Total pages in book: 18
Estimated words: 16661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 83(@200wpm)___ 67(@250wpm)___ 56(@300wpm)
In her periphery, she could see him flexing his arms and tensing occasionally. She didn’t call him on it, figuring he was a control freak and arguing with a man who looked like he could lift her over his head without breaking a sweat while trying to drive in a snowstorm, not exactly a smart thing to do.
Flicking her gaze to her phone which sat in a holder on the dash to see how far she was from her hotel room and a bed. She wanted nothing more than a long hot shower and some rest for her eyes. Twenty five minutes. At least that was her estimated time right now but with the way the weather continued to worsen, she wasn’t sure.
Oldies moved through the speakers, keeping her calm at the familiarity. Well, calm as she could be with the man beside her. They didn’t speak and when she looked over at him, she realized he was either sleeping or pretending to be.
She didn’t have it in her to be annoyed.
He said a few vehicles had passed him. Maybe he’s just soaking up the heat because his wasn’t working and he didn’t have the ability to keep out the cold.
The truck hadn’t had any exhaust coming from it when she’d pulled up behind him so she got it, man had to be freezing.
Grateful to see the exit for Sander’s Point, he stirred when she carefully pulled off the interstate. Following the Australian male voice giving her directions she sighed when she pulled into the overfilled parking lot. Parking her vehicle beside a low slung red sports car that wasn’t getting out of this lot until it was completely plowed, she rolled her eyes.
“Is there somewhere I can drop you?”
Those amazing blue eyes were zeroed in on her once again and she felt the answering flip in her belly. He held her gaze for a good minute of charged energy between them.
“No, I was headed here as well.”
“Great.” She turned off the engine, removed her phone from the holder and pulled the keys before opening the door.
Should have put on my jacket first. But it was in the backseat so she didn’t have to drive hampered. He opened the door across from her and watched her from beneath the rim of his cap. Swiping his bag, he stepped back and shut the door.
Vivyan tucked her phone in her pocket, hefted her backpack, and grabbed her coat even as she noticed his looked like an army duffel bag. Locking the SUV, she yelped at the front of the Pathfinder when her pack was plucked from her shoulder.
Opening her mouth, she closed it with a snap at his look. Allowing him to carry it for her, him still without a jacket on, they walked to the building. The lobby was full and she was grateful to have a reservation.
At the desk, with her large bearded man standing behind her, holding both bags, she pulled her phone out.
“I’m sorry,” the woman whose name tag read “Maria”. “We’re booked solid.”
“I have a reservation. I called earlier when I was driving to let you know I was still coming but later because of the weather.”
Her concern smoothed away and her light tan face eased as she smiled. “Vivyan.” A blush scampered up her cheeks. “Ms. Souza. I’m so glad you made it. This storm is unlike anything we’ve had in years. They’re about to close the interstate.”
Relief swamped her and she smiled despite her exhaustion. “Glad I made it before that happened.”
She picked up the pen and filled out the paperwork. Maria finally glanced at her and the man behind her, gaze narrowing slightly before her expression smoothed out. “You didn’t say you were with another person.” Vivyan opened her mouth but Maria continued, “With you here, all rooms are filled. Everyone with a reservation has checked in. These others will be hanging out in the lobby to stay out of the cold. It’s fine for you to have another in your room.” The keys were passed over and she looked at the map taped to the desktop to find where the room was.
Third floor.
“Angel? You ready?” His large hand settled on the nape of her neck, both surprising and grounding her. Something about his touch felt right. Again, Maria’s expression made her wonder what the issue was with this. It wasn’t like she’d not faced racism before or people making assumptions about her.
She was a plus-sized half Black, half Portuguese woman. But then again, it could be because of the large man behind her.
I’m sharing a room with a stranger.
A hot stranger, hot as fuck, but still…a stranger.
Chapter 2
Mine.
Ronan had one word on repeat in his mind. When he’d first seen Vivyan’s SUV pulling up behind him, something had come over him. His body tingled, much as it had when he’d been active duty that had saved his life many a time. It was an alert. Telling him something was coming, something important.