Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
The red welts weren’t attractive but she could handle the discomfort. “Actually, this is much better than it was last night. I took some over-the-counter painkillers, and I plan to go on with my day. What are the chances you could drive me into town?”
He hesitated and she immediately understood. “You’re afraid Asher will be angry.”
“Well, under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t care and take you anyway but…”
“I get it. But because driving is your job, shouldn’t you be able to do it without worrying?” She tipped her head to one side, thoroughly certain of her logic.
He shook his head and grinned. “You have a valid point. Looks like I’m driving you.” He extended his bent arm for her to take, and she went to hook her arm through his when she heard footsteps pounding down the stairs.
“What’s going on?” Asher asked as he reached the bottom.
“I asked Corey to take me to town. After all, isn’t he your driver?” Nikki challenged him first. She wasn’t about to let Asher use his position as owner of the estate to give Corey a hard time over something she wanted.
Asher frowned. “I was going to head there myself. I’ll take you. Corey, you’re needed at the garage.” He didn’t bark the order at the other man, and Nikki knew he was modulating his tone so she wouldn’t get mad at him.
Little did he realize she was already annoyed. No way was he already planning to go into town. He just didn’t want Corey to be the one to take her. He was jealous. After walking out on her last night and not checking on her at all, he was back to mixed messages.
Well, Mr. Dare needed to learn that some people might bow to his orders, but she’d stood up to stronger men than him. If Nikki could handle the imposing Senator Bettencourt and his demanding wife, her parents, she could definitely deal with Asher’s mercurial ass.
* * *
The moment Asher walked down the stairs, he caught sight of Nikki in a flirty short skirt, cropped top, and flip-flops, her hair pulled into a messy bun, talking to Corey. She was planning a trip to town, and his gut twisted into an uncomfortable knot.
The island was relatively safe but he’d feel better if she wasn’t alone. And he didn’t want her spending her time with Corey. Fuck. Jealousy was not Asher’s normal M.O. but there it was.
Did he want to take the day and go shopping? No, yet before he knew it, the words were out of his mouth, and they were in the Rover, on their way. He took the bridge to Eleuthera, expecting Nikki to ask questions and point out the beauty surrounding them, but Miss Usually Chatty had been silent the entire thirty-minute trip.
Asher had no doubt she was pissed at him and he didn’t blame her, but it wasn’t in his nature to apologize. Saying I’m sorry wouldn’t put him at an advantage in business. But Nikki wasn’t business.
“I’m not used to seeing people drive on the left side of the road,” she said, surprising him by initiating conversation.
“You adjust but it’s not easy at first.” They drove past the small shops and through narrow streets until Asher saw an open parking spot.
He pulled in, put the car in park, and cut the engine. Turning to face her, he slid an arm over the passenger side of the car.
“How are you feeling?” He hoped to break the earlier tension before they spent a long day together.
“My leg itches and still stings. Hurts some. But I’ll manage.” Her expression didn’t change and her shoulders were pulled back straight.
From what Derek had told him about the Bettencourts and their frustration with their daughter, Asher had a feeling Nikki always had to deal with things on her own. Her resilience pointed to a person who knew how to take care of herself, and she wasn’t giving in to Asher. And he normally could get most people to back down. Unless they were part of his family, then all bets were off.
Since Derek had sent her here to escape judgment and stress, Asher shouldn’t be adding to her problems or making her uncomfortable.
He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I should have checked on you last night.” The words weren’t easy, and from her widened eyes, she hadn’t expected the apology.
“Thank you.”
She studied him until he felt uncomfortable in his own skin, and Asher was never that.
“Something tells me that wasn’t easy for you,” she said, tipping her head to the side as she studied him.
If she only knew.
She unhooked her seat belt, and he blew out a breath, relieved she was moving on.
“Ready to go?” he asked.
She nodded. “I was hoping Corey would point out places to souvenir shop, and I wanted to have lunch at a small café. So I hope you’re ready to play tour guide.”