Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 115737 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115737 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
‘Where else do you suggest we put them?’
‘On the fucking roof!’
‘I don’t think the crane is gonna reach from Westminster, love.’
I yell, frustrated, and grab my phone, dialling the plant hire firm. ‘Annie Ryan,’ I announce, stomping over to the first pane as it’s lowered to the ground. ‘I should’ve had a crane in Clapham two hours ago and it isn’t here.’
‘It’s stuck in West—’
‘I know it’s stuck in Westminster,’ I say quietly, my jaw tense. ‘But that doesn’t help me, does it?’
‘I can’t control traffic in the city, sweetheart.’
‘Don’t “sweetheart” me. What time did it leave the depot?’ There’s silence, and I scowl down the line. ‘And don’t fob me off with traffic jams when you failed to dispatch with enough time to make it to the site.’ I know how these hire companies operate. ‘I have a bespoke glass roof blocking the road. I need to get this roof on by the end of the day, and if that doesn’t happen, I’ll be heading your way.’ I hang up before he gives me any attitude, wincing as I watch Bill pull back some of the protective packaging that’s keeping my roof safe. ‘Tell me it’s in one piece,’ I beg.
‘One down, three to go.’ He turns a smile onto me, and I bring my hands together in front of my face and look to the sky.
Then jump when I feel someone at my ear. ‘Site safety first, Annie. Where’s your hard hat?’ Jack’s voice wipes away ninety per cent of my stress, even if it’s slightly scolding.
‘I’m having a disaster with the roof.’ I turn around to face him, scanning the surrounding area for peeking eyes, so I know how friendly I can be. Just when I think the coast is clear, I spot Richard wandering down the street, a definite look of interest on his face. I step back and swallow, returning my eyes to Jack. He’s spotted Richard too, and has also moved back a step.
‘Where’s the crane?’ Jack asks, clearing his throat.
‘Stuck in Westminster.’
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Richard chuck something in the skip and make his way back to the building.
Jack sags a little when he’s out of sight. ‘I’ve fucking missed you this week,’ he declares, sounding a little despondent. As always when he seems so worn down, I stop and wonder what he’s had to contend with to make him sound so disheartened. But only for a second, because I try not to think about his wife and focus on the fact that I can make Jack feel better. It’s been a long, busy week for both of us, except we haven’t been busy with each other, either at work or privately. It’s positively sucked. It’s not really that long, but millions of years too. That’s a problem I’m coming to fear now. I want him every day. Every hour. Every minute. ‘Can you make it to the St James’s Hotel for four thirty?’ he asks hopefully.
‘Yes,’ I confirm, as if there would be any other answer. ‘I’ll climb up on top of this extension and get the roof on myself if I have to.’
He laughs lightly, the low, sexy sound, as always, bringing a huge smile to my face. Jack’s laughs are like melted chocolate – smooth and addictive. I can’t get enough of them. ‘No need.’ He claps his hands loudly and whistles to Bill, pointing down the road.
I look over my shoulder and gasp. ‘My crane!’ I screech, watching it round the corner up ahead. ‘My crane is here!’
‘Let’s get this roof on, baby,’ Jack says quietly, striding off towards the crane.
I grin to myself, watching him fly into authoritative action, shouting orders as he goes. God, what I would do to have him alone right this minute. I look down at the screen of my phone and start to count down the minutes to four thirty.
I run up the steps of the hotel, nodding to the bellboy as I pass, checking my phone for the room number Jack sent me. When I reach the door, I knock as desperately as I’m feeling, and then start patting down my hair and brushing down my black shift dress. I don’t get nearly enough time to sort myself out after rushing here. The door swings open, Jack seizes my wrist and yanks me inside, slamming the door behind him. I yelp, startled, as I’m hauled into him. I’m yet to see him properly because everything is a blur from the speed of my movements.
‘You’re two minutes late.’ He snatches my bag and tosses it aside, then dips and grabs me under my thighs, pulling me up to his body. I yelp again, but it quickly transforms into a giggle when he runs through the sitting area and launches us into the air.