Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 103008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 515(@200wpm)___ 412(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Worst case is Trav takes me off this job, and it’ll be a few more years to clear my debt and be able to afford a better care facility.
This was my ticket out, and I went and fucked it. Literally.
I fall on my back on the mattress and cover my face with my arm.
My muscles are wound tight despite the earth-shattering orgasm.
“Brix?” Harley’s voice startles me, and when I look up, he’s standing by my legs wearing only a towel. I didn’t hear the shower shut off.
“Harley, I …” I what?
I made a mistake? He’s a mistake? I don’t want him thinking that. For someone who’s loved by millions of people, Harley has shockingly low self-worth.
“I didn’t mean for that to happen,” I say. It’s the truth. “I didn’t bring you here … for that. I …”
He does the public-ready smile I hate. “I know. It’s okay. We got lost in a moment. That’s all.”
It was more than a moment, but it would be wrong to say that out loud.
I clear my throat. “Right. A moment.”
“But, uh, if we’re going to forget it ever happened, I might need my bed back.”
“Sorry.” I pull myself up, still naked, standing in front of him now just inches away. My cock doesn’t understand I’m trying to refrain and twitches, wanting more. I should really get some underwear and cover up, but I don’t. “I really am sorry.”
His lips form a thin line.
“I still mean every single word I said. You don’t have to be someone else around me.”
“Sure.”
“Wait, I can’t have this conversation naked.” I find my boxer briefs on the floor.
“It’s okay. We don’t need the conversation.”
I pull them on. “We do. If I didn’t need this job, it’d be a different story. You wouldn’t be able to keep me off you. But I do need this job.”
Harley folds his arms. “Then let’s talk about that. Why do you need it?”
I grit my teeth. “Harley—”
“No, no. You wanted the conversation, so let’s have it.”
“I need the money. I’m in debt. A lot of debt.”
“Gambling addiction?”
I almost want to lie and say yes, but I don’t. “Medical bills.”
Harley schools his surprised reaction but barely. He eyes me as if trying to figure out how I’m hurt, sick, or injured. “What for?”
“I’ve already told you more than any of those guys know.” I wave in the direction of the door.
“End of discussion, then.” Harley throws himself on the bed.
I stay standing, feeling completely helpless. My head throbs, and I rub my temples.
“Goodnight, Brix.”
“Goodnight.” I make my way to the tiny, uncomfortable couch.
Chapter Thirteen
Harley
“What’s a word that rhymes with regret?” I ask on the way home the next day.
Brix doesn’t respond.
“Forget. It’s not exact but close enough.” I scribble that down.
Brix doesn’t take his eyes off the road. “I can’t tell if you’re being passive-aggressive or mocking.”
Neither can I, if I’m being honest.
I’m not a dumbass. Hooking up with my bodyguard was stupid. Last night was a mistake, and we shouldn’t have done it. I knew the minute he shut down that I had to make a clean break.
I’ve done the forbidden-relationship thing before. It’s not as romantic as people think. Sneaking out of hotel rooms so my handlers and management team didn’t find out I was fucking a member of the opening act on tour was my life for a lot longer than it should have been.
I don’t want to start that again.
So, yeah, pretending it didn’t happen is what’s best. Even if it’s not what I want.
It’s better to end it now before I catch those dreaded feelings.
I have no desire to get my heart broken again anytime soon. The first time took long enough to get over.
Maybe I can convince my brain that last night was a wicked fantasy instead of a memory, and I can use it for when I’m alone with my hand. Because something that explosive can’t be forgotten. It would be, like, blasphemous to the gods of gay sex.
“Harley?”
I turn my head toward him. “Huh?”
“Are you really okay with what happened, or do you want me to call Trav and tell him I can’t work for you anymore?”
I frown. “You want to quit? Over a mishap?”
“Tackling you on my first day was a mishap. This … this was crossing basic lines that no employer and employee should ever cross.”
“Didn’t we already agree Gideon is your employer, not me?”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do. Which is why you shouldn’t quit. Like you said, you need this job. I won’t mess that up for you.”
“Thank you.”
I pretend to write something down. “Hey, what rhymes with fired?”
His gaze flicks my direction, and I grin.
“At least we can joke about it already,” he mumbles.
“I like joking with you. As sad as this may sound, you’re not just my bodyguard. I kind of feel like … we’re friends.”