Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 48567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48567 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
I pout.
“I’m not grumpy, I’m focused.”
"Mmm, well at least during sex you’re focused.”
I do a double take.
“You really think so?”
She leans in and licks her fingers.
“Does your ego really need that much of a boost with a dick that big?”
"Yes. Absolutely.” I grin.
She shoves me again and grabs another marshmallow.
“So tomorrow, you’ll go back to being an overbearing asshole I’m one hundred percent not attracted to?”
“Yes.” I nod, even though I want to say no. She has to know I’m protecting her as much as I can.
“And you’ll go back to being my assistant, nothing more, a mere speck in the cog of the company.”
“I hate the word cog.”
“I do too. I instantly regretted it.”
She bursts out laughing.
“Well, at least we’re in agreement on that, I’ll make sure to leave it out of all the press releases I type up for you.”
She’s smiling at the fire, laughing. I could stay here forever, but I need her, I want her.
I tug off her blanket and pull her onto my lap.
She leans back against me, her head on my shoulder, her body relaxed against mine.
Sure, yes, moon sex, that’s all this is.
Nothing more.
Nothing more.
She grabs my hand and holds it.
Sure, nothing more.
Chapter 26
Enemy, Or Touch?
AVA
I don’t stay the night. I hate that I go back to my apartment; I hate that as I walk to work, things will be exactly the same. I’ll be ignored, treated like every employee when I actually fell asleep in my grumpy alpha's arms.
A text comes through from Xavier.
Xavier: Want to grab lunch?
I don’t answer right away because what’s the point? Telling him I’m falling for my boss and that I’m screwed in more ways than one and also spoiler alert, he’s not totally human.
Yeah, sounds like a totally good text to send.
Me: Probably not today, super busy, maybe tomorrow?
Xavier: I’ll put it in the books.
How cliche can he be at this point?
I shove my phone back into my purse and make my way into the tall office building. It’s super busy and I still have to get past everyone, somehow grab coffee for the grumpy one and make it to an elevator.
I'm shoved slightly to the side as all elevators fill up.
I wait for the next.
It’s empty. I walk in and get ready to hit close when I see another dark figure walking in.
Followed by Gabe.
It’s Eli.
I don’t know how to act.
I don’t know how he’s going to act.
So I’m simply mute.
I stare straight ahead as Gabe talks on and on about meetings Eli has. I expect the cold shoulder, instead, Eli stands right next to me, and presses a palm to my lower back.
I swear I almost orgasm on the spot.
It’s embarrassingly sweet, and it makes me want to both cry and climb him like a tree.
I look straight ahead while Gabe drones on and on.
“Thought we were enemies.”
“Me too.” Eli gets closer.
“And then I saw your face and realized I’d rather touch my enemy than fight with her.”
I smile.
“I like touching.”
“I thought I had self-control.” He curses under his breath.
“And it’s not even a fucking full moon.”
“To be fair, you didn’t throw a desk out your window, so I think you’re doing great, champ.”
He pinches my ass. Gabe still hasn’t noticed.
“Call me champ again.”
“Oh, you like that?” I look up at him the minute he looks down.
Eli looks hungry.
Like seriously hungry.
I lick my lips; he stares at my mouth.
“Eli?” Gabe snaps.
“Pay attention. I just asked you two questions and all you’re doing is staring at the wall, or at your poor assistant.”
“Maybe I’m hungry,” he says under his breath.
“And sorry, Gabe, what did you ask?” He leaves my side. I feel the emptiness in my soul, and I hate it, I hate that this was all it took.
And that I’m so far gone that I want to strip in his office and just lay there and let him feast.
“Meat!” I shout.
Both men turn and look at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Pardon?” Gabe asks.
“I mean, meat, we should get meat for lunch to fill up, good ol’…” Oh God, stop talking.
“Eli! Because it’s been a rough few days of… absolute solitude and that tends to make you hungry when you…meditate.” I cough.
Eli bites down on his lower lip and smirks at the same time while Gabe waves a hand in front of my face like I’m hallucinating or maybe had a stroke.
Gabe frowns.
“Do you need a sick day?”
"Nope. Totally. Normal.” I nod way too many times.
“I was just thinking about nutrition, and the company, and it came to mind.”
Eli squeezes his eyes shut, then turns away.
Gabe is still frowning.
“Okay, guess we’re ordering meat then, sounds, tasty. Thank you for your input? And Eli, I still need an answer on that last takeover, are you really sure you want to go against Xavier on this?”
My ears perk up. Xavier?