Chapters (89)
- Dedication
- AUTHOR’S NOTE
- ONE
- HENRY
- TWO
- EMMA
- THREE
- HENRY
- FOUR
- EMMA
- FIVE
- EMMA
- SIX
- SEVEN
- HENRY
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- HENRY
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- EMMA
- THIRTEEN
- HENRY
- FOURTEEN
- HENRY
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- EMMA
- SEVENTEEN
- HENRY
- EIGHTEEN
- HENRY
- NINETEEN
- HENRY
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- EMMA
- TWENTY-TWO
- EMMA
- TWENTY-THREE
- HENRY
- TWENTY-FOUR
- EMMA
- TWENTY-FIVE
- EMMA
- TWENTY-SIX
- EMMA
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- HENRY
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- EMMA
- TWENTY-NINE
- HENRY
- THIRTY
- HENRY
- THIRTY-ONE
- HENRY
- THIRTY-TWO
- EMMA
- THIRTY-THREE
- HENRY
- THIRTY-FOUR
- EMMA
- THIRTY-FIVE
- EMMA
- THIRTY-SIX
- HENRY
- THIRTY-SEVEN
- EMMA
- THIRTY-EIGHT
- HENRY
- THIRTY-NINE
- HENRY
- FORTY
- EMMA
- FORTY-ONE
- HENRY
- FORTY-TWO
- FORTY-THREE
- EMMA
- FORTY-FOUR
- EMMA
- FORTY-FIVE
- HENRY
- EPILOGUE
- ALSO BY CHELSEA CURTO
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
“Would you let yourself consider something more serious and personal with this guy outside your agreement?”
“Absolutely not. It’s not how this works.”
“Hang on. This is your last assignment, right?”
“Right,” I agree slowly.
“If there won’t be any more clients, maybe it’s not the worst thing to open up and consider pursuing something deeper with this one.”
“We’ll see how the party goes. Four days with a person is a big deal. There might not be any chemistry in person. Good conversation over text messages doesn’t translate to sparks when we see each other.”
“You look so happy, Em. Joyful. Lighter. I haven’t seen you act like this in years. Whatever he’s doing, I hope he keeps it up. Stop damning a future before it happens. Go in with an open mind, no expectations, and let it be. Where are you meeting?”
“Beans and Brews.”
“You’re nervous,” she observes.
“I’m petrified.”
“I can’t wait to find out who it is!”
“That makes two of us. After Sunday, everything will change. And I kind of can’t wait to see where it goes.”
Buried under the terrified jitters, I’m really, really excited, too.
* * *
Bidding Nicole goodbye with a hug, I close the door to my office. My phone buzzed five additional times while we were eating, and it took all of my self-control to not pick it up and read what was waiting for me.
JD: I’m going to give you both versions since you deserve to hear the truth. The nice guy thinks about your personality. I know you’re kind, and I can’t wait to see exactly how nice and wonderful you are. I can’t wait to learn about your job and hear you laugh. I can’t wait to see you smile in real life. I’m sure it lights up a room.
JD: Now for what might get me in trouble. But I don’t care.
JD: I wonder if your hair is long or short. How much can I fist in my hand and yank so I can stare into your eyes? Can I lift you up and back us into a wall? Or do you prefer traditional spots, like a bed? What do your lips look like? And how do you taste? Sweet? Savory? A delicious combination of both? Are you a good girl who knows how to listen, or do you prefer to be in charge? And, most importantly, I wonder what you sound like when you come. Is it beautiful and quiet? Or is it rough, loud, and unrestrained? God. I need to know, Sunflower.
JD: I won’t get those things. Can’t have those things. Maybe that’s why I want them so fucking bad.
My muscles start to quake, his words seeping into my bloodstream. I’m hot. Turned on. So fucking aroused I’m panting merely from written words.