I imagined what it would feel like to be crushed to his beautiful body, to feel his hands and fingers on me… Heat warmed my belly, and I lowered myself into the cool leather interior of the car. The seats were soft and almost creamy. In LA, I sometimes drove a Ferrari, a blood red machine that went from zero to one eighty in ten seconds. It had been expensive. I loved it, but in no way did it compare to the luxury of Braden’s obviously customized car.
He got into the driver’s seat and looked back at me as I lay with his jacket covering me. His gaze was somehow tender and full of concern. “You’re comfortable?”
“Very comfortable.”
He turned and started the car, making it purr to life before maneuvering it into the brightly lit street outside. I could hear the faint sounds of Christmas carols. I imagined the photographers losing interest in the car as soon as they decided it wasn’t occupied by a celebrity—not that Braden didn’t look like one. With the defined angle of his jaw and the faultlessness of his profile, he was what you imagined movie stars looked like in the flesh.
I watched him as he drove, his fingers holding the wheel lightly but firmly. He spared me a quick glance and caught me staring.
“I think we’re clear.”
I rose and looked around. We were still in the city, but there was no sign of relentless photographers. I heaved a sigh of relief, feeling free for the first time in a long time. No one knew where I was—not my agent, not my publicist, my assistant, or my manager. No one knew, and it filled me with a sense of joy I couldn’t describe. “How long till we get there?”
“With the weather, maybe three hours. The roads should be clear.” He paused. “Do you want to come over to the front?”
I scooted between the seats to the front passenger seat and settled in, pulling the belt across and fastening it. Braden gaped at me with something that looked like a mixture of shock and admiration. “That was incredibly unsafe,” he said with a dry chuckle.
“I know.” I shrugged. “But I didn’t want you to stop and have someone catch a glimpse of me. Don’t worry.” I smiled at him. “You know those rumors about me doing some of my own stunts?”
“Mhmm.”
“They’re true.”
He laughed, a deep warm sound that made me curl my toes. “You really are something else,” he said softly.
“I am,” I agreed.
He smiled at me, and my heart skipped a beat. When he faced the road again, a feeling of pleasure unfurled in my chest, along with a smile I couldn’t wipe off my face.
Five
Braden
The drive to Gracie House took a little more than two hours. I hadn’t driven in a long time, but with Allie beside me, I had nothing to complain about. She stayed awake through the long drive, sometimes talking, sometimes silent. I enjoyed the sound of her voice. I enjoyed her silence. I enjoyed the fact that somehow, of all the wonderful things that could happen at Christmas, she was seated there, beside me.
The entrance to the estate was set back from a tree-lined street. As I drove closer, the wrought iron gates slid open, picking up the signal from the sensor on my car.
The drive rose on a hill, crunchy gravel lined with a snow-covered hedge and rolling lawns, all the green invisible under a light layer of snow. At the crest, the house came into sight, framed by the acres of woodland behind it. It was polished sandstone, hugging the incline as it dipped out of sight. Some of the windows were dark, but there were enough bright lights to cast a brilliant glow on the beautifully restored structure.
“It’s so beautiful,” Allie whispered, looking almost spellbound. I understood the feeling. It was a lovely house, with stone and glass that somehow dominated the landscape and yet belonged to it.
Allie was still gazing intently, her face a study in rapture. I’d never been so proud of something I owned as I was in that moment. The purchase had seemed like an extravagance, but right then, I’d have bought it all over again just to see that look on her face.
I parked the car and went over to her side to open the door. She smiled and took my hand, letting me lead her to the front door.
I’d sent a message to the staff that I was on my way, so even though it was short notice, the house was well-lit and warm. As we entered the hallway, the housekeeper hurried into the hall from the opposite direction.
“Mr. Rhodes. Welcome home. It’s great to have you back.” Colleen Baker was a diminutive, pleasantly plump woman with a rosy face. “How was the drive?” she asked.
“Perfect, Colleen,” I replied with a smile. “This is Allie Gilbert. Allie, Mrs. Baker.”
“Hello.” Allie gave the woman a warm smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“My pleasure.” If Colleen recognized her, she didn’t let on. She held out her hand for my jacket, which Allie still had around her. Allie handed it over, looking almost reluctant to let it go.
“How is Sam?” I asked, referring to the other half of the house management team as we walked into the spacious living room. Sam and Colleen were a package deal for the maintenance of a high-efficiency residence, and they were the best.
“He thought you might need refreshments after the long drive, a light after-dinner snack and wine?”