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)
And desserts! They had so many ask for another serving of the delicious treats. She would need to add extra charges to the budget to allow for more supplies to be prepared. Essie had to admit if they left craving more, that would bring them back sooner.
Finally, the landscaper would get a huge thank you from her for the fragrant flowers that so many commented they’d enjoyed. And even in a sudden burst of the rain, the pathways had remained well-drained and safe. Thank goodness for Ivan! Listening to Edmund had served her well. He’d nailed that recommendation.
Exhausted and peopled out after everyone left, Essie escaped to her room. She took a long bath and completely ignored the list of people she needed to call and schedule in for meetings. Soaking her aching feet, Essie melted into the warm water and swore to buy better shoes with her first profits.
When she finally dragged herself out of the tub, she refused to get dressed again to go down for dinner. After Essie made a quick phone call, Sara brought her a bowl of creamy chicken soup that soothed her while the delicious taste filled her empty tummy. Essie curled up in bed with Tux and a great book.
A quiet but firm knock on her door made her bolt upward to sit on the mattress. She guessed immediately who it was. Sara would have walked straight in like she had earlier. Holding her breath, Essie hoped he’d think she was asleep.
Zander quietly said through the door, “You can’t run forever, Little girl. Talk to me.”
She shook her head, refusing to open the barrier between them. She’d have to speak to him sometime, but she couldn’t. Not yet.
He stood in the hall for five minutes before she heard the green room’s door open and close with a firm click. Nothing angry. Zander rarely lost control of himself as a kid. As an adult, he’d never shown her any sign of an anger problem. Essie suspected he’d wait her out.
“What am I going to do, Tux?” Essie whispered to her stuffie.
“You could march over there and hash this out with that man.”
Essie shrieked and jumped out of bed. Edmund took shape, leaning against the far wall. “Edmund! You should not be in my room. What if I was changing or heading for the shower?”
“Essie? Are you okay? Open the door. I heard you scream.” Zander sounded concerned.
“See what you’ve done,” she accused and stomped to the door, yelling through it. “I’m fine. I saw something that startled me.”
The door opened, making her dance back to avoid it. “You can’t just waltz in here, Zander.”
“What scared you? A mouse? Tell me where the creature ran,” Zander demanded as he walked inside, scanning the place.
“No mice scurry around in Ferguson’s Folly!” Essie answered, outraged. A rumor like that would ruin her business.
Zander turned to face her fully. One corner of his mouth lifted in a wry smile. “Tux?”
Essie started to move the penguin stuffie behind her but froze, realizing she only wore the battered T-shirt she normally slept in. “Ummm, yeah?”
Her face heated. Essie suspected her cheeks were completely scarlet. “You shouldn’t be in my room.”
“It’s not the first time I’ve been in your room, Little girl.” He walked toward her as she slowly edged backward.
He’d called her Little girl again. What did he mean by that?
“Oops!” Essie ran into the dresser behind her and jolted forward. His arms closed around her, holding the two of them close.
Quickly, she said, “But you were a kid then.”
“True. I’m not interested how far we can throw water balloons now.”
“That was a fun afternoon until the gardener got mad because we smashed his dahlias. I don’t even know what dahlias are.”
“I don’t care what dahlias are, do you?” His gaze centered on her lips.
Instant heat ricocheted into her as she remembered the kiss they’d exchanged earlier. Essie shook her head. Dahlia, daisies, dandle…. All thoughts vanished from her mind as he tasted her. A soft butterfly kiss that deepened as he pulled her firmly against him. His tongue swept across hers, teasing and tempting her to respond.
She wanted to play it cool, but her body had other ideas. Her hands slid over his broad shoulders to wrap around his neck. She thrust her fingers into his thick hair, loving the silky texture. Her nipples hardened into tight points against the heat of his chest. She wiggled, trying to get closer to him, but Tux was in the way.
Zander gently tugged the stuffie from between them and set the penguin on the furniture behind her before stroking his hand down her spine. His fingers brushed over her full bottom, cupping her curves. “So perfect,” he murmured against her mouth before kissing her deeply again.
“Damn,” he said several long minutes later as he looked down at her. Zander tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear before adding, “I knew kissing you would be incredible, but….”