Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
I sat up, looking around. A glance at the clock told me it was past ten. I never slept this late.
Then again, I was rarely home on a Tuesday.
The other thought absent was the dread of going in and facing Ms. Wells. Untangling myself from the blankets, I padded over to the window, opening the blinds. It was still snowing, the world outside covered in white, the tree branches laden with snow and ice, bending under the weight they carried.
I got ready, dressing in leggings and a cozy sweatshirt. Asher hadn’t packed a lot, but I could make do. It was only for a few days.
The thought of that made me sad, but I tamped down the feelings. I was here now.
I found Asher and AJ stretched out on the rug in front of the fireplace, the flames dancing behind the glass. Between them was the checkerboard, and they looked thoughtful as I crouched between them.
“Good morning.”
I received two enthusiastic responses. AJ was thrilled to be back at the condo and with Asher. He talked and grinned for five minutes. Asher waited his turn, then drew me close and kissed me. “Hello, my love. You look better.”
“I feel better. Lazy.”
“No. Long overdue. I made coffee.”
I stood and stretched. I saw how Asher’s gaze followed the hem of the sweatshirt lifting and exposing my skin. His eyes gleamed, and I shook my head. “Behave.”
I got a cup of coffee as AJ jumped to his feet. “I won! I beat Asher! Momma, I hardly ever beat him!”
Asher stood, laughing, and shook his hand. “Good game.”
AJ nodded. “You too.”
Asher ruffled his hair. “Go get dressed. I’m gonna talk your momma into making pancakes.”
AJ scampered away, and Asher came into the kitchen. I poured him a cup of coffee, and he sat at the counter.
“Pancakes?” I asked with a smile.
“And sausage,” he said with a decisive nod. “I took it out of the freezer for you.”
“How helpful.”
“I know.” He studied me. “You slept well. I’m pleased.”
“You rather wore me out.”
He’d made love to me twice before I fell asleep, once hard and fast in the shower and once in the bed, slowly, sweetly, making me come twice.
He grinned. “My favorite job.”
My smile faded at the word, but he shook his head. “I spoke with my lawyer. Wells had no grounds to fire you. It’s being handled.”
“Handled?”
“Sam is friends with the owner of your company. He called him this morning. You are free to return to work. Ms. Wells will not be there.” He took a sip of coffee. “If you want to go back. If not, there is a nice severance package for you.”
“I have to work.”
He lifted his eyebrows but said nothing.
“I do,” I insisted. “Rent, food, clothes. They all cost.”
He nodded.
“What about her?”
“Yours wasn’t the only complaint. It was by far the most serious. Turns out she is the daughter of a friend who called in a favor. Her résumé looks awesome, but it’s all a pack of lies. She’s great at manipulation. He is ‘moving her along.’”
“Oh. Good. I don’t know why she disliked me so much.”
“Because you were up for her position, and she knew it. She wanted you out of there so you couldn’t show her up.”
I gaped at him. “I had no idea. I’m not qualified…” I trailed off.
“Your old boss thought you were. He thought you were the perfect person to take his place. He recommended you.” He smiled. “She disliked what you represented. A threat.”
Her dislike made sense now. I didn’t like it, but now I understood it.
“The office is closed for the rest of the week. You can work from here if you want, or you can take the rest of the week off—your choice.”
“Wow.”
“I have connections, and I will use them to make your life easier.” He looked fierce. “I will do anything to make your life easier.”
I blinked and set down my coffee. “I think I have pancakes to make.”
He slid off the stool and rounded the counter. “Too much?”
“I’m not used to it, I suppose. Being cared for. That’s my job with AJ.”
“I can help with that, but you are mine to care for.” He kissed me, holding me tight and commanding my mouth until I was lost to everything but him. “Mine,” he repeated. “Got it?”
“Loud and clear.”
“Good.” He dropped another kiss on my nose, rubbing it affectionately with his. “Now, make me pancakes, woman. I’m depleted.”
I grabbed a bowl, smiling.
I was rather depleted as well.
The snow finished falling late that night. The next evening, I watched the plows still hard at work with the long task of clearing the roads from the floor-to-ceiling windows of Asher’s condo. The wind had died, but it remained cold. All day, the sun had glinted off the snow, looking pretty but dangerous. It was treacherous with the hidden ice and the below-normal temperatures. They were still asking people to stay home and off the streets.