“You don’t have to do that,” I say, shaking my head. “If you give me the number, I can call.”
Please don’t help me. It only makes me feel worse.
“Hell no, I’m a gentleman.” He winks before throwing his arm around me. “Come on. Let’s get you out of the cold.”
He smells different from Ridge, but delicious nonetheless. And yet, with his arm around me, I don’t feel that same spark I did when it was his brother who was this close. Riley is an insanely attractive man who’s clearly confident—as he should be. Yet, now that I’ve beenwithhis brother, I can’t get him off my mind, even with Riley so close.
Releasing his hold on me, he opens the passenger door, and I climb inside, thankful to be in the warm air, even though I know it’s wrong for me to take advantage of how sweet he is after the mess I might have put his family in.
Once he closes the door, he jogs to the driver’s side and climbs in before pulling out his phone. After a moment, he puts it to his ear.
“Yo, what’s up?” He grins. “You hauling cars today or fucking off, like usual?”
He listens, his grin growing wider before he chuckles. “Hey, it’s fucking blowing a fuck ton outside, so, hell no, I’m not out to haul.”
His words make my stomach feel sick because if it’s really that bad out today on the ocean, why on earth did Ridge go out?
Riley laughs again at whatever the dude on the other end of the line said. “Yeah, yeah, I bet.”
He glances at me. “Hey, look, I have a friend whose car won’t start, parked down here by Salt and Coffee. Is there any chance you can come get it?”
He listens for a few seconds. “All right, sounds good. We’ll be right here.”
Once the call ends, he hits a few buttons to turn off his own heated seat, but luckily, he leaves mine on.
“He’ll be here in ten,” he drawls. “Hopefully, you weren’t here too long by yourself.”
“No, only a few minutes,” I answer softly. “Thank you for calling your friend.” I smile. “And for letting me sit in your fancy, warm truck. Keyword: warm.”
“It’s not a problem.” His deep voice is smooth, and every word packs a bit of flirtatiousness that Ridge doesn’t have. “Been wondering where you’ve been. I noticed your car at the rental house, but haven’t seen you.” He eyes me over. “Where’ve you been hiding, girl?”
“Here and there, I suppose.” I blush.
He just has a certain magnetism to him that makes me feel uncomfortable, although I also find it endearing at the same time.
“Are you staying here for Christmas?” he asks, obviously curious. And really, who could blame him?
It’s clear that the holidays mean a lot to his family, and I’m sure it’s strange that it’s almost Christmas and I’m still here, poking around his land.
“Actually, I’m going to catch a flight home tomorrow night,” I say truthfully.
A few minutes after Katherine left me sitting alone, I realized that I could no longer be a part of this thing between Victor and the Adams. I need to get out of here before shit hits the fan. Lucky for me, I found a flight home on Christmas Eve.
“There’s supposed to be a snowstorm coming tomorrow. I hope your flight gets out,” he says, seeming concerned. “I imagine you have family to get back and see.”
He doesn’t mean to hurt me with his assumption, but it does. Lucky for me, I have one helluva poker face, and I keep the pain hidden.
“Yeah,” I say, selling it as best I can. “What about you? What’re your big plans for Christmas?”
Even saying the word burns my throat, but I desperately need to take the attention from me and put it on him. And as sweet ashe is, he seems like the type of guy who would love to talk about himself.
“Same as every year.” He grins. “We go to my parents’. Mom makes way too much food. We play some card games, watch a movie, eat more food, and then call it a day.”
He says it like it’s no big deal, but in reality, I can’t imagine what it would feel like to have that sort of stability, where you know that your family is going to get together for the holidays. And not only that, but you know your mom is going to do everything to make it special for you, even though you’re a grown-ass man.
“Nice.” I plaster on a polite smile.
Riley knows my reason for being here, yet he doesn’t go out of his way to make sure I know he hates me. I’m not sure this guy could hate anyone though. Unlike Ridge, who is downright mean.
