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)
“He’s my boss with a contract that would ruin me. That we talked about dropping, but even so, I’m back to him being my boss. I’d look like I slept my way to the top.”
“I have a few things to say about that, but I need more details. Aren’t Tyler and Dash friends?” he asks. “What does Dash say?”
“What makes you think I’ve even told Dash?”
“You tell him everything. What did Dash say?”
“He thinks Tyler is different with me, that maybe he really cares.”
“What do you think?” he asks.
“That he’s a womanizer and I was doomed to cry over him.”
“A man who plays the field just hasn’t found the right woman,” he counters.
“Oh, please. Not always, Dad. Some men are just players. I saw the list his attorney put together of possible fiancées for hire. I was on the list. I don’t like how that feels.”
“Hmm, yes. The list.”
“And of course, he says that his attorney created the list and pushed the list.” I press my hand to my face. “Mom would be ashamed of me right now.”
“Yes, about that. If your mom and I would have met at work, we would have fucked like rabbits and still ended up married. It was just meant to be.”
My brow crinkles. “Whoa. Too much information, Dad.”
“No, it’s not. If the sex isn’t good up front then it won’t be good in thirty years. Anyone who says differently is full of shit. Is the sex good?”
“I’m not answering that.”
“Okay, check. It’s good. What about the communication?”
“Right up until the point he tried to bury me in a contract, it was fine, though that’s a whole thing. I think we’ve had some miscommunication.”
“At least you see that. That’s good.”
“Dad, this is not the conversation I expected to have with you. I told you, people will say I slept my way to the top.”
“Who are the people saying this?”
“Everyone,” I insist, but Becker’s promise it doesn’t matter plays in my mind. “Some people,” I amend.
“I find that hard to believe. I’ve heard all about a whole lot of deals you’ve closed. Here’s the thing, Bella. If he has declared loyalty to you and he fucks around, then fuck him. And I’ll be happy to come and beat his ass.”
“There was this situation with his secretary. But he says she came on to him and nothing happened.”
“Do you believe him?”
“I actually think I do. I guess I just had to say it out loud and see how it felt.”
“Good. Is the secretary pretty?”
I huff out a thick breath. “Gorgeous.”
“That says more than you think about what’s going on here.”
“What does that mean?” I ask.
“If she came on to him and he didn’t act on it, then it’s a compliment. You tell me he’s a player, and yet, he said no. It means he’s got tunnel vision and it’s all about you, just like it was for me with Mom. Hell, it still is. I see her everywhere. No one compares.”
I pause a moment, trying to digest what he’s saying. “Maybe. I don’t know. I have to think on this, Dad, but thank you. You helped. I’m looking forward to seeing you next weekend.”
“You bringing Tyler?”
“I don’t know what I’m doing right now.”
“Fair answer. Just remember, life is short. And, yes, love is scary. The entire act of loving requires a willingness to be vulnerable. But it’s worth it.”
“You don’t sound like the womanizer you are.”
“I sound like a man who had the best years of my life with the love of my life. What I am now is simply what’s left over. I’m here for you. Let me know what is happening. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
We disconnect and his “simply what’s left over” comment guts me.
I’m terrified that’s what I’ll become after Tyler.
My cellphone buzzes with a text message and I glance down to find a message from my dad, Bella, you’re letting fear win. When have you ever let fear win? I’m not promising you won’t get hurt, but you won’t wonder what might have been, either. Night, honey.
I stand up and start to pace. He’s right. I even told Tyler I’m afraid. I really need to see him. I really want him to be here right now. I made him feel he had to leave.
I dial his number. He answers on the first ring. “Hey, baby.”
Baby.
The endearment does funny things to my belly that I want to feel again and again. “Where are you? Can you come here?”
“I’m already here. I’m at your door, telling myself to go home.”
I toss my phone on the bed and run for the door.
Chapter Forty-Two
Tyler
I stand at Bella’s door no longer wearing my jacket, my tie loose. I’d made it halfway home and turned around. I told myself I was being honorable and proving to Bella she means more than sex to me, but staying away from her is impossible. There are too many things I haven’t said to her, too few times that I have touched her.