Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83994 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83994 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
And I want it bad.
I’m also extremely aware that I haven’t been with anyone since I was a senior in high school. I lost my virginity to my boyfriend back then, but we broke up when we went to different colleges.
It’s hard to do long distance when you’re eighteen.
Ever since him, men have found me vaguely terrifying.
So it’s been a solid seven years since I’ve been touched by a man like that.
And honestly…
I’ve never been touched by a man like Declan.
He’s like twenty years older than me. My high school boyfriend meant well and did his best, but he was inexperienced.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Declan would know what he’s doing.
Could I really go through with it? If he wanted me to?
Could I seriously have sex with Boss Bastard?
We get out of the car together and enter the building. His apartment is near the top of the tower, and the elevator ride up is excruciating. He stares at the numbers as they tick past, his jaw tight, his expression like he’s wrestling with some difficult problem. Which actually just makes him so much hotter. Like he’s a little bit angry and stressed, and I have no idea why that turns me on more, but it does.
I have to control myself.
I’m just being silly.
After I stop at his place, I’ll go back home, say goodnight to Sheila, and tell Natalie all about this wild dinner and how dumb I was to think Boss Bastard might actually want to have sex with me.
We’ll get a good laugh out of it.
I follow Declan to his apartment door. He lingers in the hallway. There’s only one other residence on this floor and the next, but they’re on the opposite side of the building.
We’re completely alone as he turns and looks at me.
His eyes are hard, and he seems pissed off.
I have no idea what I did wrong, and I start to feel awkward and afraid. My stomach twists, and I lace my fingers together in front of me.
His gaze flits to my lips.
“I need you to go into this fully aware of what I want, Casey.” He sounds like he’s struggling to speak. My stomach is a blaze of worry.
“It’s okay, Mr. Whelan—”
“Declan,” he corrects, stepping closer to me. I move back and bump into the wall. We’re so close now that I can feel heat rolling off him and smell that musky cologne.
The scent I gave him.
“Or sir,” he whispers.
I nearly moan at that word. Oh my god, I’m losing my mind. I’m beyond aroused. It’s pathetic. My nipples are hard, and I can feel how wet I am. It’s obscene and embarrassing. I should seriously say goodnight, take his dry cleaning, and run back home before I make a fool of myself.
“It’s okay, Declan. You can… you can just tell me… whatever you need.” I’m stammering and making a fool of myself. This is just a work thing. Why am I so nervous?
His eyes blaze. He reaches up and touches my cheek. I go very still, heart racing.
Because this isn’t how a boss should act with his employee.
“I’ve resisted you for so long. I resisted you for years.” His voice is husky and low like he’s barely in control. I’ve never seen Declan like this before.
Did he really say years?
Which means from the first day I started working for him…
“You resisted me?”
“I had rules. I followed them obsessively for so long. But when I saw that box and the look on your face, I lost myself. I’ve been losing myself. And now I’m about to cross a line I swore I’d wait to cross until the right time, and I need you to understand. I need you to tell me it’s okay.” He leans in close. His lips are near mine. “Tell me it’s okay, Casey.”
Holy freaking shit.
I only halfway understand what he’s saying. Rules? What rules? But I don’t care about that.
He wants me.
This is really happening.
Am I sure I want this?
I’m not prepared at all.
Declan is nothing like the young men I’ve been with.
He’s so much older…
And such a bastard. And he’s my boss!
If we cross this line, how can we work together tomorrow? How can I still have a job?
But it’s Declan Whelan. If anyone can take tonight and compartmentalize it away…
It’s Boss Bastard. The most obsessive, controlling, perfectionist, neat-freak psycho I’ve ever met.
Which means…
If I want him, I just have to say the word.
And I can’t wait because based on the way he’s looking at me, I don’t think he’s going to hold himself back for much longer.
Every inch of my body wants him. I’m leaning forward, and slowly, I reach my hands up. I press them against his chest.
His heart’s racing, just like mine.
His muscles are firm and incredible.
He’s staring with pure, filthy yearning in his eyes.