Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 132657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132657 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 663(@200wpm)___ 531(@250wpm)___ 442(@300wpm)
He didn’t like the sound of that. “I don’t need to think about it. I need to get back into practice. I wasn’t always a mild-mannered gym owner.”
“I know.” Her voice had taken on a soothing tone. “You’ve been stuck in potential violence all of your life. First with your dad and later in the Army, and you found some peace and then I come in.”
He turned to look at her. “Where is this coming from?”
She shifted in her seat. “I kind of got a visit from an old ghost tonight. The guy at the club. I told you we’ve worked together before. I guess that’s part of it, but I was thinking about why this isn’t working before I saw him again.”
“What’s not working?” She’d been perfectly happy all day. They worked out together, had lunch, prepped for the club, and she’d seemed content. Even excited. Then she’d walked off with Miranda and come back a totally different person.
“You and me.” She sighed. “Niall, you don’t want me physically, and that’s okay. We can be friends. We can have a great relationship, and you don’t have to pretend. I’m not sure why you focused on me, but I’m glad you did because I like you. It can be scary to be who we are in public, but The Hideout is a safe place. You can be exactly who you are there.”
He was confused. “I know it is. It’s why I feel comfortable there. I found myself at that club. Harlow, why would you think I don’t want you physically? I assure you I want you. I’ve slept with you every night this week.”
“You’ve slept beside me,” she corrected. “You haven’t slept with me.”
He should have known this was coming. He’d felt her dissatisfaction. Even when he gave her an orgasm, she wasn’t completely happy because she wanted more. “I’ve touched you every single night. As often as I can. You have to be able to feel how much I want you.”
“I know that is a biological reaction that a lot of men can’t help when they’re in a sexual situation.” She turned back to the windshield. “The apartment building is right up ahead. It’s the two story. We should talk about this tomorrow. We’ll pick up Miranda and you can take us back to the MT office and we can meet up for breakfast in the morning. I promise this is the last time I ask you to be involved in my business. It was too much.”
He pulled the car over. “What is going on? Did I do something wrong tonight? I know I came looking for you, but you had been gone for a long time. I was worried. I can’t not be worried about you. I knew the bathroom was back there. If anyone asked, I was going to the bathroom. I thought it through.”
“It’s not about that. You did a great job,” she said, putting a hand on his. “You really did, but it’s obvious it bothers you, and I don’t think what you’re getting out of this experiment of ours is worth the discomfort.”
“I’m getting plenty out of this relationship.” He was starting to feel like they were seriously miscommunicating. “I’m exactly where I want to be, and I don’t want you to stop asking me to help.” He felt a nasty pit open in his gut. She’d seen an old friend tonight. A guy she knew from the lifestyle. How close had they been? He only knew about her relationship with Jensen, but of course she’d had boyfriends before him. “Is it because of the guy from the club? You never told me his name.”
“Because he doesn’t matter beyond this case,” she assured him.
It wasn’t working. “Well, it feels like you saw him again a couple of hours ago and you’re breaking up with me.”
“We haven’t exactly been together long enough to break up. And I assure you it has nothing to do with any other man. You’re the only man I’ve been interested in for years. Not since Jensen Wiley, and I wouldn’t go back to him for all the money in the world.” She sighed. “I’ve been willing to have sex with you for days now. You don’t want me.”
He groaned. He should have known this wouldn’t last long. “I do want you. I want you so much I can barely see straight.” He chuckled as he realized what she was thinking. “I am hetero, princess. I’m not hiding anything about my sexuality, and I’m not using you as cover. I promise I would feel incredibly comfortable being gay at The Hideout.”
“Then I don’t understand,” she admitted.
Well, he couldn’t tell her the whole truth. Hey, baby. You know the last guy who fucked you over? He’s my best friend and I’ve been stalking you for him so you maybe stayed pure and virginal until he murders a mobster and comes back for you. But I fell for you and will probably be the next person Jensen Wiley wants revenge on. Nope. He needed a much simpler explanation. And it wasn’t totally a lie. “I want the first time we make love to be special.”