Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53717 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
He placed his drink on the table. “I’ve had no time to think about myself, to be honest. I work with my dad in Sterling Investments and he had a heart attack last year. We’ve all been on him to cut back on work, which leaves me carrying the bulk of the responsibility.”
A family man, she mused, if not in the way she’d asked him. “I’m sorry about your father. But he seems healthy now.”
He shrugged. “We hope. He’s been caught with bad-for-him food and cigars.” He paused in thought. “But enough about me and my family. What about you? You have the twins and your career, but is settling down in your future?”
At the question, the same one she’d thoughtlessly asked him, she felt herself close off inwardly. There wasn’t an easy answer. Of course she’d want a man in her life. If she could trust one not to leave or let her down. If she could find someone who loved both her and her girls, who wouldn’t forget his family like her father had after her mom passed away.
A sixteen-year-old girl needed her mother or at least a parent she could rely on, but her father hadn’t been there. He’d buried himself in work and alcohol when home. All of which explained why finding what Fallon and Noah had wasn’t likely. Her walls were too high.
“My career and the twins keep me busy enough,” she murmured, deliberately vague. “I prefer to focus on now.”
His brow wrinkled as he obviously pondered her answer and came to his own conclusions. “Speaking of now, the bouquet and garter toss are over.” He tipped his head toward the center of the room. “Would you like to dance?”
His question drew her attention to the slow tempo of the music. “I’d love to,” she said, placing her glass on the table.
She held out her hand. He took it and led her through the people standing and talking, weaving around the tables and winding up on the dance floor.
Soon, she was in his arms, moving seamlessly to the music. His hard body pressed deliciously against hers. And the masculine mix of tobacco and vanilla-scented cologne teased her senses and had her leaning in closer. His hand braced on her lower back as he led, and she found herself being seduced by everything that was Jared Sterling. One slow song led to another and she remained in his arms for a prolonged period of time.
“This might be too forward,” he began. “But do you want to get out of here?”
Her heart skipped a beat. She was staying at this hotel until she left again tomorrow night. One more night and she’d be back in the sandy desert, living her dream but missing her girls, who were staying with Noah’s parents in their hotel suite tonight and would remain with them while the newlyweds went on their honeymoon. She’d had the twins with her this past week and she’d be seeing them tomorrow at brunch for their goodbyes. Though she’d have loved to be with them one last night, she didn’t want to upset them when they had to watch her pack to leave again.
“I have a room upstairs,” she answered Jared at last.
“Then what are we waiting for?” His breath fanned her ear.
She let out a laugh at his impatient tone because she felt the same desire to be with him. “I need to say good night to Noah and Fallon, and to the kids.”
“Let’s each say our goodbyes and meet up by the ballroom door.” His fingers squeezed her waist before releasing her.
Her body pulsed with anticipation as she walked up to Noah and Fallon, then the girls, explaining she had a slight headache and was going to go upstairs early. She wished the happy couple all her best, then hugged her girls and reminded them to be good for their grandparents.
Then she headed to the double doors where Jared was waiting. She wasn’t sure if anyone saw them meet up and leave together but she’d deal with that if and when the time came.
They stepped into an elevator along with another couple she didn’t know and she pushed the button to her floor. In silence they traveled upward, her body aware of Jared standing beside her. He’d taken off his jacket and hung it over one arm and was in the middle of removing his bow tie when the elevator car stopped and the couple stepped off.
“Damn, I hate these things,” Jared muttered, attempting to undo the top button on his shirt next. “I wear a suit every day to work but a tuxedo strangles me.”
She turned to face him and gently moved his hands. “Here. Let me.” She undid the first button, then the second, realizing too late the intimacy in the act. Especially given their tight surroundings. She swallowed hard and patted the material over his chest with one hand. “There. All set,” she said as a ding announced their arrival at her floor.