Snow Job by Tara Wyatt (best classic books to read TXT) 📕

And if the guy didn’t meet my criteria, I wouldn’t even give him a chance.” She levered up on her elbow, her blond waves tumbling down over her shoulder. “Until you.”

Sebastian’s heart leapt into his throat. She was so incredibly, heart-stoppingly beautiful with her sex mussed hair falling around her, the golden light of the fire bathing her bare skin. He lifted his head and kissed her, needing to connect with her. To feel her mouth against his and assure himself that this was, in fact, real.

“Why me?” he asked, needing to understand.

She smiled, one eyebrow arched. “Because you’re hot.”

He poked her in the ribs, tickling her. “Only because I’m hot?”

Her cheeks turned pink and she shook her head. “It helps, but no. It’s not only because of that. We’ve always had chemistry, always gotten under each other’s skin. I’ve always been drawn to you, and I think I saw things in you that I didn’t fully understand. Your sensitivity, your pain, your intelligence. You’re worth taking a chance on, so that’s what I’m doing.”

He kissed her then, pulling her words deep inside. Savoring them. Treasuring them.

“I thought I could mistake-proof my life if I just tried hard enough,” she whispered when he pulled away. “I think what I was doing instead was stopping myself from actually living my life. I was so scared to mess up that I didn’t dare follow what I actually wanted. It was the plan or nothing.”

He wove his fingers through her hair. “Hey, I’m living proof of just how badly you can fuck up your life and survive. Mistakes aren’t something you can plan to avoid. They happen to everyone, and as long as you learn from them, as long as you grow, that’s what really matters. Mistakes are some of life’s greatest teachers.”

She smiled at him. “That’s very wise, Bastian.”

“I have my moments.”

She laid back down, her head on his chest and he stroked a hand up and down her back. “So, if you threw the plan out the window, what would do you? Would you still be working at Silver Stream?”

“Ha. For Stammler? No.”

“So what would you do if you could do anything in the world? No fear of mistakes, no worrying about doing everything just right. What would you do if you were living for you?”

She sighed. “Don’t get me wrong, I love my career. I wanted that promotion so badly. But Stammler’s an asshole, and sometimes I feel like all I really do at Silver Stream is help rich guys get richer.”

“You know, I always noticed that you seemed more enthusiastic about projects that had some kind of charitable or community-focused component. Like that development in Harlem with space for the after-school programs. Your passion really came through on that one.”

“That’s very observant of you. Those were always my favorites. It felt rewarding, helping organizations find the space they needed, or connecting charities with opportunities.”

“Well, I was your boss for three years.” He wound a lock of her hair around his finger. “Have you ever thought about working in the nonprofit sector?”

“Not in any serious way, no. But I do like the idea of it. Using my skills to actually do some good in the world instead of just lining the pockets of the rich. Actually helping people and making a difference…it’d be nice to do something that means something, you know?”

“Maybe it’s something you should look into if you’re ready to tell Stammler to fuck off. Which, in my opinion, you should. Davis, too. I never trusted that guy. He always seemed slimy to me.”

“Davis? Really? I mean, he’s kind of a prick, but I don’t think he’s untrustworthy.”

“That guy’s a climber, and I’ve heard the way he talks to you. He wants you out of his way.”

She lifted her head slowly, meeting his eyes. “Do you think he might’ve been the one to mess with the food?”

He shrugged. “Maybe. It’s definitely worth looking into. Keep a close eye on him. He’s a snake.”

She nodded, her expression solemn. “Okay. I will.”

“But let’s circle back to this ‘Kayla finding a job she actually loves’ thing. For what it’s worth, I think you’d be amazing working for a foundation or community organization. They need people with your skills and expertise.” He kissed her temple. “And you deserve a fulfilling job.”

“It’s definitely something to think about, because I’m not sure how much longer I can stomach working for Stammler. At least you were always nice to me, even if you weren’t around when I needed you.” Her expression shifted, her eyes meeting his. “So…the entire time you were my boss, you wanted me?”

He rolled her under him and kissed her. “The entire fucking time, Kayla. You used to drive me insane with those pencil skirts and those high heels and that red lipstick. You were one of the few people who called me on my shit, and I liked that too. From the start, I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. And then as we worked together, I saw how smart and driven and talented you are. You impressed me constantly.”

“And yet you never gave any indication that…” She shook her head.

“I was your boss, Kayla. It would’ve been borderline at best.” He kissed her. “Plus I had the distinct impression that you didn’t feel the same way about me, and I didn’t want to do anything to make you uncomfortable. Yeah, I had a lot of issues at Silver Stream and I wasn’t the boss or mentor you deserved, but I wasn’t going to put you in that kind of position.”

“Mmm. And yet now I like all the positions you put me in.”

His heart thumped happily against his chest and he kissed her. He didn’t know what he’d done to deserve this gift, but he was going to do everything within his power to cherish it.

15

With her suitcase wheeling along behind her, Kayla carefully stepped out of her building’s elevator, grateful for the simple cane