Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 158829 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 794(@200wpm)___ 635(@250wpm)___ 529(@300wpm)
Oops.
I almost bite my tongue off.
He cocks his head, his eyes softening.
“I need you focused, Miss Renee. So, yes, I’m happy to take care of whatever it is you—or your father—need.” His gaze drops to my lips. “Just think about it.”
Oh, boy.
I can’t believe I’m living every forced proximity rom-com fantasy.
I grip the armrest.
His gaze is magnetic, impossible to glance away from. He looks at my mouth like he could devour it right here.
My toes curl at the thought. I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
Not here, Brock.
Not on the plane in front of everyone.
Because if you kiss me again, you know I won’t stop you and I’ll enjoy it so much it’ll ruin us both.
I swing my head around to look away—breaking our connection just in time.
Thankfully, the flight attendant who stops by helps.
He sinks in his seat after ordering a coffee while the woman asks if I want anything. I take an ice-cold soda.
Anything bubbly and caffeinated to save me from the unholy temptation beside me.
An hour and two sodas later, the gaping silence is just as awkward as having his intense stare fixed on my lips.
“So, did you spend a lot of time with your grandparents growing up?” I have no idea why I ask, looking up from my laptop.
It seems like a safe subject and I need to break up the monotony.
“They practically raised me.” He glances at me slowly. “Why?”
“You’re just...very protective of the work they left behind. It’s kind of cute, honestly.” I smile, deciding to test my limits. “What about your parents? Were they part of the Winthrope empire too?”
“I’ve always gotten along with my grandparents better than my folks. The hotel business wasn’t for them—or business of any kind that didn’t involve fluff speeches at auctions for wildlife preservation or gambling. In my circles, the workaholic gene skips a generation.”
Dang.
I didn’t expect him to be so open. It’s actually a little refreshing to hear that his parents were just unambitious and not responsible for some tragic backstory.
But why does he have such a heaping chip on his shoulder then?
“Were you always next in line?” I venture.
“No. I was still in the Air Force when my grandfather approached me about it. I sensed he was about to pull strings to end my duties early. I was flying missions in Syria and Iraq, and my grandma was freaking out. I asked him to let me finish my contract and we could go from there—” He studies my face and snorts. “What? You’re looking at me like I’m mad.”
“I’ve never met someone who wanted to go to war.”
“I owed it to my men. We trained together. Wouldn’t be right to let them risk their asses while I slinked off to board meetings. Money buys virtually anything, Miss Renee, but I’ve never let it lure me into an easy life.”
“Wow,” I mouth slowly. “So, under the egomaniac, there’s actually a guy who isn’t a colossal dick.”
“Don’t tell anyone. I don’t need you ruining my reputation—or implying I’m anything less than a centaur below the belt.”
I don’t know whether to blush or burst out laughing, so I do both.
“Did you like it, though?”
He blinks at me. “Like what?”
“The military?”
“The discipline was useful. If Gramps hadn’t asked me to come back and start working with him, I would have stayed for another term. At first, I was going to stay anyhow, but then—” He pauses, his face falling like he’s pushing away a memory. “He reminded me he couldn’t live forever and needed to train someone to take the helm. I couldn’t turn him down. It was almost like my birthright to preserve his legacy.”
“You being in the military makes sense. No wonder you’re such a hardass—”
“Careful. Most people don’t call their boss an ass of any kind to his face.”
And most people’s bosses probably haven’t kissed them so hard they were left winded, but I don’t dare say it and pump him up more.
“Anyhow, USAF training definitely helped me shore this business up.”
I smile. “Seems like Winthrope International was a rave success before you were born. I’m not sure you can take credit for that.”
“I know, which is why I won’t be responsible for fucking it up.”
“Mr. Winthrope, you can’t blame yourself for the negative reviews, wherever they’re coming from.”
“Who else would I blame? I’m the leader, last I checked. And it’s happening too frequently now. Only a jackass would blame some lower-level employee.”
This man was stark naked when I met him and still knew he was in total control. I’m not sure I’ll ever understand his thinking.
“We’ll figure this out,” I say.
“We’d better. Keep up the confidence, Miss Renee. It’s a good look on you.”
I try not to blush again. “Yeah. But you have to keep an open mind, and if we need to take a look at honest changes—”