Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 52384 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52384 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 262(@200wpm)___ 210(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Alyx stared at Nathan in consternation. Either he had his IQ reduced in the past week or he just didn’t want to get her point. “I’ll be really preoccupied, you know.” She did her best to sound emphatic, hoping to shame Nathan into backing out. After not contacting her when he was supposed to, did he really think she’d let him spend time with her just like that?
But again, the ex-model remained indifferent to her irritation and pointed hints, saying with smiling emphasis, “And I’m really okay with waiting.”
Alyx’s jaw clenched. That was it! Forget about being polite. She was just going to be blunt and---
She saw Nathan gesture towards a server, and too late she realized it was none other than Matt. The younger boy had a sick look on his face, and it was easy enough to add one and one to understand where his all-too-visible anxiety was coming from.
Nathan’s smile had completely disappeared from his face, and replacing it was an icily aloof expression. It was Alyx’s first time to see such a look on the ex-model’s face, but it left her more astonished and bemused than anything else.
The time she spent in his company had made her think of Nathan Callis as rather carefree, wickedly so, and she would never have imagined he could look this way.
“Just the boy I’d like to see,” Nathan was drawling lazily as Matt finally reached them, and Alyx frowned at how his accent had suddenly become more pronounced than usual.
“G-good afternoon, sir.” Matt’s voice came out a squeak.
Alyx glared at Nathan. Stop scaring him.
A smile that was as much indolent as it was predatory was only the former model’s response. Never.
Alyx’s irritation gave way to surprise. He had never struck her as someone who was nasty to the staff just because he could afford to be, so what was different now?
“Matt, isn’t it?” Nathan was asking.
The teenage server mumbled incoherently.
“I saw that video you posted on Facebook.”
Alyx’s eyes flew wide open, and Freddie started laughing. When she turned to her cousin, the other woman mouthed, I told you so.
Ugh!
After ignoring her, reneging on his promise to call her, he’d actually come running to where she was just because of what Matt did?
Men and their egos, Alyx thought darkly. Turning her attention back to the two men, she heard Nathan murmuring something about properties and prospects, and then Matt was taking his phone out.
After a moment, the boy was saying eagerly, “It’s deleted now, sir.”
“That’s a good boy.”
Glancing at Matt, Alyx could practically see his imaginary tail wagging at Nathan’s approving tone, and her jaw dropped.
What the?
She had known Nathan Callis could be charismatic, but what the hell had he said or done in the past thirty seconds that could have won Matt over?
“How about an extra chair, Matt,” Nathan was asking, indicating that he wanted to join Alyx and Freddie at their table.
Matt’s face fell. “I’m sorry, sir. We’ve got a full house right now.”
Alyx sighed in relief. Thank God for small victories. Turning to Nathan, she said sadly, “That’s too bad indeed.” She could afford to be generous now.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart. Such things are easily solved,” the former model assured her.
Shit. The way Nathan’s eyes were gleaming told her she might have been a little too complacent.
“Can you get me a coffee, Matt?” Nathan was saying. “We can manage from here.”
They could?
“Right away, sir.”
As Matt hurried away, Alyx said hotly, “If you’re thinking of making Freddie or me give up our seats---”
“Of course not.” Nathan’s tone was pained.
“Then how---”
“Like this.” As the ex-model spoke, he sat himself on Alyx’s chair and pulled her down…on his lap, leaving Alyx dumbstruck as she suddenly found herself the center of everyone’s attention at the cafe.
Freddie was laughing again.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
Nathan whispered into her ear, “Now we either stay like this…”
Why was it whenever he was concerned, she couldn’t ever see the forest for the trees until it was too late?
“Or you make our excuses to Freddie, and we leave together.”
She didn’t hesitate, jumping to her feet, and without looking at her cousin, Alyx muttered under her breath, “I’m sorry, but I’ve just remembered there’s, ah, some place I have to go, and Nathan’s going to accompany me.”
She could barely get out of the place fast enough, practically dragging Nathan with her. Alyx knew she was being rather rude, but she could always apologize to Freddie later. Right now, what mattered was not giving the press more chances to take photos of her on Nathan Callis’ lap.
“Did you really hate being on my lap that much, sweetheart?” Nathan was asking laughingly as they stumbled out of the cafe.
“Yes,” Alyx growled over her shoulder.
But she was lying.
She was no shy wallflower. If the man she loved wanted her on his lap, he wouldn’t even have to ask her. She’d have been more than happy to give him a lap dance while at it.