Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 334(@200wpm)___ 267(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
“Bella—”
He is on his feet rounding the table. “No.” I point at him and back away. “Don’t even think about touching me.”
He curses and scrubs his jaw, and somehow, he manages to look tormented, like I really matter to him. How many women has he made think they mattered to him when they were just sex? “Forget the contract,” he says. “Just do this with me. Date me. Marry me. This isn’t how I wanted this to work out. I thought we’d both have the freedom—”
“To fuck each other out of our systems? Leave, Tyler.”
My doorbell rings and I say, “That will be Dash and Allie.”
“Of course, it is,” he says. “Now I have to leave, but this isn’t over. We are not over.”
“We are so over, Tyler. You insulted me and tried to pay me off. I feel like a whore. You made me feel like a whore.”
“Bella,” he breathes out. “God, woman. I don’t think—” The doorbell rings again, and he huffs out a breath. “I’m going.” He rotates on his heel and strides toward the door.
I follow him, and why on Earth do I want to scream for him to stop? Why do I hurt so badly at the idea of him leaving? I reach the edge of the foyer as he opens the door to face Dash and Allie.
“What the hell are you doing here, Tyler?” Dash demands.
“Ask your sister,” is all Tyler says, and then he disappears out into the hallway.
Dash and Allie step into the foyer, and Allie is holding a Golden Retriever puppy. I’ve wanted a Golden Retriever since I was a kid, but my mom was busy, and often traveled all over the place with my father. I just couldn’t have a dog. In my mind, when I think of getting a dog, it’s a Golden.
“Surprise!” Allie says, while Dash counters with, “What the fuck is going on, Bella?
I burst into tears.
Chapter One
Bella
Tyler is gone.
Dash and Allie are not.
They stand in my doorway with a puppy in Dash’s arms, staring at me as tears stream down my cheeks. After making me feel dirty and foolish with his stupid contract, Tyler has left me to explain away everything Dash and Allie just witnessed. And at this point, I’ve all but announced I’m sleeping with my boss, who is also Dash’s close friend and the owner of the agency that represents his books and career.
“What the hell was that?” Dash demands, glancing over his shoulder in the direction in which Tyler has just departed and then back at me, expectation in his stern look. No, it’s a look that says I’m not on my way to beat his ass, but I’m about to if you don’t talk me out of it. And we all know how Dash likes to fight.
Thankfully, the Golden Retriever puppy distracts Dash with big ol’ slobbering licks. I’m also a fast thinker, thanks to a job that places me on the hot seat more times than not. For instance, with my demanding boss, who I should never have allowed to touch me, a decision that creates a question about my judgment.
I rush forward and greet the puppy before daring a glance at my brother. “I can’t believe you got me a puppy.” The puppy replies with an Olympian effort at kissing away my tears and the sweetness only makes me want to cry all over again. Actually, I do cry all over again, but I direct it right back at the puppy. “Oh my God, you’re killing me with your sweetness.” I glance up at Dash. “And yours. Thank you. I love you.” I eye Allie. “And you. I love you too, Allie.” And I do. She’s good for my brother and has become a close friend—another sibling, in fact.
“She’s a girl,” Dash says. “Just like you wanted.
“Yes, I did,” I approve, and scoop the pup from Dash’s arms and carry her to the living room where the carpet is soft and comforting. As a plus, when I go down on my knees, the furniture hides both of us from loving but prying eyes.
I lower myself to my back and pull the puppy across my body, and while that ache in my heart still cuts deep, the cuddles are welcome comfort.
I nuzzle the puppy’s face and I’m kissed half to death until my tears morph into giggles. I all but choke when Dash appears above me, glaring down at me. “Bella. What the hell was that with you and Tyler?”
I sit up and allow the puppy a moment to explore. “I’m going to call her Molly.”
“Tyler, Bella,” Dash presses. “Why was he here?”
“He wanted me to sign something that had to be an original signature. When I told him you were on your way, he ran away. You have that impact on people, big brother.”