Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 91243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91243 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
There’s a moment hanging between us where my fake, absurd flirting might lead to the real thing.
I wanted to annoy him. I thought if I acted all stupid and sexy, he’d throw me out of there. I figured combining it with letting my daughter make a mess of his stuff would mean he wouldn’t be able to control himself.
Instead, it’s like I’m honey and he can’t help but need a taste.
And I managed to turn myself on. Mass really is gorgeous. I can’t pretend that the masculine aura of power and intensity that surrounds him isn’t completely alluring. I want to give myself to him, if only to get a glimpse of that one good night we had together—
Until Rosie bangs a drawer shut, falls on her butt, and starts crying.
Mass instantly lets me go. Before I can turn, he’s pushing past me and going to her. I stare in horror as he stoops down, lifts my daughter into his arms, and begins to shush and bounce her.
My jaw nearly hits the damn floor.
“You’re okay, little one, you’re just fine.” Mass’s muscular arms cradle my little girl protectively. “Are you even hurt? Or did you just scare yourself?”
I expect Rosie to melt down harder. She’s never been good with people she doesn’t know, and Mass is still a stranger.
But she doesn’t. Instead, her crying slows, and it comes to a sudden halt.
A smile spreads across her face.
She reaches up and touches his cheek.
For a moment, he lets her touch him. They stare at each other. My uterus clenches like it wants to fall out of my body.
Then I remember where I am and hurry forward.
“I’m so sorry, I’ve got her.” I take her from Mass. He doesn’t fight me. He seems as surprised as I am by that sudden, tender moment. “She’s okay, don’t worry. We’re making a big mess, aren’t we?”
He clears his throat and strides back to his desk. He seems somewhat shaken. “Perhaps this wasn’t the best idea.”
“No, no, it’s great. Rosie and I are having a blast.”
“But this work really does need to get done.” He settles himself in his chair and leans over his papers again like he’s trying very hard not to look at me and my daughter. “You two should go. Explore the Fortress. I’ll send for you again later when I’m finished.”
“Are you sure? We were just getting started.”
“I’m positive.” The stormy look he gives me threatens to overwhelm me. It’s like he’s struggling against an intense, passionate feeling. “Go now.”
I don’t need to be told twice. I turn and get the heck out of there, sliding past the curtains and out into the main room.
Lucy’s still on her couch. The other young women are still typing away at their computers. None of them bother to look over. I wonder how much of that they heard.
I’m mortified as I hurry to the door. Once I’m on the other side, I pause in the empty hallway.
And a smile spreads across my face.
“You’re a good little girl, Rosie baby,” I whisper, hugging her tight.
I’m not sure Mass would’ve sent us away if it weren’t for her.
But I got what I wanted.
Unleashing my daughter’s toddler chaos, plus my shameless and silly flirting, must’ve finally done the trick.
He kicked us out and told me to explore.
Which means if anyone stops to ask me why I’m wandering around looking for the solarium, I have a built-in excuse.
This is perfect.
Now I just need to go meet whoever wrote that note and find out if I’m ever going to get out of this place.
MASS
“Did you enjoy your little date?” Lucy saunters into my private area without bothering to ask. She flops down into a chair and lowers her phone.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“You do realize this place isn’t soundproof, right?”
I gaze at her coolly. “Here I was, assuming that your fear of me guaranteed you wouldn’t be listening.”
“Oh, they’re absolutely terrified.” She waves a hand toward my other employees. I can’t remember their names right now. The girls who work for me rotate through here so fast I never bother getting to know them. Not that I’d want to either way. “But I know better.”
“What do you want?”
“Just checking in.” Her eyebrows raise, and she smiles tightly. “Assuming you’re not busy daydreaming about your new pretty wife?”
I glare at her and don’t respond right away.
Inviting Allie here was a mistake.
It was supposed to accomplish two goals. First, I wanted to give her something to do. Second, I wanted to keep her close.
I thought helping her stay busy might make her transition to this new life a little bit easier. But mostly, I hate the idea of spending all day in this fucking office without seeing her.
Allie brightens this place. I despise it, but I also can’t stop thinking about her. She hates me right now, but when she’s not busy acting like she wants to stab me in the dick, she’s a startling ray of sunshine.