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)
Fiona.
I picked it up and went upstairs before taking the call so I didn’t wake Evie.
“Where are you?”
“She’s with me.”
Pause. “Xavier?” Fiona asked, sounding caught off guard.
“The one and only.”
Pause.
“It’s late. When will she be home?”
“Evie will spend the night.”
“I warned you to keep your hands off her!” she muttered. I could hear Connor’s deep voice in the background, probably trying to calm his crazy girlfriend.
“She fell asleep on the sofa.” I was too tired to annoy Fiona with a half-truth, just to see her outburst.
“Don’t do kinky stuff to her while she’s asleep.”
Fury burnt through me. I’d never touched a woman who wasn’t one hundred percent willing and conscious. Connor spoke again.
After several moments of silence, Fiona said, “Sorry. That was out of line.”
“Yeah, it was. Good night.” I hung up.
I set the alarm, a new experience, then with a last glance down the landing at the sleeping woman below, I went to bed. This was the first time a woman spent the night in my penthouse without spreading her legs.
Evie got to me in a way I couldn’t quite understand.
A loud hiss tore me from sleep. I woke with a stiff neck, disoriented. Staring up at a high ceiling, it took me several moments to gather my bearings. When I sat up and my surroundings came into focus, I realized where I was. Xavier’s apartment.
“Good morning, sunshine,” Xavier said.
My head whirled toward the source of the sound. Xavier was propped up against the counter beside the espresso unit in his underwear, foaming milk.
I untangled myself from the blanket and jerked to my feet. “What time is it?”
“Six forty-five.”
“You woke by yourself,” I said, surprised, as I tugged my shirt back in place, wondering what kind of bird’s nest my hair created at the moment.
“You were sound asleep.”
“Waking yourself, making coffee. Does that mean you will fire me?” I teased.
“No chance in hell am I letting you go.”
My heart did that stupid lurch it had adopted only recently.
Xavier poured the milk foam into the two cups on the counter, then came over to me.
I held up my palm. “Don’t come closer. I haven’t brushed my teeth yet.”
Xavier cocked one eyebrow. “I wasn’t going to kiss you. I’m giving you coffee.”
Keeping my lips shut, I took the cup from him. I’d prefer the kiss.
Oh Evie, you big fool.
“Thanks,” I mumbled then took a deep sip, hoping it would banish the foul taste in my mouth. I could imagine what kind of undignified sight I’d provided lying on the sofa like a stranded whale; I didn’t need to make it worse by smelling like a dumpster.
“Should I write down my number now and delete it later? Since that’s your modus operandi when women spend the night?” I joked.
Xavier flashed me a grin, moving closer, too close, because his manly scent and the sight of all the muscle wreaked havoc with my body. “My usual modus operandi includes hot sex. How about that?”
He was joking, playful and teasing, so I forced out a laugh, even if heat washed down my spine. “Sorry. This coffee is the only hot thing you’ll get.”
After Xavier left for his training, I drove home where I found Fiona in the kitchen. She stood the moment I entered, narrowing her eyes. “Have you lost your mind?”
I blinked, putting my purse down on the table. “Excuse me? What crawled up your ass?”
“Xavier did.”
“Ew. That’s an image I really don’t need so early in the morning, or ever.”
Fiona didn’t crack a smile. “You spent the night.”
“Yes, I did. I’m twenty, Fiona, not twelve.”
“But you’re letting Xavier charm his way into your pants.”
“He isn’t trying to charm his way into my pants, trust me. I’m not his type, as you very well know.”
“Maybe he wants to try something different for once.”
“He doesn’t, Fiona. Xavier doesn’t have the slightest interest in me in that regard. I don’t think he sees me as a woman.”
“And you?”
“I know I’m a woman. I see the proof every time I undress or curse the fact that I can’t pee standing up during a road trip.”
Fiona sighed. “You know what I mean.”
“Yes, and I also know that I can take care of myself. I’m Xavier’s assistant and maybe his friend, but nothing else, okay?”
“Okay,” Fiona conceded, but I knew she didn’t really believe me—and who could blame her when I didn’t believe it myself.
I was supposed to visit home tomorrow and had yet to make the call Evie wanted me to make. I knew how my mother would react if I as much as mentioned bringing a woman with me. I picked up the phone and called her.
“Xavier,” Mom said before I could say a word.
“Hey Mom, just wanted to let you know that I’m bringing someone over tomorrow.”
“Someone? What kind of someone?” she asked curiously.
“A female someone—”