Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 57779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57779 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 289(@200wpm)___ 231(@250wpm)___ 193(@300wpm)
I have no idea why this sets me on fire, but my defenses bristle. I slide the envelope he’s handed me across the table to his side. “I’m not a liar. I will always be a liar to you. This will never work. Thank you, but no thank you, Ethan. They already have my room number for the bill.” I push to my feet, and Ethan is in front of me, blocking my path, and when his hand catches my arm, there’s fire all over again, my body defying my anger and, oh, so willing to melt for him.
But I willingly don’t do any such thing. “Let me go.”
“That’s what you don’t seem to understand, Sofia. I don’t want to let you go.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
I’m all too aware of Ethan touching me, of him standing so close I can feel the heat of his body, but it does nothing to wipe away my anger. He doesn’t want me to go? Is he serious?
“You don’t want me to go?” I demand. “You just called me a liar.”
“That was not my intent, Sofia,” he assures me, his fingers flexing slightly on my arm.
“You said—”
“I know what I said. I know how it came across, and I’m sorry.”
“But you feel a certain way about me. That’s clear.”
“You can’t be clear on what I think or feel for you, Sofia, when I am not. When I said no more lies, I meant both of us, because for me to allow you to believe this is all business to me is a lie and unfair.”
“So, you don’t like my work?”
“That’s one hundred percent not true. You are very talented, which is the only reason I didn’t say no, and keep this personal.”
“You’re confusing me. I need to go back to my room.”
“Macaroni and cheese, remember? Eat, and then if you want to walk away when you are not making a decision with a vodka buzz, I won’t stop you.”
“This is—”
“Crazy? I know. And for the record, you said I don’t care what you think, but I do. Just as I cared when you walked out on me in Hawaii before I had the chance to say goodbye, or ask you not to say goodbye. I’m asking now.”
It’s right at that moment that the waiter arrives with our food, and I breathe out, releasing the heaviness in my chest. “I’ll stay,” I say, but he doesn’t immediately release me. He studies me intently, as if judging my sincerity, and then finally, reluctantly, it seems, releases me.
I slide back into my seat, and he does the same, across from me, and it’s not long before I am staring down at the best macaroni and cheese I’ve ever seen, bubbling with cheese and in some sort of cast iron bowl. Once Ethan has been delivered his burger and fries, the waiter leaves with the promise of bringing me a diet soda and Ethan horseradish sauce.
“If this tastes as good as it looks,” I say, picking up my fork, “I’m going to embarrass myself and eat every bite of this, and I won’t even care.”
“I’m damn sure going to eat every bite of mine,” he promises.
The waiter returns already with my drink and his horseradish. I dig into my mac and all but moan with just how good it is, but then, isn’t everything great when you're tipsy? Though I’m fairly sure this mac would win me over without the vodka.
“Well?” he prods.
“I’m eating it all,” I confirm.
He laughs, and there’s a lighter mood between us now, at least on the surface. Beneath it all, though, there is a crackle of energy that is very present between the two of us. He dips a fry in the sauce immediately. “You eat horseradish with your fries?”
“It’s the best. Try it.” He literally slides his plate my direction, offering me the opportunity to share his food.
My breath catches with the intimate offer, and my eyes meet his, and there is no question he’s aware of the message he’s sending, and it’s the one he’s already spoken out loud. We’re more than business, but I don’t know where to go from here. Do I dive into where this takes us, or hold a firm line to protect my Zoey brand?
I don’t hold the line. I never had the chance.
I grab a fry and dip it in the sauce and taste it, with him watching me with anticipation and...hunger. The man is watching me like he wants to gobble me up and eat me right here in public. And I want him, too. I’ve been seduced by way of a French fry, and that tells me I’m one wrong move from naked in his hotel room.
Which would be, oh, so right and wrong at the same time.
His lips curve and his eyes dance with amusement, and I suddenly realize I’m staring at him, and I’ve not been even a little discreet. “Well?” he asks. “Was it good?”