Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56217 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
“Shut the door, would you?” He stood by the window, looking out over the city.
This was going to be bad. But I did as he said and shut the door. “Is something wrong, Mr. Alexander?”
“Yes.” He turned toward me then. “I noticed you’re spending a lot of time with Dylan Colby.”
My brows furrowed as I wondered what business it was of Blake’s what I was doing. But this was his company and the time I spent with Dylan was in the office. At least so far.
“During breaks and the end of the day for a few days now.”
Blake moved away from the window, taking slow, yet purposeful strides toward me. “Are you seeing him?”
“Do you mean dating?”
He nodded.
I cocked my head, wondering why he’d care. I thought he’d be happy. He didn’t have to worry about me mooning over him or causing him trouble. “Not yet, but maybe.”
“You think he’s the man who can give you what you want?”
No. “I don’t know. Maybe. Mr. Alexander, what is the problem?”
He stepped closer to me. Heat and annoyance radiated off of him in waves. But why? “Last week you were a virgin and now you’re ready to fuck just anyone?”
Instinct flashed through me and before I could think, my hand flew out until it landed on his cheek with a loud crack. When I realized what I’d done, I knew I should beg to keep my job, but I was so angry. Had he really just suggested that since I’d given him my virginity, I was sleeping my way around the office?
He looked down for a moment, and when he looked back up, I thought I saw remorse. “I deserved that. I’m sorry.”
I swallowed. I thought I should apologize too, but I wasn’t sorry. I’d never known him to be an asshole, so this exchange made little sense.
“I don’t understand what’s going on,” I admitted. What was I missing?
He stepped toward me again. I retreated, which put my back against the door. He pressed one hand on the door, moving closer to me. I wasn’t afraid. I didn’t think he would hurt me. But I wanted to retreat because his nearness made my hormones go haywire. I was too annoyed and confused at Blake to let my desire for him cloud my thoughts or judgement.
“What’s going on is that I can’t stand the thought of Dylan Colby’s hands on you.”
Huh? “He hasn’t had his hands—”
“I saw him touch you, Bella. I saw the intention in his eyes.”
Why was this such a big deal to him? He couldn’t be jealous, could he? “You said I needed to find someone who was interested in me. He is.”
“I know, and I hate it.”
“Why?” He wasn’t making any sense. “You said you couldn’t—”
“I shouldn’t.” His gaze drifted from my eyes to my lips and then back again. “But I can’t seem to fucking help it.” Before I had to time to realize or react, he dove in, his lips consuming mine in a fiery blaze of frustrated heat.
Blake
I would have never have guessed I was a jealous man. I met Joanna in college and we were together until the day she died. I never had to compete for her. I also didn’t need to try to resist her or push her away. She was mine and I was hers from the start. So, these feelings of anger, frustration and yes, jealousy, around Bella caught me completely off guard, and I couldn’t manage them one second longer.
I hadn’t gone to her office to confront her about Dylan, but when I saw him touch her cheek and then her arm, my blood boiled. For days now, I had to endure the guilt and embarrassment of erotic dreams that sometimes came to fruition. I still hadn’t figured out how I was going to explain changing sheets so often to the housekeeper.
While I tried to avoid Bella, seeing her in the office always put me in a state of semi-arousal. How could I run a billion-dollar company with a constant hard-on?
All of it got worse when I saw how Lily took to Bella and how sweet Bella was with her. It was like Cupid was fucking with my heartstrings and my dick.
When I saw raw, masculine desire for Bella in Dylan’s eyes, I snapped. An intense possessiveness filled my body, even though I knew I had no right to feel it. Even though it made me feel like shit to betray the love I had for my wife.
And now, I was kissing Bella like my life depended on it. Thank fuck she was kissing me back. Then again, she could save me by pushing me away. Instead, she gripped my shirt and kissed me back, opening her mouth so I could taste her sweetness.
This was wrong, and yet, I couldn’t stop it. I had to have her. I swung her around and moved us toward my desk, my mouth still devouring hers.