Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 82514 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82514 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 413(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“I don’t stumble.”
“—and follow a girl with your eyes every time she’s in the room, but still,” he continued like I hadn’t spoken.
“She’s hot,” I muttered as an excuse.
“She’s cute and sweet. Almost demure. Not your usual type.” He put his feet on the floor and rested his elbows on his knees, keeping his dark eyes glued to my face for a reaction. “But maybe you’re getting to a point where you don’t want your usual type.”
A knock on the door interrupted any response I could have formed. Not that I had one. I didn’t know what to say to that. Kent and I were loners. Or we were until he settled down, with my niece, no less. Being alone didn’t bother me.
I’d accepted long ago that I wouldn’t find that kind of love with anyone. I wouldn’t let myself find it. Not again.
“Really, Daniel?” Carina said, pushing through the door. “An escort through the hallway? We could have come in through the front.”
She strolled in like she owned the place—with her lacy top, wide-leg pants, and red-soled shoes. Carina was the embodiment of lady boss, and she walked in everywhere like she belonged.
Hanna strolled in behind her, almost as confident as Carina, but the air around her didn’t take up as much space. The nervous glances around the room dimmed her own powerhouse, but not any of her elegance and poise.
Just like Kent accused, I followed Hanna all the way until she stood in front of the seating area. God, she was stunning. She had on black high-waisted jeans that accentuated her tiny waist and a silky green blouse that perfectly matched her eyes.
We almost matched with the way she had the top two buttons undone on her shirt too, her full breasts peeking through the deep vee. She tucked her long dark hair behind her ear, and the gold bangles she always wore sparkled under the dome lights. I’d never seen her without them, no matter where she was.
I shook myself out of her entrancement and leaned back, gesturing for them both to sit. “You know I protect my clients first, and Hanna hasn’t signed anything yet.”
“Sorry,” she said softly, gently perching on the edge of the chair.
“Don’t apologize,” Carina reprimanded, falling back in the chair, crossing her long legs, and looking like a queen on a throne.
“Hey, Hanna,” Kent greeted.
A relaxed smile tilted her pouty lips. “Hey, Kent. How’s Olivia?”
“A pain in my ass.”
“Hey,” I chided.
Kent held his hands up in surrender. “I’m sorry. A pain in the ass, I love.” I wanted to be mad at him, but hearing Hanna’s laugh, watching her sink back in the chair a bit, made it all worth it. “She’s good. Loving life after college and getting ready to start her own business to rival mine. Her words.”
“Good for her,” Hanna said with a decisive nod.
“Speaking of businesses,” Kent said, shifting his attention to me. “I wanted to ask you about New York next week?”
“How long will you be gone?”
Kent rolled his eyes, already knowing I probably wouldn’t go if it was more than a weekend. While he loved bouncing from place to place, I tended to like to stick close to home. “Never mind. It will be a couple of weeks.”
“Yeah, I’ll pass on this one. Maybe next time.”
“Fine, Grandpa.”
I ignored his dig at my homebody tendencies and slid a paper and pen across the table and started what we came here for.
“Okay, so this is the NDA. It’s a typical one that says you won’t talk about anything or anyone you see within these walls. I’ll need you to sign it before showing you around. Whether you choose to come back or not.”
“Okay.” She licked her lips before leaning forward to sign the paper. The angle opened up her blouse more, and I caught a slight glimpse of the lacy edge of her bra that barely contained her curves. I was torn between wanting to soothe her nerves and bury my face in her cleavage. But then a foot kicked mine, and I snapped my gaze to a smiling Kent.
Fuck. Heat crept to my cheeks, and it pissed me off that Kent was giving me shit about Hanna at all. So what, I could check out women. It wasn’t like she was different than any other woman.
I cleared my throat when she finished. “Any form of judgment will get you removed from the premises immediately, and you will not be welcome back,” I said in a harsh tone.
Apparently, too harsh, by the way Carina’s eyes widened to saucers and yet still managed to glare.
Tugging at my collar, I cleared my throat again and softened my tone. “Just to protect everyone here. It’s a safe place for people to feel comfortable with who they are.”
“That’s good to know,” Hanna said.