Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86364 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 432(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 288(@300wpm)
“Oh. I-I, yes, a pleasure to meet you too, Mr. Cain. I’m Wilkins, Master Sebastian’s assistant.” He took my hand and gave a quick shake, recovering from his shock pretty damn fast.
I glanced over at Declan, who was glaring at me, seeming to debate whether he wanted to strangle me now or wait until we got home. A big grin flashed across my lips, and my heart skipped. This was going to be a damn interesting night.
We followed Wilkins through the beautiful house to a large room with floor-to-ceiling windows, expensive furniture, and a stylish bar with shining black marble. Elegant and somehow masculine. There was only one person in the room I didn’t recognize, but part of me relaxed the moment I saw Byron’s face light up. He hurried away from the bar, Sebastian trailing behind him. Yes, I recognized Sebastian from the company website, but seeing him in person was startling. The pictures somehow didn’t come close to capturing the essence and life of this man.
“Declan! Parker! It’s so great to see you,” Byron greeted. He shook Declan’s hand, but as he came to me, Byron took an extra second and used both of his hands when he shook mine. An excited gleam flashed in his dark eyes, and I didn’t know whether to take this as a warning or something else.
I looked up as Declan had finished greeting Sebastian and the CEO was now staring at me expectantly.
“We’re just roommates,” I said with an extra wide grin.
Sebastian’s expression froze and his eyes blinked. It was like I could see his brain going all blue screen of death from that unexpected input.
“But he tells me you’ve known each other since high school,” I continued. Sebastian’s warm smile unfroze, and he nodded. I’d put him on familiar ground.
“Yes! I think he hated me back then because I was such an annoying snot, but I won him over,” Sebastian replied.
“Sebastian, this is Parker Cain. He’s an artist and brilliant with numbers,” Declan cut in.
Sebastian’s face swung to Declan, his nose scrunching up. “Numbers and art? That’s different. I didn’t think those usually went together.” He looked at me again, his smile almost blinding as he stuck out his hand. “You must be a genius.”
“Not even close, but I’ve learned to get by. My parents were worried about me making a career of art, so they pushed me to get a normal, useful degree. It just happened that I’m naturally good at math, so I got an undergraduate degree in finance and art. At least I’m somewhat employable.”
“I was lucky enough to see a sketch of a mural he’s planning to do for Declan,” Byron chimed in. “It’s gorgeous. Art is definitely your thing.”
“This is what I get for sending you to scout for me.” Sebastian threw an arm around Byron’s shoulders and pulled him in so that Byron’s smaller frame was wrapped up in Sebastian’s larger body. “You see art and meet a baby, but come home with no good dirt. Speaking of…you didn’t bring her?” Sebastian made a show of searching as if he were expecting the baby to pop out from wherever we were hiding her.
“We didn’t feel bringing a baby to the dinner party was appropriate. We won’t be staying late this evening since she is with a sitter,” Declan explained, which made Sebastian’s blond eyebrows inch toward his hairline.
“Parker! Let me introduce you to the rest of our friends,” Byron injected suddenly and loudly.
It was becoming hard not to laugh in their faces. I could see with every awkward silence, long stare, and muscle twitch that Sebastian was holding in a hundred pointed questions about who I was and what my place was in Declan’s life. It didn’t take a fucking rocket scientist to see that Declan wasn’t the type to date or take in a roommate, let alone one with a baby. I was wondering how long it would be before someone broke and who it was going to be.
We strolled across the room where Rome and another tall, slender man were standing at the bar. The stranger reminded me of Declan in a way, with his icy glare, but where my Sexy Beast was a blond bruiser, this new guy was several inches taller with swarthy skin and dark hair.
“I believe you’ve met Rome Ashbridge,” Byron introduced.
“You made it a memorable trip to the grocery store,” I teased as he shook his head.
“Yeah, that sounds about par for the course.” Rome sighed, but he was still smirking, as if he didn’t mind a little ribbing.
“And this is Pierce Sutton,” Byron continued.
“Parker Cain, good to meet you.” I held out my hand to the man, whose lips twisted into a half smile.
“So, are you really just roommates, or are you fucking him too?” Pierce inquired with a lazy drawl as he took my hand.