Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Panic flared in my gaze, and he chuckled low. “Relax, there’s no party, but I would like to buy you a gift.”
“You really don’t have to—"
“What day, Ada?”
“I’m not telling you.”
“Fine, I’ll just ask Therese. She has your details from the lease you signed.”
“Don’t you dare ask Therese.” Rina ordering me a cake was one thing, but a gift from Jonathan was another entirely. I was already struggling with my attraction for him. If he started buying me gifts, I might lose hold of the sliver of self-control I was hanging on to.
“Hey, can you guys concentrate?” Debbie glanced between the two of us. “Kevin just asked the next question, and I’m pretty sure we’re in the lead. That box of biscuits has my name on it.”
“Those biscuits are from last Christmas,” Rina interjected. “They’ve probably been out of date since June. I’m more interested in the voucher. If we split it between us, we can use it to buy fancy coffees at work next week.”
“Sorry. We’ll concentrate,” I shot Debbie a look of apology and focused back on the quiz. In the end, we were pipped to the post by another team who won by only two points. It was my own fault for getting distracted by Jonathan so often. There was just something about him sitting so close, his thigh pressing against mine, that had my mind wandering.
Just after nine, I went to pay a quick visit to the bathroom before returning and finding Jonathan was the centre of attention. He had everyone I worked with completely charmed, all of them chuckling at some joke he’d shared. Well, all except for Cathal, who still wore his blank, vaguely pissy expression, informing me he wasn’t pleased that my new friend was such a big hit with everyone. Jonathan’s gaze found mine, his eyes crinkling with warmth as he watched me put on my coat. Stepping away from the group, he approached.
“Want to share a cab home?” I asked.
“No need. Ben’s waiting outside.”
“You made Ben work late just to collect us?”
“It’s his job.”
“Right, well, I’m ready to leave now if you are.”
His eyes softened. “I’m ready.”
“I’ll just go say goodbye to everyone.”
When we left the pub, Jonathan placed his hand on my arm just above the elbow as he guided me inside the waiting car. There was something possessive in his touch that had my stomach whirling. Like the placement of his hand proclaimed ownership.
I was obviously imagining things after the heady effect of sitting next to him all night.
“Did you have a good time?” I asked on the drive, unable to hold in my yawn. I’d been up since six a.m., and most days, I was tucked up in bed by now.
“Tired?” Jonathan asked.
I shot him a sheepish smile. “A little.”
He opened his arms, “Come here.”
I blinked, unable to compute the way my body reacted to his open arms and quietly spoken command. There was something undeniably compelling about him at that moment, and I was drawn to him like a magnet. I shifted over, trying not to think about what a mistake I was making as I allowed myself to sink into his arms. Jonathan exhaled lightly, his breath tickling my neck. “Take a nap if you need to. I’ll wake you when we’re home.”
His warmth at my back and strong arms around my sides combined with the heat of the car had me closing my eyes. I let out a small sigh. “This is nice.”
Jonathan made a gruff noise of agreement, his arms tightening around me.
“You never answered my question,” I said after a few moments.
“Hmm?”
“About the quiz? Did you enjoy yourself?”
He let out another breath, stirring the hairs at the back of my neck. “I had a great time, Ada. I always do when I’m with you.”
My stomach whirled once again. It was becoming a common reaction. Then exhaustion truly hit, and my tiredness had me responding far more honestly than I might’ve otherwise. “I always have a great time with you, too.” I could’ve sworn I felt him rest his chin on my head, his nose in my hair as he inhaled, but it was probably fatigue making my brain loopy.
Less than a second later, I was fast asleep in his arms.
When I woke up, I was being carried into my apartment, Jonathan’s addictive, manly scent surrounding me. He strode through the hallway and into my bedroom before setting me down on my bed. An embarrassed flush stained my cheeks.
“You didn’t have to carry me up.”
“I didn’t want to wake you.” Eyelids slightly hooded, his gaze traversed my legs where my skirt had hitched up a little. Before I could say more, he stepped forward, placed his palms on either side of my head, kissed my temple and then murmured, “Goodnight, Ada.”
A second later, he was gone, and it almost felt like he’d had to force himself to leave, like if he’d stayed a moment longer, he’d end up doing something foolish. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be getting back to sleep any time soon. No, I’d be too busy replaying the heated way his eyes had wandered over my legs, his expression showing some internal battle before he’d decided to say goodnight.