Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 68456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68456 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 342(@200wpm)___ 274(@250wpm)___ 228(@300wpm)
“I’ll get my purse,” I announce, ducking my head as I turn and head for the kitchen counter and slide my crossbody bag on. “I’m ready.”
Millie walks out the front door with us, since I already locked the sliding doors in the back. “Have fun, children.”
After I lock the door to the house, we head to the driveway. Tyler’s got an extended cab, dark-gray truck with tires that make it clear off-roading would not be a problem. Most trucks this size would have a running board. Crap. I’m going to look awkward as all get out trying to get into this truck. If I were shorter, I’d probably need to take a few steps back in order to run and jump in.
I suck in a breath when Tyler opens the door and holds his hand out to me. “I’ll help you up,” he says. Swallowing, I nod and slide my hand into his as I step forward. The warmth of his large hand enveloping mine feels almost sensual. He guides me forward so that I’m looking into the cab and then lets go of my hand. I immediately miss the contact. And then, he sets his hands at my waist and lifts me up just enough for me to put my foot on the floor of the truck and maneuver in. There’s something so hot about the fact that he just lifted me without grunting like my body weight was too much. I bet Tyler would be strong enough to hold me against a wall while he…
Stop. Stop. Do not think of your boss that way.
Once he closes the door, I take a deep breath and pull myself together. Boss and employee or just friends is probably all that will ever be on the agenda for us, because I’m certain anything more is against the rules.
When he gets into the truck, he seems normal and unaffected. I’ve been imagining things. Clearly, I’m not on his radar in that way. Which is good… even though just thinking that makes me feel a little queasy.
“You good?” he asks.
I nod and give him a thumbs-up. “Yep.”
When he turns on the truck, the radio is on. I pretend to be super-enthusiastic about the classic rock song that’s playing so I can turn it up a little and hum along. The radio is just the buffer I need. It fills the silence and makes it acceptable not to talk on the way. I need to get a firm grip on myself where Tyler Jameson is concerned. The sooner, the better.
A few minutes later, I have myself in the right frame of mind. Tonight is about fun, sharing a drink or two with my new work friends, catching up with some of the locals I know who are sure to be inside, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll also meet some new people. And by people, I specifically mean a man. It’s no surprise that the best parking space we can find at Ted’s is half a block away.
When Tyler gets out and comes around the truck, I try to open the door and jump down. I’m not quick enough. When he takes my hand in his, my body is once again alight with a riot of sensations I’ve never felt before I met him. I use the short walk toward the bar to get my head straight. Again.
When Tyler opens the door to the bar, we’re greeted by the sounds of people talking and music playing. Once inside, he leads me to the back of the bar, which consists of a game area with a shuffleboard table, two foosball tables, an air hockey table, and four dartboards. There are also a bunch of six-seater pub-style tables throughout the area, and the right wall has booths from the front of the room to the back.
Ben, Jana, and two men I’ve never met are all gathered at one of the pub tables. A second later, I realize one of the two men looks familiar. I stop thinking about it when Tyler nudges my side. My heart skips a few beats when he leans in closer. “Now that I know where everyone is, I’m gonna go get a beer. What should I get you?”
I tilt my head back to answer. “Whatever light beer’s on tap is good for me.”
When I unzip my purse and go to pull out my wallet, he gives me a pointed look filled with amusement. “Put that away,” he laughs.
“But—”
He holds up a hand. “I’m buying. No matter what you say, that’s what’s going to happen, Ashley.”
I love it when he says my name. For my entire life, it’s felt generic and average, right until the moment it came out of his mouth. Now it’s something different. Something more.
I can tell by the expression on his face that he’s serious about buying the beer. It’s a losing battle, so I’m not going to bother. Inclining my head, I say, “Thank you.”