Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
I bobbed my head. “Um, well, it’s nice to see you again. Can you let Jonathan know he left his phone behind?” I thrust the phone towards her, hoping she’d take it without question and return it to its owner. I wasn’t that lucky.
Maggie’s blue eyes lit with interest, a smile shaping her lips. “Left it behind?”
I shuffled uncomfortably from foot to foot and threw a thumb over my shoulder. “Your brother might not have mentioned it yet, but I’m renting the apartment next door.”
Her eyebrows flew up. “You are?”
“Maggie, who is it?” Jonathan called from somewhere in the apartment before making his way to the door. He appeared wearing grey lounge pants and, well, not much else. My cheeks flamed at the sight of his bare chest, a white towel casually draped across his shoulders. His hair was damp from the shower, and I found myself unable to quit staring, particularly at his defined pecs, wide shoulders and muscular arms.
“Ada?”
I swallowed, my mouth parched as I was suddenly lost for words.
“You left your phone at her place,” Maggie told him while the connection between my brain and my mouth malfunctioned in his shirtless presence. His sister looked thoroughly amused as she shoved the offending item at him.
He frowned at her. “Listen, I can—”
Maggie shushed him with a hand. “No need to explain. It’s none of my business. Ada, we were about to have breakfast. Would you like to join us?”
“Oh, no, that’s not necessary. I already ate.”
“You can have coffee, then, or tea. Please at least stay for a few minutes. I’d love to get to know you better.” She seemed eager to get acquainted, and I worried the friendly act was a front, and she might be suspicious that I was using her brother in some way. He was a wealthy man, and there I was suddenly living in his very lavish apartment next door. Anyone in their right mind would take a moment to question the situation.
I glanced at my watch. “I have to meet my sister and nieces in a little while, but sure, I can stay for a coffee.”
Looking pleased, Maggie motioned me inside, and Jonathan stepped back, his gaze fixed on me. I mouthed a “Sorry” at him when Maggie’s back was turned. He clearly hadn’t wanted to discuss our arrangement with her yet, and my appearance had forced his hand.
I was suddenly full of worry that she might deem me untrustworthy and convince her brother to kick me out of the apartment. My hands shook as I took a seat at the breakfast bar and flicked my tongue out to wet my dry lips. Noticing my nervousness, Jonathan took the seat next to me, his arm brushing mine as he shot me a soft look that said, Relax, no one’s going to interrogate you.
I certainly hoped that was true.
His eyes wandered over my plum shirt. “You look nice. That colour suits you,” he said quietly while Maggie poured the coffee, her lips curving in a smile that seemed genuine. It put me at ease somewhat.
“Thank you,” I said, running my hand over the smooth material and glancing at Jonathan, who was still basically topless aside from the towel. I had a hard time focusing on the cup of coffee Maggie placed in front of me, and I was pretty sure she noticed when she said, “My goodness, Jonathan, go and put a shirt on or Ada will think we’re a family of exhibitionists.”
“Don’t presume to tell me what I can and can’t wear in my own home,” he shot back casually, picking up a slice of apple from the fruit selection on the table and popping it in his mouth.
“We’re about to eat. Some clothing would be nice.”
He narrowed his gaze at her playfully then stood. “Fine.”
I managed to breathe again once he was gone, and Maggie glanced at me thoughtfully. “You know, I’ve been trying to set him up for ages to no avail.”
Her statement caused my brain to spark to life as I suddenly remembered Lissa. Oh, God. Lissa. How on earth had I forgotten about her? Jonathan’s kiss had been so all-consuming that I’d neglected to recall he was actually dating someone. How many dates had he said they’d been on? Three? Four? He mentioned she wasn’t his girlfriend yet, but still, I felt ill at the thought that I’d let a man who was seeing another woman kiss me. After Cathal and Hannah, I’d never dream of doing something like that to someone else.
“Isn’t he seeing Lissa?” I asked, a frog in my throat just as Jonathan returned wearing a fitted black T-shirt, retaking the seat next to mine.
Maggie narrowed her gaze at her brother. “Who’s Lissa, and why haven’t you mentioned her to me?”
His eyebrows jumped, and he glanced at me, some indecipherable emotion in his gaze before he addressed his sister. “Lissa is a woman I was dating briefly, but I didn’t see the point in bringing her up since it didn’t work out. I’m not seeing her anymore.”