Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 73568 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73568 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 294(@250wpm)___ 245(@300wpm)
Posey wrings her hands, teeth dug into her bottom lip while she waits to see what I’ll do.
I watch her for a moment, weighing my options. I could end this right now, have her kicked out of Crown Velocity, and be done with it. I never wanted her babysitting me anyway.
But a few factors have me considering alternatives. First, I might not like having the babysitter, but there’s no doubt my behavior was somewhat modified with Posey in tow last night. The threat of that article hanging over me kept me slightly in check and it is my job on the line.
Second, she got me home safe and sound. No ravers in my flat. I was able to party and not worry about consequences. That’s a good thing, right?
Plus, I find her a bit refreshing if I’m honest and I do get a perverse pleasure from baiting her.
And finally, there’s something about the desperation in her eyes that makes me pause. I believe her when she says she’s not out to hurt anyone and a part of me admires the hell out of the lengths she went to in the name of her work, no matter how ridiculous I might think it is.
“All right,” I say, leaning against the cushions and tossing my arm over the back in a pose of confidence. This puts me in a position of power. “I won’t tell anyone.”
Posey lets out a breath of relief, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “Thank you.”
“But,” I add, holding up a finger, “there’s a catch.”
She frowns. “What kind of catch?”
I lean in, lowering my voice. “I know Harley is using you to keep me in line. She’s using the threat of you writing something bad about me to make sure I stay out of trouble. I know now there is no such article and you can’t really hurt me, but I have to say, there’s some benefit in keeping you around. You can report to Harley that I’m on my best behavior. You can make sure I continue along that path.”
“Like a babysitter,” she mutters.
“Yeah… if that’s the conclusion you want to draw. You make me look good to the boss. And in exchange, I’ll teach you everything you need to know about FI. I am curious though… how did you think all of this was going to end? Were you just going to disappear after you got your information?”
Posey shakes her head, nibbling on her fingernail. “No. I’m going to write an article and let Harley see it. I was even going to submit it as a freelancer to some publications. I intend to follow through on that, so my guise isn’t completely fraudulent.”
“Even better,” I say with a wide grin. “You write only good things about me.”
“To do that, you have to be good,” she points out.
“Of course.” I incline my head. “But you have to make sure that I stay good. Babysit, remember?”
Posey bites her lip, clearly unsure if she should trust me. But she doesn’t have a choice, and we both know it. If I out her, she’ll lose the inside research she’s seeking and possibly land in hot water for the deception.
“Fine,” she says at last, her voice firm. “Deal.”
“Deal,” I repeat. “Looks like we’re stuck with each other, then.”
She glares at me, but there’s no fight left in her. She knows I’ve won this round.
“Now,” I say, rising from the couch, “I’ll see you at headquarters later. Don’t be late.”
“Late for what?” she asks, following me to the door.
“We’re meeting with strategy engineers to review last week’s simulator and track testing. I’m going to work out and I think you should join me for that.”
Posey crosses her arms over her chest. “Are you making a backhanded slam at my weight?” she accuses.
I blink at her in surprise, the vehemence in her voice revealing an insecurity that I didn’t know existed. “No,” I assure her with a pointed look. “I’m just saying if you want to delve into my world, you need to do everything with me. Attend meetings, get in the simulator, babysit me at the club and work out with me.”
“Oh,” she murmurs, casting her eyes down. “Sorry for jumping to conclusions.”
Weird girl. Not sure why she thinks her weight is a problem. She’s got curves in all the right places as far as I’m concerned.
Not that I’m looking at her that way.
Except now… I am looking at how her full boobs plump up over that defensive arm cross and how slamming her ass looks in those jeans.
I shake my head, forcing the thoughts away. “I’m out of here. Be at HQ in two hours.”
Without waiting for her response, I walk out the door, leaving her standing in the middle of the room, knowing she’s got no choice but to play along.
CHAPTER 5
Posey
The Crown Velocity headquarters is equally impressive when I pull up today in my rental vehicle. It was a bit easier navigating out of London to Woking and I’m more confident in driving on the opposite side of the road, but I’m resolved today to find an Airbnb around here.