Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
He must hear it in the timid way I say it because he frowns before sitting down in the chair next to me. “Sure, what’s up?”
I can smell his cologne that reminds me of the outdoors and sunshine, but I try to stay focused. I suck in a breath. “My hormones are all out of whack…”
He tilts his head and waits patiently for me to continue. “I shouldn’t have kissed you last night.”
He’s not smiling. “That’s funny because I thought we should do more kissing.” He reaches over and covers my hand with his. “I like you, Camille. I like you a lot.”
It takes everything inside me to be responsible and say what I should be saying instead of what I want to say. “I like you too.” I point at my belly. “But I’m not really in a situation where I’m free to just do what I want. I have someone else I have to think about too…”
He nods his head. “I understand, and I’m with you. I like your baby, too.”
I laugh because how could I not? “Stop. I’m being serious. I have to be real about this and any decision I make, I need to consider my baby, too.”
The laughter falls from his face, and he grabs my chair and pulls me toward him. “I won’t hurt you, Camille. I know what your priorities are, and I wouldn’t mess with that. All I’m asking is for you to give me a chance.”
I want to give in and tell him yes, but I’m trying to stay strong. “And I need this job, Elliott. No one will hire me… do you understand that?”
He looks surprised and then almost angry. “What? And you think if things don’t work out with us that I’d put you out on the street? You don’t know me very well if you think that.”
I throw my hands up and then stand up. “You’re right. I don’t know you very well.”
I’m about to walk away when his hands go to my hips and he holds me in place. “You’re not walking away from me, Camille. Talk to me.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “You’re bossy, do you know that?”
He laughs but doesn’t let me go. “What’s your point?”
I throw my hands up. “I don’t understand.”
“Understand what?” He blows out a breath and then asks me nicely, “Talk to me, Cammy. What don’t you understand?”
“I won’t walk away, but I need to move. I need to put some distance between us so I can think clearly.”
He growls his disapproval but releases his hold on me. I start to walk back and forth. “That, for example. You’re calling me Cammy.”
He shrugs as if it’s not a big deal. “It’s a nickname. If you don’t like it, I’ll call you something else.”
I keep pacing. “No, it’s not that. It’s fine… I actually like it but…”
He stands up and walks over to me. I might as well forget asking him for space because he seems insistent on being close to me. “But what?”
I shrug. “But it’s not right. You’re my boss.”
“I don’t see the problem.”
I slap a hand to my leg. “You don’t see the problem? You’re my boss, and we made out last night. I’m not in a position for anything serious right now, and I have to be smart....”
He cups my shoulders in his palm, and the look he’s giving me is so filled with emotion I have to look away. He reaches up and puts his hand on my chin, pulling me toward him so I have no choice but to look at him. “So listen to me, Cammy, and listen good. Yes, I’m your boss. Yes, I know your situation, and I know you have a lot of pressure on you, and I don’t want to add to it. First, I want you to know that no matter what, you have a job here for as long as you want it. Second, from the moment I walked into the Feed Haven and met you, I felt a pull toward you, and it’s something I’ve never felt before. I can’t… I won’t just let you walk away. I’ll give you time, I’ll give you whatever you want… but you can’t walk away.”
He runs his fingers from my chin to my cheek, and I tilt my head to lean into his touch. He has a soft smile on his face. “Think about it… okay?”
I nod my head, and I’m waiting on him to kiss me, but he surprises me when he releases me and takes a step back. “I’m going out to the barn to check on things. Call me if you need anything.”
He waits for me to nod my head and then he turns on his heel and walks toward the front door. He grabs his hat off the rack, stuffs it on his head, and with one last look at me, he walks out the door.