Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 58564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58564 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 293(@200wpm)___ 234(@250wpm)___ 195(@300wpm)
Something that would allow her to surrender to him without taking any of those risks she had once spoken of...
"Two months," he murmured.
"Excuse me?" Pippi felt like she was hearing things, but when he repeated his words, she realized she had heard him right. Brows furrowing, she cocked her head absently to the side, asking blankly, "What about two months?"
"I'll be the perfect boyfriend for two months," Acheron drawled, "in exchange for the right to have you in my bed."
Her jaw fell so hard a part of her was just waiting to hear it crash to the floor. "Excuse me?"
"You can give me a list if you wish, have all of it in writing in order to make things legal. I will be whoever and whatever you want me to be, Ms. Jones. You only have to say the word, and I will make it happen."
Shock gave way to horror. Did he really think...
"I'll also have a contract drawn as a guarantee that your job will not be affected in any way, regardless of what takes place during and after those two months."
This was insane. And what would be more insane was if she allowed herself to hear another word about it. Taking an uneven step back, she shook her head at him, stammering, "I'm s-sorry, it's just—-"
"No one has to know either." It was the ace Acheron had up his sleeve, and as soon as he had dealt it, the gamble immediately paid off. The words rendered Pippi motionless, and seeing this, he didn't hesitate to press his advantage. "You can choose who to tell or not to tell about us." His voice was soft and beguiling, Acheron taking every care not to make her feel pressured. "It will be entirely your call." His gaze captured hers as he made his move and gradually closed the distance between them.
Pippi was trembling and dazed, unable to tear her eyes from the carnal temptation that made up every beautiful inch of Acheron Simonides' lean, hard build. His words swirled around her, painting the most sinful of promises that her aching body yearned to be tainted with.
It was almost as if Acheron Simonides had intimate knowledge of her every fear, and he not only knew how to vanquish them, he was even offering Pippi freedom from it on a silver platter.
He wanted her, he had said, and he wished her to say she wanted him back.
It was the one thing she would never have even considered doing. To be involved with someone like him was the definition of insanity, a disaster simply waiting to happen, a risk that was so foolish she'd have to be an idiot to even consider it.
And yet...
"You won't have to worry about people gossiping about us or treating you differently - whether for better or worse - just because you're involved with me."
It was like hearing the devil whisper her most forbidden fantasies to her ear, and yet - she just couldn't stop listening, couldn't stop imagining how darkly wondrous it could be.
A secret, thrilling affair with one of the sexiest men in the world, and she'd never have to worry about being a target of gossip and online bullying?
"People who don't have to know...won't know. But people who you trust and care about...you won't have to lie to them either."
Pippi found herself shaking her head in a literal attempt to shake off his hold on her, but it was impossible. It was almost as if he had put a curse on her, and she found his every word alluring!
"You can tell your family you're in a relationship with me, and it would be the truth. They'd have no reason to worry about you. That's important to you, isn't it?"
It was, dammit. She would never want to give her family any reason to worry. Never. But how was it that he knew of this, too? It left her feeling torn between glaring at him and bursting into tears, and before she knew it, the words had already flown out of her mouth. "You're like the devil in disguise." She meant it as a joke, but somehow the words ended up sounding half accusing.
Even so, this only made him laugh, and the sound itself was devilish as well, with the way it made her breasts swell and her thighs tremble.
Bloody, bloody, bloody -
"I'm glad to hear you're finding it hard to resist me," Acheron purred.
Hell!
Pippi choked back a slightly hysterical laugh. God help her, but the man's gall was unbelievable. Squaring her shoulders, she told herself that all this crazy talk had gone on long enough, and it was time for her to come back to reality. Taking a deep breath, she said carefully, "Mr. Simonides—-"
"Acheron," he corrected her.
"Mr. Simonides," she said stubbornly.
"Acheron." His voice was very gentle. "Or..." His gaze slowly moved down to settle on her lips, the action silently spelling out his threat to kiss her if she persisted against his wishes.