Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148704 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 744(@200wpm)___ 595(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
“You said you wanted to chat about our deal,” I press.
“What happened with that guy today?”
My brows snap together. “What guy?”
A huffed laugh escapes him, and he licks his lips. “Anyone else and I would’ve sworn they were playing dumb, but not you.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask what he means, but he continues before I can. “The guy from the diner this morning. The one with the hat. The one who forgot what he was saying.”
“Ohhh. Right.” That guy. “What about him?”
Crew stares some more, and I’m about ready to throw my water in his face to force him to form some sort of readable expression, but then he sighs. “Nothing. Forget about the guy. I thought about this deal we made, and if there are things you want or need—”
“Lessons for, help with, assistance in?” I jump in, eager to hear what he’s been thinking.
Creases form along his forehead, but he nods. “Yeah.”
“There are things. There are a lot of things, lessons, for me to learn.”
He blinks hard. “Right. That’s what I’m getting at. You’re going to have to tell me what those are. Some will be obvious or might become obvious, but others not so much.”
“So we’ll need to collaborate more?”
I’m not sure Crew could look any more irritated than he does right now, what with the instant sharpness of his gaze and pissy twist of his lips.
“What?”
A harsh breath pushes past his nostrils and he shakes his head. “Nothing. This is your show, but I will have questions.”
“I like questions.”
A shadow of a grin crosses his lips, but he licks it away. “I know and I expect you to answer all of mine, no matter what. Can you do that?”
I nod so hard my ponytail comes loose.
He pushes on. “Without hiding things you’re too embarrassed or afraid or whatever else to share?”
“I’m not embarrassed.”
“When was the last time you made yourself come?”
“Oh my god!”
Crew smiles wide, a low laugh leaving him as he leans forward once more. “What’s wrong… embarrassed?”
“Remember when I was eight, and you asked if I wanted to see the giant worm you found in my backyard, but when I nodded, you dangled a two-foot snake in front of my face? That’s what happened here. Expected one thing, got another, nothing else, so if that was a real question and one intended to get a rise out of me, ask it again, and I’ll tell you.”
He watches me closely, his knee bouncing a bit, but when he says nothing, I continue.
“Yes, I will answer your questions without shame, and you will be working on finding me a guy, correct?”
The glare comes quick. “That’s final stage, Baby Franco. Far the fuck away from right now.”
“So, we’re doing this thing all the way through?”
In true Crew fashion, his agreement is a heavy rumble deep in his chest.
A quick squeal leaves me, and I clap my hands together, wiggling my fingers at the edge of my lips. His eyes jerk back to mine when my palms slap against the wooden bar top with a loud smack.
“Okay. Now let’s talk about the deadline.”
“Deadline,” he deadpans, slowly crossing his arms over his chest. “What deadline?”
“All projects have a due date, Mr. Taylor.”
“You’re not a project, Baby Franco.”
“Call this little partner pact whatever you wish.” Leaning my elbows on the wooden surface, I loosely entwine my fingers, resting my chin where my knuckles meet. “But I expect to be properly probed thirty days from today.”
Chapter Ten
Davis
It’s safe to say I freaked Crew out with my little “properly probed” spiel. He didn’t have much to say before I left that day, and here we are, another four days dry, taking my thirty-day deadline down to a scarce twenty-six. Not that I’m worried. He knows a lot of people and I’m sure it won’t be too hard for him to convince someone to claim my V as their own, not that I’m giving up on him giving in and claiming the job for himself.
To pass the time, I made a list of all the things I need his help with, and it’s a bit longer than expected, but again, I’m not worried. He’s some sort of woman magnet, so I know he’ll catch me up to speed on how to be the kind of woman capable of gaining the attention of a man like him.
My classes seem to drag, my days even more so, since everyone is gearing up for the end of the school year. With finals approaching, my courses have morphed into nothing but study hall sessions for people who fell behind to catch up on things for a lower grade. I have nothing left undone, so I used the time to review for said finals, leaving me with more free time outside of class. Rachel was eager to fill in the gaps for me and no way am I going to turn down the extra cash. I fully intend to take a trip after graduation, one wholly funded by tips.