The attendant walked toward us. “Mr. Wolfe, the pilot says we’re going to start our descent soon, so you’ll need to fasten your seatbelts. I’ll clear away these dishes.”

Rock nodded. “Thank you.”

I clicked my seatbelt closed.

Montana, here I come.One limo ride later, we arrived at Rock’s secluded cabin. It was small and cozy, and I loved it immediately.

“Make yourself at home,” he said. “I’m going to take your suitcase into the bedroom.”

“Thanks.”

Yes, he was definitely off. I still knew so little about him, so I didn’t feel comfortable pushing it. The living area was furnished with a leather sofa and two recliners flanking an oak coffee table. The fireplace was huge, and the mantle above it was made of white granite.

“Too bad we can’t have a fire,” Rock said.

“Probably not in spring.” I smiled.

“Would you like anything? A drink? Something to eat?”

“No. I’m good for now. I think I’ll change, though. Get out of these work clothes.”

“Help yourself.” He pointed toward the room where he’d taken my things.

I left, and he made no move to follow me. Again, odd. Was he sorry he’d brought me? I doubted it. This was Rock Wolfe. If he’d wanted to bail, he would have.

If only I didn’t love him. This was starting to hurt a little.

I changed into some loose jeans and a tank top and walked barefoot back out to the living room. Rock had poured himself a drink and was sitting on the couch. I sat down next to him.

“Everything okay?” I said, and then wanted to take back the words. The last thing I wanted to be was a nag.

“Fine. Just a rough day. I’m worried about Riley.”

I placed my hand over his. “I’m sorry. Is she still missing?”

He lifted his brow. “You know?”

Uh-oh. He didn’t sound pleased.

“Yeah. I guess I just assumed you knew, and I didn’t think it was any of my business.”

The spark of anger in him dissipated, and I silently thanked the universe.

“We’ve got PIs looking for her, but according to my brother, this isn’t the first time she’s gone AWOL.”

“It isn’t?” Her Paris trip crossed my mind briefly. Was she really going to walk out on Dominique Cosmetics?

He shook his head. “Apparently she’s struggling. And I haven’t been here. I feel helpless right now, Lacey. This is my little sister. How could I have stayed gone all those years?”

I caressed his forearm, wanting to go further but not sure what to do. This was the most he’d ever opened up to me. I didn’t want to jinx it.

“She seemed like she wanted to talk to me about something that night we went to dinner, but then she ended up leaving.”

“That’s the last time I saw her,” he said.

“Me too. She was supposed to meet with me regarding the transfer of personal items from the will, but she didn’t show.”

He nodded. “She’s been through a lot.”

“I think you all have.”

He pursed his lips into a flat line. “I don’t want to talk about this.”

I squeezed his hand. “Okay.”

“How was your day?”

“Busy, but fine.”

He nodded but said nothing.

I wasn’t sure what to do, so I did nothing. A few minutes passed, and then he held up his arm. “Come here.”

I smiled and snuggled into his shoulder.

He kissed the top of my head.

We stayed there, silently, the only sound our breathing.Rock was in a better mood the next morning. We’d gone to bed together, and he held me, but we hadn’t made love.

Really weird, but it was also nice. I was feeling closer to him, which was what I wanted, but I fought myself. I didn’t want to enjoy it too much and end up heartbroken.

I took a quick shower and then found him in the kitchen, frying up bacon and hash browns in a cast-iron skillet. He was wearing a pair of old jeans and nothing else, his newly cut hair was in disarray, and he looked absolutely edible.

We hadn’t so much as kissed since we’d gotten on the plane. He must really be worried about his sister.

“Hey.” I put my arms around him and kissed the back of his shoulder. “Anything I can do to help?”

“Nope. Coffee’s done, and the mugs are in the cupboard above the brewer.”

“Great. You need a cup?”

“Already got one. I hope you’re hungry. I make a great breakfast.”

“I know. You left me eggs the morning after my overindulgence, remember?”

“Lace, this is going to be so much better than cold, clammy eggs.”

I inhaled. “It smells divine.” I took a drink of coffee. “So where are we riding today?”

“Everywhere,” he said. “I can’t wait to get back on my bike.”

“Sounds good.” I hoped I sounded sincere. The bike still scared me a little, but I had no doubt that Rock would be in solid command of it. The man could take solid command of everything, including Wolfe Enterprises.

Tags: Helen Hardt Wolfes of Manhattan Erotic
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