Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133682 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
I fight off the flutters. There’s no point in denying Arbor’s assessment. A boyfriend is supposed to have a thing for his girlfriend. It’s fake though. That’s all. Today’s tryst in his office was simply a momentary lapse of reason into lust.
And we got that lust out of our systems. That’s all. “We’ll see,” I say evasively, fighting off a smile.
“Oh, yes, hun. We absolutely shall see.” After Arbor selects a pair of sparkly, silver shoes, he blows me an air kiss. “Can’t wait to be right.”
I try once again to stop grinning as he sends me on my way.
I take out my phone to text Josie, Everly, and Maeve to tell them the bad news about the class. But there’s a new text from Wilder on my phone that stops me in my tracks.
Wilder: Rana is free tomorrow night. She’ll be doing a private class for you and your friends if they’re available since you can’t make the one on Thursday. I hope you, Maeve, Everly, and Josie enjoy it. It’s a gift. And a thank you for being my date for the party.
I’m fizzy all over, and I don’t think it’s from the champagne or the orgasms.
No, when he sends the next note, it’s clear that it’s definitely not from either of those.
Wilder: Also, I made a dinner reservation for the four of you at Gabriel’s, a restaurant next to the class, and arranged for a penthouse suite at The Resort if you want to make it into a full-on girls’ night out.
I squeal. I fucking squeal. The man has been offering to comp me a room at his five-star hotel for more than a year. He didn’t wait for me to take him up on his offer. He just did it. And I just love the way he takes control sometimes.
Like a boss.
Fable: Have I told you I owe you the biggest thank you in the world?
Wilder: You owe me nothing. It’s my pleasure to treat you the way you deserve. Whether that means in private suites, on shopping sprees, or…desks.
A hot wave of desire crashes over me.
Fable: I really like desks.
Wilder: Me too.
But still, I have an idea for how to thank him. That night when I’m home I get to work on it, breaking out all my tools.
The next night as Josie, Everly, Maeve, and I arrive at a studio near Japantown, where the paint-and-sip classes are held, my friends can’t stop giving me the look.
“Stop,” I mutter to them as we reach the door.
“Stop what?” Josie asks, faux innocent.
“Stop grinning like that.”
“Like what?” Maeve chimes in.
“Like you all think you know something,” I whisper.
Maeve’s smile ripens. “Oh, I know nothing. Just that your fake date arranged not only a last-minute private paint-and-sip class with a very coveted teacher so you wouldn’t miss it, but also dinner for the four of us at a fabulous new restaurant that’s practically impossible to get into.”
“And he’s comping us a penthouse suite in his hotel,” Everly adds, making the point too.
“It’s nice. That’s all. He’s nice,” I insist.
Josie snorts. “That’s not nice, Fable. That’s above and beyond.”
So is giving me two orgasms on his desk. I roll my eyes, mostly so it masks the way my stomach flips once again. “Hush. Let’s go paint and sip.”
We do and it’s the best class I’ve ever taken.
Dinner at Gabriel’s is the most mouthwatering meal I’ve ever eaten.
And the penthouse suite is the most decadent place I’ve ever stayed. I let myself enjoy every second of this night, especially since I know they’re ending when the year ends.
Like we planned.
22
THE DATING HANDBOOK, PLEASE
Fable
Is there a handbook somewhere for fake dating? If so, I could use it right now as I slide on red-and-white-striped tights under my little green elf dress on Thursday afternoon. I’m in the ladies’ room on my floor, getting ready to hand out the corporate Christmas gifts with Wilder.
It’s the first time I’ll have seen him since I learned exactly how good he is with his hands. A blast of heat rushes through me. I could barely get that first office kiss out of my head, not to mention the mistletoe kiss, and now the session on his desk has claimed a permanent spot in my brain.
But I’ve got a job to do before the Blaine Enterprises holiday break begins tomorrow. I cinch the black belt at my waist, smooth a hand over the flouncy green skirt, then adjust my elf hat. No elf ears for me though. A woman has her limits.
I fluff out my red strands of hair, slick on some lipstick, then take a deep, fueling breath. I’m ready to elf it.
I head to Wilder’s office, where Shay is thrusting his arm in the air in a rocker salute behind his desk. “We won!”
I tilt my head, a tad concerned. “The door-decorating contest?” It seems kind of unfair for the CEO to win, even though Santa’s butt is so cute.