Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97921 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 490(@200wpm)___ 392(@250wpm)___ 326(@300wpm)
My phone buzzes, pulling my attention. I look down at it and see it’s a text from Jacob. I smile and call instead of texting him back. I need to have a dose of reality.
“Hey, you.”
“Merry Christmas, gorgeous.”
Ugh, why doesn’t it feel the same? My entire body hummed when Dante was sitting here.
“Hi, Jacob. Have you closed down for the night?”
“I’m locking up now. I wanted to catch you before you got on to game. How was your Christmas?”
“It was great. Bella was happy. That was the most important thing for me. I got to spend time with my sister as well.”
“That’s great.”
“How was yours?”
“Things were busy. I’m dead on my feet. I can’t wait to get home and have a beer. I wish I had a pretty face to greet me at my place.”
I think about taking the trip across town to make that happen. However, we haven’t been on a date. My gut is telling me to take my time with this.
“Aww, I wish, but I need to get this content done. Judge and I usually do a huge giveaway for the holidays. The sponsors have sent some things for us to giveaway,” I reply.
“It was wishful thinking. Listen, I’m about to get on my bike. I’ll text you when I get home.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to you later. Get some rest.”
“Thanks.”
Chapter 19
Skill Set
Lizzy
“Hey Jacob,” I say into the phone as I make my way to the kitchen.
I’ve been living with Dante and Bella for about three weeks now and it has been interesting, to say the least. Jacob calls almost daily now. However, I haven’t had the time to go out on a date with him.
Dante and Bella keep me pretty busy. Although, I’ve been making it a point to text and talk with Jacob at night while he closes up the restaurant.
“Hey, gorgeous.”
“What’s up?”
“I was hoping you would be able to find some time to have drinks. I’d love to see that gorgeous face in person.”
“I don’t know. We’re getting ready to head out this weekend. There’s so much to get done—”
My words are cut off as a yelp escapes my lips. I run right into a hard body and almost drop my phone from my ear. I tilt on my heels and curse Nyla for suggesting the black four-inch patent leather stilettos.
I look up as my body is drawn into the one I crashed into and lock gazes with hazel eyes. It’s the intensity for me. My brain scrambles and my nipples tighten against my bra.
Dante’s hand on my back is so warm it’s almost a distraction from the hard hot body at my front. Gah, this man is too sexy for words. His warm, minty fresh breath fans in my face.
“Lizzy, you there?” Jacob calls, bringing me down from the cloud I’m floating on. I clear my throat and take a step back. Running my free hand down the front of my black pencil skirt, I try to find my voice.
“Hey, Jacob. Let me call you back. I have to go,” I breathe into the phone.
“I’m looking forward to it. Later, baby.”
I wrinkle my brows. That’s a first, but I’m not totally turned off. Jacob is growing on me.
“Later.”
I hang up and look up into Dante’s eyes. In my heels, he’s only a few inches taller than me, but I still feel so small in front of him. Dante is built like I spend time in the gym and will crush you built. It works well with his height. I tug at the yellow silk blouse Bella picked out for me last night.
“Sorry,” I murmur. “I was distracted.”
Dante snorts. “We leave in fifteen.”
I feel the loss of his hand on me. I nod and rush to get Bella a bowl of cereal. As I place the bowl in front of her and pour her cereal into the bowl, Dante finishes his coffee and moves to place a hand on Bella’s back before he kisses her nose as she looks up at him.
“You look nice,” he says.
I look at Bella and smile as I notice she’s wearing a yellow top and black skirt. Her little Mary Janes are on her feet. However, when I turn my eyes to Dante, he’s looking at me.
“Oh, me?”
“Yes, you. Yellow is your color. You should wear that color more often. It places a glow on your skin.”
“Thanks,” I say and duck my head.
“Things seem to be getting serious with Jacob,” he murmurs.
“Not really. I mean, we talk a lot, but neither of us has found time to go out on that date. I’m feeling things out, I guess.”
“Bella’s grandfather wants to spend some time with her. Her maternal grandfather. He’ll come by the office to pick her up today. Once she’s gone, I need you to sit in on some meetings with me. We’ll be working late tonight.”