Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 84673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84673 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 423(@200wpm)___ 339(@250wpm)___ 282(@300wpm)
"Anyway..." Eric's chest puffed at the magnanimous gesture that he was about to make. "That's why I'm here."
Loft condescension practically oozed from his voice, and she could only feel her incredulity growing with every word Eric uttered. Had she truly once thought herself in love with this guy?
"I don't want to make the same mistake twice and end up hurting you again."
Because right now, she couldn't even see one single thing about him that was marginally cute. And my God - had she really heard him right? Did this guy really think he still had the power to hurt her?
"Margaux and I are engaged."
Kady blinked. Was that it?
She must be in shock, Eric thought. Poor Kady. He cleared his throat and reminded himself once again of his promise to break the news gently. "I know it may seem sudden and hasty, but it simply feels right." More silence, and Eric's remorse grew. Poor Kady.
"Congratulations," Kady said finally, seeing that Eric seemed to expect a response from her.
"I hope you mean that."
Kady blinked. "Of course I do."
"Because if you don't—-"
"I just said I do," Kady protested.
"What I have to say next is going to make things harder," Eric finished heavily.
"Oh." Kady was genuinely surprised this time. "There's more?"
"It's sort of last-minute..." Eric was once again back to speaking to her carefully, like she was a five year old that could only grasp two-syllable words. "But my application to work as a teacher's assistant was recently accepted, and I'll be working directly under a professor I've greatly admired—-"
"Julian Alexeyev," she guessed, having no problem recalling the Russian professor that Eric had practically worshipped.
A sullen expression flitted over his face, and Kady couldn't help comparing it to Slade, whom she couldn't even imagine contemplating being sullen for any reason.
"No, it's not him," Eric said rather shortly.
"Oh."
"But it's just as someone as good." His tone had turned slightly defensive.
"Of course," Kady agreed quickly, never mind if she distinctly recalled him telling her that no one could ever be as good as Julian Alexeyev in his field. "And, um, again congratulations—-"
"I hope you mean that, too," he interrupted.
Kady nearly had to bite her tongue. Why did he keep saying that?
"Since Professor Whitman is actually a professor here."
"Here?" And when he nodded, she just had to clarify, asking, "Do you mean my university?"
Eric nodded. "I know it might hurt, seeing me often—-" The sudden ringing of Kady's phone cut him off, and he frowned disapprovingly when Kady didn't even look at him and simply murmured an excuse as she started rummaging through her bag.
Why was her phone ringing, Kady wondered. From the moment she had entered the diner, she actually had Slade listening from the other end. It had been his non-negotiable condition, with Slade telling her coolly that it was the only way he would restrain himself from tagging along.
"You should put that in silent." Like I used to tell you, and you used to do.
Kady heard Eric's implied words loud and clear, and resentment started to simmer inside of her. How could she have fallen in love—-
RING!
She finally found her phone and quickly answered the call. "Hello?"
"Say baby, little chick."
"What?" Kady could feel her cheeks immediately burning at the command.
"Just say it," Slade purred.
And somehow, she actually did end up saying it, albeit weakly. "Baby."
"Good girl."
In the corner of her eye, she saw Eric scowling, but she didn't really have a thought to spare for him, not with Slade dropping another bombshell in the next second.
"As a reward—-" Her boss' tone turned dangerously silky. "I'm coming to pick you up."
Slade...picking her up...and meeting Eric?
"Absolutely not," she blurted out.
A low, sexy chuckle played down the line, and despite everything, she couldn't help trembling at the sound. "Just stay put, and I'll be there in a bit."
"But—-"
"Before I put the phone down, I need you to say it again."
Kady made a face. "I don't think so."
"It would also be better if you say it like I had told you something...exciting." And the way his voice dropped an octave, it was pretty much clear to Kady exactly what kind of exciting Slade was suggesting.
"I can't—-"
"Maybe you can't, but you'll do it anyway, won't you, little chick?"
"I—-"
"Because if you don't, I might be tempted to kiss you right in front—-"
She didn't bother letting him finish, and she didn't even have to pretend being embarrassed, with her cheeks turning a deeper, hotter shade of red as she said pleadingly, "Baby."
Another chuckle, and then Slade murmured wickedly, "I was kidding, though."
What?
"I'd kiss you either way."
And then the line went dead, and for one long moment Kady could only gape at her phone. That...that...that...
"That was painfully awkward to hear."
Eric's surprisingly insightful words were a relief, and Kady found herself nodding vehemently. "I know, right? That was my—-"
"Kady?"
The rudeness in his tone had her blinking. "Yes?"