Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 96833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
I said nothing, but managed to keep my mouth from falling open.
She cleared her throat. “They have a lot of sympathy for you because of your…circumstances. It makes you more appealing, you know? That’s what I gathered tonight.” She looked into my eyes. “I’m impressed that you never capitalized on your power and dated any of those women. A couple of them are very pretty.”
“I don’t date.”
“That’s right. I should say I’m surprised you’ve never entertained any of them and kicked them out of your apartment after.”
“I have no trouble finding attractive women elsewhere,” I assured her. “I don’t need to be shagging my employees. I don’t shit where I eat.”
She nodded. “Makes sense.”
“That would be inappropriate in any case.”
“Inappropriate…” She tilted her head. “Sort of like dating two women at once, both who know about each other?”
I rolled my eyes. “There was nothing wrong with that as long as they were okay with it.”
“I’m just kidding.” She blushed.
“You bring up the Marias a lot. Sounds like you’re still judging me for it.”
“I’m absolutely not judging you. A harem is nice work, if you can get it. More power to you. I mean, I would never be okay with that—regardless of your self-proclaimed ability to make both women feel wanted. The idea of it is just…ick.” She laughed. “Although, I might get down with a reverse-harem scenario.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Maybe with Alistair and Sean.” She winked, clearly trying to push my buttons.
It was working. She-devil.
Abby broke out into laughter. “Oh my God. I swear you have steam coming out of your ears right now. I’m totally kidding.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because getting you riled up takes your mind off of all the other things.”
She had a point. With Abby, I never focused on my problems but rather was always immersed in our conversations, even when we were sparring.
“Reverse harem… It wouldn’t happen for you, anyway,” I said.
Her eyes narrowed. “Why? Because I’m a woman?”
“No. That’s not what I’m getting at.”
“What is it, then?”
“Someone would have to be out of their mind to want to share you.” Fuck. Why did I say that? Because it was the truth. She was a ten. And for a moment, I’d lost my bloody mind, staring at her breasts pressed against my shirt.
She moved her hair behind her ear. “Oh…well, thanks.” After an awkward silence, she shook her head. “I shouldn’t have had that chocolate so late. I’ll be up all night.”
I snapped my fingers. “Heartburn. That’s what it is, isn’t it? Your symptom.”
“I wouldn’t be hesitant to tell you I had heartburn, no.”
“Hmm…” I scratched my chin. “Nothing embarrassing about that, I suppose, yeah.”
“Anyway…” She yawned. “I’m gonna hit the hay. Not the literal hay this time though,” she added. “Although that was a fun night.”
Good. If she stayed up much longer, Lord knew what other inappropriate things would come out of my mouth.
She started to exit, but then she turned around. “It’s heightened arousal.” She blushed. “My symptom. Increased libido is apparently common in the first and second trimester. It feels like I’m on fire.” She shrugged and disappeared down the hall, leaving me in an unfortunate, heightened state of arousal.
Alright, then.
CHAPTER 20
* * *
Abby
Track 20: “Where Does My Heart Beat Now” by Celine Dion
Despite enjoying the cool countryside summer, I’d missed Sig over the past few weeks.
Ever since I’d slept at his apartment that Thursday night, he’d made himself pretty scarce. He seemed to be avoiding me—conveniently started working late. So now I took a car in the afternoons, too, rather than getting a ride to Westfordshire from him. He’d even stayed at his London apartment the past couple weekends, without visiting the inn at all. I had to wonder if I’d done something, or was he really just busy? He had taken a business trip to Scotland recently…
Anyway, whatever the reason, today would be the first time I’d spend any quality time with Sig since that night at his apartment. I’d worked from home, even though it was Thursday, and he was picking me up this afternoon to accompany me to my first ultrasound, which I was way, way beyond nervous about. More than anything, I was afraid they might find something wrong. That was the one thing I couldn’t handle. Please, God, let this baby be healthy.
When Sig arrived at the inn, I nearly did a double take. He was dressed uncharacteristically youthfully—in a black hooded sweatshirt and black baseball cap worn backwards. The look was sexy as hell, and my desire to jump him hadn’t waned in the time we’d been apart.
He looked me up and down. “You ready to go?”
I cleared my throat. “Yeah…” I followed him to his car and got in.
He started the engine and pulled out before he finally turned to me. “How have you been?”
“Good.” I breathed in his masculine scent. “I’ve missed seeing you.” When he didn’t reciprocate the sentiment, I added, “How was Scotland?”