Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60497 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 302(@200wpm)___ 242(@250wpm)___ 202(@300wpm)
Reminding myself I have Lucas by my side, I put the key in the door and let us inside. Lucas steps over the threshold first and I follow.
Everything looks just as I’d left it and I breathe out a sigh of relief. “I feel ridiculous being so worried,” I tell him as he steps back and shuts the door. I kick my shoes off and since I removed mine, he does the same.
“Because you were scared out of your mind the other night in a place you should feel safe.” He sets his hand at the small of my back, and I shiver at his touch.
“I should be okay staying here, right?” I ask, turning to look at him.
He nods. “You should, but why don’t you give it another night or two at Kaylee’s?”
I bite down on the inside of my cheek, my friend’s romance lesson spinning around in my brain. “Do you think I’d be safe here if someone stayed with me?” I ask him, my heart racing as I build up courage for what I’m about to do.
He raises an eyebrow at my obvious insinuation. “I suppose that depends on who the person is,” he says, his voice gruff, as if he’s already figured out what I’m really asking.
I step closer, placing a hand on his chest. “I’m thinking a big, strong man nobody would think about approaching or attacking. Someone who will keep me safe.” I walk my fingers up his shirt until I can finger his open collar.
“Rainey,” he all but growls. His body is stiff and his eyes are hooded.
“Just hear me out, okay?” I ask.
He sets his jaw and nods once.
I don’t know where my courage is coming from, but I forge ahead. “We’re both worried about us hooking up, right? Because of Jack? I don’t want to come between the two of you as friends or business partners. And he’s always warned me away from his friends.”
“He’s probably warned you away from me,” he mutters. “But yeah, that’s one of the reasons.” He grasps my wrist, stopping any further movement.
And I understand. I’m treading on delicate ground right now. I’m nervous even discussing the possibility of sleeping with the man I desperately desire. I think he wants the same thing, though I can’t be certain.
But I’m not finished with my pitch, and I’m determined to keep going. “I’m also worried about being perceived as unprofessional by sleeping with someone I’m supposed to be working with. The Thunder account means a lot to me.”
He inclines his head. “I’m aware of that, too. So where are you going with this conversation?” he asks, my wrist still in his grasp.
“I’m getting there. Can we agree we have chemistry? We both want the same thing but are hesitant to take things further?” God, if he tells me it was just a couple of kisses and I misread his intentions, I might dig a hole and curl up inside it.
“Keep going.” His voice has grown lower. Deeper. Sexier.
“What if we agree to a short-term, private affair? Just until our time working together is over. Nobody will know except us. That solves the problem of Jack finding out because outside the walls of my apartment or yours, we’ll be professional. No more kissing at work.”
“Can I sneak one?” he asks, taking me by surprise, and I let out the breath I’m holding because now I know he’s all in.
“That depends. When does this… affair… start?” I ask.
His thumb rubs lazy circles against the skin of my wrist, as if he already knows the answer and he’s ready to take what I’m offering. It’s all or nothing, I think, and do the boldest thing I can think of to give him his answer. I grab the hem of my—or should I say Kaylee’s—T-shirt and pull it over my head.
I’m wearing a sheer, pink lace bra, and his gaze darkens, his jaw clenches tight, and his stare locks on my darkened, tight nipples.
I’ve captured his interest and his breathing grows shallow as he stares at my breasts. They aren’t exactly tiny and I’ve never been this brave, but I’ve come this far—so I reach behind me and unhook the clasp. The straps fall around my arms and with a small shake, the bra drops to the floor.
“Fuck, you’re gorgeous.”
My cheeks grow hot.
He steps forward and lifts one breast in his hand, rubbing his thumb over my nipple until it’s a hardened peak. Between my thighs, my sex is damp and desire overtakes me. I reach for the top button of his shirt, but he isn’t finished. He dips his head and sucks a tight bud into his mouth. He teases me with his tongue and grazes the tip with his teeth until I’m rubbing my thighs together, seeking relief.
Slipping his free hand between us, he cups my sex in his hand. “I can feel you through the material. You’re so wet.” His voice is gruff and sexy.