“Don’t waste your breath. We both know you won’t change my mind.”
“Fine.”
“Good girl.” His voice twists my inside and reignites a pulse between my legs.
I want to roll over and offer up my belly for him to scratch like a cat. Dangerous man. He makes me want to be reckless. I’ve protected my heart for so long. It’s not like he needs your money. The black Jaguar his family dropped off last night, and his career, proves that.
“I’ll allow it to give Nona peace of mind.” I lift my head, refusing to admit he has anything to do with my choice.
“Right. You’re doing it for Nona.” He smirks.
“Cocky,” I say with a laugh.
“I’ve been called that before.”
I walk him to the front door, where he shrugs on a tailored, black wool coat and leather driving gloves.
“Take it easy for the rest of the day, yeah?”
“Yes, sir.” I salute him.
“Mmm. I like that sound of that coming from your rebellious lips.”
“I bet you do.”
I unlock the door and grip the handle to keep from touching him. This needs to be good-bye. I won’t be able to push him away for much longer.
“It was an interesting time, Romy Foster. Be well.”
“You too.” I lean my weight against the door and watch him make his way to the car and get inside. My stomach lurches as he pulls away with one last wave. My vision blurs. Did I just make the biggest mistake of my life?
Chapter Three
Caleb
Have you thought any more about my suggestion?
I roll my eyes at the text from my ex, Laurene, as I towel dry my hair. A stunning blonde with unlimited funds, thanks to family money, and a taste for high fashion has been texting me after months of dead air. We dated for two years, but it had never been a love match. I needed a pretty woman to be on my arm for company events and trips and the sex had been explosive. She wanted companionship and to get her daddy off her back about getting more serious about life.
I could run laps around people in court, but I could be rough around the edges in real life. It was okay to be an asshole as long as you were a glamorous one in that world. Still, Laurene had schmoozed with the best of them and helped me land profitable accounts and cases. It was good while it lasted.
Our arrangement went null and void when I relocated from New York City. The simplified life wouldn’t suit her, and with me stepping down from the prestigious company, I no longer suited her aesthetic. There were no hard feelings. Meeting Romy had further solidified I wanted more than a roll in the sheets to scratch an itch.
I responded with: I have. We’ll talk about it soon. I’m off to help Nona in her shop now.
After dressing in fresh clothes, I don the shop’s apron and hurry to my car. With just a few days until Christmas, the roads are going to be a nightmare. The parking lot is an ocean of vehicles as I pull in and join the cue circling and praying for a spot to open up. I pounce on a space, park, and squeeze out of the tight quarters between my Jag and the oversized, white truck beside me.
Walking swiftly, I make my way to Bits and Baubles. The place is buzzing with activity. A family has the cocoa station full. Everywhere I look, I see baskets packed to the brim. Pride fills me. My Nona has built a nice legacy here. Crystal is bagging and ribboning like the gift-wrapping ninja she is while Ryan rings them up. The teens work part-time during the school year and full-time during holidays and summers. I spot Nona near the new tree she placed at the site of the Tangle of Tinsel—the code we created to talk about the accident.
“Just the person I was waiting for.”
“Why? Do you need me to grab something from th
e top shelf?”
“Smartass. How’s that sweet girl doing?”
“Good. She has a slight headache and some bruises, which isn’t bad considering.”