Total pages in book: 28
Estimated words: 26677 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26677 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 133(@200wpm)___ 107(@250wpm)___ 89(@300wpm)
But again, we haven’t talked about modifying our arrangement. As it goes, I’m still being paid for my body, and our “free use” relationship is definitely in full swing. Mason takes me any time or place he wants, including in the shower, in the back of his limo, and even when I’m gardening. I was shocked when it happened, whispering that Elsa and the staff could see, but the alpha male didn’t care. He drove his shaft into my behind next to the rosebushes, and our cries were loud enough to raise the dead.
So yeah, the situation is really confusing and I let out a muffled sigh as he pulls me along to another section of the store. But what can I do about it right now? Instigate another awkward conversation? With a determined shake of the head, I decide to put the whole thing out of my mind because there’s no sense in dwelling on something that I can’t control. Instead, I want to have fun with Mason while we shop for our baby. I mean, my baby.
With a brave smile, I change the topic.
“You know, we’ve spoken about my job ad nauseam, but you’ve never told me much about yours. So what do you do all day, Mr. CEO?”
Mason grins.
“This and that.”
I laugh.
“As the CEO of a publishing company, you do this and that? Surely there must be more,” I cajole.
He grins.
“It may astonish you, but my job really has nothing to do with actual books. It’s all about sales projections, meeting targets, and keeping the various stakeholders happy. Honestly, I could be the CEO of a widget company, and it wouldn’t be very different.”
I frown.
“That sounds depressing,” I frown. “I thought the books were the best part, but the way you’re describing your job makes it sound significantly less fun than I thought.”
Mason chuckles.
“Being the boss obviously has its perks, but I wouldn’t go so far as to describe it as being ‘fun.’”
I cock my head to one side.
“Well, what are the perks then, exactly?”
He thinks for a moment.
“Other than having sex with pretty women on my desk?” That makes me laugh because I visited him at work one day, and we ended up doing it as his secretary hovered outside. “Honestly, there isn’t that much. I guess I get access to books before they come out, which I do appreciate. When I have time to read them, that is.”
I nod.
“That would be nice,” I say dreamily. “Goodness, all the bestsellers at your fingertips before they even hit the shelves! The digital shelves, of course,” I say with a giggle. “So few people read in hard copy these days.” But then a thought strikes, and I turn to my boyfriend. “By the way, does your company have any books on micro-dosing? Or shrooms?”
Mason looks surprised but nods.
“Probably, because we have millions of titles. But why do you ask?”
I sigh.
“Well, you know I stopped by the cottage the other day, right?”
He nods.
“Yeah. Did you see Elsa? How is she doing?”
I let out a gusty sigh and shoot him a half-smile.
“Well, the good news it that she’s definitely feeling better because she was literally dancing while making breakfast when I stopped in. But the bad news is that the improvement in her health is from micro-dosing shrooms, or so she says. It’s like they’ve magically healed her or something. I don’t know.”
Mason grimaces.
“So your mom’s on drugs now?”
I shrug.
“I guess. I mean, it’s not like she’s doing crack, but yeah, shrooms are powerful psychedelics, so I’m a little worried about her. Obviously, this isn’t being done under the supervision of a doctor.”
“Of course not,” Mason murmurs. “That would be too sensible.”
I nod.
“I guess it’s just weird because the change was so dramatic. I mean, just one month ago, she looked like she had one foot in the grave, but now she’s chipper and healthy-looking. It’s astonishing.”
Mason nods seriously.
“Yeah, but Elsa’s a grown woman so I don’t think there’s much that you can do. You can’t force her to stop but maybe just keep an eye on her?”
I shoot him a rueful grin.
“I’m about to be a mother myself, so I don’t have time to look after my own mom. But I guess you’re right. Elsa doesn’t have anyone else, so it’s just me.”
He gives me a half-hug.
“And you have me too,” he murmurs into my hair. “You can lean on me, honey. You know that. I’ll also send a member of the staff to check in on her from time to time, so it’s not completely on you. Don’t worry so much, okay? I’m sure Elsa will be fine, and this is probably just a phase that she’ll get over soon.”
I shoot him another half-hearted smile.
“God, I hope so because I don’t want to be there when she goes over the cliff. But let’s not talk about her anymore because we have happier things to focus on. Do you think we can find a good breast pump in here?”