Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
She often was after a punishment, but tonight it was the opposite. She was filled with energy. “Not yet. She wiggled back against him.
“Good. We have some things to talk about.” He sounded so serious, which meant it probably had to do with everything that had happened.
She sighed. “Okay.”
“Tomorrow you’re going to put in a request for leave.”
“Leave? Why?”
“We’re going on a trip. We’re leaving Wednesday and we’ll be gone three weeks.” It was stated so nonchalantly, as though taking off last minute for a three-week vacation was normal.
Allegra shot up in bed, turning to stare at him. “Carter! I can’t just take time off like that! He’ll never approve it. And three weeks? Even if I didn’t have projects due soon, he’d never—”
“He’ll approve it. Trust me.” There was iron in the words, and absolute confidence that Edward would bow to the request.
But he didn’t know Edward. Her boss was a jerk, and he never gave in on anything. “Even if he does, I still have all this work. And three weeks? I’ve never taken that much time off.”
“Then you should have plenty banked to use, yeah?”
That wasn’t the problem. She so rarely took days off that she’d lost almost a week of time last year because she hadn’t used it. It wasn’t exactly her choice; she couldn’t even take a sick day without Edward screaming that she was putting the whole department behind. “I do, but—”
“But nothing. You will put the request in tomorrow and we’re going on a trip. If Edward has an issue with it, you can hand me the phone.”
Her mouth dropped and hung open wide. Put her husband on the phone to make excuses to her boss? She’d never get past the humiliation. “But-but I…”
Carter shook his head. “Our marriage is more important than any projects you’re working on. And while we’re on this trip I want you to take some time to seriously consider if you even want to keep this job. There are other jobs out there.”
She blew out a long breath. “I’ve worked so hard here. I know the promotion is coming soon.” That was more wishful thinking than anything, but it was the hope she clung to.
“Do you even like this company?”
“I used to … I mean, when I first started working there it was great. I learned so much and they gave me responsibilities that I could handle as I got more experience. Now, it’s this feeling of being overwhelmed constantly.”
“So, what happened to change it?”
“Edward. When my old supervisor left and he took over it just all went downhill.”
Carter nodded like he’d expected as much. “If you’re no longer happy there, it’s not worth staying. Not for you and not for us.”
She wanted to argue it. Wanted to explain that she’d put in so much effort it would be throwing it all away if she left now, but he was right. She’d known for a long time that her job was making her miserable, and not just at work, but all the time.
Giving up just wasn’t in her nature. “Are you going to make me quit?” she asked, half hoping he’d say yes.
“No, but I’m asking you to seriously consider it. And the time off for this trip is non-negotiable so if it leads to you having to quit, well, we’ll deal with that.”
Allegra let out a long sigh. “Where are we going anyway?”
His mouth quirked up at one corner, a teasing twinkle in his eye. “You’ll find out when we get there.”
“Carter, ugh. That’s not fair. I won’t know what to pack. I mean should I pack for a beach or for…”
“I’ll pack for you. Don’t worry about it.”
She just stared at him until he tugged her back down into his arms. And no matter how much she tried to get a hint out of him, Carter remained close-mouthed about the trip.
The next morning, she got up as usual and got dressed for work. Carter, always up at dawn, was waiting for her in the kitchen with a toasted bagel and a cup of coffee to go. He knew she was more likely to eat something if he put it in her hand—it usually worked.
Carter dropped a kiss on her cheek. “Don’t forget to call me if he gives you any trouble about the time off.”
She ducked her head to the side, avoiding his eyes. She had absolutely no intention of doing that. “I’m sure it will be fine,” she mumbled.
“It will be, because you’ll be getting those extras with the strap tonight and you definitely want me in a good mood for that. I expect to hear that it’s all set.”
Her insides twisted and a cold sensation washed over her skin. She’d forgotten about the penalty strokes. “Are you sure we can’t just—”
“No, we’re not skipping them.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I love you and I’ll see you when you get home.”