Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 338(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
“You mean no sex with other women, right?” he said, grinning, then sobered at a glare from me. “If that’s what it takes, then I can deal with the no-sex rule.”
“You sure? You’re making a face as if you got banned from playing rugby for life.”
Xavier leaned down. “It feels like it.”
I raised my eyebrows. “If you don’t think you can do it, then we should just forget it. I don’t want to get hurt, Xavier. More than I’m already hurt, that is.”
“I don’t want to hurt you, Evie. I want to try dating, but I can’t promise I’ll be good at it. Maybe I’ll mess up, but I will do everything I can to make this work. Even endure blue balls.”
“Okay,” I said, feeling my pulse speed up at what I was going to say. “Then let’s try this.”
Xavier smiled. “So you’re agreeing to date me?”
“To ‘try dating’ is how you put it, but yes.”
“Does that mean I’m allowed to kiss you now?” Xavier murmured, his lips already so close his breath ghosted over my mouth.
My next words cost me incredible effort and even more restraint. “Not yet. Maybe after our first official date, if it goes well.”
Xavier cocked one eyebrow in that annoyingly cocky and sexy way. “First date? What are we going to do?”
“Surprise me. Your calendar tells me that you’re free tonight.”
He chuckled. “Maybe dating my assistant isn’t the best idea after all.”
I bit my lip. “Do you think it’ll be a problem? I already have that announcement written.”
“No,” he said quickly. “I don’t want anyone else. I want you to be my assistant. And it is kind of hot.”
I was secretly relieved. The idea of Xavier working closely with another woman didn’t sit well with me. Xavier wanted to try dating, but he was used to chasing after every skirt. I didn’t trust him enough yet to be comfortable with another assistant in his life, and I needed the job. “Then I’ll stay your assistant for now.” I glanced down at my watch. “And that means that we’ve got exactly twenty minutes to get you to training. Oh shit!”
I pushed past Xavier. “Get dressed. We need to leave. Your coach will blow a gasket if you’re late.”
“Bossy as usual,” Xavier said, but he jogged toward the stairs and then up. My eyes followed his perfectly shaped butt in those tight briefs. Dating Xavier was going to be tough.
I quickly scanned my calendar, then cursed. I needed to pick up Xavier’s tuxedo and my dress from the dry cleaner, talk to the caterer regarding Xavier’s birthday party, which was going down in only two weeks, and I had a lunch date with Fiona. When Xavier came down the stairs in his training clothes, I ushered him out. “You’ll have to drive on your own. I have a few things I need to do. You don’t have anything scheduled in the afternoon except for surfing with Connor, so you don’t need me for that either. I guess that means we won’t see each other until tonight. Let me know when you’ll pick me up for our date and if I need to get dressed up. On second thought, something where we don’t need to dress up would be good. I don’t want us to go somewhere we’ll be the center of attention. Somewhere private would be better.”
I paused.
Xavier was watching me in amusement.
“What?” I asked, flushing. I had been rambling.
“It’s cute when you’re nervous. Does dating me make you nervous, Evie?” Xavier asked in a low voice, leaning close, that wolfish grin on his face.
Not one to let him get the best of me, I touched his hip and pressed my breasts up against his chest. “Of course not. Does dating me make you nervous?”
Xavier’s eyes darted to my neckline and his chest heaved against mine. Before I lost my own game, I stepped back, patted his chest and said, “I can’t wait to see what you have planned for our first date.”
Then I quickly walked off and toward Fiona’s scooter, which I had borrowed frequently in the last few days since I’d avoided being in a car with Xavier. I raced off before my body overruled my mind and I dragged Xavier back up into his apartment and let him have his way with me.
I was completely distracted during my lunch with Fiona, and of course she noticed it. Even a couple of years of separation didn’t change the fact that as twins we picked up on each other’s moods.
“Okay. What is this about? You’re nervous and distracted.”
“I’m not,” I tried to salvage the situation.
She cocked one blonde eyebrow in a very Xavier-like fashion, which increased my nervousness. “You just put salt into your cappuccino.”
I stared down at my cup, then brought it to my lips, took a hesitant sip and grimaced. “Okay, fine. I have a lot on my mind right now.”