Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96752 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
I know it’s not real, but for one night it can be. “You look good, too. That tux suits you. We both know this is a one-night thing.”
He’s looking into my eyes like he can find something important there. “Why? Why do we have to put a time limit on it? What if it turns out we can handle butting heads at work and still feel comfortable outside of it? Are you a delicate flower who can’t handle a little conflict?”
Oh, he’s throwing down a challenge that I can’t help but pick up. “I’ve worked with construction crews my whole life. I eat conflict for breakfast.”
I had to develop a thick skin to survive. Even as a kid, my dad didn’t hold back on the criticism, and I get a ton of it now. Honestly, the idea of working with this man, of sparring with him, kind of excites me. I’ve been the boss for a long time, and that means pushing back when the men around me think they know better. This will be something different.
“Then why does this have to be a one-night thing?” He strokes a hand over my hair, looking into my eyes like I’m something precious. “Stop thinking, Harper. We both think too much. Let’s go with it for once in our lives.”
It’s the exact right thing to say because he’s correct. My life feels like it was planned from the beginning. Like I was set on a path and I never thought to wander off it. I followed my father, listened to my mother. I love the work I do, but what would I do if I didn’t have the responsibility the company gave me? What would I have done in college if I wasn’t expected to get a business degree?
If my father lived, would he have introduced me to some nice guy he picked out and I would be home having his babies while he ran the company that was supposed to be mine?
Do I even want it?
I toss all the questions aside as Reid’s head lowers and his lips brush over mine for the first time.
I definitely wouldn’t be here, and here suddenly seems like a brilliant place to be.
He kisses me, his lips exploring while his big, strong hands move over my hips and one trails upward, tracing the line of my spine until he cups the nape of my neck. His fingers sink into my hair, pulling it from the carefully constructed bun I wore all day. I feel it spill out, brushing the tops of my shoulders.
“So soft,” he murmurs before lowering his mouth to mine again. This time his kiss moves from gentle into dominating. He holds me still while he explores my mouth, our tongues sliding against one another in a silky dance. He seems…hungry, and having all that sexy energy pointed my direction does something for me.
I tug at the buttons of his shirt. He took the jacket off in the elevator. Yep, my bestie has an elevator, though Luca calls it the lift. So that shirt is the only thing standing between me and warm skin.
My toes threaten to curl as he pulls me against his body and I feel the evidence of his desire for the first time. I press against that hard part of him, warmth flaring through every inch of my body.
It’s been so long. My last boyfriend and I broke up over two years ago, and I haven’t dated since. Work got busy, and it was easier to simply go home and stare at a TV rather than take care of yet another person. I have to make every decision at work, have to fight over all of them, and then Lewis wanted me to make all the decisions in our relationship. He wanted a mom, not a girlfriend.
Which is likely why this feels so damn different.
Reid takes charge, holding me in place while he devours my mouth. It makes me wonder where else he might want to put it to good use.
I have a sudden vision of Reid between my legs, his mouth hovering over my core before he makes a meal out of me.
He starts to move us toward the back of the suite.
Behind us there’s the sound of a door opening, and Reid quickly steps back. Before I can say anything, he’s buttoning his shirt and turning to the front of the suite. “Jeremiah? Is everything okay?”
“Well, hello, tiny bag,” I hear Jeremiah say from the living area. “I wasn’t expecting you here. Hey, brother, you might stash Harper for a minute. We have a problem.”
Reid stares at his brother for a moment like they’re having an intense silent conversation.
I get the feeling our evening is over, but I’m not sure why. Jeremiah pointedly glances at his watch.
Reid turns my way, and I don’t have to have feelings. I know he’s about to ask me to leave. I take a long breath before he can talk. “I’ll get back to my room.”