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)
“This is my sister, Evie,” Fiona introduced me. The warning in her voice was unmistakable, and her death glare only emphasized it.
I nudged her side with my elbow, not wanting her to embarrass me in front of my future boss. It was endearing that she wanted to protect me from Xavier, but I was more than capable myself.
“You don’t look like twins,” Xavier said as he took me in then turned briefly to Fiona.
I flushed. I’d lost count of how often I’d heard those exact words. It wasn’t even true. I had seen photos of us when we were little girls and we had been almost indistinguishable, only my hair was more strawberry blonde than golden blonde. We shared the same facial features and dusting of freckles, were almost the same height, but later, when Fiona had turned toward sports and I had turned toward reading, people had focused on our biggest difference: our weight.
Deciding not to start off my new job backed into a corner, I made a show out of checking out Xavier. Problem was somewhere along the way, around his ridiculously broad shoulders, or the outline of abs, or that delicious V, it turned into more than a display for him. That man was ripped. Holy mother of too sexy for this world rugby players. “Now I get why they call you the Beast. Can’t be easy to find clothes that fit you. Do they have big and tall shops around here?”
Xavier blinked at me, then a slow panty-dropping smile appeared on his face. “I wouldn’t know. I have my clothes tailored for me.”
“Of course,” I said, letting a hint of irony tinge my words, not too much to offend but enough that he’d notice. “Nothing off the rack for you.”
“Indeed,” he said. He extended his strong, big hand. “I’m Xavier. Your new boss.”
I took his hand, squeezing a bit harder than necessary. “I’m Evie, your new babysitter.”
Xavier laughed, a deep, low laugh that raised the little hairs on my back. He didn’t release my hand and I made no move to pull away. “Oh, I like her already,” Xavier said to Connor.
Fiona scowled. “Make sure not to like her too much, all right?”
“Fiona,” I hissed, my cheeks growing hot. I couldn’t believe her. She gave me a so-what look and shrugged. “What? He needs reminding, trust me.”
Xavier smirked and leaned a bit closer. “Don’t listen to her. I’m perfectly capable of behaving myself…if I want to.”
Good Lord. With that low timbre of his voice, Xavier should do the voiceover in romance novels. It gave me pleasant chills I’d never felt before. “I’ll make sure you behave. That’s now my job, right?”
Xavier released my hand, but his warmth lingered. “Not yet. You have to sign the contract and a few other documents my lawyer’s set up.”
I nodded. That seemed sensible, which surprised me a little considering what Fiona had said about him. “When?”
“This afternoon. I can send Connor the details.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Why don’t I give you my number so you can put it in your contacts? A middle man won’t be necessary.”
Xavier’s smile became more pronounced as he took out his phone. “Here. You’ll be quicker.”
I took his phone, then keyed in my new number. “There you go.”
“First job well done,” Xavier said, a hint of arrogance twisting that too gorgeous face.
I snorted. “Are you testing me?”
Xavier smirked. “Nah, the tests will come later.”
The way he said it made a mix of nerves and excitement bubble up in me. “I will pass them all.”
“I don’t doubt it.”
“Get your asses over here!” a man in his fifties with a cap that read Coach shouted.
“Have to go,” Xavier said, his eyes making a brief detour to my chest again. “See you later.”
He turned and jogged over to his coach, followed by Connor. My eyes were glued to Xavier’s backside, which his trunks weren’t hiding at all. The rest of the team gathered around them. It was obvious that Xavier was the leader of the pack.
“I don’t like that look,” Fiona whispered.
“I’m only appreciating the scenery.”
“Yeah, but don’t get entangled in the scenery. It’s a thorny, barren land.”
I laughed. “Oh, Fiona. I missed your sarcasm.”
She flashed me a grin. “I’ll have to go too. Enjoy the training.”
I took a seat on the benches and watched the rugby team train several tactical maneuvers that made absolutely no sense to me, but the sight of all the tall, muscled rugby players sweetened my time. Only Fiona’s occasional warning glance in my direction while she bent her body to her will like the other cheerleaders dampened my mood. She didn’t have to worry. I could appreciate Xavier’s physical assets without the risk of acting on my urges.
I was used to lusting after the unattainable types. That hadn’t changed one bit since high school.