Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 112917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112917 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 565(@200wpm)___ 452(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
“My feelings are just fine,” I snapped. “Yes, I have them. But I want them just the way they are. I don’t need help with my feelings.”
Kenji kept a straight face as usual. “Good. That doesn’t happen to be my area of expertise anyway. I’m here to help with actions and tasks. Setting goals and achieving them. Give me a result, and I can help you get it.”
It took a moment for the words to register, and then I gave him a Cheshire grin. “Excellent. That’s exactly what I need from you. I know the result I want, Kenji. But I need help getting it.”
He nodded and reached up to casually flick a shiny black strand of hair back into place. “I have some ideas.”
“You don’t know the result I want yet,” I pointed out.
He opened his mouth on a long-suffering inhale. “Please.”
I glanced over at Bear.
Kenji rolled his eyes and pulled out his tablet before handing it to me. “Step one, let’s make a decision on the property you’re purchasing in Majestic. Both of the places you looked at are still available. I’m just waiting for you to choose.”
I looked down at the two spreads in Majestic. One was brand-new, modern, a little smaller but move-in ready, and wouldn’t require much caretaking while I was on the road. The other was closer to Dev and Silas but had ten times the acreage, with room to develop cross-country ski trails, orienteering routes, and an outdoor shooting range. It also bordered both the Shoshone National Forest and Yellowstone, where there were miles and acres of outdoor playgrounds. It would be a massive investment of time and money, building a house there and keeping up with all those acres.
I’d thought I’d known which way I was leaning—which property would fit best with the life I led so nothing would have to change and no one else would be inconvenienced.
Now, though, I knew which property was right for the life I wanted, for the future I wanted, for the man I wanted. And I was ready to grab it with both hands unapologetically.
“This one,” I said, tapping the image of the larger spread.
Kenji’s mouth tipped into a lopsided grin. “Knew it. The architect is already booked to meet with us tomorrow to start the plans.”
I grinned. I figured this was as close to Kenji giving my relationship his blessing as I was likely to get.
As I handed him back the tablet and he got to work tapping, I glanced out the window to see what was taking everyone else so long. Bear’s nostrils were flared, and his jaw was tight. Violet was speaking to him emphatically. Lou and Boomer nodded obediently… but Bear didn’t.
I started to get a bad feeling. Thankfully, Bear finally hopped in the SUV, taking the front passenger seat. “Let’s go.”
I waited for him to explain, but he didn’t.
Of the others, only Micki joined us, sliding in next to me and politely asking Kenji to move back to the third row.
“Lou and Boomer aren’t coming?” I asked Bear as Kenji slid his tablet into his bag and gathered his things.
“They’re headed home for a break. Miguel and Paul are in the second vehicle with Ed, and they’ll be taking over.”
I had a million questions for him. “Did she tell you to go home, too?”
We both knew it was standard procedure for him to take a couple of days off after a long trip. Neither of us had mentioned it, but it had been a glaring elephant sitting between us on the plane.
Bear nodded once. “I… politely declined.”
I could see the edges of Kenji’s lips turn up as he passed me.
“And she was okay with that?” I asked.
“Dunno. Didn’t ask.”
I glanced at the back of Claudia’s head. She and Ed Hilton took turns driving me when I was home in LA. I enjoyed the heck out of gossiping with her about celebrities in town, but her penchant for gossip was the reason I didn’t dare say too much in front of her.
Bear must have known I was itching for more information because he added, “Miguel and Paul will take you home after the meeting at the label. I need to head home and get changed for my own meeting back at Violet’s office.”
I made a sound of acknowledgment like it was no big deal, but inside, it was a very big deal. Being back in LA with Bear’s coworkers made me realize that ours wasn’t the kind of relationship that could even exist secretly behind closed doors.
If he showed up at my house when he was off duty, everyone he worked with—including his boss—would know about it.
They would know if he stayed overnight.
They would know if he went into my bedroom with me.
They would know if I slipped and called him a nickname by accident.