Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 27909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Leo had finished his as well, so they both stood and threw the cups in a nearby trash can.
“I think that Christmas can be whatever you want it to be. It’s all about what you make of it,” she said.
He let out a rough chuckle. “You make it sound so easy. What if I’m too bitter for that?”
She grinned and took his hand. “That sounds like a challenge, my friend. If we’re going to keep getting to know each other, I’m going to make it my personal mission to show you the brighter side of the holiday.”
His eyeroll conveyed his disbelief. “Good luck with that.”
He didn’t know her well enough to realize that when she set out to accomplish a goal, she was always successful.
They headed back to his SUV, and he opened her door, letting her in. As he drove her back to her apartment, she couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off his profile. The spark that she felt for him had grown. Now it was more like a fire, burning deep inside her and urging her to get closer, to know him better and not for some pretend reason.
“So, what do you think?” she asked. “Did you have fun tonight?”
He glanced at her briefly before refocusing on the road. “I did. The whole evening wasn’t what I expected.”
She studied his handsome features. “Is that a good thing? I know you have those control issues…”
This time, he shot her a fake wide-eyed look. “I think you enjoy teasing me a little too much. But yes, it’s a good thing.”
He parked in front of her building instead of the far curb, turning off the vehicle and getting out with her. She figured he’d just walk her to the building, but he held open the door and stepped inside.
“And where do you think you’re going?” she asked as he waited for the elevator along with her.
“I’m making sure you get to your apartment okay.”
She let out a noise, half scoff, half she didn’t know what. “I don’t live in a crack den, Leo. This building is secure. You saw me use a key to get in, right?”
He eyed her with skepticism. “Maybe I’m just a gentleman.”
As he joined her in the elevator, a part of her wished that wasn’t true. A man that wasn’t a gentleman would probably push his luck and try to get an invite into her apartment. Or even better, into her bed.
Despite her dismissal when he’d offered to show her the great views at his place, she wanted to give in to this attraction, even if it didn’t have real meaning for him. Even if it was just a one-time hookup. She wasn’t usually that girl but for Leo, she’d make an exception.
When they reached her apartment on the third floor, she paused in front of the door. She’d already had her keys in hand and fiddled with them as she met his gaze. Another thing she liked about him. He was tall and she needed to tip her neck back to look at him.
There was something undeniably intimate about how close they stood, and her lips parted just as he said her name.
“Cammie… I don’t think I’ve thanked you for going along with all this. I really do appreciate it, and I think it’s time for me to follow through on another part of our deal.”
Can we renegotiate it to include a night in bed? Good thing she hadn’t said that out loud.
Reaching into the inner pocket of his suit jacket, he pulled out his wallet and handed her a familiar credit card, the one he used to buy coffee every time he came into Froth and Grind.
“Get yourself a dress for the party. There’s a boutique off Madison Avenue called Urban Trend. My sister goes there often. If they won’t let you use it, just give me a call.”
Cammie accepted the card and stopped fidgeting with her keys. He wasn’t going to kiss her like she’d hoped. “Thanks, Leo. Have a good night.”
She’d just stepped inside when she heard him reply in a low voice. “Good night, Cammie.”
She shut the door without looking back and tucked the credit card into her purse. The card served as a reminder. This was a business deal.
No romance involved.
Chapter Five
Leo sat behind his desk at work, his office door closed. Without warning, the door opened and his boss, William Manning, stepped inside.
Leo rose to his feet. “Mr. Manning, what can I do for you?”
They shook hands, and despite Leo having a large office with a seating area, they each settled by the desk-Leo in his desk chair and his boss in one of the two seats across from him. Still, Leo appreciated his black leather couch, two matching seats near the floor-to-ceiling windows, all with a great view of the city from the thirtieth floor.