Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 116597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 583(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 583(@200wpm)___ 466(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
He wore a tailored navy suit with a subtle checkered pattern that only revealed itself under the light. The crisp white dress shirt beneath was open at the collar, no tie in sight, sleeves pushed up just enough to show the ink on his forearms. His dark hair was freshly styled, and the sharp lines of his neatly trimmed box beard framed his jaw perfectly. The edges were lined, precise enough to make it clear he’d shaved for the occasion — but not enough to dull the rugged edge that would fool the unsuspecting viewer into thinking he was a bad boy instead of an absolute teddy bear.
He looked every bit the professional athlete in business mode — sharp, commanding, and sexy.
I wouldn’t admit that to him, though.
Instead, I offered a slight arch of my brow as I opened my door to let him inside. “Dolce and Gabbana?” I mused.
“You said this was a business meeting,” he reminded me.
“Color me surprised that you listened.”
“Oh, I’m an excellent listener. Especially when I’m trying to impress my new teacher. Some might call me Teacher’s Pet, even.”
He punctuated the flirtation with a wink. I answered with a performative bored blink and a sweep of my hand toward the glass dining table, where two crisp stacks of paper waited — each topped with a black pen.
But instead of heading straight over, Carter slid his hands into his pockets and took in the view of my condo. I noted the silver ring on his pinky just before his hands disappeared from view, and something about that man confidently wearing jewelry had my intrigue spiking.
His gaze swept the space with idle curiosity until it caught on the diamond and pearl necklace displayed beside the fireplace — draped elegantly over a slender black velvet bust. His eyes widened.
“Whoa,” he said, gesturing to the glittering piece. “That looks pricey. Are you a jewelry collector or something?”
“Crafter.”
His brows shot up. “Wait… you made that?”
I nodded, folding my hands behind my back as I came to stand beside him. “It’s one of my favorite pieces. Usually, I make them and donate to charity auctions or gift them to friends. But that one…” I smiled, stepping forward to run my fingers lightly over the gemstones. “I just couldn’t part with it.”
“Saving it for a special occasion?”
Something sharp and unwelcome flared in my chest at the question — because though I’d never admit it, a small, stubborn part of me still dreamed of wearing that necklace on my wedding day.
As if I could ever trust a man enough to pick the right restaurant for dinner, let alone put a ring on my finger.
I buried the thought and the ache it brought, sliding my mask of indifference neatly back into place.
“Certainly, something more special than teaching a boy how to play,” I said, arching a brow at him with the tease.
Carter clutched his chest like I’d shot an arrow through it. “I’m twenty-six. Doesn’t that qualify me as a man?”
“Not if you’ve never sucked a clit.”
“You wound me,” he groaned, staggering back a step for dramatic flair. But then he slid his hands into his pockets again, shrugging. “But you’re not wrong. We are here for a reason, aren’t we?”
“Speaking of which.” I gestured toward the table again.
I refilled my wine and poured a glass for Carter, placing each beside its corresponding contract. He watched me with an amused smile before unfastening the button of his suit jacket and finally taking his seat.
“Let’s get down to business, shall we?” I asked.
“Please.”
I had to fight against a smirk when I read the eagerness in that word, in his body language as Carter leaned toward the contracts with eyes wide and hopeful.
Sometimes he made me feel like a kid again, like the carefree girl I had been before innocence was ripped from me like a rug from beneath my feet. The way he so easily smiled and laughed, the way he could take a joke from anyone, no matter how cruel, and still bounce around so happy and nonchalant…
I envied that.
I loved that some of it rubbed off on me.
And I sometimes wondered if there was more to this man than the joyous ball of sunshine he presented to the world.
Carter reached for the first stack of papers, brow furrowing as he flipped through them. I took my time settling into my seat across from him, crossing my legs and sipping from my glass as I watched his eyes flick over the contents.
“That one’s the business contract,” I said smoothly. “It’s a legitimate consulting agreement between you and LY Performance Coaching, LLC.”
Carter blinked at me. “You have an LLC?”
“I do now.” I smiled around the rim of my glass, nodding to the inked paper in his hands. “You’re paying me two-million dollars over the next three months, split into four, clean wire transfers, each with a lovely little invoice to match. In exchange, I provide one-on-one performance enhancement coaching, mentorship, and confidence training.”