Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 59445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 297(@200wpm)___ 238(@250wpm)___ 198(@300wpm)
I swallowed hard, unable to open my mouth to respond, because in that moment I fell even harder for him, and I knew if I spoke, I’d tell him.
And I wasn’t sure he was ready for that.
WESTON
I lingered by the silent auction table at the Raptors’ most recent charity gala, more to take a moment to breathe than to browse.
The last three hours had been a whirlwind of hand shaking, fine dining, and asking for donations for Doctors Without Borders, all in between dancing to live music and making sure none of my Raptors pulled any stunts that would land us on the social sites before tomorrow’s news.
I had a good team, with only a few pranksters, and so far, the night had gone off without a hitch. And as much as I loved these events, especially for all the funds they raised for charity, I would much rather be at home, Brynn tucked under my arm as we binge-watched more of her favorite reality show and stuffed our faces with ice cream.
Fuck, when had that become my life? And how the hell had I gotten lucky enough to land one like it?
“How’s it looking?” Nixon asked as he and Roman sauntered over to where I’d been hiding, both of them wearing suits that looked similar to my own—slick, black, and expensive.
“I’ve got my eye on that mountain biking trip in Morocco trip,” I said, pointing down the table where all the silent auction items were listed.
“Liberty would love that,” Nixon said. “I’ll have to bid on it too.”
“You think you can win against me?” I joked.
He shook his head. “If I approached everything with that mentality I’d never even play.”
I nodded, unable to argue with him there.
Roman glanced over the items, his eyes lighting up. “Teagan would love a guided trip to Paris,” he said. “We’ve been meaning to get out there for a while, but it keeps getting put off.”
“No time like the present,” I said. “Plus, winning gives you a good excuse and it’s all for a noble cause.”
Roman laughed as he placed his bid on the trip. “You don’t have to sell me, Weston,” he said. “I’m already here.”
I chuckled. “That reminds me, have I thanked you guys yet for handling all the press’s questions? I know it’s a lot sometimes, but you two are their favorites.”
“It’s all part of the gig,” Nixon said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go find my wife. She owes me a dance.”
I nodded to him, then to Roman as he went off to do much the same. Which had me looking for my…Brynn.
We’d held off on the Christmas announcement after the presentation deadline got pushed. While I was happy for more time, I was sad I hadn’t been able to shout from the rooftops that Brynn was mine. But, all in good time. She was mine in every way that mattered, and once we got this deal secured, we’d be free to do whatever we wanted.
I spotted Brynn across the room, my eyes drawn to her like a magnet. She looked radiant in a light blue gown that left her shoulders bare and draped all the way down to her toes, a slit running up to her thigh. Her smile was the real knockout though, doing its best to steal my breath as I started navigating my way through the crowd over to her.
“There you are,” I said, just as she was saying her goodbyes to a couple of longtime donors. “I feel like we keep missing each other all night.”
“I know,” she said. “Which is a shame, because I haven’t got to tell you how amazing you look in that suit.”
I grinned, puffing my chest out just enough to draw her gaze. “My assistant once told me she was a sucker for a black suit.”
She bit back a smile. “I think I’m a sucker for anything you wear,” she said, stepping just close enough to lower her voice between us. “Whether that be a suit, sweatpants, or bedsheets.”
Heat sliced through me, my need for the woman magnifying in two seconds flat. “Have you gotten a chance to look at the sculpture just past the lobby, Ms. Allen?” I asked.
“I haven’t,” she said. “And sadly, I only have another twenty minutes before I have to leave for the airport.”
“You have to see it then,” I said, leading the way out of the event ballroom and through the hotel lobby, down a secluded hallway that was empty this time of evening. “It’s just here,” I said, pointing to a truly well-done piece, but I really didn’t have any interest in showing it to her.
I gently grabbed her hand, ducking into a small alcove just off the sculpture viewing area, hauling her against me, my lips finding hers even in almost pure darkness.