Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
I frowned, unable to understand the change in the conversation. Two minutes ago, it seemed like this thing between us was going to stop before it even got started. Now it appeared this arrangement was going expand from sex to include activities somehow honoring his wife and my mother.
“But if you don’t want to, that’s okay too. Really.” His smile told me he was sincere. “I can understand you not wanting to go to a kids birthday party.”
“I’d like to go.” I would?
“Good.” He stood, and I rose with him. “I have an incredible urge to kiss you now.”
“I won’t stop you.”
“The problem is, if I do that, then I’ll want to touch you and… well, I have a conference call in a few minutes.”
“I understand.” I turned to walk out the door.
“Bella?”
“Hmm?” I looked over my shoulder.
“Tomorrow, at lunch, let's go to the Met.”
“Ah…”
“There is an exhibit of Eugène Delacroix there. He’s French, right?”
I didn’t know much about art, but Delacroix was a French name. I nodded.
“Joanna had always wanted us to learn more about art.”
I started to say it was a date but thought better of it. “I’d like that.”
He looked pleased with himself. “Good.”
I left his office, feeling like he’d turned my world on its side.
At the end of the day, I was still trying to figure out what had happened in Blake’s office. Unable to sort it out, I decided to visit the break room and get some of the vanilla cookies Lily liked. I’d include them in my birthday present for her. How sweet that she wanted me there, and that her grandmother loved her so much to indulge her request. There was so much love around Blake, but I wasn’t sure he appreciated it. It was if he only noticed the love he’d lost from his wife, but not the love he still had from his family. I wished I could help fill the hole his wife left behind. Not to replace her, because I knew that could never happen. But help fill the void that seemed to consume him.
The room was empty since everyone on the floor had left for the day. Except maybe Blake since he was a workaholic like me.
I fed my bills into the machine and poked in the number for the cookies. I’d just bought a third packet when I heard, “Ms. Hanson.”
I looked over my shoulder. “Mr. Alexander.”
“I was leaving and heard someone here. That’s not your dinner I hope.”
“They’re for Lily’s birthday. These are what she wanted when she was here the other day.” I fed my money in one more time, to get a fourth package.
“You don’t need to get her anything.”
“I can’t go to a birthday party without a gift.” I picked up the cookies and put them in my bag. “I’ve got a couple of other ideas as well.” I doubt they’d compare to what Blake and Patsy would get her, but hopefully, she’d still enjoy it.
“Don’t get too much. She’ll just be happy that you’re there.” He moved toward me, his eyes studying me. “You’ve bewitched the Alexander family.”
I smirked. “I doubt that.”
“It’s true.” His fingers tugged lightly on a strand of my hair. “Lily thinks you’re a princess. Snow White.”
“What?”
“It’s the dark hair, fair skin, and brilliant eyes, I suspect.” His voice was husky. “It is beguiling.” His words were the type any woman wanted to hear, but I reminded myself, this was just lust.
“You’re captivating too.”
“Am I?” He ran his finger along my cheek. “Are you ensnared by me? Because you’ve entangled me and I seem to be helpless.”
“Yes.”
“Why?” His body moved closer until he was a whisper away.
The scent and heat of him made my body ache. “I don’t know. I’m just drawn to you. To the way I feel when I’m around you.”
He pressed his hips forward against mine and I could feel his arousal. “How do you feel?”
“Excited.”
“Aroused?” One hand slid up my waist to the outside of my blouse over my breasts. My nipples puckered and hardened.
“Yes.” My voice was husky.
His other hand slid down my backside, squeezing my ass. “You have a great ass, Bella.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
He gave a short laugh. “Do you want another lesson?”
“Yes.” I seemed to have lost my ability to speak more than one word at a time. One syllable was about all I could manage.
He kissed me, his hands sliding my skirt up. His fingers hooked onto my panties, pushing them down.
He broke the kiss, trailing his lips to my ear. “Turn around.”
I looked at him, not sure what he meant.
His hands turned me until I was facing the table. “Lean forward. Brace yourself on the table.”
It was then I realized his intention and an erotic thrill ran up my spine. I put my hands on the table.
He pushed my shirt up exposing my ass, squeezing my flesh. “Fine ass.” His lips kissed the lower part of my back as he undid his slacks. I looked over my shoulder, watching as he sheathed his dick with protection.