Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129323 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 647(@200wpm)___ 517(@250wpm)___ 431(@300wpm)
“The hell you shouldn’t have. When you come up missing, I’ll be the only one who knows exactly who to point my finger at.”
I snort. “Aiden Slate is not going to kill me. It’s a short-term position and a chance for me to make some quick money.” I shove the bag aside, jumping to my feet. “I could potentially save enough money to finally be able to go to graduate school. My only dream is to be a social worker, and you know I need this to make it happen.” I give her a pointed look. “I’ll be working toward my goals simultaneously.”
She pulls a face. “I don’t like it.”
I purse my lips because Emma isn’t usually this anti-anything. “Why not?”
Her head lolls to the side, and she scrunches her nose in contemplation. “It’s a horrible idea. You’re going to fall in love with him.”
My mouth drops open. “You’re insane.”
“But you’re not saying no.” She sighs. “What exactly does this deal entail?”
She takes a seat on the couch beside me, and I pivot my body to face her.
“I’m not entirely sure.” At my words, Emma makes a face that screams, what the fuck? I need to give her something, but not the whole truth—just a bit. “All he said is that to keep me busy, I’ll be doing assistant things. He didn’t exactly run down a list yet. It was a proposal. One I haven’t officially accepted.” I level her with a stern stare. “Obviously, that’s not for public knowledge either.”
Her left brow pops up. “What exactly are you assisting him with? His dick?”
I choke on my own saliva. “God, Em. No.” My hands rub together on my lap, trying to calm my nerves. “I already told you there is no sex. I’m sure he’s a busy guy. I’ll run errands and stuff like that. Things devoted girlfriends do.”
What I’ll really be doing is anything to help him manage his quirks. Assist him in all the things his mind requires him to do to live. And from what I know of Aiden, it’s a lot.
NDA or not, I wouldn’t betray his confidence with that.
“He’s very private, so he doesn’t want people to know anything about his private life.”
She narrows her eyes. “What aren’t you telling me?” She purses her lips. “Does he have a red room? Something worse?”
If only she knew how close she was. He might not have all the equipment, but he enjoys the control that comes from dominance in the bedroom. Who knows how much farther it goes? We were in a hotel room, not his home.
That should terrify me.
It doesn’t.
If anything, a thrill I’ve never had runs through me, lifting the tiny hairs on my arms. The thought of all he could do to my body heats me up, and that’s surprising.
I’m not a prude by any stretch, but I didn’t think the idea of being submissive would appeal to me.
God did it ever.
I crave it now.
When he told me to crawl to him, I about lost it right there. It was so hot. So sensual.
“Earth to Cassidy. Do I even wanna know what’s going on in there?” she asks, tapping my forehead.
“Probably not.” I sigh. “Anyway, in order to keep people from prying into why he needs an assistant, I’m going to play the part of his girlfriend.”
“And you’re okay with that? With pretending?”
I pop a brow. “Sure. Why not? He’s paying me well enough.”
Emma slouches back on the couch, staring off into space for several long moments.
“I’m worried about you, Cass. You’re not the type of girl to run headfirst into something like this.”
“I’ll be fine.”
She turns toward me, grabs my hand, and stares into my eyes.
“Do you promise? Truly?”
I swallow because she doesn’t know the depths of my hurt caused by Aiden. He’s already abandoned me once, and I’ve carried that with me all these years. Will I truly be fine at the end of this?
I really don’t know.
“I promise.” My voice lacks conviction, but if she can hear it, she lets it go, instead opting to lift a brow like a concerned mother.
“Don’t fall for him, Cass. You’ll only get your heart broken.”
Those words terrify me more than anything. I don’t want to think about the damage that Aiden Slate could do to my heart.
I stomp those thoughts down deep. The money is something I need, and the job will be easy enough. I won’t allow the past to ruin my future.
Jumping to my feet, I turn to face her. “Help me pack.”
She lifts one eyebrow. “You have like three things.”
“I have things,” I say, sticking out my tongue.
She’s not wrong. I’m wholly unprepared to play the part of Aiden’s girlfriend. For one, he doesn’t date, so when I show up on his arm, all eyes will be on me. They’ll tear me apart and dig into my past.