Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91286 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
“Funny, I recall your little fuck club being a joint effort,” she counters smoothly.
I shrug. Everyone who stepped into the pitch-black cabin knew there was a chance they could be partnered with a member of the same team. No one forced them. Obviously, they had questions, and our twisted little game was a safe way to get their answers. “For what it’s worth, Farnsworth discovered something important about himself that night. Last I heard, he was living with a guy in New York.” Which is a far cry from his days growing up Mormon in Utah.
“I’m not surprised. He seemed to be enjoying himself immensely that night, from the eyeful I caught.”
I chuckle. What a night for the security team and Belinda to bust up our after-hours entertainment.
“I have to say, this is a far better version of you than the one in the meeting.”
“Sorry,” I mumble. “I was being a dick.”
She studies her painted nails for a beat. “What were you and Henry arguing about yesterday morning?”
“Nothing.”
She cocks her head. “You expect me to believe that?”
“Why? What’d he tell you?”
“Absolutely nothing.”
“Like I said, then.” Belinda’s going to find out soon enough, and when she does, she’s going to want to skin me alive. Is that what all this building tension in my shoulders is about? Me knowing I’m likely about to fuck everything up in my life over a woman, and yet I’m diving headfirst into shallow waters? “Just under a lot of pressure these days to do the right thing.” In so many ways. Like, the right thing to do is warn Sloane about what’s coming, but I’m a coward. It’s not even the confidentiality agreement I signed that I care about. It’s Sloane punishing me for my association.
“Yes, I can sympathize. Hotel openings are always very stressful, even if you’re not new.” She pauses. “There are ways to help manage that stress, though.”
“Like what?”
She makes a point of slowly uncrossing and recrossing her legs, but not before giving me a clear view up her skirt and the lack of panties.
My chest rises with my deep inhale. Her meaning could not be clearer, and this is crossing into very dangerous territory. How the fuck do I get out of it? “This might be against the rules.” It’s definitely against the rules, not that I’ve ever cared.
“And when have you ever been concerned about that?” she says, echoing my thoughts. “You certainly didn’t that day at the old Wolf cabin.”
I didn’t care about a lot of things during my time in Wolf Cove, and that day will go down in history as one of the most unexpected fucks of my life. “I know who will care. Your boss.”
“Right.” She leans back, holding herself up with outstretched arms. “Should we ask him for his blessing? Sure, maybe after he’s done fucking his former assistant who’s now his wife.”
Touché. Though Henry is a fan of playing the “do as I say, not as I do” card.
“Didn’t you say this would never happen again?” I’m grasping for straws, but reminding her of her deep regrets the last time her hormones got past her level head seems like a good idea.
“I didn’t think it would either, and yet here we are.” Something soft flickers across Belinda’s normally stony face. “In case you haven’t noticed, I work a lot. I don’t have time for relationships. But I do have needs. And so do you.” Steady eyes bore into mine. “So why don’t we just fuck and get it out of our system.”
Hell, she’s throwing back my words from yesterday.
Belinda uncrosses her legs again, this time leaving them parted.
Fuck me. How do I find myself in these situations? Honestly, this is probably karma coming around to bite me in the ass for all the women I haven’t called back, even though I was always clear that I wouldn’t.
If I were the old Ronan, I’d already have my fly undone and Belinda’s skirt hiked up around her waist. But I’m not that guy. I don’t want meaningless. Not anymore. There is only one woman I want.
And it’s not the one laid out like a buffet treat in front of me now.
Acknowledging that nearly brings a smile to my face—I’ve evolved!—but I stifle it because that reaction at this particular moment might get my balls ripped off.
I need to get out of here, pronto. “Belinda, don’t get me wrong, I think you are smoking hot.” I settle my hands on her bare knees and gently pull her legs together. “But we should keep this professional.” I stand as a wave of déjà vu hits me. I said the same thing to Sloane weeks ago.
That was a lie then.
But it’s not now.
A stunned look passes across Belinda’s face—has she ever been turned down before?—before she seems to snap out of it. “Yes, of course. I don’t know what I was thinking. This was completely out of line. I understand if you’d like to report me to HR for—”