Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102479 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 512(@200wpm)___ 410(@250wpm)___ 342(@300wpm)
Will patted my shoulder. “I hope you ask for a full-time job, kid. I could use you on my team.” He looked at his watch, then at the other team members. “It’s seven o’clock already. You all look wiped out. Let’s get out of here. We’ll clean this mess up on Monday. Thank you for all your hard work this week.”
Everyone packed up. Jagger had been working out the problem on a yellow legal pad. He ripped the pages out and folded them into his pocket.
“Taking the evidence that I beat you with you?”
He wagged a finger at me. “What did I tell you about gloating?”
I smiled so wide my face hurt. “Who, me? I’m not gloating.”
He chuckled and put his hand on my back. “Come on. Let’s get you out of here.”
Jagger and I were the only two who didn’t work on the floor, so after we said goodnight to the others, we walked to the elevator together. As usual, the minute the doors slid shut, I felt his presence. The faint smell of his delicious cologne had me taking deep breaths as I tried to calm myself. Jagger stood behind me, and I made the mistake of glancing back, only to find him looking at me with the same intensity I felt. My skin tingled all over, and I found myself thinking of something Miles had recently said.
“Listen to your gut. Sometimes it’s just a subtle whisper that tells you to go for it, even when everything else around you is shouting stop.”
I stared at the elevator panel. What would he do if I pulled the red emergency stop button, pushed him up against the wall, and climbed him like a tree?
Jagger leaned forward, head hovering at my shoulder. “You’re doing it again.”
“What?”
“Thinking something evil.”
“It’s not exactly evil.”
“Oh no?” He arched a brow. “Then care to share?”
I pursed my lips, drawing a chuckle from him. “That’s what I thought.”
The elevator stopped at my floor. I hesitated, not wanting my time with him to come to an end. But after a few heartbeats, I had no choice but to step out.
Jagger put his hand on the doorframe, stopping the doors from sliding closed. “So what’s your prize going to be?”
I nibbled on my lip. “It can be anything?”
“Within reason.”
The words I want to have sex with you were bursting to break free, but I wimped out and shrugged instead. “Can I think about it?”
He nodded. “Of course.”
“Do you…have any good plans for the weekend?”
“None as good as you.”
I felt my nose wrinkle. “How do you know what plans I have?”
“Edmund is borrowing my boat. He said you guys are taking it to Block Island for the day to celebrate Mia’s birthday.”
“I didn’t realize it was your boat he’s using.”
“I’m glad someone is getting to use it. I’ve barely had the time in the last year.” He nodded and stepped back. “Enjoy your weekend with your family.”
I wanted so badly to stop the doors and ask him to go for a drink or have dinner…or something. But of course, I chickened out. Story of my life.
CHAPTER 15
* * *
Sutton
“Hey, Edmund.” My stepfather was parked at the bottom of the train-platform stairs, waiting for me. “Thank you for picking me up.”
I’d opted to take the Long Island Railroad out to Montauk this morning rather than drive with everyone after work last night. It was bad enough that I was going to spend a weekend in close confines with Brendan and his new bride. Squishing with the two of them in the backseat of Edmund’s car while we sat in Hamptons traffic was more than I could handle.
Edmund hugged me and took my weekend bag from my hand. He tossed it into the trunk of his Range Rover and opened the passenger door for me before slipping behind the wheel.
“Is Mom still sleeping?”
He smiled. “It’s only ten o’clock, Sutton.”
I laughed. “What was I thinking?”
Edmund had a small house in Montauk’s Ditch Plains, a low-key surfing area. I’d been there a few times and thought the route he was driving today was different than usual, but then again, I wasn’t the best with directions. Though when he pulled into a ritzy-looking area with houses five times the size of his, I was certain we weren’t heading the right way. “Are we going straight to the dock?”
“Not until a little later. Your mom said she’d be ready by eleven, so I’m guessing that means about one.”
“This isn’t the way to your house, is it?”
“I need to make a stop and pick up keys. I borrowed Jagger’s boat. The captain I hired for the day was supposed to get them on his way out, but he wound up taking the train because he had car trouble, so I figured I’d save him the trip.”
My horrendous day just got a little sunnier. “Jagger has a house in Montauk?”