Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“Stop talking. Get your pretty ass over here.”
I reluctantly obey, mostly because I feel a headache coming on and this might actually help. He sits against his desk and I lean back into him as his fingers slowly rub my shoulders and back, finding spots of tension I didn’t even know were there. He’s very skilled at massaging me, and soon I forget that I wasn’t even into the idea to begin with.
“That feels really good,” I say with a low sigh as he grinds his thumb into a particularly difficult spot.
“You’re holding too much stress.”
“Can you blame me? This whole company is on my shoulders.”
“No, baby, it isn’t. Only the parts you see.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
His hands pause, but he quickly resumes. “It doesn’t mean anything. My tongue gets loose when you’re around, that’s all.”
“I noticed the other night.”
He chuckles, low and sensual. “Now we’re joking about it?”
“No reason to pretend like it didn’t happen.”
“I like that. But tell me, why did you run away this weekend?”
“I wasn’t running. Just wanted to spend time with my parents.”
“Good. You should.”
“Prime? What are we going to do about our work situation?”
“You’ll stay on as my assistant.” His body shifts, pressing closer to me. I feel him on my ass and I don’t bother telling him to move. He’s still massaging and that’s all I care about.
“I can’t, not forever.”
“No, we’ll find a replacement eventually. But for now, I need you.”
“I know you do.” I say it like a joke.
“I’m serious, Deanna, I really need you.” His voice is low and there’s a trembling, sharp note of neediness and hunger. It sends a chill pulse between my legs.
“I’m not going anywhere. You’re my meal ticket, right?”
“And you’re my meal.”
“Prime…” I sigh.
I want to ask him a dozen questions. There are so many inconsistencies. Small things I’ve noticed over the years but that I’ve been good about ignoring. Meetings off the books, strangers hanging around, and now this business with David and Ricardo and everything else.
How does he have so much money? I know what he makes every year, give or take. The lots and other properties are lucrative, but they don’t even remotely account for the amount he willingly spends and everything he promises he’ll keep providing.
He’s hiding from me. I can see it, the way he deflects whenever I want to bring it up. He distracts and dodges and weaves, and I can’t pin him down. Who did I marry? And what does he really need?
His lips find the back of my neck.
But I step forward, smiling as I do it. “Thanks for the massage.” I roll my shoulders. “That really helped.”
“Leaving already?”
“One of us has to keep busy.”
“Don’t drown in work, baby.” He slinks back to his chair and slumps into it, watching as I march back across his office. “See you at home.”
I’m too aware of him as I escape, heart pattering quickly, confusion and doubt slipping into my mind.
I have a thousand questions, but I’m sure about one thing: there’s no way I’ll like the answers.
CHAPTER 17
DEANNA
“Are you sure about this?” I lean across the back seat of the town car to whisper at Prime as we glide through the city and out toward the suburbs.
“Sure about what?” He remains staring out the window, barely acting like he knows I’m there.
Which is strange. Not that I mind, but usually he’s obsessed with looking at me, like he can’t help himself. Now it’s like he’s bothered by something, only I can’t figure out what.
“You don’t think I’m a little… you know?” I wiggle both wrists. Twin diamond bracelets glitter in the street lights filtering through the tinted windows.
He looks my way. His expression softens. “A little beautiful?”
A flush falls across my cheeks. Even in a bad mood Prime’s got that magnetic charm. All these years and he’s never quite turned it on me before, and now that he is—
I have to admit, it’s intense.
And I like it, God help me.
“I was thinking more overdressed.”
He waves a hand at that. “It’s a formal gathering.”
“I know, but come on? Floor-length ballgown?”
“You’ll be fine, believe me. I’m in a tuxedo.”
“You’re always wearing a suit. A tux is just a fancy suit.”
“Ricardo and his wife are important people, and his guests will all be powerful and well-connected. I want you on your best behavior tonight, do you understand me?”
I elbow him in the arm. “Worried about me embarrassing you?”
“Not in the slightest, but I thought I should be clear about my expectations regardless.”
“I take it I’m working then.”
“You could call it that.”
“Alright then. I’ll break out my best party jokes. I can juggle too if that’ll be better?”
“Not funny.”
“Oh! Balloon animals!”
He catches my wrist as I pretend to make an elephant. His grip is firm as he leans in close. “Best behavior, wife, or I promise there will be a punishment waiting for you at home.”