Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 116232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116232 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
“Whatever this is going to be,” I gestured between us, “your father can’t know about it.”
She snorted like that was the understatement of the year and picked up her martini glass to take a sip. “Obviously.”
I needed her to understand how serious I was. “Because if he finds out, it’s bad for both of us.”
Her cavalier attitude faded somewhat. “Noah, I get it.”
“Do you?” I asked it earnestly. “It’s kind of embarrassing to admit this . . . but you need to know I’m the kind of person whose entire identity is tied to their career.”
One of my general education classes in college made me take a personality test, and I’d scored the highest marks in the ‘achiever’ category. At the time, I’d written it off, but years later I’d come to realize how painfully accurate it had been.
I was goal driven to a fault, and had no problem making sacrifices as long as they’d get me results. And when I strove for something and didn’t accomplish it? That failure hit me like a sledgehammer.
Charlotte peered at me with a dubious look.
“I was a broker for so long,” I continued, “that’s all I was. That’s who I was. Making this drastic career change, moving to Warbler, has me feeling,” I searched for the right phrase, “off-balance.”
It wasn’t adequate, but I left it at that. She didn’t need to know how I second-guessed my decision to come back to Nashville on a daily basis. But maybe the drinks had been laced with something because the honesty kept pouring out of me.
“What I’m trying to say is, if I lost my job,” I swallowed thickly, “I’d really struggle.” It came out in a quiet rush. “It might, like, destroy me.”
Her expression softened and she was more serious than I’d ever heard her sound. “I understand.” Her gaze fell to the tabletop and her fingers traced the circle at the base of her glass. “After Zach, I’m beyond my last chance with my parents . . . so you don’t have to worry about me telling them anything about us.” She attempted a smile, but it was sad and didn’t reach into her eyes. “I kind of like not being homeless.”
We both had good reasons to walk away, and the weight of them hung heavy between us. She was young and impulsive, and although she’d talked about the consequences we both faced, I was concerned she hadn’t really given them much thought.
You don’t spend the first twenty-two years of your life being spoiled and entitled, and grow out of it in a few short months.
I pretended I didn’t see any red flags. And even if I did, I sensed it wasn’t enough to make me stop.
“This means we need to stop our arrangement of you cleaning my house.”
Alarm had her straightening in her seat. “What? Why?”
“It’s a weird situation, you working for me while we’re . . .”
While we’re what? Fucking? In a relationship?
I wasn’t sure what to say since we hadn’t defined anything yet.
“I get that, but I need the job, and,” she lifted a shoulder, “I thought you knew how to compartmentalize.”
This was a dig at what I’d told her when I’d said we weren’t allowed to kiss, and although I deserved it, it was still irritating.
And she wasn’t done either. “Plus, you need me.” She laughed casually. “We both know what your house would look like if I wasn’t coming once a week.”
“We need each other,” I corrected through clenched teeth.
I’d revealed a few things to her tonight, but I was still struggling to admit to myself what a difference she’d made in the last six weeks. Not living in clutter and mess had been one of the only things keeping me sane during my big transition.
She acted like she didn’t agree and announced it with a fucking smirk. The attitude she pulled lit me up, and a dark heat took over, seizing control.
“Say it,” I demanded in a voice so commanding it shocked us both.
Charlotte glanced around in disbelief, as if checking to see if anyone else had heard my order. “What?”
“Say that you need me too.”
I’d used a tone that was non-negotiable, leaving her to consider how she wanted to play it. Her eyes narrowed, she lifted her chin in defiance, and she sighed dramatically. “Fine. I need you too,” a devious look darted through her eyes, “Daddy.”
The word poured gasoline on the smoldering fire inside me, burning away all thought.
“I’m going to take you upstairs and fuck that bratty mouth of yours while everyone watches. Is that what you want?” I leaned forward over the table so I could demand her full attention, even though I already had it. “Would you like that, Charlotte?”
My attempt to shock her failed spectacularly. She picked up her cosmo and leaned in, balancing her elbow on the table. “I would.” She made a production out of sipping her drink, while keeping her sultry gaze fixed on me. “I guess that means we’re done talking?”