of instrumental music playing. I peer into the room before making my presence known and see Jack seated on the small leather sofa in the center of the room. He’s wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and a black, ribbed undershirt.
I’ll probably die in the next few seconds because he takes my breath away.
It’s the first time I’ve ever seen him in anything but a suit, and the sight of his protruding muscles makes my heart pound a little faster. I expected there to be a fit, strong man under those clothes, but I never expected this. All the guys on billboards have nothing on him.
I step into the room and smile at him. “Sorry if I’ve kept you waiting. I’m still getting used to the bedtime routine.”
“It’s fine. I haven’t been waiting long. Come sit with me.”
I can feel his eyes all over me as I approach and nestle in beside him. Electricity zaps through the air, and the tension between us is so palpable I can slice it with a knife. I’m too aware of his nearness, and if he makes a move, I might just explode.
“Is there something wrong? Do you have some sort of feedback for me?” I ask but I’m just rambling in an effort to hide how much being with him like this is turning me on.
“I asked you to come speak with me so we could get to know each other a little better. You might say that things have been a bit hectic in my business life, and I haven’t had a real opportunity to speak with you since your interview.”
“Okay, I’d like that.”
“So, you told me that you grew up in the orphanage and you’ve been working in a bar, but you couldn’t tend a bar until you turned twenty-one, right? So, what were you doing before that?”
“I worked in the same place. I started out bussing tables in the dining room when I was eighteen and worked my way up to waitress. When I had enough money saved, I went to bartending school, and as soon as a position opened up, I grabbed it.”
“Why bartending?”
“It isn’t my career goal. It’s just that bartenders make more money than waitresses and I wanted to save money for college.”
“Alright, so what is the end goal?”
“I’m not exactly sure. I thought, maybe, teaching. Something with kids, anyway.”
“Why children?”
“I don’t know. I guess, maybe, because I didn’t have the best childhood and I want to help other kids so they don’t suffer the way that I have.”
“That’s sweet and honorable. You’re a good person, Jessie. You’re beautiful inside and out.”
I bite my bottom lip as butterflies flutter in my stomach. “I don’t know about that. I just want to do something that makes me feel good about myself. That may be selfish, right?”
He grins and drapes his arm over the back of the sofa. “No, sweetheart. I don’t think that’s selfish. A girl who looks like you could have found a lot of other ways to make money and feel good about yourself. ”
“That could never be me. I don’t like being in the spotlight. It terrifies me.”
“I can tell and I think that’s a very attractive quality to have.”
“My friend from the bar thinks I’m immature because I won’t show more skin at work. I know I could make a lot more tips if I did, but that just doesn’t sit right with me.” I pause for a second and let out a little laugh. “I just realized that maybe the nuns had more influence over me than I thought.”
“That’s not a bad thing, sweetheart. Your innocence is very attractive to me.”
“Really? I thought someone like you would consider me immature or too childish.”
He places his finger on my lips to shush me and looks down at them. I hold my breath as he moves his hand to the side of my face, pulling me closer. This would be an excellent time for him to kiss me. Please let him kiss me. He’s so close. Just an inch or two more and our lips will touch.