The Substitute (Single in Seattle #5.5) Read Online Kristen Proby

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Erotic, Novella Tags Authors: Series: Single in Seattle Series by Kristen Proby
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Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25871 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 129(@200wpm)___ 103(@250wpm)___ 86(@300wpm)
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My teeth are clenched so tightly that I’m surprised they don’t break as I watch her walk to my door. She turns back and smiles.

“See you on Monday.”

“See you.” I nod once, and then she’s gone. I let out a long, slow breath.

I’m well and truly fucked when it comes to Maya Sterling.

Chapter Two

Maya

“Hey, guys.” I grin as I push inside my brother’s condo, carrying a chocolate cheesecake. It’s my contribution for tonight since Gray and Stella are making dinner. “I’m here! We can start the party.”

I kick off my shoes and notice that everyone is gathered in the kitchen, chatting while my brother and his gorgeous wife bustle about to finish dinner.

“Maya!” My sister-in-law’s best friend Olivia comes running over to wrap me up in a hug. “It’s so good to see you. I heard you moved to Seattle.”

“Guilty,” I reply with a grin and feel my stomach tighten at the sight of Olivia’s husband, none other than the hottest movie star on the planet, Vaughn Barrymore.

Olivia’s brother, Keaton, is also married to my sister, Sidney.

This whole family is a big, giant, tangled web of a family tree that I can’t figure out without a spreadsheet and a video tutorial.

“How’s the movie business?” I ask as Vaughn hugs me. I inhale his sexy, manly scent and feel the rock-hard muscles under his casual T-shirt. For fuck’s sake, he’s delicious. Not that I would ever do anything inappropriate. I’m just a living, breathing female and can’t help but notice.

There’s a reason Vaughn is the sexiest man alive, at least according to several news outlets.

“It’s busy,” Liv says with a shrug. She’s a costume designer for her father’s major production company. That’s how she met Vaughn. “Always busy. I guess that’s a good thing.”

“It’s a great thing,” I agree, circling the island to hug Gray and Stella. “Hi, guys.”

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Stella says, stowing the cheesecake in the fridge. “And not just because of dessert. How was your first week at work?”

“Wait,” Liv says, holding up a hand. “We’re jumping ahead. I have questions.”

I notice Gray and Vaughn share a look before they grin. They love their girls and can usually hardly get a word in edgewise.

“Okay, shoot,” I say, leaning on the counter and stealing a carrot from the salad bowl.

“Where are you living?”

“Downstairs, in Sid’s condo.” My sister came here last year to write music and get away from Nashville for a while. She rented a condo just downstairs from Gray and Stella and ended up buying it as an investment property. Lucky for me, it was empty, and I was able to rent it from her. “I’m leasing it for a while.”

“Handy,” Gray says with a smile. “I like having you close by.”

“I agree.” Stella grins. “You should pop up for breakfast and stuff.”

“You guys are naked too often for me to just pop by,” I reply with a shake of the head. “I’ll text first.”

“Smart plan,” Liv says. “Okay, and where are you working? You found something fast.”

“I decided to throw my hat in the ring with a temp agency.” I steal another carrot, realizing I’m famished. “I just don’t know what I want to do long term. I know I’m thirty and should have some of that shit figured out by now, but with Mom being sick and—”

“Hey,” Vaughn says kindly. “You don’t have to explain yourself to us. You have plenty of time to figure it out.”

I smile at him. Not only is he hot and famous, but he’s also so kind.

“Thanks. Anyway, I got a call last week about a job as a legal secretary.”

That has my brother’s head coming up in surprise. “Really? Why didn’t you tell me? I’d have seen if there was an opening at my practice.”

“First of all, I didn’t specify law when I applied. And secondly, I don’t know that I want it to be permanent.” I shrug. “Also, my wardrobe is sorely lacking, you guys. I’ve been in Europe for six months, wearing the most casual of casual clothes—beat-up jeans, hoodies, and T-shirts. Not fancy. Plus, most of what I have is too big on me and makes me look…old.”

“Shopping trip,” Stella exclaims, and Olivia nods in agreement. “We have to get you some pretty suits and things appropriate for a law office.”

“Heels,” Liv adds.

“I’m not good in heels,” I say with a wince. “I’m out of practice.”

“You can get back in practice,” Stella says. “And you need good underwear.”

“For work?” I frown, remembering how attracted I am to my new boss. I try not to squirm.

“Good underwear makes you feel confident,” Liv says.

“Wait.” Gray holds up a hand. “Who are you working for?”

“Derek Langley.”

“No.” Gray shakes his head and tosses his knife onto the cutting board. “Absolutely fucking not.”

“Who’s Derek Langley?” Vaughn wants to know, immediately scowling.


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