Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 91361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91361 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
"Gorgeous older brother confronts you about his sister’s academic work, discovers your secret romance novel addiction, and starts calling you darling."
Lesson learned: what happens at work should really just stay at work...since there's no point counting on your best friend to take your side.
"Now, look me in the eye and tell me you are not attracted to him in any way.”
"I..."
Elissa raises a brow. "Go on."
"I...have never been attracted to someone arrogant!"
"So?"
"He's also too controlling, and I've never been attracted to that type of man either. He has no concept of respecting people's personal space and professional boundaries and...and..."
Why did Elissa's eyes just widen like that? Does she think I'm lying? Is that it?
"I'm not exaggerating anything, Lis! That...that jerk is seriously full of himself, and...and..."
Why is Elissa making throat-slicing gestures while staring at something behind me? It's almost like she's telling me without words that...
Oh.
"He's right behind me, isn't he?"
No.
“Yes,” a familiar voice says with obvious amusement. “The arrogant, controlling jerk is right behind you, darling Jayne.”
I close my eyes. Just for a moment. When I open them, Patrizio Steele is standing next to our table, looking devastatingly attractive in dark jeans and a sweater that makes his shoulders look impossibly broad.
And he’s clearly heard every word of my character assassination.
This is exactly the kind of thing that happens in romantic comedies, right before the heroine dies of embarrassment and the hero does something swoon-worthy to make up for it.
Except this is real life, and I’m about to die of mortification.
“Mr. Steele.” I try to sound professional, which is difficult when I want to crawl under the table and hide. “What are you doing here?”
“I own the building.” He gestures around the elegant café with its floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and cozy reading nooks. “Midnight Tower. This is the ground floor.”
Of course he does. Of course the gorgeous, arrogant man who’s been psychologically dissecting me for two days owns the building where I come to hide from my problems and drink overpriced coffee.
"Amazing."
Elissa's tone is one of unabashed wonder, and my unease grows at how her gaze is darting back and forth between Patrizio and me.
"Seeing you two together—"
I knew it.
"It's just like everything in the book—"
"What book?" Patrizio asks with interest.
Elissa brightens. "It's—"
"—something a man like you will find absolutely boring." I shoot a warning look at my so-called friend as I say this. One more word from her, and I swear our life will be on the next episode of My Dangerous Roommate or whatever it is those true-crime shows she loves to watch is called.
"Interesting that you'd say that..."
Patrizio's words have me blinking, and I feel like I'm suddenly lost in translation. I can't recall saying anything interesting—
"What kind of a man do you think I am exactly, darling?"
But now that he's mentioned it, I may have said something rash and foolish instead?
"Um..."
Patrizio's expression actually softens, and I...I don't trust it at all.
"I understand."
He does?
"I, too, think such things are best discussed in private."
I nearly nod...until I realize what he's almost made me agree to, and argh, this is exactly why I don't trust this man one bit!
"There's nothing to discuss in private!"
But Patrizio has already turned to Elissa, saying, "May I introduce myself? Or is it no longer necessary at this point?"
"The latter," my traitorous best friend is all too happy to confirm. "But I can introduce myself at least. I'm Elissa, Jayne's roommate and best friend—"
"Ex," I can't help but growl in emphasis. "It's ex best friend now!"
But it's as if I'm talking to air, with Patrizio already smiling charmingly at Elissa as he asks, "I hope you don't mind if I borrow your friend for a bit?"
Or maybe it's me who's invisible like air, with Elissa actually rising to her feet as she says magnanimously, "Not at all. I completely agree that such things need to be discussed in private."
Seriously?
I clear my throat loudly, thinking it's high time to stop these two from completely losing their minds. "Um, hello? I'm still here—"
"Not for long, darling."
What does he mean—woah!
Patrizio pulls me to my feet without warning, and I'm still sputtering in shock as he makes excuses on my behalf while Elissa, who's an even bigger traitor than I give her credit for, just waves us off with a smile.
Unbelievable!
Who needs enemies when you have friends like her?
Rule #3: Never badmouth a biker in his own territory.
I AM ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, 100% not thinking about Patrizio Steele.
Not while I brush my teeth in the morning. Not during my commute to campus. Definitely not during office hours when a student knocks on my door and for a split second I think it might be him again. And certainly not right now, sitting across from my best friend at Caffeinated Pages with a mug of perfectly brewed coffee that I’m not even tasting because I’m too busy not thinking about—