Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
He winced. “I didn’t mean to bring up a sore subject.”
She shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. But your reading material actually is interesting. I mean, would you potentially need a new bottle and design if you go into smaller markets? Or would your name and brand be enough to sell on?” She glanced at him and smiled. “See? Interesting.”
He studied her, his expression hard to read. “Label change is an option in smaller markets,” he acknowledged.
She did her best not to puff up with pride. “So how did you meet Derek?” she asked.
“He never mentioned it?”
She shook her head.
Asher lifted one leg and rested an ankle over his knee. “We shared a class our first year of business school. He, Knox, and I and another guy formed a study group. Three of us stayed close.” Asher glanced back down at his tablet.
Nikki got the hint but she wanted to keep chatting. She needed to talk. If she engaged in conversation, she wouldn’t think about why she was on this jet and heading out of town to begin with.
She bit down on the inside of her cheek. “What’s your favorite color?” she asked.
He looked up again, his eyes crinkled in confusion. “Blue.”
He didn’t ask hers, though it was lavender. “Favorite movie?” she asked.
“We’re really doing this?”
She nodded.
He sighed. “The Godfather.”
“Ooh, blood and violence. Very manly so I’m not surprised.” Again, he didn’t ask hers, which was good since she didn’t think he’d appreciate her answer, Legally Blonde. He already didn’t take her seriously. “Favorite author?” She shifted in her seat.
“Baldacci.” A muscle throbbed in his temple as she asked her next question, but he put up with her quizzing him for a while longer, and she’d gotten into a groove, losing count of how many fun get-to-know-you questions she’d tossed his way.
“Who do you admire most in the world?” she asked.
He worked his jaw back and forth. “I never thought about it.”
Hmm. What to ask next? Something light. Then, after his reply, she’d ask deeper questions, because despite his answers, he was still a sexy enigma to her. Something about his stoic short replies told her he was a man who held his emotions in check and didn’t let many people close. He intrigued her and she wondered what more she could find out.
“How old were you when you stopped believing in Santa Claus?” she finally decided to ask.
He stared at her for a long moment, then pointed to the tablet. “Can you be quiet? I need to work,” he said and returned to his silent reading.
She frowned at the rude comment and swallowed hard. “You could have asked nicely,” she muttered.
He groaned loudly. “I really like your brother, but I didn’t sign on for twenty questions. And to be frank, we’re long past that number.”
She ought to be insulted, but the truth was, her rambling often got on her brother’s nerves and he loved her. Asher barely tolerated her.
“My rambling annoys Derek, too.” Nikki kicked off her shoes and put her feet beneath her on the seat, getting more comfortable. “But he says I love you before he asks me to be quiet,” she muttered under her breath.
“Still talking…”
She rolled her eyes, opened the butter-soft blanket, and covered herself. Then she grabbed a pillow with a large D monogrammed onto the case, curled up, and closed her eyes, knowing better than to think she’d nap. When she closed her eyes, those awful photos of her naked flickered through her anxiety-ridden mind, but she pretended to pass out so she wouldn’t over-talk to Asher.
Chapter Three
Asher glanced at Nikki feigning sleep, her twitching body and soft, frustrated sighs giving her away. He’d been an asshole. To a woman going through her own trauma, which made him an even bigger dick. But he’d never been one to tolerate chitchat, and talking to her made him uncomfortable.
Why?
He glanced out the window, seeing nothing but white clouds. He knew exactly why Nikki got under his skin. She was smarter than he’d given her credit for. Her comment about competitive market research and branding told him that. And despite the chatter, she’d hit a nerve with her last question, bringing up a childhood Asher did his best not to think about. His default had been to cut her off.
She already put memories of his teen years at the forefront of his mind. He had no desire to go back even further. Concentrating on his iPad, he swiped and pulled up his Messenger App to talk with Derek.
Asher: Any idea how long I’ll be on this island?
Derek: You’ve only been in the air for an hour. Is she getting on your nerves already?
Asher began replying, typing and deleting a few times, not wanting to insult Nikki or piss off his friend.
Derek: She’s talking a lot, isn’t she?
Asher expelled a breath that was half laugh, half groan of relief that his friend had nailed the problem before he’d had to spell it out.