Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“I’m changing professions,” she muttered, not wanting anything to do with reporters who ruined people’s lives for a living.
Zach let out a chuckle. “There’s a difference. You only interview willing people.”
He turned the corner and pulled up to a closed garage door, honking so the crowd at this entrance would move aside. They scattered and she could see them attempting to see into the SUV, cameras raised, probably snapping photos.
“Any reason you have tinted windows?” she asked, grateful she was protected but curious anyway.
He shrugged as he pressed a garage door opener on his visor and the massive door opened. “Privacy is important, and as you can see, with a famous brother, it comes in handy.”
As soon as the SUV entered the garage, the large doors closed behind them. Zach drove to a parking spot at the far end of the garage near a bank of two elevators.
He angled the vehicle between the two lines and cut the engine. “What was your plan if you hadn’t run into me on the street?” she asked Zach.
“Well, you didn’t answer your phone, so I planned on having the doorman call upstairs or bribe him to let me up. Whichever worked.”
Panda wriggled in her lap, and she opened the door so she could climb out and let the dog down.
Zach hopped out and met her on her side of the vehicle, taking the dog so she could ease out of the car. He placed Panda on the ground, and they walked beside Zach to the elevator.
“This one goes to the penthouse floor,” he said, pointing to the left side and scanning his phone screen on a wall sensor.
When the doors slid open, they stepped in, and the elevator took them to the top floor. As the doors reopened, Harrison was waiting in his entryway. He looked her over and visibly relaxed, his shoulders dropping down as he blew out a relieved breath.
“I texted him to alert him we’d arrived,” Zach answered her unasked question.
Harrison took three long strides into the private hallway and hauled her into his arms. “I was so fucking worried.” His strong arms pulled her against him, and she inhaled his sexy yet somehow comforting scent. He held her for a long beat until Zach cleared his throat and chuckled.
Harrison stepped back and looked her over, obviously checking her out in a concerned way. “Are you okay?”
She nodded. “Zach rescued me when I came home from walking the dog before anyone noticed me.”
He shot his brother a grateful look.
“Okay, kids, I’m out of here,” Zach said. “Yell if you need me.” He reached out and squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry. As you know, another story will replace yours soon enough, and you’ll be yesterday’s news.”
She smiled and nodded. “True enough.”
“Kids,” Harrison muttered, repeating his brother with a shake of his head. “You do remember I’m older than you?”
Grinning, Zach saluted him. “Bye, bro.” He tapped the elevator button, which opened immediately. He stepped in, the door closed, and Zach was gone.
Harrison turned to Winter. “Come on in.” He placed a hand on her back and led her inside, locking the door behind them. “Let’s sit.” He clasped her hand in his and led her to the long, plush sofa they’d had sex on this summer.
She flushed at the memory and lowered herself onto one of the cushions. He joined her, his leg rubbing against hers. He didn’t move away, and she admitted to herself that she needed his strength.
“I’ve never been the subject of a story before. It’s so weird to be on the other side.” She slid her tongue over her bottom lip. “How in the world did they find out about us and the baby?”
He put his hand on her knee, meeting her gaze, his eyes a deep shade of navy and his expression filled with regret. “I am so sorry. If I had any idea showing up at the appointment yesterday would have led to this, I wouldn’t have come.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I just wanted to see you, and I didn’t think.”
She tipped her head to the side and waited for him to continue.
“Someone from the doctor’s office leaked the story,” he finally said. “Since none of the patients in the waiting room knew who I came to see, I would guess it was one of the staff or a nurse.”
Her blood turned hot, her anger a palpable thing. “That’s totally unethical, not to mention a HIPAA violation,” she said as she reached into her pocket to find her phone.
“Don’t. I already gave my lawyers all the necessary information. Believe me when I tell you whoever leaked the news will be out of a job, be brought up before a medical board, and hopefully lose his or her license.”
She flopped against the back of the sofa with an angry groan. “Thank you.”