Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Not until he slid a contract across my kitchen table.
Chapter Three
Bella
The puppy whines at the same time the doorbell rings.
In my pajamas with the puppy in my arms, I open the front door to find Livi, my brand-new pet nanny, at the door. She scoops the puppy from my arms. “I got her,” she declares. “And I’ll make coffee. You go catch a few more minutes of sleep or get ready for work.”
She grabs the leash by the door and then she’s gone.
Livi is a red-headed, twenty-eight-year-old published author who calls herself a struggling artist, not yet earning a big payday, but she’s got all my love right now. I hurry upstairs and undress, and when I step outside the door, there’s a cup of coffee waiting on me with a note: I sent a text to Allie, and she told me how you like it.
Okay, I’m supposed to hire an assistant I have not hired. I’d say it needs to be Livi but working for me is not Livi’s dream and dreams matter. It also hits me that she’s probably pretty darn excited about this job, considering who my brother is and the fact that I’m his agent. And I’m okay with that. If she’s a good writer, I’ll help her. If she isn’t, I’m not against giving her guidance to get there.
I dry my hair and do my makeup with Tyler on my mind more than I care to admit. The idea that I want to look good for him is exactly why I dress in a fairly sexless, simple black skirt and matching jacket, which I then pair with an emerald blouse. After which, I stare at my image in the mirror—my blonde hair draped around my shoulders—pleased with my conservative look, a look that says all business, no naughty stuff allowed. My attire might say hands-off, but I’m quite sure all Tyler will see is me naked and all but begging for more of his body.
My cheeks heat and I cringe.
What have I done to the career I worked tirelessly to establish?
Nothing that can be fully undone, I decide, but I can certainly remind my boss that I do my job and do it well, which means I make him lots of money, but that’s all I do for him.
With this coping strategy firmly in place, I head to the living room only to be greeted by a happy little puppy romping here and there and all over my feet. I squat down and scoop up Molly, giving her all the love. “Oh, how I wish I could spend the day with you, little one.”
“I promise to send you photos,” Livi declares, staring down at me and holding a travel mug. “I made you coffee for the road. I’m guessing you didn’t get much sleep last night.”
I kiss Molly, set her down, and push to my feet. “How are you this wonderful? And, yes, I’m exhausted but not because of Molly. It’s my trip to LA and home again. Too much travel, not enough Nashville.”
“I’ll bet,” she says. “If you need me to run errands or do anything to help, I can. Believe me, your brother paid me generously. I want to be worth the money.”
“You already are,” I assure her, and head for the door.
It’s time to face my boss. Or not. Maybe I can just avoid him today, until I put a little more distance between me, naked, in his arms, with his mouth all over me.
Chapter Four
Bella
The drive to work is short, leaving no room for naked memories, but also no time for a pep talk, either.
I’m a ball of nerves as I step onto the elevator of the Hawk Legal high-rise for my ride up to my floor. The car zooms up at lightning speed and the ding that announces my arrival to my destination floor might as well be a punch in my heart by Tyler himself.
The doors begin to part, and I remind myself that all I have to do is get to my office without an encounter with Tyler and let my job take over. There are plenty of clients in need of and deserving of my attention, while Tyler is not. I step into the hallway only to have my heart leap to my throat, and my escape plan dashed. Tyler and one of the house attorneys are standing just outside the office.
He’s in profile, and of course, he’s facing the direction I have to travel, which will certainly place me in his view, and therefore alert him to my presence.
And damn it, I notice how hot he is in his perfectly tailored and fitted blue suit, and unbidden, I remember him standing in the hotel room, naked, with sinewy muscle, and a thick cock, demanding all kinds of naughty things from me. Running at this point isn’t about shame, but survival.