Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 326(@200wpm)___ 261(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Off-white furniture sits in one corner, a large grill is nearby, and a glass dining table complete with stunning high-backed white chairs is right in front of us.
Sprinkled throughout the space are flowering potted plants. It’s all lit with soft lights set up in each corner.
I had no idea an oasis like this existed in the middle of this city.
I glance over my shoulder to see the door Sean just opened with a key.
Since Grady never mentioned this paradise, I don’t know if he’s aware it exists.
Curiosity pushes a question out of my mouth. “Only certain tenants have access to this, right?”
“That’s right.” Sean smiles. “Do you want access to it?”
I look around while envisioning sitting on the couch with a glass of wine in my hand while the sun is setting over the city on a warm evening. I could read a book up here on a lazy Saturday afternoon before grilling a steak and enjoying that with a salad for dinner.
The possibilities are endless.
I turn to face him. “Will it cost me?”
He takes a half step forward, so he’s closer to me. “Yes.”
Trepidation and excitement collide inside of me. Sean Wells is nothing like any man I’ve been involved with, but he’s also my boss.
I push my reservations aside and decide to hear him out. “What’s the price?”
“Dinner alone with me.” He tilts his head slightly to the left. “No Delora. No one over the age of eighty.”
A soft smile settles on my lips. “We work together.”
I use his words from earlier against him as a reminder that we both have something to lose if this goes beyond where it is now.
I only started this job a few days ago, and I can already see a bright future at Wells.
He’s the co-owner of the company. I imagine being involved with a subordinate would be a complication for him. He told me his brother is a hard-ass. I don’t see him signing off on interoffice relationships.
“And?” Sean asks with a grin.
“And,” I echo. “It must break some company policy.”
“It doesn’t.”
I narrow my eyes as I study his face. “Your brother is fine with you going on a date with an employee?”
“Decky has done it in the past.”
“Does that woman still work for Wells?” I question.
“All three of them still do,” he quips.
Surprised by that, I take a step back. “What if we don’t have fun when we’re alone together?”
That lures a laugh from somewhere deep inside of him. “There is zero chance in hell that will happen. We’re alone now, and I’m having a hell of a good time. Aren’t you?”
I am, but I feel if I admit that, he’ll take more pride in that than is warranted. He has to know he’s incredibly fun to be around.
I suck in a breath. “This job is important to me. I know that I can contribute a lot to Wells. I don’t want anything to get in the way of that. I really need this job.”
He narrows the distance between us again with a forward step. “You have my word that wherever this goes, it has no bearing on your job. You report to Delora. Don’t think for a moment that I would undermine that if you dump me after our first date.”
“I might,” I say teasingly.
“You won’t,” he counters with a smug grin.
That pushes me more. “How can you be so confident about that?”
His gaze trails over my face. “Whatever is happening between us is electric, Calliope. You feel it too. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that one date with me will be enough.”
Arrogance drips off this man, but it’s intoxicating. He’s intoxicating.
“What if I’m only looking for fun?” I ask him the question, even though I’m quizzing myself at the very same time.
I can’t launch back into something serious, not after what happened between my ex and me. Dagen Hillstead wasn’t the man I thought he was when I agreed to marry him. I let my guard down with him, and I’m still paying the price.
Sean’s hand leaps to my chin. “You’ve come to the right place then.”
I stare into his eyes and see sureness in them that I’ve never witnessed in a man’s gaze before.
Warning flags are popping up all around me, but I ignore them all.
I deserve some fun, and who better to have it with than my hot-as-hell neighbor?
“Stop thinking about kissing me, Champ.” His lips hover close to mine. “Bite the bullet and do it. I promise you won’t regret it.”
Something sparks deep inside of me when my lips touch his for the first time. I come alive. The cocoon I’ve built to shield myself in burns away from the searing heat of his kiss.
His hands jump to my back as I tangle my hands in his hair and lose myself to the moment and the magic of this place and him.