Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
“Get the door, Ms. Wentz.”
She longed to snap at him but her irritation was uncalled for. This man threw her into a tailspin and she didn’t have any reasonable reason for all her contrary emotions.
Obeying, she held it open and noticed the driver popped out and hurried around to hold the door as Livingston stepped out. He carried a tray that was covered and she watched the men put it in the backseat of the car. Then he turned and looked at her, tipping his head toward the warm, dry interior.
She hesitated.
“Ms. Wentz, we are standing here until you come along.” His commanding voice carried with ease over the rain and wind howling around them.
“Go on, child.”
“Thank you,” she said, turning to smile at Cadianne, who met her with a tray of three to-go cups of what smelled like the incredible hot cocoa, she’d enjoyed multiple cups of already.
Holding the tray, she rushed out into the wind and rain and hustled to the car and the two men who were still standing in the downpour. Livingston’s expression wasn’t readable as he stood there, water dripping down his face as it continued to blow into him. But he didn’t move, nor did he say anything.
His large body followed hers inside and the door slammed behind him, blocking out those watching as well as the inclement weather. She licked her lips as she watched the driver close his door and wipe off his face. Ignoring the man beside her, well, best she could, she inched forward to the barrier.
“Thank you for coming to get us. Ms. Cadianne wanted you to have this.” She reached toward him with the hot cocoa. “It’s hot chocolate.”
“I couldn’t, miss.”
“I insist. You were out in the rain because of me. Please take it. You don’t have to drink it but I’m going to sit here and hold it until you do.” His lips twitched. “Or,” she began, leaning over the divider, “I can put it here in your cup holder and this way I’ll pretend you took it from me… What is your name?”
A tug on the back of her jeans prompted her to kick the man doing the tugging. She waited, hanging over the divider.
“Finnegan, ma’am. Seamus Finnegan.”
Stretching until the to-go cup slid into its holder, she angled her head and smiled at the elderly man. “The hot chocolate is to die for, Mr. Finnegan. Thank you.”
She inched back and the car pulled smoothly away from the curb as the divider rose.
“Are you trying to make a point?” Livingston snapped.
“That everyone deserves respect no matter what their job is? Yes. You snap at him like he has no feelings, same as you do me. It’s not right. I don’t give a fuck how much money you have. It doesn’t cost you a damn thing to have manners.”
He ground his jaw and his nostrils flared. She didn’t care. Taking her own drink from the tray he held, she sipped and was immediately soothed.
“Where else did you want to go today?” His words held an edge but his eyes were nothing but pure heat when he looked at her.
Fingers curved around the hot drink, she shrugged. “Don’t suppose you have ice skating, do you?”
There went that flexing jaw again. Why the hell did she find it so sexy?
He pressed a button. “Finnegan, MCCNO.”
“Very good sir.” The reply came back without hesitation.
“There’s no need to accompany me, Mr. Rhodes, when you are so obviously put out by having to venture away from your office.”
He glared at her but didn’t speak as he pulled his phone free and started typing on it.
She rolled her eyes. Whatever. Sliding closer to the passenger side door and away from Mr. Grumpypants, she sipped her drink and stared out of the window at the storm blowing through the city. The Christmas decorations swayed from their perches and the streets were almost devoid of people now.
Daisy had to admit, it was nicer to be moving through the streets in a warm car than out there battling the wind and rain. Once more, he pulled her toward him by using the back of her pants, gliding her back across the bench seat until she was pressed against his side.
“I went crazy not being able to find you in Seattle after our night together, Peach. I wasn’t sure if you needed me or not.” He lifted her onto his lap and she didn’t fight him on it. “You unlocked something in me that night. Possessive? Yes. Protective? Definitely. I can’t explain it, but what I can say is it’s not something I can or will turn off. Your safety is my top priority and when you ran out and I couldn’t find you… Don’t do that again.” He cupped the nape of her neck and squeezed.
There was raw vulnerability in his tone and she knew it was something he wouldn’t show others. She responded by pressing her lips to his.