Protecting Nicole – Perception Read Online Shandi Boyes

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Erotic, Funny Tags Authors:
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Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91146 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 456(@200wpm)___ 365(@250wpm)___ 304(@300wpm)
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“I know,” Knox replies, shocking me further. “It is a fucking shit show.”

“Then why weren’t you there for her? Why hire a hooker when your girl needed you more?”

He throws his hands up like we’re in a boxing ring and not the living room of one of the flashy suites he stays in like he has to prove something. “Are you really trying to give me relationship advice? You once thought a Valentine’s Day gift was flavored condoms.”

“In high school. I’ve matured the fuck up since then.”

He laughs at me like I’m a sucker before sidestepping me to enter his office. As he cleans up evidence of his cheating ways, I stare at him like I don’t know who the hell he is. Nicole is the best thing that’s ever happened to him. She’s intelligent, funny, and outstandingly beautiful.

Even with their wealth not on par, she is way above Knox’s league. Yet, he’s going to throw it away for a woman who charges by the hour.

When I say that to Knox, he dumps an open box of condoms into the top drawer of his desk, rights a wayward keyboard and mouse, then enters the attached bathroom to spray some aftershave around.

It is the same aftershave I found next to Nicole’s earring.

He squirts the pricy bottle in the air until the scent of sex is replaced with spices and wood, then spins to face me. “There. Crisis averted.”

I’m too shocked to speak.

Does he really think so little of Nicole that he believes a bit of aftershave will hide the hickeys on his neck?

“She’s gonna find out,” I eventually murmur, my tone hinting that I’m more hopeful than fretful.

Nicole deserves better, and she asked me only minutes ago to help ensure that occurs, so I refuse to stand down this time.

“No, she won’t,” Knox denies, walking me to the door. “Because you’re not going to say anything.” My back is already up, but it reaches a new level when he mutters, “Bros before hoes and all that shit.”

“Knox—”

“I’ll stop, all right? I promise. I just…” He scrubs at his face before reminding me that things could be worse. “Wouldn’t you rather me choke out a prostitute than harm the voice of the woman who will make us rich?”

I don’t give a fuck about the money, but the thought of him with Nicole like that makes me want to rip off his nuts. I hate that she’s being disrespected, but if I had to pick between Nicole or a prostitute soothing Knox’s edginess, I’d always choose the latter.

Knox mistakes my expression. “That’s what I fucking thought.” He slaps my back like nothing will ever come between us, before barging me toward my room. “Now get the fuck out of my room so I can get some shuteye. It might be a rest day for the crew tomorrow, but there’s no rest for the wicked.”

He winks at me and then commences closing the door just as my eyes land on a cot in the corner of the large space.

20

NICOLE

“Nicole, are you awake?” The drilling of my temples feels nowhere near as bad when River’s sweet tone jingles through my ears. “I’ve brought breakfast.”

“You didn’t need to do that.” My words taste like garbage and sound husky since my throat is so dry. As I scrub the chunk from my eyes, I scoot up my bed until my back rests on the headboard. “Oh my god, that smells like heaven,” I murmur when the scent of coffee, bacon, and fresh juice bombards my senses as River rolls a serving tray into my room. “Did you do a coffee run?”

Mindful of where my eagerness stems, River shakes his head before pouring me a generous serving. “Cream and two, please,” he says, quoting the order I give the barista anytime we go out for coffee.

After stirring the beverage he only fills halfway, he hands it to me before wrapping me up in a big hug.

I’m grateful he planned for spillage. His hug is so affectionate he would have knocked me over if I wasn’t sitting.

Once he assures me I’m not seconds from dying, he inches back before raising a brow. “We have muffins too, but Laken said you wouldn’t want muffins. That your tummy would want greasy bacon.” He spins to face the serving tray to show me the mountain of bacon under a silver dome.

“That’s a lot of bacon.”

“It is,” he agrees. “But you don’t have to share. Laken cooked enough breakfast for everyone.”

My heart skips a beat. “Laken made me breakfast?” I assumed he ordered room service.

River’s head only bobs three times before he screws up his adorable face. “He kinda made it for everyone. But the bacon is mainly for you. He wouldn’t even let Knox have any, and they’re best friends.”

His reply shocks me as much as his admission that Laken cooked breakfast. Laken and Knox appear close, but I had no clue it was near best friend status. Their personalities seem too opposite for that. They’re almost like night and day.


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