Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 61939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Okay,” I said. “I won’t tell her. Your psychotic secret is safe with me.”
“Thank you… Oh, and thanks for giving her tomorrow off to study. She needs it.” She slid behind the wheel of her car, and I watched her drive down the exit ramp.
As I re-entered the building, Andrea called.
“Yes, Miss Stone?” I answered.
“Liman’s is twenty orders behind, which means I’ll be late getting back, and I’ll also be late submitting my report, but I’ll have it done before I take off tomorrow, I assure you.”
“Don’t worry about Liman’s or the report,” I couldn’t believe what I was saying. “Just go home.”
“Huh?”
“You can take Monday off too, but don’t get used to it.”
“Why?” she asked. “What’s your ulterior motive?”
“It’s a very clear motive, Miss Stone.” I stepped onto the elevator. “The quicker you pass your exam, the quicker I don’t have to worry about dealing with anything else taking your time away from me.”
“I’m sorry I asked.”
“You’re forgiven.”
TWENTY-FIVE
ANDREA
You know I’m not coming downstairs until 7, right?
Dave (Personal Driver )
Yes, Miss Stone.
We’ve been through this a million times this morning…
Sorry. Just can’t believe Mr. Cross actually let me have an entire weekend + Monday off.
Me either.
“Nice moment or not, Your boss is still a butthole.” Everly handed me my thermos. “Until Lisa and I vote otherwise.”
“I agree.” I hugged her. “You sure you don’t want my help moving into your new place tomorrow?”
“You did us enough of a favor by paying a years’ worth of rent on it.” She smiled. “We’ll be fine in luxury without you. Get to work.”
Sliding my books into my backpack, I grabbed my purse and headed outside where Dave was waiting.
He helped me inside the car, and as if he could read my mind, he took the scenic route around the city before taking me to the café.
When I stepped out, I stalled at the sight of Mr. Cross leaning against the hood of a sleek black McLaren.
Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as he took off his shades.
Wearing a light blue dress shirt and slacks, his sleeves pushed up to his elbows, he looked entirely too comfortable standing there. The diamonds in his watch caught the light when he straightened.
What was he doing here?
“Good morning, Miss Stone,” he said, smiling. “Good to see that you were being honest about studying here today.”
“I’m off today,” was all I could say. “You promised.”
“I did promise.”
“So, go away.”
A slow smile spread across his face as he moved closer to me, stopping right in front of me—close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from him.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the door—into a nearly empty café.
I looked around, confused as to why it wasn’t teeming with students or early morning commuters.
“Good morning.” A barista moved from behind the counter and began pulling down the shades on the far wall.
“It’s shut down this weekend,” he said, letting go of my hand. “Just for you.”
The air shifted, tightening like someone had pulled invisible string between us, and I glanced behind him as another barista set a “For Andrea” sign near my usual spot.
“You didn’t need to do this…” My pulse tripped. “The off days were enough.”
“I really want you to pass that test,” he said. “Amongst other reasons.”
“Want to tell me what those reasons are?”
“No.” His gaze lingered on mine. “You’ll see them eventually, but…I do think this is the part where you get to tell me your favorite phrase.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Thank you very much.”
“You’re very welcome.”
“Please don’t do anything else nice for me,” I said quietly.
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t need to think you actually like me.” I looked at him. “Just be my boss who keeps me at a distance.”
“The distance ended the moment I devoured your pussy, Miss Stone.”
Heat flooded my face and I stepped back.
He closed the space anyway.
“Just so you know—” I said, “I went ahead and temporarily blocked your number this weekend…”
“That’s fine.” He tilted my chin up with his fingertips, trailing his thumb along my bottom lip. “You know I don’t need your number to find you.”
My stomach betrayed me with even more fluttering as he ran his other hand through my hair, but his phone vibrated in his pocket.
He tensed and pulled it from his pocket. Then he glanced at the screen.
“I’ll see you Monday, Andrea.”
“Mr. Cross.”
He looked as if he was going to correct me, but he didn’t. Keeping his eyes on mine, he took his time leaving and I stared at his car driving away for a lot longer than I wanted to admit.
TWENTY-FIVE (B)
ANDREA
Monday
Imade it through a booklet of practice tests, twenty coffee carafes, and a reread of my thesis before headquarters decided to intrude on my final off day via phone call.
From the intern department.
I let it ring.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Then my personal cell lit up with the same number.