Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
“Here. Peace offering,” she whispers, shoving a coffee cup into my hand. “I had Fyodor stop at Wired Cup. I hoped it’d make things less awkward and he said this was your favorite.”
I nod a thanks, pretending to keep my eyes glued to my phone as I sip my double shot of espresso.
I’m grateful she doesn’t make much small talk and takes the hint to leave me the fuck alone.
Nothing good can come from more chitchat unless it’s focused on business.
After that dream, after beating off to her to keep my own sanity again, I don’t trust myself around this office nymph.
Not even on the way to the office with my driver in the front and the privacy screen deliberately left down.
So I barely acknowledge her until we’re pulling up to the main entrance of the tower with Winthrope International’s global headquarters inside.
“Thank you for the pick-me-up,” I say. “If you hoped to bribe me into a better mood today, it’s working.”
For a second, our eyes connect.
Damn her, why does she wear that bittersweet smile?
“Of course. You’re welcome.” She bounces with that adorable little pencil skirt flapping too.
I start chugging coffee so fast it burns my tongue and I swear.
Fyo looks up with concern. “Mr. Winthrope?”
“Nothing, nothing. Mind your business,” I grumble, stabbing up the privacy screen even though I step out a second later.
Piper fucking Renee is going to dismember me without even laying a finger on me.
How the hell do I ever behave around her?
There’s no way around having multiple encounters a day with her in outfits designed to drive a man to his blue-balled madness.
I’d love to shove her into a utility closet and rip that damn skirt off.
Fortunately, I forgot what a busy asshole I am until Keenan warns me how full my schedule really is.
I barely see Miss Sunshine in my office for several days, and more than once I stay seated when she comes to touch base on the review investigation.
Neither of us mention that blasphemous kiss. Our banter dwindles when I’m dismissing her in ten minutes.
Business as usual.
Everything a sensible man should do, ignoring how it leaves my blood molten and my heart drumming every time I watch her delectable ass sauntering away from me.
Fuck everything about this.
I shouldn’t care.
It doesn’t matter. We work together, and I am not blowing myself up for an office fling.
It’s easy to keep insisting that’s the case until we’re due for another late-night conference call with Winthrope Europe’s head based in Paris. I need her to join so she can soak up anything valuable.
I text her. Come to my office promptly.
It takes her less than a minute to see it and start giving me hell.
Piper: Most bosses ask. It wouldn’t kill you to pretend I have a choice.
Brock: Most employees like me continuing to sign their checks. Come now.
Piper: God, you suck.
I’m making a fist under the table before she even walks in a few minutes later with a notebook. “What’s up?”
“There’s a conference call tonight with our Paris lead, and I need you on it. It’ll be a late night, so freshen up or catch a nap before the meeting if you need it.”
Her face goes ashen.
I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “Miss Renee, if you’re still worried about what happened last time, let me assure you I will be on my supremely best behavior.”
Her eyes flash doubt, but the shock on her face lingers.
“It’s not that, but I... I can’t stay tonight. There’s something going on. Something important.” She shifts nervously. “I mean, maybe I can Zoom in from home? Would that work?”
What’s this?
She’s practically down on one knee begging, and begging isn’t in this woman’s makeup.
“If you can do it from home, why can’t you do it here? We have access to everything you could need in the office, plus a chance to immediately assess any new ideas or feedback.”
“I just—I can’t, okay? Not tonight.”
What’s the big damned secret?
She can trust me.
I didn’t kiss and tell last week, even if I suspect Fyo has his suspicions. The man has a sixth sense and sometimes I think he’s Rasputin’s bastard great grandson.
Is she really so afraid of me? Did I fuck up that much when I let my dick do the steering?
“I need to ask you something, Miss Renee.”
“Sure.” She beams that contagious smile.
“The attraction between us can’t be denied. Are you afraid to work late with me again because you think I can’t control myself?”
She shakes her head. “Absolutely not. It takes two to tango and I wasn’t completely passive when you...yeah. But tonight, I have family obligations. And just so we’re clear, you’re not remotely my type,” she adds.
Fuck.
I feel like I’m sitting here with a shot blown in my chest.
“First off, Piper Renee, we’ve had two scalding kisses that say very differently.”