Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 97151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97151 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Everyone in New York loves Ben East.
He's charming. Connected. Infuriatingly handsome. The kind of man who can fix almost any problem with a phone call and a smile.
I don't trust him for a second.
Sleeping with him, however?
That turns out to be an entirely different matter.
Our one night together is supposed to be exactly that. One night. No expectations, no complications—and definitely no repeat performance.
Then the deal for my dream hotel falls apart.
I've spent my whole life as the baby of my family, the one everyone protects. This hotel is my chance to prove—to them and to myself—that I can build something on my own.
And Ben is the one man who can help me get it.
Except he refuses.
He doesn't mix business with pleasure. And according to Ben, spending any more time together would be a terrible idea anyway, because I'd inevitably fall in love with him.
Obviously, I have to prove him wrong.
So we make a deal.
Seven days living together. No sex. No kissing. No falling in love.
If I make it through the week, he'll help me get my hotel.
There's just one thing neither of us planned for.
Somewhere between whispered secrets in Grand Central, burnt cookies at midnight and a rainy Sunday spent in bed, I stop seeing the man everyone loves—and start seeing the man underneath.
The one who takes care of everyone but himself.
The one who makes me laugh.
The one who is becoming dangerously difficult to imagine walking away from.
I went into our bet determined to prove I didn't need anyone.
But maybe falling in love isn't about needing someone to save you.
Maybe it's about finding the person you'd give up everything to choose
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ONE
Ben
When I get asked how I became one of the most powerful players in New York City, I always give the same answer—I know a lot of people, and I like introducing them to each other.
It makes my success seem accidental, and it’s anything but. I’ve learned that it’s good to be underestimated. It’s difficult to do these days, as my reputation often precedes me. But still, I like to downplay my success. I’m British, after all.
The truth is, I’m a flirt. A professional flirt.
The most important part of putting deals together, fixing problems, making introductions is that everyone feels comfortable. People trust you when they feel comfortable. They say yes more easily when they think you’re on their side. By flirting, I’m communicating that I like them. I admire them. I find them attractive.
People enjoy being flirted with, flattered, complimented—men or women, straight or gay. It’s part of my MO. The key is to make it authentic. In my experience, there’s something to like, admire, and find attractive in most people. I just find that thing and reflect it back at whoever I’m talking to. Defenses fall, weapons are relinquished. People relax.
So the real reason I’ve become successful is that first, I know what I want. Second, I’m good at figuring out who people are and what they want. And finally, I get people what they want by getting them to like and trust me.
That’s all it takes.
Most parties I go to, I have a list of people I want to talk to and another list of things I want to achieve by the end of the evening. Of course, no one knows that I have an agenda for every social occasion I attend. I’m smarter than to let it show.
But tonight there’s no agenda. Tonight, I’m celebrating with my only real friend. I’ve known Deacon since we went to university in England together. We’ve grown up together. I never thought I’d see the day when I would be at his engagement party, but I’m happy for him. I really am. Tonight’s dinner is purely social.
It doesn’t mean that I won’t be networking. Flirting. I’ll still be making sure I know who everyone in the room is, and I’ll make sure I’ve made a connection with each of them. Deacon is a successful guy, and there are some important people on tonight’s guest list, but I’m not on the clock.
As I scan the room, I see a few familiar faces and a few interesting people I didn’t expect to be here. I didn’t know that Deacon knew Ryder Westbury. I certainly didn’t know they were close enough for the man to be at this small celebration of Deacon and Aurora’s engagement. I’ll definitely need to investigate that connection. I head to the bar to get a drink and spot Deacon on the way, surrounded by gorgeous women—including Aurora.
“I feel like I’m missing out,” I say, as I join Deacon, glancing around. “Don’t be keeping all the beautiful women to yourself. You’re a taken man, Deacon.” This might be a social occasion but flirting is like breathing to me. I can’t just stop.