Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 40867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40867 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 204(@200wpm)___ 163(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
I leaned in slowly, hiding my smile when her breath hitched. “Answer me, Saylor.”
Her lips parted open slightly and the small breath she let out made me want to kiss her. Those hazel eyes sparkled and then instantly turned dark. Putting her hands on my chest, she pushed me back.
“I’m probably going to get fired, but since you asked, I’ll tell you. All you’ve done since the moment I’ve met you is insult me.”
I let out a bark of laughter. “How in the hell have I insulted you?”
Saylor rolled her eyes and huffed. “Oh please, Mason. God forbid anyone thinks you’re having lunch with the likes of me. I mean, I get I’m not gorgeous like Charisa, but you don’t have to act like that. I get it, you don’t want people to think something’s going on, but is it really unheard of for two co-workers to share lunch together?”
I took a step back as my heart dropped. “Act like what?”
“Grabbing our lunch and throwing it out before anyone walked in. Remember? We wouldn’t want anyone to get the wrong impression? Wink, wink.”
She attempted to wink twice and damn if it wasn’t the most adorable thing. I fought the urge to grab her by the arms and shake some sense into her.
“You thought I meant…” I laughed. “Jesus Christ, Saylor, I only meant I didn’t want them to think we were in here talking about the meeting ahead of time. Giving you tips on how to respond like you did. The last thing I want them to think is that you’re going to be my spy.”
She opened her mouth to speak then clamped shut. She chewed on her lip and looked away.
“Oh.”
Damn, why was that a turn on?
“Yeah, oh. And let me tell you one more thing while we’re at it. You are ten times more beautiful than Charisa, both inside and out.”
The corner of her mouth rose, and her cheeks turned the most beautiful shade of pink I’d ever seen. She looked back at me. “You don’t even really know me, Mason. Certainly not well enough to make that statement.”
I smiled. “I know enough.”
When she pulled her lip between her teeth, I had to fight the urge to lean in and kiss her. It was so unlike me to be this attracted to a co-worker.
She must have noticed the way I leaned slightly closer to her. Clearing her throat, she said, “I…um…I better get back to work.”
With a nod, I stepped out of her way. The moment I heard the door open and close, I shut my eyes and tried to figure out the ache I was feeling in my chest.
“What in the hell is going on?”
• • •
After hitting the ball as hard as I could, I watched it hit my best friend Mike square in the face.
“Fucking hell, Mason. What’s wrong with you today?”
I walked over and grabbed a towel to wipe off my face. “Got a lot on my mind.”
“No shit. You’re hitting that ball like you want to kill someone.”
Mike sat down next to me and took a drink of water. His phone buzzed on the metal bleachers, causing him to pick it up and smile.
“Amy picked out her dress.”
Sitting next to him, I grinned. “That’s great. How long was she looking?”
“Two months.”
I had no fucking clue if that was good, bad, or normal. I really didn’t give a shit either, but Mike was my best friend and I was going to be in his wedding. The least I could do was act like I cared.
“Is that normal?” I asked.
He laughed. “Fuck if I know. All I know is that it’s a huge stress off her shoulders.”
“Has she been one of those nightmare brides-to-be?”
“Nah, not at all.” The way he smiled actually made me a bit jealous. Mike had found love and seemed to be content with his life. He’d cut back his hours at work, and he and Amy had taken up cycling. They’d biked all over the country. At times I’d see his pictures on social media and get jealous that he was out exploring the world while I was trying to figure out a better way to sell condoms alone in my office at eight at night.
“That’s good,” I replied.
“What about you, Mason?”
“What about me?”
He chuckled. “When are you going to settle down?”
My heart dropped like a rock. “Settle down? You’re kidding, right? Why in the hell would I want to be tied to one woman?”
“There’s never been anyone who’s made you want more?”
“No. Never. And I’m pretty sure it’ll stay that way.” A part of me knew that wasn’t true. It wasn’t like I didn’t want love. Seeing Mike, Charlie, and my brother Rich so happy made me feel a tad jealous. But no woman had ever made me want to give up my lifestyle for her.