Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78304 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
“And what if I get it?” I ask, standing.
“Then, I hope you’ll keep me around because from what I’ve seen so far, you’ll be an asset to this company, and I look forward to working with you in the future.”
My heart swells at his words, at being told for the first time by someone that I’m an asset and not a complete fuckup.
“Now, I need to ask you something,” he says, walking over to me and resting his hand on my hip. “Where do we stand?”
I think about his question for a moment. Had my dad not walked in, I’m almost positive I would’ve had sex with him right here on his couch in his office. I’m attracted to him, and he’s made it clear he feels the same way.
But at the end of the day, could we get past one of us getting the CEO position while the other person doesn’t? I don’t know. What I do know is that I could fall for this man. I’ve never felt this way before, and that scares the shit out of me.
“We’re okay,” I say vaguely, hoping he’ll take that answer for now.
Of course, he doesn’t. “And what does that mean, Ana?”
The shortening of my name causes my stomach to do a flip-flop. My mom was the only one to call me Ana, growing up. My dad hated it, said it sounded plain and that Anastasia sounded professional and important, but she disagreed, saying she loved it because Ana felt softer and more personal. I haven’t heard that name since my mom died, and for some reason, when he says it, it sounds intimate. Like he sees beneath the surface, the same way my mom did.
I want to tell him that I want more and to see where things could go between us, but I’m so overwhelmed by my mixture of emotions that I don’t know how to word what I want to say.
As if he can sense my inner turmoil, he smiles softly. “Okay,” he says. “I get it. You need more time. But just tell me this. Could you see yourself with a man like me?”
“These days, you’re the only man I see.”
chapter seventeen
JULIAN
Me
Don’t forget, we leave for Hawaii on Thursday.
I press Send on the text and shake my head, knowing it’s a dumb text to send since our calendars are synced, but it’s Saturday, and I haven’t seen or heard from Ana all day.
Ana
I know. Our calendars are synced. Why are you really texting me?
I chuckle at her response. The woman never beats around the bush.
Me
I was wondering if you’ll be home for dinner.
Ana
Why? You want to cook for me?
Me
Or take you out … whichever you prefer.
After having Ana grinding on my lap yesterday and seeing that she wants me despite the tough exterior shell she uses to keep herself safe, I’ve decided to lay all my cards on the table. The woman is everything I want—smart, fierce, independent, and beautiful. Even though the circumstances aren’t ideal due to us fighting for the same position, I would be a dumbass not to take advantage of the fact that I have her living with me for the foreseeable future.
Ana
You can cook for me. What time will you be home?
Me
I am home.
Ana
So am I.
Instead of texting her back, I pocket my phone and go in search of her. After checking all the obvious places—including the pool because a part of me is hoping I’ll find her skinny-dipping again—I find her sitting in the library, her laptop open and papers strewn about all over the desk. I didn’t realize she’d made this room her own space, but I like knowing she’s gotten comfortable here.
She doesn’t notice me standing in the doorway, so I take a few moments to watch her in her element. Her hair is up in a messy bun, held together by a pen, and her face is clean of makeup, showing off the beautiful spatter of freckles she has across her nose. She’s sporting a thin tank top, minus a bra, and because it’s chilly in this room, her nipples are on display.
With a pen between her lips and her brows furrowed in concentration, she types furiously, no doubt planning world domination—or a Kingston Limited takeover. The woman is the entire fucking package, and if I have it my way, instead of fighting for power, we’ll rule Kingston together. I just need to figure out how to make that happen.
“Maybe you should take a picture,” she says without looking up. “Then, you won’t have to continue staring at me like a creeper.”
I chuckle at her unfiltered words. “I prefer the real deal,” I volley. “Pictures don’t do you justice.”
She glances up and makes a show of rolling her eyes in an attempt to appear unaffected, but the soft pink now tinting her cheeks gives her away.