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)
She tenses under my touch, going absolutely still. I slide up the sleeve of her sweater, and my breath hitches. My finger slides over her wrist and the scar that looks like it’s been there for some time. The puckered flesh is still pinched despite the coloration that would suggest it’s been years since whatever caused this.
“What happened?” My voice is low, like a winter storm building in intensity. My heart beats in my ears, and my chest tightens.
Most people wouldn’t have this sort of reaction. But most people didn’t grow up where I did.
“That’s none of your business,” she snaps, jerking out of my grip.
“Cass…”
“No, Slate. That’s not what this is. What we are. Some things are mine.”
She moves quickly, turning her back on me. Everyone has secrets, and clearly, Cassidy is not exempt.
The thought of what might’ve done that to her does nothing to settle the inferno within. Billy better stay well enough away because I’m a hairpin trigger away from giving the paps more than they bargained for.
I allow her to stalk off. She needs time, and I need the space. The closer she is, the harder it is to recognize that her secrets aren’t my business. There’s a reason we aren’t sleeping together.
This has to remain professional. There is no future. Which means her secrets are none of my business. No matter how much I hate it.
I’ll give her the time she needs to calm down. Not like we’re going anywhere anytime soon.
There’s no way out of here that doesn’t involve overzealous fans and the flashing light bulbs of the cameras.
After what just happened and how Cassidy reacted, the last thing we should attempt is to leave.
Cassidy is new to this, so she doesn’t realize we’ve stoked the fire to inferno levels. Showing up here, new girlfriend in tow, is big enough, considering it’s me. An NHL player who has never had a girl on his arm. But it’s guaranteed that someone in here captured our faux argument and the showdown with Billy.
Every gossip columnist or influencer in the area has arrived to catch a peek at her, and a pissed-off Cass isn’t what I need them to see.
The truth is, I missed most of what was said between her and Billy. What I saw was enough, but her reaction seemed…intense. More.
Feeling concerned about her is not part of our arrangement. Worrying about what she’s feeling and if she’s all right are definitely not part of it. This has me feeling out of control. The exact opposite of why I wanted her to be my fake girlfriend.
But despite everything, I care. I don’t like it, but I do.
Yeah, she’s here to make my life easier. And bringing her around is a necessary evil, but I still want to keep her safe. To know her.
It goes against everything I normally do, but I’m not sure I can hold myself back any longer.
This is a problem. This girl does something to me.
She…she makes me feel. And feelings are things I want less of, not more.
Not one bit.
If I were smart, I’d keep her at arm’s length. If I were smart, I’d have just told the world she was my damn assistant.
But no. I wasn’t thinking. I was too busy protecting my secret.
I’m a fucking asshole because the longer I spend with this woman, the more curious I become. And as my curiosity is piqued, my resolve breaks down. Soon, I’ll forget all the rules.
I’ll be taking her to my bed.
Making her mine.
If only for one more time.
See, asshole.
When I go in search of her, I find her facing the glass window, looking out at the crowd of fans outside. Her head is pressed against the glass, and her breath fogs up the window.
“Shit,” she mumbles. “It’s a jungle out there.”
I chuckle, relieved to hear her voice, soft and normal. Tired, but normal.
“There tends to be a crowd of women when Hudson is out. They don’t want me, but we could be collateral damage.”
“I’ll probably regret this, but I think we should just rip off the Band-Aid,” she says.
“It’s been a night of Band-Aid ripping,” I say. “Are you sure?”
“Can one ever be sure about these things?” A lopsided smile spreads across her face.
I grab her hand and pull her up, heading the way we came from, past the VIP section, until we are in the back hallway.
“Where—” she says, but I push open the back door, and she’s instantly quiet.
The cool October air hits me in the face as I lead her outside. The chill in the air is a bit more than I was prepared for.
“Hopefully, none of your fans realize you’ve gone out this door.”
“As I said, I don’t have those types of overzealous fans.”
“Only Hudson gets panties thrown at him.” She laughs.
“Pretty much,” I whisper, not wanting to tip off anyone lurking in the back alley. Since I don’t go out, no one bothers with me, but now that I’m out, all bets are off.