Total pages in book: 44
Estimated words: 41687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41687 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
“Professional?” he suggested dryly.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “There’s nothing professional about the beach. It’s the opposite of professional. It’s vacation. Something you wouldn’t know anything about.”
I winced. That last part shouldn’t have been allowed out. It was personal judgment, which was none of my business. “Sorry,” I muttered. “None of my business.”
“No, it’s not.”
I looked down at my hands, suddenly feeling like I was in the principal’s office, even though I’d never in my life been called into a principal’s office. In fact, I was getting ready to be a teacher. A fourth-grade teacher. It was everything I’d ever wanted, and I’d managed to land my dream job. As soon as I got back to California, I was moving in with two of my friends and starting my career.
“Sorry,” I said again.
Kit uncrossed his arms and leaned forward, reaching for my chin and lifting it up until I was forced to meet his eyes. “Stop apologizing to me.”
My stomach clenched at the feel of his hand on me and the deep, rolling sound of his voice.
Gah. The man was so fucking sexy, and he had no clue. Women and men threw themselves at him, and he was so used to it, he seriously thought it was that effortless for everyone.
There hadn’t been a single time in my memory he hadn’t had a beautiful woman or man on his arm and in his bed. Although those relationships never lasted very long. According to my father, Kittredge Evers was happily married to his company, and anyone else had to play second fiddle to it.
Personally, I’d never understood why that wouldn’t be enough for anyone. Because I’d play second fiddle if it meant sitting next to Kit for the rest of my life.
“I don’t want to let you down,” I admitted in a small voice.
“Not possible. There is nothing you could do that would make me disappointed in you.”
“I feel like I’m in trouble,” I said.
“You’re not.”
“Then why are you here?” I swallowed. “I thought you were in Malta with Caroline.”
“Catherine,” he replied, sounding bored. “Her name is Catherine.”
I shook my head. I wasn’t that drunk. “Catherine was the woman you dated last year. You’ve been dating Caroline Driscoll for five and a half months. Since…” I stopped talking as I realized mentioning their first date at the Torrington Gala was too specific.
“Fine,” he snapped. “Caroline. Whatever. That’s over. We’re done. She…”
I glanced up at him. “She wanted to level up,” I said before letting a giggle escape. “Sorry.”
“Stop apologizing,” he gritted out. “And yes. She wanted a ring. I suggested she get herself one with her sales bonus. She didn’t appreciate my helpful suggestion. We parted ways.”
“I’m sorry.”
He glared at me, which only made me giggle again. “S-sorry, I’m sorry. But that one was for real. For you, not for me.”
“You’re giggling,” he said, his eyebrows drawing together in consternation. “How… professional are you, exactly?”
I snorted. “Very. Very professional.”
“I was concerned you might make poor decisions in your current state,” he admitted, stretching his neck from side to side. “I thought maybe I’d come work from here for a little while to keep an eye on things.”
On the one hand, that was lovely of him. The way Kit cared for me, protected me, warmed me from the inside out. But on the other hand…
My jaw dropped. “On me?” I squeaked in shock. “You’re… what? Going to babysit me in front of my friends? Are you kidding? You think I’m going to do something stupid? You think I’m reckless?”
“I’ll stay out of your way, don’t worry. I have a lot of work to do.” His jaw clenched as he let go of me, looked away, and crossed his arms again. “And it’s not you I don’t trust. But sometimes when there’s alcohol involved—”
“I’m twenty-two! I’ve spent four years learning how to drink responsibly.”
Kit lifted one eyebrow.
“Besides,” I snapped, “what do you think I’m going to get drunk and do, exactly?”
He lowered his chin and narrowed his eyes before pointing toward the door. “Any one of those men out there.”
My body flushed cold with shock and rage, but also a little warm because Kit had just discussed the topic of me doing someone. Here. In his home. “You don’t think I deserve to fool around and have fun?”
“Drunk people make stupid decisions.”
I threw my hands up. “I’m drunk right now, and I managed to get through this entire conversation without telling you I want you to hold me down and fuck me over that desk, didn’t I? I think I can handle fooling around with my friends if I want to.”
His eyes widened, and his cheeks darkened before I realized what I’d said.
“Oh,” I breathed. “No.”
Panic flared hot and uncomfortable in my entire body, making my skin suddenly clammy and my chest unbearably tight. “No. No. I didn’t. I’m…” I grabbed for my chest. Why was there suddenly no air in here? “I didn’t mean that,” I squeaked with the only air left in my lungs.