Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119005 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
My fingertips brushed her bare waist for a second as I replied with a gruff, “Hi.”
Body like a live wire, I quickly took the seat across from her.
“You look good.”
I raised an eyebrow at how she devoured me with her gaze. “We’re going to have a problem if you keep looking at me like that.”
Beth raised an eyebrow and snapped up the menu. I watched her as she perused it, thinking for not the first time what a damn shame it was she wasn’t interested in casual. So much tension crackled between us, I had a sneaking suspicion the sex would be mind-blowing.
“How was your day?” she asked, keeping her focus fixed on the menu.
“We won against Roselin.”
Her smile was wide as she finally looked at me. “You said you would.”
I smirked. “We fucked them up.”
Beth laughed. “So bloodthirsty, Callan Keen.”
“They drew first blood.” I shrugged. “We ended it.”
“I’m pleased for you.”
“Thanks. Just need to keep up the streak. Got a game against Northpark United in the Pro League on Sunday.” Which meant I’d be coming straight from training to attend this launch party for Beth, and there would be absolutely no drinking for me.
“I really do appreciate you coming with me on Saturday night before a game.”
“No problem.”
The server arrived to take our orders, so I gave the menu a quick glance and chose the healthier option of tom yum soup. Beth chose Thai green curry, and I almost changed my mind and got the same. But I had to keep on top of my diet. The beautiful game required stamina, and stamina required sacrifice.
After the server collected the menus, Beth leaned her elbows on the table, the position lowering her chest and giving me an eyeful of her fantastic cleavage. Her tits were definitely bigger than I remembered. A lush handful.
I dragged my gaze off her body. “Seems like a nice place.”
“Aye, the food is great here. So … Saturday. I think if the press recognizes you and asks about us, we should say we’re friends enjoying each other’s company. Let them do with that what they will.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“If Sheera asks, we’ll say we’re trying to keep the press out of our business. That means we can act intimate without acting intimate.”
Confused, I replied, “What does that even mean?”
“Like … you know, dance, chat, hold hands, but we won’t kiss or anything. You know. Keep things simple.”
I tried not to contemplate the deflated sensation that chased her words. Instead, we chatted a bit more about what I should wear and the time and details. When our meals arrived, I changed the subject.
“Got a meeting set up with your dad. It’s weeks away, but we got one.”
Beth swallowed a bite of food. “I’m glad. I told you he wasn’t lying.”
I still wasn’t convinced, but I didn’t want to argue about it.
“Tell me about your plans. You and Baird. This real estate company?”
So I told her about our portfolio but how Blantyre Castle would be the making of the company, that it was a risk, but one we’re certain was worth it. Spa hotels dotted the country, but this castle had spectacular coastal views. It practically marketed itself. And with an easy commute into Edinburgh, it would be a big draw to international visitors.
Beth’s phone binged five times during this. On the sixth chime, I saw her shift nervously in her seat and I gestured to the device. “You can get that.”
There was a moment of hesitation from her as she picked up her phone. But then she pressed the button on the side of it. “No, I’ll put it on silent. They can all wait.”
I nodded. “If you’re sure.”
She shrugged. “I’m sure. You were saying?”
“Oh, that the castle could even work really well as a wedding venue, but that’s something we’d need to look into more.”
“I think your plans sound wonderful.”
“Thanks. What about you? It seems to me you’ll do just about anything for your company.” I gestured between us, referencing our fake-dating agreement. “Is it worth it?”
She tilted her head, giving me an inviting smile. “It’s not exactly a hardship to sit across a table from you, Captain.”
A shiver of arousal tightened in my groin. I had to admit there was something about her calling me captain that made my dick twitch. “You keep smiling at me like that, and I’m going to walk out of here hard as a rock.”
Beth didn’t gasp in outrage or even seem shocked by my words. She smirked that sexy-ass smirk of hers and considered me. “Are you hard right now?”
I narrowed my eyes. “You keep talking like that, and I will be.”
As if suddenly remembering we were in public, Beth glanced around, saw we hadn’t been overheard, and grinned down at her food. I watched her take a forkful of her curry, and it was like she moved in slo-mo. I couldn’t tear my eyes off her mouth as she took the bite, her lips plumping as she chewed.