Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56885 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 228(@250wpm)___ 190(@300wpm)
“What’s the latest, then?” I say, sitting down.
They exchange looks. I’m coming across as grumpy—better that than the truth.
“I was just saying I could work up some mock devices,” Russel says. “For internal use, to see how they would work practically.”
“There’s no point worrying about copyright or data implications before we’ve explored the functionality,” Piper says, nodding.
“Very well phrased, Piper,” Milo says, aiming a smile her way.
Under the table, I’ve got my fist clenched as though I’m some pouting goddamn teenager. He’s got every right to compliment his employee, but it annoys me.
I need to get control of this before it goes too far. Judging from the texts last night, it already has gone too far.
“Okay, then,” I say, standing. “That was easy. Russel, let me know when the prototypes are ready.”
Piper adjusts her collar, brushing her hand up and down her neck. It’s completely innocent, of course. It's just a normal gesture during a normal workday. But it almost makes me wild.
I leave the office quickly before I do something I’ll regret.
How am I going to handle being alone with her later? I’ve done it before, I remind myself. It’s not like I pounced on her in the interview.
She’s the sexiest, most tempting, most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid my eyes on. But even if she makes me feel like one, I’m not, in fact, an animal.
CHAPTER 10
PIPER
Iwait in the parking lot, my arms crossed over my middle, thinking of the brief meeting earlier. It was almost like Logan was making a point to not look at me. A vein was pulsing in his neck. He looked tense. I both wanted to ease his tension and selfishly, steamily, make it worse.
His heavy footsteps make me turn. He’s walking toward me, just as tense as earlier. He’s removed his tie, and his top two buttons are undone, showing a preview of his hard, muscled chest.
When Elliot told me he’d arranged a ride with Logan, I almost told him no, I’d find my own way home. After the texting last night, I knew that riding alone with him would be a mistake. It feels that way now as he strides to his car door, not looking at me.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
“I wouldn’t be standing here waiting if I wasn’t, would I?”
He looks up sharply. For a moment, he seems mad, but then he smirks. “Fair enough, Hardcover.”
The nickname makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside in a way it shouldn’t. Shouldn’t is our defining characteristic.
He opens the door to his black Mercedes-Benz G-Class. His car is as big and intimidating as he is.
When I climb into the passenger seat, Logan glances at me, his expression difficult to read. I can’t tell if he’s happy or annoyed that I’m here or is somewhat confused.
“I can get the bus. Or walk. Or take a scooter. It’s not even that far.”
“Elliot asked me to give you a ride,” Logan says. “So, I’m going to give you a ride. My guess is he’s concerned about you traveling alone.”
When Logan starts the car, I fiddle with the buttons on my shirt. He glances over, his eyes getting wide… hungry, wild, obsessed. Okay, I shouldn’t let my mind go there, but that’s how he looks—like every little thing I do is the most fascinating thing to him.
“I wish Elliot would talk to me,” Logan says as we drive through Chinatown.
That seems like an unmistakable message. I definitely need to stop thinking about anything even remotely romantic.
“Maybe I can get him to talk,” I mutter. “Though, I doubt it. He seems super closed off. It’s weird. I’ve never seen him like this before.”
“Without him, there wouldn’t be a company,” Logan mutters.
“How’s that?”
Logan glances at me. “He never told you. He loaned me the money, using the inheritance his grandmother left him.”
“Oh, no, I didn’t know that. He never even mentioned a grandmother. But we had different dads, remember, so I guess that’s not weird.”
“Hmm, maybe not,” Logan says, but he doesn’t sound convinced. “I’ve just never known him to keep so many secrets.”
“Well…”
“Well?” Logan says when I don’t go on.
“I was just going to say…”
“Don’t leave me hanging.”
“Can’t you guess?” I say fiercely.
“We can’t judge?”
I can’t look at him when he says this. Texting on the borderline is one thing, but bringing it all out into the open feels different. I’ve only got myself to blame, though. I’m the one who mentioned it.
“Are you working after you drop me off?” I ask.
“No,” he replies. “Why?”
“You seem tense. Maybe we could stop off somewhere. Relax a little.”
As soon as the words are out of my mouth, I hear what I’ve said, the insane offer I’ve just made. What am I even thinking?
But then Logan replies, and even though I’m staring out the window because looking at him is too awkward, I can tell he’s smiling. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with taking an employee to a restaurant to congratulate her for a good first week of work.” After a pause, he says, “Look at me, Piper.”