Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 25127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 25127 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 126(@200wpm)___ 101(@250wpm)___ 84(@300wpm)
“Why wouldn’t I?” she asks without hesitation. “It just makes me want to know what made you move here and change your whole life.”
I blink, surprised at her nonjudgmental reaction. Even my parents, who love me with everything in them, wondered if I lost my mind when I made the choice. In the end, they supported me and are grateful that I’m happy again.
I don’t reply to her question. “So I know the Barretts because I worked at Barrett Senior’s financial firm.”
“Aah. So you know the slime is inherited?” She grins, and I want nothing more than to kiss those lips.
I nod. “Preston came in thinking he was above the existing partners because of his family name. He cornered more than one receptionist, sending them running to HR only to find nobody would write up the owner’s son.” It’s just one of the many reasons that world isn’t for me.
“That’s awful,” Gabby whispers, obviously putting herself in the place of those women.
“You defended yourself against him. As for me, I saw him in action, then backed up my assistant’s accusation. I put it in writing, but I assume Senior buried the claims. She left the firm when I did. You’re doing the right thing, getting away from him.”
And shame on her parents for thinking the entitled young bastard with the wandering hands is good enough for their daughter. And there are those possessive instincts firing up again. Ones I never felt for a female in my life, except for my mother.
“Thank you for saying that.” Gabby smiles. “So you see why I’m not going home to deal with my family or Preston.” She squares her shoulders, obviously preparing for an argument.
Oh, she’s good. Using my disgust with Barrett as a way to change my mind about her staying. I grind my teeth so hard I’m surprised I don’t chip a molar. Because there is no way I can send her back to the pit of vipers she came from.
“Fine. You can stay here.” I’ll just have to take an extra cold shower a day.
Her eyes open wide, a big smile pulling at her mouth. “Really?”
I hold up a hand. “For a little while. Just until you figure out your next move.”
“Thank you!” Ignoring the last bite of her breakfast, she jumps up from her seat. Next thing I know, she’s wrapped herself around me, hugging me tight. “I’m so grateful. You’ve been a lifesaver from the moment we met.”
I find myself surrounded by her warm body, soft curves and the fragrance of the generic shampoo and soap in the shower. Her bland scent does nothing to calm my desire or arousal because I’ve already inhaled her strawberry scent when I carried her to bed last night. The sweet smell lingers in my memory and my body reacts to everything about her, my cock growing harder.
She doesn’t let go, and I reach up, gripping her wrists with every intention of unwinding her limbs from around my neck. Anything to create distance between us before I do something I’ll regret.
Taking my cue, her arms drift to her sides, but she doesn’t step back. Oh, no. Not the woman who has trouble written all over her. Instead, she tilts her head and meets my gaze. Her emerald eyes glitter like precious jewels, a combination of desire and naughtiness in her expression. “You try really hard to hide it but you’re a nice guy, Maddox. Thank you.”
My name on her lips is my undoing. I take in her half-lidded gaze and natural, pink puckered mouth and when she rises on to her tiptoes, I shove all rational thought aside and dip my head to steal a taste. She is all in, her kiss eager but inexperienced, solidifying the innocence I sensed from the minute I laid eyes on her. Instead of being a turn-off, it only makes me want her more.
I slide my tongue further into her mouth, and she meets me with a greedy passion I didn’t think her capable of. And fuck, she tastes good, like strawberry cream cheese and coffee, and everything sweet. I’m not used to sweet and want more. Gripping the back of her neck, I hold her in place, devouring her mouth.
Her little moans are hot and when she begins to press her body into mine, I’m shocked I don’t come in my pants. I never had such an explosive first kiss. On that thought, reality comes back with a jarring thud.
I lift my head and take a step back, needing the distance. I end things before I say screw it, lay her out on the kitchen table and make a feast of her sweet body. She blinks up at me, her dark lashes fluttering over her eyes, and I hold onto her forearms, making certain she’s steady on her feet.