Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Winter shook her head. “Just the opposite. She wants me to form my own opinion, but she’s hurt that he’s trying so hard with me.” She pulled her lush lower lip into her mouth and released it again.
He shook his head, ignoring the pulse in his dick because now was not the time.
“To be fair,” Winter continued. “He’s trying with Nikki, too. She’s just not ready to hear it. Derek cuts him more slack because they had a closer relationship to begin with.” She shrugged. “Anyway, given the circumstances, I agreed to meet him today.”
“The bodyguard from Alpha Security will be here soon.” Harrison’s entire family utilized the firm, including Dash Kingston. “Whoever shows up will go with you.” Though he hated sending her alone. Not that he didn’t think she could handle it, but everyone needed support.
Her fingers clenched and released, a sure sign of the tension she was feeling.
“Actually, I was wondering if you’d come with me?” She glanced at him with gorgeous emerald eyes that glistened with unshed tears. “For all my independent talk, I’m stressed about meeting with the man whose life I all but destroyed.”
He brushed a hand down her cheek. “I need to repeat, the implosion of his life is not on you. His wife… or soon-to-be ex-wife, was at fault. So was he.”
For having the affair with her mother in the first place. For letting his wife run roughshod over him and control not just his career but his relationship with his existing children. And he hated to hear Winter keep blaming herself.
“Of course, I’ll come.” The protective part of his nature that came out around Winter was glad she wanted him there.
Gratitude shone in her eyes. “Thank you, Harrison.”
He liked how his name sounded coming from those lips.
She stepped forward, and he thought for sure she would hug him, but his doorbell rang, the dog began barking, and a voice called out. “Hello! Where is everyone?”
“Nikki,” they both said at the same time, Winter taking a step back.
“Asher’s on my list of people the doorman can let up without calling, and he has a key,” Harrison muttered, annoyed because his brother had cockblocked him.
If Winter had stepped into his personal space and wrapped her arms around him, no matter her reason, he’d have pulled her in for a long, drawn-out kiss. The desire to taste her was always there and growing stronger with every hour they spent together.
They walked out of the bedroom and down the hall to the main area of the apartment where his brother and his fiancée waited, a ton of bags surrounding them. Nikki had brought clothes for Winter, and as requested, they’d stopped to buy dog food, bowls and other things from a pet store.
“Harrison, can you show me the guest room? I want to take a quick shower and clean up before I… have my meeting.” Obviously Winter wanted to talk to Nikki in private about her upcoming meeting with their father.
“Guestroom?” Nikki asked, obviously surprised because she knew how many bedrooms his apartment had and about the gym and office space he used them for.
Harrison winced. He hadn’t explained details when he’d asked Winter to stay.
Asher wrapped an arm around Nikki and hauled her against him. “Hush,” he said to his fiancée as he smirked at Harrison.
Winter narrowed her gaze. “What’s going on?”
He ran a hand through his hair and sucked it up. “I don’t exactly have a guest room. This place has three bedrooms. One’s the primary, one’s a workout room, and the other is my office.” He tried his grin on her again but this time she didn’t bite.
“But I assumed that’s where I’d sleep.” She shook her head and sighed. “Never mind, and don’t say it. I know what happens when people assume.” Stepping over to him, she shoved her arm against his shoulder. “Where did you think I’d stay?”
He shrugged, well aware they had an audience. “My California King is pretty big.”
She threw up her hands and groaned. “I don’t have time for an argument, but we will discuss this later.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” he muttered, and she glared at him. “The primary bath has everything you’ll need, towels, etc.” He gestured with his hand, but she knew where the room was located.
Nikki looked at him and wagged a finger. “Shame, Harrison. Shame.” Laughing, she helped Winter pick up all the bags with the clothes and toiletry items she’d brought. “I’ll go with Winter.”
“Why don’t you make yourself useful and feed the dog,” his houseguest suggested and strode off, not giving him another glance.
Panda, who’d gone from jumping on everyone’s legs and nudging their calves with her nose, was now shoving her snout into a bag that probably had the dog food in it.
“Good going.” Asher chuckled and picked up the bag with the kibble. “Come on. I’m used to feeding a dog.”