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)
“That is not the point!” Her own cheeks were beautifully flushed. “I need to call Noah and explain all this to him,” she said on a sigh.
He nodded. “I’ll give you some privacy and meet you out front.” He leaned over and brushed her lips with his.
When he lifted his head, her eyes were glazed and he grinned. “Hang in there, sweetheart. Nothing will happen to you. You have my word.”
While she talked to Noah, he called Alpha Security and arranged for a female bodyguard, hoping that would make Charlotte more comfortable being protected during the day. He’d take over at night. He refused to take her safety for granted.
Chapter Eighteen
One week had passed since Charlie was threatened on the street by someone her brother was involved with. Thanks to Jared, she had a female bodyguard named Mia with her during the day, and even Charlie had to admit, the other woman did well blending in at the museum so Charlie could work.
She called her brother more than once, hoping she could relay the message from the man Remy still hadn’t tracked down. The first couple of times, Dan’s phone went straight to voicemail. The last time, she got a message that the line had been disconnected and her stomach clenched in fear. Knowing there was nothing she could do until she heard from him, she did her best to go about her life. She missed her girls but knew that them being safe was the most important thing.
Jared came home early every night, often bringing work with him. He’d make calls from his second bedroom office while Charlie handled dinner. In return for his generosity, she wanted to make his life as easy as possible. He’d been so helpful and easygoing, and she was grateful.
Even she had to admit she was enjoying the routine they’d fallen into, she thought, as she plated the angel hair pasta and meatballs she’d cooked for dinner. The garlic bread and broccoli came next.
Once she had the food on the table, she knocked on Jared’s office door and pushed it open as he’d once directed her to do. He wasn’t there, so she walked down the hall to the primary bedroom. This time she knocked and waited for him to let her in. She might be sleeping with him at night but she didn’t want to treat it like it was her bedroom. It was the only way to remember this was a temporary situation.
Before she could think further, the door swung open and Jared stood before her, naked but for a towel wrapped low on his hips.
“Hi!” he said, greeting her with a relaxed smile. “Just thought I’d shower real quick before dinner.”
“And I came to tell you dinner is ready,” she said, but she couldn’t tear her gaze from those tight abs and light sprinkling of hair disappearing below the towel… which was rising the longer she stared.
He cleared his throat and she shook herself out of her stupor.
“Oh God. Embarrassing.”
He winked. “I liked the fact that you were looking. And if you aren’t sure about that, just look down again and—”
“I know!” Her voice rose and her cheeks heated with a pretty flush.
“Tell you what? I’m starving, so let me have an appetizer before we eat.”
She thought about all the food in the kitchen. “I have garlic bread if you want to eat that first.”
He shook his head, then bent at the knee and scooped her into his arms, losing the towel on his way to the bed. “What are you doing? This carrying me around has got to stop. I’m just getting heavier—”
He gently placed her on the bed. “You’re perfect,” he said, and hooked his fingers into her leggings. He slid them down and off her legs, underwear with them.
Next thing she knew, her legs were propped on his shoulders, his face level with her sex, and he licked straight up, teasing her with the first stroke of his tongue.
Her core clenched and she moaned.
“Louder,” he said, sucking on her folds and nibbling on her clit with his teeth.
She rose with every nip and pull, her body soaring, reaching for something greater than her. “Jared!” she screamed as the first wave of her climax hit.
He slid a finger inside her, pumping deep, then added a second. “Oh God!” She bucked against his hand and when he curled those fingers and rubbed, a second pulsing sensation crested and she rode it until she toppled over, breathing in short, choppy inhales and exhales.
“Now, that’s what I meant by an appetizer,” he said from where he lay on his side, grinning at her, his mussed, wet hair giving him strong sex appeal.
She eased herself up and maneuvered until she was sitting.
“You liked that, did you? Well, now it’s my turn.” She turned on her side and scooted lower on the mattress so she was eye level with his impressive erection. Her eyes watered just looking at it and her sex pulsed once more.