Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Pushing his glasses up his nose, he shrugs. “You know you’re pretty. You don’t need any man, including me, to tell you that.”
He’s right about that.
There was a time years ago when I needed that validation in order to believe I was worthy of being labeled as pretty. I’ve always known I’m wickedly smart, but accepting that the woman I saw in the mirror every day is beautiful took a bit longer.
“What are you and Cam up to tonight?” I switch the subject with ease as we leave the building.
We’re instantly bathed in the late afternoon sun of the city.
Even though people are racing past us on the sidewalk, Telford leans his head back to soak in the warmth. “Cam’s working late, so I’m hanging out with my best friend.”
“Me?” I ask, chastising myself internally for not mentioning to him earlier that I have plans tonight.
His eyes pop open, and a smile takes over his mouth. “Yes. Unlike you, I only have the one best friend.”
His index finger jumps in the air to tap the tip of my nose.
“I can’t tonight.” I sigh. “I’m sorry, Tel. I have plans.”
“What plans?”
“Dinner with a friend.” It’s not a complete lie, but it may not be enough to satisfy him since most of my current friends work at Matiz, and Tel knows them.
He eyes me carefully, weighing each of my words. “I know who it is, Carrie.”
I stand my ground and swallow hard in an attempt to chase away any redness creeping over my cheeks. I don’t know why my face gets flushed whenever I think about Rook.
“It’s that lady from Abby’s building,” he assumes.
He’s so far off base that it takes me a minute to catch up to him. I’m tempted to ask what lady, but before I can do that, he’s filling in that confusing blank for me.
“Mrs. Krasner from 22B.” He shakes his head. “It’s my fault, Carrie.”
“What’s your fault?” I ask because I feel like I’m lost on a path to nowhere, and maybe his answer will lead me in the right direction.
“I told her that you’re watching Cindy while Abby’s on her honeymoon.” He winces. “I know it wasn’t my place to say anything, but she mentioned that she’s planning a trip to Mexico in a couple of months and can’t take her dog. She’d prefer if the dog stays at home instead of at a boarding kennel.”
I finally see where this is going. “She’s going to ask me if I’ll take care of her dog?”
He nods vigorously. “I think that’ll happen when you see her tonight.”
How did this conversation fly off the rails so damn fast? All I said was that I had plans tonight, and from what Tel just told me, I may have a side gig as a pet sitter for the people in my sister’s building.
“Tell her to call me if you don’t want to do it.” He smiles. “I’m open to it. Her trip is scheduled for a month, and her apartment is a three bedroom with a view of the park.”
“You’ve been in her apartment?” I know I sound shocked, but I’ve been staying in the building since Abby left on her trip, and I haven’t even met Mrs. Krasner yet.
“I helped her with some packages after I visited you one day.” He shrugs that off. “She was on her way in when I was on my way out. She made me a sandwich.”
I let out a laugh. “You’re full of surprises.”
He adjusts the strap of his messenger bag on his shoulder. “Since you’ve got plans, I think I’ll head to the library and then turn in early.”
I glance in the direction I need to go before I level my gaze back on his face. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Tel.”
“You bet.” He smiles. “I know I mentioned it earlier, but it bears repeating. Your new cologne idea is a winner.”
I smile. “Thanks.”
“We’re a great team.”
“The best,” I agree softly. “We’re going to take the fragrance world by storm time and time again.”
“Damn right, we will.” He playfully presses his fist against my shoulder. “I’ll see you back here bright and early tomorrow.”
I watch as he walks away, feeling truly grateful for his friendship.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Rook
Anticipation is intoxicating when it involves an almost nude fragrance chemist and my cock.
As soon as I arrived at the firm’s suite at The Beaumont, I knew that Carrie was already there.
I felt it in the elevator as it inched closer to the floor where she is waiting for me. I sensed it when I tapped my keycard against the panel next to the door, and when the faint scent of her perfume hit me as soon as the door opened, my cock swelled inside my suit pants.
In my mind’s eye, I had played the scenario that would be waiting for me over and over again. Yet, it didn’t measure up to what I’m looking at now.