Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
“He embarrassed Dash by dragging you to the fight club.”
“Because Dash had an addiction,” she says, defending Tyler. “Though I didn’t believe it at the time, hard as that was on Dash, it was necessary to stop his self-destructive behavior. I believe that.”
“You forget that Tyler has a financial interest in Dash.”
“So do you,” she points out, “but does that make you care about his money, not him?”
“No, but I’m his sister.”
“They’re friends, Bella. Tyler and Dash are more alike than I realized at first. I really think Tyler’s asshole alpha routine is simply his armor. Just as Dash’s friendly, good guy routine made it seem like nothing was ever wrong with him when that was far from the truth.”
“In other words, Tyler is always looking out for Tyler,” I say.
“Protecting himself, Bella, which is not the same thing as looking out for himself. Think about who his parents are and how they must have treated him. I can tell you firsthand from personal observation, his father treated him like he would never be good enough to run this company.”
And now, he’s holding the company over his head from the grave, I think. I don’t envy him his position right now, but it changes nothing. If I help him, I become the next victim of that will. “You’re not wrong,” I say. “But Tyler has some challenges facing him right now after his father’s death that he needs to deal with, and I have to give him space to do that properly.”
“Maybe space isn’t what he needs,” she suggests.
“Are you actually advocating for me to be personally involved with Tyler?”
“Aren’t you already?” she counters.
Was, I think. I was involved with Tyler. “No,” I say. “No, I am not. And that’s how it’s going to stay, so neither you nor Dash need to give this another thought. I need to go back to work.” I lift my cup and sip. “Text me and let me know the temperature of the room with Dash before I head over for that cupcake.” I start to get up.
She catches my hand. “His father killed someone. He must be feeling like he’s the same kind of monster. He must feel like he isn’t even safe to be around.”
It’s the first time I’ve actually considered such a thing. “I, ah…maybe he does.” I ease into my seat again and her hand falls away.
“Does that possibility change how you feel right now?” she asks. “I mean, I can’t see how those thoughts are not in his mind. It has to affect him both professionally and personally.”
I’m reminded of his claim that he’s protecting me. Could there be more to that than meets the eye? I’m confused. It’s a theme where Tyler’s concerned, which is why I say, “I don’t know, Allie. I just don’t know. That’s why I’m not ready to talk. I don’t know what to say. I really need to go.” I start to get up again.
She grabs my hand again. “Wait,” she warns urgently. “Unless you want to walk straight into Tyler’s path, just wait.”
I swallow hard. “What’s he doing?”
“Watching you while he waits on his order,” she says, “and he’s being far more obvious about it than I’d expect from Mr. Stone Cold himself. If you’re wondering if he’s as affected as you, he is. I’m certain of it.”
A storm of emotions I don’t dare name washes over me and makes landfall in my belly. A twisty, turning, sickening sensation follows and has me attempting to check myself. And Allie, for that matter. She’s turning this thing with Tyler into romance when it’s a contract. “I’ve obviously misled you, Allie. You’re making this romantic when it’s business. He’s not affected by me, but rather by the ‘no’ I gave him on a business matter. Plain and simple, his ego is hurt.”
It’s at that moment, with those words spewed from my mouth, that I look up to find Tyler standing above me. “If you’re talking about me, Bella, maybe you’d be better off saying whatever you want to say to me. I’m right here.”
Apparently, Allie left his close proximity out of her warning.
Chapter Thirteen
Bella
I’m in disbelief as Tyler pulls up a chair and sits down with us.
“Do you have something to say to me, Bella?” he asks, his intense gaze locked on me, and I swear I am naked beneath the heat of his scrutiny. I can feel him in every part of me. It’s uncomfortably addictive and awkwardly unprofessional. It’s also an example of everything forbidden that I’ve promised not to allow to happen between us summed up in one moment.
Most likely feeling the inappropriateness as well, Allie grabs her cup and stands. “I’ll text you,” she murmurs, and then just like that, she’s gone.
I cut my gaze from Tyler’s and watch my future sister-in-law depart and then I glower at my boss. “What are you doing, Tyler?”