Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 97199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 486(@200wpm)___ 389(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
I know what that means for me. It means I need a large cup of coffee because I have to hunker down here for the night.
William pockets one of his gold cufflinks before rolling up the left sleeve of his button-down shirt. “I’m helping, Draven.”
Draven glances at him with a nod. “You’re not dressed for the job, but something tells me that doesn’t matter to you.”
I stand in front of both of them, unsure if I should offer to help, too. I have no idea what that will entail since Draven already lugged in an industrial vacuum and a pile of what looks like oversized towels.
William’s gaze catches mine. “Why don’t you head home, Opal? We’ve got this covered.”
It’s a suggestion I want to jump on, but it feels wrong to leave a man I just met tonight and the man I’m trying to avoid at all costs alone in my bar to take care of this mess.
“I know you have reservations about contractors, but Draven is the best in the city, and I’ll be here until he’s ready to call it a night.” He steps closer to me as he finishes rolling both sleeves of his shirt. “Go home and get some rest. I know it’s been a long day for you.”
I almost break inside because there’s nothing but compassion in his voice and his eyes. I shouldn’t trust him, but I do.
“If you give me the keys, I’ll lock up,” William offers. “I’ll meet you out front at nine a.m. to hand them back to you. I’ll bring a tea for you. Organic orange but not too hot.”
All of my emotions get stuck in my throat, so I just nod.
He truly is too good to be true.
He stalks toward me until there’s little distance left between us. He leans down to press a soft kiss on my forehead. “Thank you for trusting me with this.”
I shift back so I can look into his eyes. “Your help means a lot to me, William.”
We stand like that, staring at each other as Draven sets off toward the back of the bar.
Intensity swirls around us, and I feel an unexplainable urge to kiss him, but I stop myself by dropping my gaze to my tote bag. I fish around in it until I find the extra set of keys I had made when I had keys cut for Aunt Hildy.
William holds out his hand, so I drop the keys in it.
“I’ll see you at nine a.m.,” I promise. “If you or Draven need anything before that, you’ll call?”
His gaze slides over my face as he tries to read my expression. “You bet.”
I close my eyes briefly, suck in a breath, and tack a small smile on my lips. “Goodnight, William.”
“Goodnight, Opal,” he whispers before he steps back, granting me the room I need to get around him so I can walk out of my bar.
43
William
“Brooklyn?” Draven walks toward me just minutes after Opal exits the bar. “What the hell was that about?”
I consider my contractor a friend, so I lay it all out there for him, “I took her to the Brooklyn apartment last night because I don’t take women home with me.”
“I don’t take women home with me either,” he shares with a chuckle. “My reasoning behind that is pretty clear. What’s your excuse?”
Since I don’t have a daughter I’m protecting, I shrug. “I don’t see beyond one night in most cases, so it’s worked for me in that regard.”
“Until now?” he questions with his left brow cocked. “You said you don’t see beyond one-night hookups in most cases. Is this case different?”
I glance at the floor but come up empty with an answer, so all he gets in return is silence.
“You’re sacrificing a good night’s sleep to tread through an inch of water with me.” He points at my shoes. “You’re going to need a new pair of those.”
I look down at my shoes. “Maybe, but it’s worth it.”
“Because she’s worth it?”
Nodding, I meet his gaze with mine. “There’s something about her, Draven. I can’t explain it, but fuck, I like her a lot.”
“I can tell.” He chuckles. “Do you like her enough to tell her you live in Tribeca in a penthouse that just underwent a stellar renovation?”
I can’t hold in a laugh. “Says the contractor responsible for that renovation, which, by the way, isn’t complete just yet.”
“It will be within the week,” he informs me, crossing his arms over his chest. “Give me a few more days, and it will be Opal worthy.”
My jaw tightens in response. I can’t blame that frustration on Draven or what he just said. This is all self-directed. “I don’t know if I’m Opal worthy.”
“Tell her the truth, and you’ve got a good shot of being worthy,” he suggests. “I’m no expert on women, but I do know that the truth goes a long way with them.”