Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Impossible.
Caden wedges his way through the crowd until he’s beside me, gaping at the book. His musky, woodsy scent never fails to drive me mad. How can any man smell so clean and yet like the dirtiest sex?
“May I see that?” he demands more than asks, reaching for the red volume.
“If you like.”
Before I’ve even finished speaking, he snatches it from me, pinging with tension.
I sigh. Yesterday, he looked right past the low-cut black jumper I wore to snag his attention. This old book? He’s enraptured.
Aquarius grabs my hand with a secretive smile. “Syd, do you understand? It’s—”
“A crappy old book,” Jamie hollers, edging in behind me. “What kind of boring gift is that?”
“I appreciate everything everyone’s given me,” I say through clenched teeth, then address the rest of the staff. “Thank you. I’ve had a lovely birthday. Let’s get back to work. Deadlines don’t care that I’m another year older.” Maybe that will make Jamie shove off.
With murmurs about lots to do and so little time, the small crowd files out of the conference room. Unfortunately, Jamie lingers. Aquarius remains, as does Caden, who still intently studies the book.
Jamie drops a hand on my hip and slides it toward my backside. “You know, if you want something special for your birthday, I’ll make time for you this weekend.”
Does he think I’m eager to shag him? I can’t fathom ever being that desperate.
I open my mouth to refuse and tell him to remove his paw. Instead, Caden grabs Jamie’s wrist and nearly crushes it.
“What the bloody hell?” He glares at Caden as he tries—and fails—to jerk free.
Normally, such high-handed tactics would annoy me. I’m a grown woman who knows how to fend off creepers. But if Caden’s unexpected caveman impression means he’s even the slightest bit jealous, splendid.
“You daft prick, let go!” Jamie demands.
“As soon as you let go of her.” Caden nods toward Jamie’s hand hovering near my ass.
The cretin releases me, shaking his offended wrist when finally Caden turns him free. Openly sulking, he leaves.
Caden watches with a scowl of silent disapproval. I feel violence pulsing under my photographer’s skin. “Could I speak to you in your office?”
As always, his tone is polite. Is he planning to warn me about Jamie’s evils like an overprotective brother? Depressing thought. Do I have to jump on Caden while he’s naked to make him grasp that I’m not interested in anyone but him?
“Of course.”
“After you.” Caden gestures to the door.
“Wait!” Aquarius snatches the book from Caden and shoves it back in my hands. “Your gift! I should tell you about it.”
Oh, the “magical diary.” I can’t refuse without hurting Aquarius’s feelings. My impromptu meeting with Caden will have to wait.
“Go to my office. I’ll be there in a minute,” I tell him.
After a long glance at me, then the book, Caden nods and slips from the room, shutting the door behind him.
Being a petite redhead, I’ll never have a centerfold’s breasts and am not one of those statuesque, model-like creatures men get in a froth about. But Caden’s interactions with me are so impersonal, I wonder if he even knows I’m female. I sigh.
“You want him,” Aquarius whispers. It isn’t a question.
“I couldn’t want him anymore than if I’d shot myself with Cupid’s arrow.” I toss my hands in the air. “He doesn’t reciprocate.”
“You don’t know that,” Aquarius argues. “Something is brewing in that man’s head.”
Maybe. “He’s bloody difficult to read.”
“I don’t think he’s as immune to you as you imagine.”
“I’d love to believe that. No, I’d love to experience it.”
“You can.” Aquarius taps the old book. “He can be yours for a night.”
Honestly, Caden can have his pick of women. Besides being fit, gorgeous, intelligent, and polite, he has proven dependable thus far. He isn’t lazy, he’s chivalrous without being a misogynist, and he truly seems to listen. He’s probably devastatingly good in bed, too—not that I’ll ever know personally.
Or can I?
The idea tempts me. Can this journal possibly be magical? Truly? It sounds awfully fantastical—not that such a book exists, but that Aquarius dropped it in my lap. Supposing everything she says is true…could Caden truly be mine for the night after I jot down a few ideas that involve scented massage oil, a big bed, and his naked body?
I cast a gentle glance at my assistant. “You genuinely believe this book is real?”
Aquarius nods. “It made one of my fantasies come true. Remember Alex, that delish neighbor I told you about? He asked me out when I wrote down precisely what I wanted.”
“He had an itch for you, so when his calendar opened up, he rang.”
“And read my mind? Until last week, I never knew shagging under a waterfall would be so…invigorating.”
“A waterfall? It’s bloody November. Where did you find—”
“I’ll never tell.” She smiles coyly.
“Let me get this straight: This hunky bloke suddenly appeared and whisked you away to fulfill your fantasy, exactly as you wrote it?”