Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87825 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“You’re so bossy.” My words might have sass, but I can’t hide the quiver behind them. I’ve never heard him speak quite like that before—with commanding presence. With authority.
Over me.
He is utterly confident that I’ll bend to his will simply because he gave the order.
Who is this guy? I can’t reconcile the version of Ashton standing before me with the guy I grew up with. He’s a fucking master chameleon.
“Bossy doesn’t begin to describe me. Now get your cute ass out of bed before I spank it.”
I climb off the mattress, exposing my half-naked body to his heated perusal. But I can’t stop from folding my trembling arms over my chest. Too much adrenaline is rushing through me. Too much want.
“Is this what you mean by calling the shots?”
He nods with a frown. “Don’t be ashamed of your body.” He gestures at my rigid posture. “Lower your arms.”
Slowly, I let them dangle at my sides, hating how naked I feel standing in front of him, vulnerable and exposed to the core, despite my T-shirt covering my panties.
“Do you have a problem with me being in charge?”
“I…” My gaze lowers to his feet. “I don’t know. All of this is happening so fast.”
I’m dreaming. None of this makes sense. How did Ashton and I end up in my bedroom like this? In this situation?
“Do you trust me, Sawyer?”
He’s the only one who’s ever called me that.
“Of course I do.”
“Then I don’t see a problem. We’ll go over some ground rules so we’re both comfortable with this. But in the meantime, I want you to shower and get some food in your stomach.” His lips curve into a grin, and that suggestive smile of his warms me all the way to my toes. “Do you have plans tonight?”
“No.”
“You do now. Come by my place at seven.”
Chapter Five
Sadie
By the time I shower and dress, it’s past noon, and my headache has settled into a dull annoyance. Normally, wasting the morning away would bother me more, but after last night and this morning’s visit from Ashton, I can’t bring myself to care. Maybe I’m off kilter from everything that’s happened in the last twenty-four hours, not to mention the hangover, so when an unexpected knock sounds on my door, I’m not taken aback.
Maybe part of me even realizes who it is before I pull the door open.
He’s standing there holding my picnic basket, face a picture of regret. “I found this last night outside my office.”
“Uh-huh.” Raising a brow, I cross my arms over my chest.
He narrows his eyes, forehead wrinkling. “Did you leave it?”
“Yep.”
Raking a hand through his blond hair, he lets out a sigh. “Can I come in, Sadie?”
“Nope.”
“Are you only talking to me in one-word sentences now?”
“I don’t know. I guess that depends on how long you’ve been fucking your assistant behind my back.”
His shoulders sag, deflating in defeat. “I’m sorry you had to see that. It didn’t mean anything.”
I grit my teeth to keep from yelling at the bastard. Maybe I expected an ounce of remorse, but all I’m getting is regret that he got caught.
“Can I come in and explain?”
“At least be honest,” I say, glaring at him. “Call your ‘explanation’ for what it is—a pathetic excuse.”
“Okay! You’re absolutely right. I have no explanation for what happened, other than to say I gave in to a moment of weakness.”
“Sounded like a lot more than just one moment. I believe the words you said were ‘you take it like a whore every time.’” I arch a challenging brow at him. Those words are ingrained in my memory, and I just dare him to deny it.
“I’m sorry, Sadie. I tried being patient with you, but I’m only human. Will you forgive me?”
“I might be able to forgive you someday, Jake, but no way in hell will I forget it.”
“Don’t end things like this,” he pleads. “You’re too important to me.”
I’m too important…meaning my father is the boss, and he doesn’t want things to get awkward at the office since I work there too.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he adds, a note of desperation entering his tone.
“You didn’t.” I gesture to the parking lot where his black luxury sedan awaits. “So you can go back to your assistant with a clear conscience.”
“C’mon, Sadie. It won’t happen again, I promise.”
“Don’t insult my intelligence.”
At that moment, my neighbor exits her apartment. She glances at the two of us for a few seconds before offering a small wave. As she makes her way down the stairs, I don’t blame her for getting the hell out of Dodge. The tension between Jake and me is palpable.
“Do you really want to do this out here?” he asks, giving the area a surreptitious glance.
“I don’t want to do this at all.”
“Your father is my boss. Please, Sadie. Give me another chance.”