Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 123(@200wpm)___ 99(@250wpm)___ 82(@300wpm)
She says no, and I walk into the kitchen, pulling out pans. “Grilled chicken, potatoes, and green beans okay?”
She leans her arms over the chair and settles her chin on the back of it to watch me. “That sounds fine, but you do know that I should be doing the cooking.”
I shrug, letting her know it’s not a big deal. At least by her meaning. Cooking for her is a big deal to me because it means she’s in my house and I can do something to help take care of her. “I want to cook for you.”
“You know I’m not incapable, right? I need to pull my weight around here.”
I roll my eyes at her. “Maddie said you’ve already learned how the website works and have entered all the orders for the week. I’d say you’re pulling your weight.”
She clears her throat. “Okay, so if you cook tonight, I’ll cook tomorrow. We can take turns.”
“I have a better idea.”
She gives me a sly look, and it’s like she already knows me and knows I’m up to something. “Oh yeah, what’s that?”
“I cook for you tonight, since it’s your first night here. After that, we’ll cook together, side by side.”
I hold my breath waiting for her response. “Okay,” she says and then a little softer confesses, “I’d like that.”
There’s no stopping the smile from forming on my face. It’s not everything I want from her, but it’s a really good start.
CHAPTER 6
CAMILLE
I wake up more rested than I’ve felt in a long time. It could be the huge bed, the soft sheets, or the thick, cozy blanket I’m cocooned in, but even though all those things are great, I know the real reason. It’s Elliott Barnett, resident bossy rancher, that is making it his sole mission to make sure I’m fed, comfortable, and kissed at every turn.
After dinner last night, he cleaned the dishes, and I went to my bedroom, where he gave me another kiss before I closed the door between us.
Everything is going well until I get out of the shower and stare at my full body reflection in the mirror. I turn to the side, and my baby bump is evident. I put my hand over my belly and think about the son or daughter that I’m going to bring into this world. There’s immense pressure in knowing that I’m all he or she has got.
I suck in a breath and stare at my face in the mirror. The longer I do it, the more I know I have to do the right thing. Yes, I’m attracted to Elliott. Who wouldn’t be? But I can’t mess up my future because of a silly attraction. I need this job, and I can’t let anything mess it up, and one surefire way to mess it up is to sleep with my boss.
My face transforms as I come to terms with what I have to do. Where I was relaxed and happy before, my jaw is pulled tight, and there’s no longer a light in my eyes. Knowing that I have to put an end to the kisses and the sweet touches doesn’t sit well with me, but I know it’s the right thing to do.
After I’m ready, I make my way downstairs, and as my foot reaches the bottom step, Elliott is coming toward me with a plate and cup in his hands. He holds them up and gestures for me to follow him to the table. “Here you go. Toast and coffee. Decaf, of course. I can make something more, but Maddie said this is good if you’re having any kind of morning sickness.”
I don’t know what to say, but it’s all overwhelming. I’ve never had anyone make me breakfast, and it makes what I’m about to say a little harder.
“Did you sleep well?”
I clear my throat and nod my head. “Yeah, too good actually. It was rough getting out of that comfortable bed.”
He hovers next to the table, hands on his hips. “You can sleep in. There’s no set time to start work, Camille.”
I nod and take a bite of the toast. As soon as I swallow, I point to my plate. “Thank you for breakfast.”
“Sure. No problem. I have to go back out—”
I interrupt him. “You’ve already been out?”
He laughs. “Yep. My day starts around four or five, but I wanted to come in and make sure you had breakfast.”
My mouth drops as I stare up at him. “You came in to make sure I had breakfast?”
He shrugs, takes a step toward me, and then stops. “Yeah. But I wanted to see you, too.”
I could get lost in the way he’s looking at me. It’s like I can feel how badly he wants to touch me, but a part of me is glad he hasn’t given in to it because I don’t think I could say what I need to say if he was touching me right now. “Can we talk for a minute?”