Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 120(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
"There isn't any proof of that," I tell him. "Unless there’s a camera in the break room."
"In a big office, my guess is they have one."
"Dang it." My shoulders drop, and I wonder if they’ll take the machine out of my paycheck. Joke’s on them, I don’t think it will cover it.
Marley steps past me and walks over to the nightstand. He must have plugged in my phone at some point, probably when he put me in the bed. I wish I'd been awake while he carried me. That's twice that I've missed it.
"What are you doing?"
I watch in stunned shock as Marley answers the phone. I don't know if I should panic or let him try to deal with whoever is on the other end. It’s either my boss James or his boss, Ms. King. It doesn't really matter, though, because I'm stuck in place watching what happens next. I want to know, but I’m scared too.
“Why the hell are you calling so much on Christmas Eve?”
Marley practically growls into the phone, and it makes my nipples tighten. Holy crap. He pauses for a moment, and I assume whoever is on the other end of the phone is talking.
“I have her,” he snaps, and then there’s another pause. “She’s staying.”
My brows lift as I watch him, shocked and kind of turned on.
“Yes, this is Marley Jacobs.”
From where I’m standing, I can hear a small scream come through the line. It’s loud enough for me to hear it, and Marley has to pull the phone away from his ear.
"She did her job. I have the book, and I signed it,” he tells the person. "I don't care. She's here because of a snowstorm, and I wouldn't allow her to leave. Me."
Marley is totally taking the fall for me getting stuck up here. I’m starting to think he’s just like one of the romance heroes I read about, just not from another planet.
"We can circle back to this after the holidays," Marley tells them. His tone is firm and doesn't leave room for argument. "And I'm sending over a company to replace the espresso machine. It's a gift. Belle loves mine, so I'm going to have the same one sent there." He pauses again and then makes a face like he’s disgusted. "No, I'm not single."
My mouth falls open. Are they hitting on him? I ball my hands into fists, my nails digging into my palms.
"That will be all, Ms. King,” he says coolly before hanging up.
Ms. King is beautiful in a classically polished way. I assume it’s what most guys are looking for.
"That was impressive," I tell him, still in disbelief that he did that for me. "I've never seen anyone go toe to toe with her." I wouldn't put it past her to drive out here. When Ms. King wants something, she always gets it.
"It might have all been for nothing,” he says, and my stomach drops.
"Why?" The one word comes out like a squeak.
"You're still thinking about staying, right?" He looks so hopeful it’s kind of sweet.
"I am," I say as relief fills me. "You know, Ms. King is, um, really pretty." His eyes search my face as his expression turns to confusion. “I’m only letting you know because…” I trail off, then make myself start again. “I’m letting you know in case she shows up and then you regret lying about not being single.”
Once I get it out, I start to fidget and tuck hair behind my ear.
"I don’t give a fuck about her, and I wasn't lying." He tosses my phone onto the bed.
"Oh my god, do you have a girlfriend?" I have been heavily flirting with him and having the naughtiest dreams. Ones that are going to ensure I get nothing but coal this year from Santa. Still worth it.
Marley clears the small space between us, and before I know what’s happening, his fingers sink into my hair and he tilts my head back. His eyes are intense, and his hold is firm, so there’s no missing how serious he is.
“I'm not that kind of man, Belle.”
"So a boyfriend?" I tease, and he smirks. Thank all the gods because I kind of want this man all to myself.
"I would never cheat, and when we were cuddling last night, you had your hand all over my dick." I suck in a breath. "Then you were pulling my hand down your panties and letting me in that sweet, warm, welcoming pussy."
"Marley," I whisper, my face burning with embarrassment and arousal. "That was a dream."
"No, it wasn’t,” he says, pressing into me. I can feel the hard outline of his cock against my stomach. “I mean, it's what dreams are made of, but it really fucking happened. And just so you know, I want more."
My heart starts to race, and my stomach flutters. "Like, um, right now?"