Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81018 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“Shit,” he said as his head thumped against the window. “Should have thought that one through. You go to my head like a goddamn drug.”
“I see nothing wrong with that,” I said as I moved in for another of his intoxicating kisses.
He dodged my hungry lips. “Tell me what happened today?”
I deflated like a balloon pricked with a pin, though my cock stayed hard. What could I say? I wanted him. Our foreheads pressed together as the day came back to me with a heavy sigh. “You know how we’re testing out the new surgical robotic prototype?”
He grunted. “Of course I know. You’ve been stressing about it for weeks.”
I pulled back to see him better. “Yeah, well, I met with Raquel Chen today for a critical update.” Thinking about the disastrous meeting had my stomach cramping.
Alex massaged the back of my neck. “Is it not going well?”
God, that felt so good. I let my head drop forward as he dug into the sore muscles. “That’s putting it mildly. The project is practically dead in the water. To keep it alive, we’re going to have to blow out our budget by an exorbitant amount and push back our beta test date by, God, I don’t even want to think about how delayed this will be. I’m failing, Alex. I’ve been entrusted with this enormous responsibility, and I’m failing. I have zero life outside of this corporation. I’m destroying our relationship and putting my future on hold for what? To fuck it all up, my future included?”
“Whoa, hold the fuck up.” Alex clasped my face between his strong hands. “You are not fucking anything up.”
The surety in his voice bolstered my insides. “You’re biased.”
“No,” he continued with vehemence. “Ryder Calloway, you are amazing. You’ve put your life on hold, your dreams on hold, to help your family, even though they don’t deserve it, if I’m being blunt. They know you didn’t want this, and they don’t give a shit. They’re taking advantage of the remarkable man you are.”
“Alex…” I whispered, voice thick. I hated acknowledging that, even if the truth seemed more apparent each day.
“You had nothing to do with the creation of this prototype. You are not responsible for a single piece of this puzzle. Who the fuck cares if it’ll cost more money or take more time? That’s how the game is played. I’m sure there are provisions in place for just this scenario. This isn’t on you. You. Have. Not. Failed.”
His tone bordered on furious, but I’d spent enough time around him to know this was Alex in protective mode. He’d scowl me into next week if I said it out loud, but he was a natural-born nurturer, taking care of everyone in his orbit.
“Friday is the deadline to drop out of the upcoming trimester. I emailed my advisor, letting him know I’d be deferring again.”
Understanding dawned in Alex’s eyes. Now he recognized what caused my epic spiral today. “Shit, that came up on us so fast.”
Us.
How could two simple letters strung together have such a powerful impact?
“I almost couldn’t do it. I’m getting so far off course as it is. Some days it feels like I’m getting sucked into this world I’ll never escape from. My father has made great improvements, but he’s not where he was. He’s not who he was. What if this turns into another trimester and another still? What if…” My voice dipped to a barely-there whisper. “What if I forget what I want?”
Alex held my face in a firm but gentle grip as he leveled me his most stern look. “Never. Ryder, that will never happen because I won’t let it. I’ve seen you with the kids at the community center many times. You belong working with them, whether it’s as an educator or a program director at a center like XXXX. It’s what you were born to do, and if I must, I’ll use my last breath to remind you. I will not let you drown.”
How did I find such a fantastic partner? Someone who saw my good and bad and still wanted to be at my side? “I’m angry,” I said, giving him another emotion I’d been struggling with.
“That’s okay. I think anyone would be. I sure as fuck would be. You know…” He shook his head. “Never mind.” He dropped his hands from my face to my back, holding me close.
“No, what? Say it.” I gripped the front of his shirt, giving a little shake as though I could loosen the words from his mouth.
“You don’t have to do this anymore. There’s a chance, a realistic chance, your father won’t be able to resume control of the company. In that case, he’ll expect you to fill the role. You can tell him no. You can even walk away now.”
I nodded. “I know. I think about that all the time. How would a conversation like that go? It wouldn’t be pretty, but I’m starting to think it might be inevitable. I can’t go on like this forever.”