Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 61160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“It’s the best I can afford right now,” I said, too stubborn for his charity, “and I’ve already paid my rent through the end of the year.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He handed me a smaller sheet. “This is the address where I’m currently staying, along with the code to get to my floor and my personal cell phone number. The guards have been made aware that you’re a special guest, and you’re more than welcome to come see me whenever you want.”
I folded the sheet without looking at it, stuffing it into my purse.
“Do you plan on working for your entire pregnancy?”
“Yes.”
“Are you planning to tell your coworkers?”
“Just the ones I trust,” I admitted. “Not about you being the father, of course. Just the pregnancy.”
He nodded, leaning back in his chair. “You look fucking stunning today.”
“You do, too…”
For a few moments, it felt like we were alone on the roof of the Space Needle again. His heated stare, the tension crackling as the seconds passed, me wanting him to—
His fiancé, Chloe. He had a damn fiancé.
The thought crossed my mind before the fantasy finished.
“What’s this about drugs?” I asked.
“Just a confirmation. I hope you don’t think I’ll allow you to smoke weed while you’re carrying my children.”
“I would never smoke or drink while pregnant.” I crossed my arms. “I hope you’ll hold yourself to the same standard.”
“I can agree to that.”
“Great. What’s this final ‘et cetera’ on your list mean?” I tried to keep us on track.
“I’d like to revisit your thoughts on sex,” he said flatly. “I don’t plan on sleeping with anyone else, and I don’t think you should either.”
“Funny.” I looked at the sheet, then back at him. “I don’t see the word ‘relationship’ or ‘marriage’ here.”
He smiled. “I’m never been a fan of either of those.”
“Thank you for throwing me that red flag. I’ll be sure to keep it.” I handed him an updated copy of the list I’d given him the other day. “I was actually hoping we could discuss dating other people.”
“Come again?”
“You were about to propose to someone else a week or so before you came here,” I said, swallowing. “You were on a date with her before you slept with me.”
“I’ve never taken that woman on a real date.”
“But you slept with her?”
“Never.”
“She’s giving a lot of interviews that imply otherwise.”
“Then you should stop watching them.”
I shook my head. “Whatever it was, you clearly aren’t over her, and I want to date someone who is emotionally available, someone who won’t care about a one-night mistake.”
“You can date whoever the hell you want, after you have my baby.” He paused. “Babies.”
“Okay, let me reword what I’m trying to say.” I kept my voice firm. “I’m about to date other people whether you like it or not.”
“Then allow me to reiterate what I made plainly clear. You’re not fucking anyone else for the next six to seven months.”
“How do you plan on stopping me?” I asked. “Are you planning to hire a private cock-blocker?”
“Don’t tempt me to look into it,” he said. “If you want someone to fuck you because your ‘hormones are out of control’ and you need to ‘one-up your vibrator collection’ you could just tell me. I’ll happily handle it, I promise.”
I gasped. “You were listening to me during my lunch break the other day?”
“You were standing in the bathroom, and you were as loud as ever with your friend,” he said. “Not as loud as you were on the night in your flat with me, but your words were very clear.”
I stared at him.
“Don’t worry,” he said. “No one else was here but me, since you take your lunch breaks at night like I do. As I was saying though, we should revisit the subject.”
“You’re willing to make a no-strings-attached arrangement with me just for sex, then?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “Absolutely.”
“In that case, I’ll sleep on it, dip my feet in the dating pool while I’m away at next week’s book fair, and let you know if I’m ever ready to discuss that with you. If not, we’ll discuss how we want to co-parent next. Anything else you want to talk about?”
He looked stunned at the sudden whiplash.
“Guess not.” I shrugged and walked out of the door. “Have a wonderful weekend.”
Can’t Escape What You’re Running From
Tyler
Seattle, Washington
Later that night
Let this American Blow You Away
I’ll Be Your Princess
London’s Loss is MY Gain
I’m never getting home sight unseen this evening…
“I thought you said that the Americans were slightly less unhinged.” I eyed the makeshift posters outside my office’s garage window, simultaneously texting my guards to devise an alternate route home. “I could’ve sworn they weren’t in tune with royal life.”
“They’re into celebrity life.” Dillon lay flat on my couch, staring at the ceiling. “They’re entire culture is obsessed with fame, and you’re a pretty ex-royal boy with abs, dimples, and apparently a face worthy of sitting their vaginas on. It’s the perfect recipe for undying thirst, no matter where you go. Want me to invite some of them upstairs to get them off the street?”