Total pages in book: 30
Estimated words: 28021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28021 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 140(@200wpm)___ 112(@250wpm)___ 93(@300wpm)
"Carmichael Security."
The silence on the other end lets me know exactly who I'm speaking with. She never says anything when she hears my voice. I tell myself it's because she's busy thanking God she's talking to me. I have a feeling it's because she's trying to decide if she wants to hang up on me or not.
I like my version better. It sucks less than the reality where my girl has told me to go kick rocks every time we've talked since the day she walked through the doors a few weeks ago.
"Emma," I practically purr.
"How do you not have a receptionist?" she says, exasperation in her voice. "You have a fancy office and five other employees, but you're always the one who answers the phone."
I grin as her complaint rolls over me. Damn right I'm always the one who answers the phone when she calls. I've made it my life mission to be the only one she deals with around here. It's been a fun few weeks. And by fun, I mean if Emma doesn't cave soon, I'm going to take drastic action.
It's been three weeks since she wobbled her way into my life and turned it upside down. In those three weeks, I've asked her out at least sixty times. She's shot me down every damn time.
My dick is in danger of requiring medical intervention at this point. I've made every excuse I can to show up at Camila's office just to see her. If hiding from me was a sport, she'd medal. Half the time, she isn't even there. The other half, she vanishes like fucking Houdini.
I've never failed as epically as I'm failing when it comes to getting a date with her. And the real hell of it is that I know she's attracted to me. Those pretty blue eyes eat me up like she's trying to memorize the sight of me when we do end up in the same room together.
And I know she felt the same thing I did the first day we met. There's no way I was the only one knocked on my ass when we touched.
So why the hell won't she give me a chance?
Zion swears it's because I'm an idiot, and no one wants to date an idiot. Gideon swears it's because I'm a grumpy motherfucker, and no one wants to date a grouch. I think Ma should have swallowed them both. But maybe they're onto something because it's been three weeks, and I'm no closer to getting her to agree than I was the day she wobbled her gorgeous ass into our office.
"Good mornin' to you too, lamb."
Ma turns wide eyes on me.
I turn my back on her. She can harass me with nine thousand questions after I talk to my girl.
"Stop calling me that," Emma complains.
"I'll make you a deal," I negotiate, grinning as I clutch the receiver to my ear. "You go out with me, and I'll stop calling you that."
"I'm not going out with you, Zayne."
"Why not?"
"Because we work together."
"Zayne," Ma hisses from behind me.
I ignore her.
"Zayne!"
"Emma? Hold on a minute, baby girl."
She huffs, making me smile before I put her on hold and drop the phone back into the cradle.
"Ma, aren't you supposed to be shopping?"
"Don't tell me how to live my life, Zayne Matthew," she says, her hands on her wide hips and a scowl on her face. She comes up to my chest, but honestly, she's the scariest motherfucker I know. "Who is Emma, and why haven't I heard about her before now?"
"If you'll stop buggin' me and let me convince her that she wants to marry me, she'll be your future daughter-in-law."
Ma's eyes practically bug out of her head.
I chuckle, dropping a kiss on her head. "Go do your shopping, Ma. I'll tell you all about her at dinner."
"You better," she says, pointing a finger at me. "Or I'm telling your dad that you're being mean to me."
Shit. She probably will tell him that. Ma is a savage who takes no prisoners. She's been finessing us since we were in diapers. For someone who spends every Sunday in church, she could teach the devil a thing or two about running hell. She's sweet as pie, and as fierce as any soldier I've ever met. My brothers and I idolize her and make no secret about it.
"Go buy whatever shit you're goin' to force on us next," I say, shaking my head at her.
"If I didn't buy it for you, no one would, Zayne. You and your brothers have been single too long," she complains. "I need grandbabies. You're too old to be fun anymore."
"I'm plenty of fun."
She snorts. "You've got a stick up your butt the size of–"
I growl, cutting her off.
She grins, leaning up on her toes to kiss me on the cheek. "Whoever she is, you lit up when you realized she was on the phone," she whispers. "If she makes you look like that, I can't wait to meet her."