Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 66(@250wpm)___ 55(@300wpm)
Chapter 5
Noah
Against the backdrop of heavy snowfall, tree branches bow with fresh, thick flakes, adding to the isolation that winter often promises but rarely fulfills. Inside, I'm rummaging through my briefcase, turning over every inch, frustration mounting as my phone seems to have vanished into the ether.
I curse softly under my breath, tugging my laptop from its confines with every intention of tracking down the runaway device. There's a part of me that knows being off the grid might not be the worst thing, but I'm not ready to surrender to that scenario just yet.
A sharp knock at the door interrupts my stress-fueled search. I pause, brow furrowing at the unexpected sound.
Pulling open the door, I’m not prepared for what awaits. Scarlett stands there, her figure framed by the swirl of snow behind her, cheeks flushed, and hair tousled by the biting wind. She’s a vivid burst of color, life against the dull, white-washed world outside. Her cat, Minnie, is tucked under her arm in a carrier, looking as unimpressed as ever.
“Scarlett?” I blink several times, wondering if I’m imagining my gorgeous little assistant and her grouchy cat standing on my doorstep.
“Hey,” she replies with a slight shiver in her voice, holding up my phone like a triumphant prize. “You left this on the plane, and I thought I'd return it before you went completely off the grid.”
Relief is an unexpected wave cresting over irritation, but then the biting truth of the situation blasts into my mind. The weather outside is treacherous with a curtain of snow so thick it seems to devour everything in its path. Going back to the airport right now would be reckless at best.
“You’d better come in,” I say, stepping aside for her to enter. The warmth of the cabin clashes with the gust of cold air that follows her in, and I shut the door against the stormy weather.
The reality of the situation settles between us. This gritty winter landscape has delivered her straight to my door, and I’m not inclined to question fate’s generosity.
She shrugs out of her coat, casting a glance around as Minnie’s carrier hits the floor. “Thanks, Noah. I told the pilot I’d be right back, but the taxi driver told me there’s no way I’m getting back there in the snowstorm.”
“I’m inclined to agree with him,” I tell her as plans flash through my mind. This opportunity is too good to pass up. My cock agrees with my brain and goes further to suggest I get off my ass and make Scarlett my own little Christmas present.
“I figured.” She sighs and points down at her cat carrier. “Do you mind if I spring Minnie from her travel prison?”
“Not at all,” I mutter, and she reaches down to pull the fuzzy white cat from the travel bag. The little feline glances over at me, and the evil gleam in her eyes tells me the little shit is making plans to take me out.
“Can I offer you something to drink? Maybe whiskey to warm you up?” My offer is the only thing my fucking mind could come up with on such short notice.
“Whiskey sounds perfect,” she says, her smile a flicker of warmth against the storm's resolve.
As I grab the bottle and pour two glasses, I sense a shift in the air around us. My role as her boss flickers dimly in the background, eclipsed by the more immediate reality of two people thrown together, nature taking the lead.
I get a text from my pilot letting me know he had to take off before the weather socked him in, and I text back letting him know I won’t need him for a few days at least. Who knows? If things go well, I might be able to convince Scarlett to spend the entire two-week holiday with me.
I hand her a glass and nod toward the couch. “Why don’t you sit? Relax. The storm’s got us grounded.”
She takes the whiskey and perches on the couch, eyes flicking toward the window where the wind howls relentlessly, snow packing itself against glass and wood.
“Well, my Christmas plans just took a U-turn,” she says, wrapping her hands around the glass, the tension from her journey here slowly unwinding. “It looks like you might be stuck with us for a while.”
“I wouldn’t call it stuck.” Taking a seat opposite her, I let the heat from the fire seep into the room. “Sometimes the best things in life come from the unplanned,” I say, holding her gaze. “But you should let your family know about the change in your holiday plans.”
There’s a challenge in her eyes, mingled with interest and a spark I haven’t seen from her before. Fucking hell. It looks like I’m not the only one fighting feelings here.
Minnie, having taken watchful residence beside Scarlett, flicks her tail in measured disinterest, completely ignoring the sudden tension swirling around the two humans in the room.