Page 68 of Tame Me

My heart pounded so fast it was a wonder I didn’t pass out. “Okay.” More words wouldn’t formulate.

“Would next Friday suit you, the 25th, at say, ten-thirty?”

I swallowed. “Okay,” I repeated, barely able to breathe.

“Perfect. We shall see you then.”

I stared at the phone long after he hung up. I put the phone on my bedside table, crawled back into bed, and rolled onto my side.

But as I stared wide-eyed at my spare pillow, there was very little chance I’d fall asleep.

I thought my world was messed up before, but now I’m totally screwed.

Chapter Nineteen

I glanced at the clock for the hundredth time and huffed. It was only just past five o’clock in the morning. Every minute of last night’s shift had dragged by and only served to give me more time to think about this morning’s second meeting with the executive board.

Ever since they’d called me last week, I’d had knots in my stomach as I contemplated if I was about to lose my job.

If it did happen, I was undecided if that was good or bad. On one hand, I felt like it was time for me to move on and look for a job with more normal hours. But on the other hand, I liked working here.

In addition to this was my challenge. I was weeks off completing my sexual journey, and I had every intention of succeeding, but the idea of doing it anywhere else was impossible to comprehend.

I went to the staffroom and turned on the kettle. As I waited for the water to boil, I nibbled on a protein bar and tried to weigh up the pros and cons of not working here.

“Is anybody home?” The deep voice coming from reception shattered my brooding, and I strolled toward it, wiping my mouth for crumbs.

“Corben!” My morning just got a thousand times better as I ran my eyes over my gorgeous hunk. His muscular arms were in full view, showing off the spectacular tattoos adorning his golden flesh.

“Memphis Jane, how you doing?”

“I’m okay.”

“Oh, wow. You don’t sound okay.”

I rolled my eyes. “Well, no, not really, but I’ll be fine.”

“What’s happening?”

I waved my hand. “It’s a long story.”

“Right. Well, how about we go for a run and talk about it?”

The idea of getting a little sweaty with Mr. Universe was tantalizing but not possible. “I wish I could, but I’ve got a meeting this morning.”

“What time?”

“Oh, ummm, ten-thirty.”

“Excellent. That gives us time for a run and a fuck.”

“Corben!” My jaw dropped as I scanned the lobby, even though I knew it was empty.

“What? Nobody heard.”

It was true, but still . . . “I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do. Don’t you want to run with me?” He folded his arms across the counter, and his stunning rose tattoo bulged on his equally impressive bicep.

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