Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 112701 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 564(@200wpm)___ 451(@250wpm)___ 376(@300wpm)
The second time, he became my new boss.
My very grumpy new boss.
No matter how I much I try, I can’t forget what his lips feel like.
The way his arms wrap around me.
I need to keep my distance.
But when the company lands a new account, I’m forced to work side by side with this man.
The handsome devil who makes me forget all rational thought.
But the thing about the devil is . . . he can lure even the greatest of saints.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Epigraph
Keep your face always toward the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind you
-Walt Whitman
1
Charles
“Bloody hell, Amanda. Not here,” I bark to the annoying woman who has attached herself to my hip for the evening.
Can this night get any worse?
This woman is handsy. And not in a good way.
Typically, that would be more than welcome, but tonight, I’m not feeling her.
Pity.
It’s not that she isn’t insanely beautiful. She is.
Wavy brown hair hangs to the top of her small breasts, and her toned legs go on forever. Not an inch of her is soft. She’s all hard lines and muscle.
Definitely my type.
Although, I don’t have a definitive preference when it comes to the opposite sex.
“It’s Mandy,” she croons.
I cringe at the awful sound.
Mandy is too much, and I can tell she wouldn’t be up for any of my rules.
One night. No numbers exchanged. No repeats.
I made that mistake one too many times in London, and I have no plans to repeat it here in the States. This is my clean break. My do-over.
I’m too busy for relationships and wouldn’t be good at one, even if I wasn’t constantly working.
Which I am.
Mandy has practically growled at any woman who’s looked my way, which only furthers my suspicion that she’d be clingy if I gave in to her roaming hands and took her into the offered VIP room.
I’d spend the next month dodging her advances, and I have absolutely no time for that.
“Charles,” she whines in what could quite possibly be the most ear-piercing sound I’ve experienced in some time.
I glare over her head at my supposed friend. The man responsible for this setup. He promised me top-shelf drinks, a night of relaxation, and a beautiful woman who would be more than happy with one night of sex. Complete rubbish.
He failed to say that he only knew petulant models who drink the most expensive champagne on an empty stomach and practically piss all over their target of the night. Me being said target.
He chuckles into his fist at my glare, and I manage to refrain from pummeling him.
Paxton Ramsey is an arrogant son of a bitch, but a good man. His friend, Mathis, owns the club, which he takes full advantage of regularly. He has a reserved VIP room every Wednesday night to schmooze clients. This week, there was a cancellation, and I was the lucky recipient of a night out on Pax’s dime.
“Charles, you’re ignoring me.”
My eyes close as I attempt to rein in my growing irritation with the exasperating woman. When they open, I’m met with Mandy’s green eyes piercing into me with barely restrained anger.
Perhaps this one is more than a little clingy. I’m not into the whole fatal attraction foreplay vibe that Mandy is throwing my way.
“I need to use the little girl’s room,” she says, pursing her lips.
An audible breath rushes through my chest, and Pax hears it loud and clear, if his barely restrained laughter is any indication.
Mandy doesn’t seem to notice as she swishes her hips in the most exaggerated fashion when she saunters out of the room.
“Christ, Paxton. What have you done?” His head falls back, and he bellows in laughter.
I’m sure this entire situation is quite hilarious if you’re on the outside looking in. His hand pops up as he works to get himself under control.
“I’m sorry. It’s just—” He falls forward, wheezing in glee. I’m ready to shake the amusement out of him.
“Right, then. Go on and get it all out, mate.” I smack my lips together, not amused in the slightest at his absurd reaction to my distress. “Are you quite finished?”
His head shakes back and forth. “She’s never acted like this. What can I say? You bring out the crazy in women, Cavendish.”
“This night has gone all to hell,” I say, shaking my head.
“The night’s still young, my friend. I’m happy to help you ditch Mandy. I’m tired of her moaning myself.”
“Oh, she’s whining on, all right.”
He grunts. “Alex and the guys are on their way. She has a history with him. Give me an hour, and I can have her well and truly distracted, if you know what I mean.”
“I’ll gladly vacate this room for Alex if it means being rid of her. Just tell me when.”
Sitting back in my chair, I stretch my legs and get comfortable. Our server enters, handing me another scotch on the rocks.
I tip my head in thanks, receiving a coy grin in return. This woman would no doubt be a perfect replacement for Mandy.
“Don’t even think about it,” Pax says, watching the girl leave with her empty tray tucked under her arm.
“Sod off. You have no say at this point, mate. I choose her.”
“You want to tango with Mathis? Have at it.” He takes a swig from his beer bottle. “I’m not losing my VIP status because you decided to fuck the help.”