Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 280(@200wpm)___ 224(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 280(@200wpm)___ 224(@250wpm)___ 187(@300wpm)
“Let’s go, Highness,” I said, pulling the keys for my Ford F-150 out of my pocket before snagging her bag.
Snow was coming down harder and faster than it was when we arrived. She wasn’t exactly dressed for this. Her shoes were still covered by bags.
Before opening the door, I held out my hand. Her eyes landed on it with disdain.
“If you want to risk a wipeout, have at it.” I shrugged.
She snagged my hand and I whisked her out into the storm of the century and led her through the deepening snow.
When she stopped and stared at my truck, I said, “It’s not the sexiest ride, but it gets the job done.”
“It’s fine, just surprising.”
I tugged her arm to get her feet moving. “Why?” I asked.
Though she didn’t act like it, she was cold. She was shivering. I used the key fob to start the car.
“It’s a truck, not a sports car.”
I hoisted her up into the cab to slide on the seat where the interior was warm.
“Sports cars may be sexy, but trucks are manly.”
I winked before I circled around and got in. Truth was, trucks were better on the roads around here no matter the weather. I ignored the fact that I’d never had a woman in my truck. A memory of her shapely ass tucked against my cock all last night filled my mind as I tossed our bags into the small backseat.
The truck jerked as I put it in reverse. My attention came back online.
“Will we be able to make it in this thing?” she asked.
“It’s fine. I have chains if needed.”
“Chains?” she asked. “Does it snow like this often around here?”
I felt her eyes on me, but I couldn’t look over because I needed to navigate the roads. We were about to descend the mountain to the town in the valley below.
“Not exactly. But I’m always prepared for the unexpected.”
Even though I couldn’t see it, I could tell she rolled her eyes as she spoke. “I’m not surprised.”
“You know, you could be a little grateful I’m helping you.”
From the corner of my eye, I could see the glare she threw me as she swiveled in the seat.
“Grateful, no. Thankful, maybe. But let’s be honest. You need to get to New York as much as I do.”
I grimace. “You heard that.”
“I heard a lot. So yes, I’m thankful you just happened to be in the right place at the right time. But let’s not go so far as to suggest you’ve really gone out of your way to help me.” I opened my mouth to counter, “With the exception of your father’s urging you to.”
I swallowed anything I could have said because she was right.
“Sorry.”
“What’s that?” she asked, sarcasm dripping off her tongue.
“We had a rocky start—”
“That’s an understatement.”
I lifted a hand. “Let’s just get through this. I get you to Grandma and I get to my new job. Deal?”
She hooked her pinky finger around mine, surprising me. “Deal.”
Just as quickly, she removed her hand from mine as if she’d been burned.
For the rest of the drive down the mountain, we said nothing. I pulled as close to the curb as I could with snowdrifts rising like mini hills on the side of the road. Lucky for me, the road was virtually empty.
I opened my door and held out a hand again, which she rebuked with her blank stare. So much for making a clean start.
“It’s going to be tough getting out that side,” I said.
I got out and waited as she scooted across. We eyed each other a second before she extended a hand, realizing she needed my help after all.
The smirk I threw at her had to be blinding. She blinked before gazing heavenward while fighting a smile.
“Can’t fight it, can you, Highness?” I said.
She stepped down and let go quickly once she was steady on her feet. Each time she did that was a reminder that touching her was something I was beginning to crave.
We navigated the icy pavement and made it to the door in one piece. The bell above the door jingled as we opened it. The air was almost as frigid inside as it was outside.
One of the few single women in town came bouncing in the open area with frosty blonde hair as if on cue.
“Grant. Sorry it’s so cold, but we were closed. I only opened for you,” she said, in an unmistakable flirty tone.
She stopped on her toes when she noticed I wasn’t alone.
“Oh,” she said as Jolie remained just as still at my side. “I thought…”
Before the situation could become more awkward than it was, I said, “Thanks, Stacy.” I pointed to Jolie. “She’s a client. She needs some gear.”
“Oh,” Stacy said. That time the one-syllable word sounded far friendlier. “Tell me what you need,” she asked, throwing a huge smile toward Jolie.