So Far Away (California Dreamers #2) by Dakota Madison Read Free Book Online Page B

last bite of his ham sandwich, Jackson’s son crosses his arms over his chest and looks me up and down.
    The guy is a little taller than I am, and muscular, but not brawny. Maybe he plays sports to stay fit, but he doesn’t look like a gym rat.
    He’s wearing dark jeans and a purple pullover sweater that accentuates his bronze skin tone.
    “Let me guess. You’ve been here three days.”
    “One,” I correct.
    “I bet you won’t last a week.”
    I cross my arms over my chest and glare right back at him. “You’re wrong.”
    He slowly shakes his head. “My pop changes assistants faster than most people change their underwear.”
    “I’m not like most people.”
    He laughs. “And what makes you different. You look like every other girl who has come down from LA to work for my father. It’s like there’s a factory somewhere that keeps spitting out blond-haired, blue-eyed clones. You’re just one in a long line of assistants who thought she was special.”
    If blood really could boil with anger mine would be bubbling hot right now.
    “You don’t even know me,” I spit between clenched teeth.
    He actually has the audacity to roll his eyes at me and that makes me ever madder. “Let me guess. You’re a model-slash-actress trying to make it in the business and you’re just waiting for that one big break. You think working for my pop, because he’s got a lot of connections in the entertainment industry, is somehow going to help you.”
    “No,” I fire back.
    He’s taken aback by my abruptness, and maybe by my claim that he’s completely misjudged me. He doesn’t seem like the type of person who likes to be told that he’s wrong.
    “No?” He actually sounds indignant. “To which part?” 
    “All of it. I’m not a model or an actress. I have two Master’s degrees from Yale, thank you very much. I’m not here hoping for some big break. I’m working here because I need a job. It’s as simple as that. I can assure you I have no ulterior motives. I just needed a pay check.”
    He runs his tongue along his top teeth the same way Jackson does.
    “Why two Master’s degrees?”
    I’m surprised by the question. People’s eyes generally glaze over when I mention my graduate degrees. It rarely becomes a topic of conversation.
    “I like school,” I admit. “I enjoy learning and studying.”
    “That’s cool, but what I mean is why did you earn two Master’s degrees? Why not go for a doctorate?”
    I shrug. It’s a good question. “Honestly, I missed California. The dissertation just seemed like such a huge commitment and I didn’t want to spend any more winters in the North East. I was ready to come home.”
    He nods. “The dissertation is a massive commitment. I’m finishing mine up right now.”
    My eyes go wide. Outside of academia I rarely meet anyone who has a Master’s degree, let alone a doctorate. “What are you studying?”
    “Physics at Stanford.”
    “Wow, that’s impressive.”
    “Yale is pretty impressive too,” he admits. Then he actually gives me a warm smile. “Not quite as impressive as Stanford though.”
    “On what planet?” I tease.
    When our eyes meet there’s a bit of a spark between us. I have to admit that it takes me by surprise. All of the guys I’ve dated were frat boys or jocks, not physics geeks.
    Not that I’d ever consider doing anything with my boss’s son. Jackson was pretty clear about his rules. Hanky-panky is a no-no . I would think that rule applies to his son as well.
    “So should I just call you Yale, or do you have a name?” he asks.
    “Maddie,” I tell him.
    “Short for?” He raises an eyebrow.
    “No one ever calls me by my full name,” I tell him. “ Ever . Not even my mother.”
    When he bites his bottom lip I wonder what it would be like to kiss him. Then I wonder where the hell that idea came from.
    “Now I need to know what your full name is,” he says.
    “What’s your name?” I ask, hoping to distract him.
    “Emerson,”