Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Essie’s gaze kept returning to Zander’s chiseled body as he worked. His glistening skin pulled tight over bulging muscles demanded her attention. In shorts and a tank top, Essie wished she could go topless as well. She snorted, imagining how ridiculous she would look. The world isn’t ready for all my plus-sized glory.
“Stop it.”
Yanked out of her self-criticism, Essie glanced up into Zander’s blue eyes. “What?”
“Stop thinking whatever was running through that beautiful brain of yours,” Zander said.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Yes, you do. You always get the same expression when you’re worrying about something negative. I noticed that when we were kids.”
“You learned….” Essie studied him, wondering what planet he had come from. No preteen boy ever paid that much attention. And she didn’t really have a I’m thinking about something negative look. Did she?
“Yes. When we planned to go fishing, and it started to rain, I’d see you with that same expression. Or when your mom suggested you skip the mashed potatoes at dinner.”
“I have a no-carbs face?” Essie asked, trying to make light of his observations.
“Essie. Tell me what you were focused on.”
“Going topless,” she blurted out.
“You’re hot?” he guessed.
“Yes. Not that I would subject you and Ivan to that view. Ewww!” Essie shook her head, laughing at herself.
Zander’s expression hardened, and he leaned over her to state in a quiet, stern tone, “I never want to hear you say anything bad about yourself again. If I do, there will be consequences, Little girl.”
Her breath had frozen at the first sentence and gushed out as he finished the second. “Consequences?”
“Unless you want to be stretched over my lap getting your cute ass reddened for criticizing your body, you’ll work on being kinder to yourself. And if I ever have the pleasure of looking at you topless, the very last thought entering my mind would be Ewww.”
“You’re threatening to spank me?” she squeaked.
“Promising. And Ivan better damn well never see you in anything more revealing than a swimsuit. Preferably one of those Victorian all-one-piece outfits. Do you understand, Essie?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I’ll take that until I can convince you to call me Daddy.”
Her mouth rounded into a silent O.
“Zander? Can you hold this corner for me? The canvas isn’t cooperating,” Ivan yelled from the other side of the courtyard.
“On my way,” Zander said. He started to turn before facing Essie fully again. Before she could protest, he pulled her toward him and kissed her hard.
Essie braced her hands against his shoulders to push him away, but her mouth had a will of its own. Returning his urgent kiss completely, Essie clung to him instead. The warm scent of Zander surrounded her—all masculine pheromones doing funny things to her insides. Essie rose on her tiptoes to press herself against him.
“Zander?” Ivan called.
Zander ripped his mouth from hers and snarled, “Damn it! We aren’t done.”
Watching him stalk away, Essie lifted her fingers to her mouth. Zander had just kissed her. And said they weren’t done. And threatened to spank her. And wanted her to call him Daddy.
Essie turned and fled back into the manor. Her heart pounded. What in the world was going on?
Chapter Six
In the guise of being busy and actually needing to be four places at one time, Essie had avoided Zander for the rest of the day. Essie had so many details to take care of that staying holed up in her office was easy. All the physical and mental tasks had allowed her to crash into sleep that night, despite her worry that she’d toss and turn for hours.
The following day, the attendees of the tea party had declared the afternoon absolutely magical. Even the drizzle of rain had created a misty, fantasy setting to welcome everyone to the outdoor setting. The small fairy lights she’d added at the last minute along the support poles of the tent had glittered, adding a glow that enhanced the decorations on each table. Essie had stood at the edge of the tent, saying goodbye to the older ladies. Almost everyone gushed with compliments as they departed. Others wanted to meet with her about scheduling.
The organizer reserved a date for the group to come back every month, outside while the weather was favorable and inside during the cold weather. Essie had jumped at the opportunity to have a regular booking. She couldn’t have chosen a better group to build her reputation. Thanks to Sara’s help in selecting the caterer’s menu to be both fancy and delicious, the women were eager to spread the word about their wonderful afternoon.
Over the moon that her first event had gone well, Essie took careful notes over what worked and what needed improvement. Thank goodness, her good-moves list outnumbered the needs improvement column. She’d meet with the catering company about adding servers and exploring how to lessen the clatter of dishes that had challenged conversations at times.