Chapter 17

Carissa sat up and groaned. Her muscles were stiff, and her head throbbed. She put the seat upright, yawned, and glanced out the window. “Where are we?” she asked.

“About ten minutes from the penthouse,” Bradley said, glancing at her from the corner of his eye. “Feeling better?”

“Yes and no.” She laughed. “Your car is not very comfortable to sleep in.”

“Are you hungry? There’s a twenty-four hour diner not too far from the penthouse. We can grab something, if you want.”

She stretched her arms and twisted her neck to ease the ache. “Yeah, I’m actually starving. I haven’t eaten anything since I made that S’mores.” A quick glance at the clock on the dashboard indicated that had been almost five hours ago. Her stomach rumbled.

Bradley switched on his blinker and turned into a mostly desolate parking lot. A small mom-and-pop diner came into view, complete with a fading sign and a patched roof. He parked in an open spot near the front door, killed the engine, then hopped out.

Still groggy and slightly disoriented, she fumbled with her seat belt. A second later, Bradley opened her door and extended his hand. She stared at him in disbelief, but then she took his proffered hand and let him help her out of the car. Danny hadn’t done anything like that for her since their first date. Usually, she was scrambling out of his SUV and jogging to catch up with him because he’d take off without waiting for her.

“Thanks,” she said, her voice hoarse with sleepiness.

Bradley shut the door behind her, and together, they walked inside. The scent of fried foods, grease, and freshly baked bread greeted her, and her stomach grumbled again. She pressed her hand against her belly in an effort to make the rumbling stop, but the only thing that would help was food.

“Sit wherever ya like,” said a waitress from behind the counter. She poured a customer a cup of coffee, then disappeared into the back.

Resting his hand on the small of Carissa’s back, Bradley guided her toward a booth near the windows. She slid into the seat, and he did the same on the opposite side. Menus were tucked behind the napkin dispenser, so she grabbed one and flipped it open.

Hunger pangs aside, she had no idea what she was doing here with Bradley. Why on earth had she agreed to go to Phoenix with him? Was her need to not be alone stronger than her good sense? Apparently. She huffed and shook her head.

“Something wrong?” Bradley asked.

She peeked at him over the top of her menu. “No. Why?”

“You’re making angry noises at your menu.” His smile was teasing. “Did it do something to upset you?”

She rolled her eyes, unable to hide her smile. No way this wasn’t going to blow up in her face. She was already crazy attracted to Bradley, and the spark that constantly flickered between them was undeniable. And now she was going to his penthouse where she’d be completely alone with him. With her current feelings toward Danny being what they were… What the hell had she been thinking?

“What can I get for ya?” The waitress stood at their booth, order pad and pen in her hand.

Carissa hadn’t been paying attention to the menu, so she quickly glanced at the selections and chose the first thing she saw that she liked. “I’ll have the bacon cheeseburger. Deluxe, please, with fries and a soda.” She closed the menu and tucked it back where she’d found it.

“That sounds good. I’ll have the same,” Bradley said, smiling at the waitress.

“You betcha.” The waitress smiled, then sauntered off.

Carissa blew out a breath, stared out the window, and drummed her nails on the table. What was she supposed to say to Bradley? Better yet, how was she supposed to act around him now? She was totally out of her depth here.

“If you want, we can go to the mall tomorrow and see about getting your phone fixed,” he said, arms folded on the table.

The waitress returned. She set their drinks, straws, and wrapped silverware on the table, and then walked away again.

“Yeah, I’m going to have to.” She busied herself with peeling the wrapper off her straw and sticking it into her glass. “When we get to the penthouse, I might need to use your phone to check in with Tiffany. I don’t want her to worry.”

“Sure.” He leaned back, the picture of ease. “You can call whoever you want.”

She shifted in her seat. Was he implying she could—or should—call Danny, too? Because he was the very last person she wanted to talk to. In fact, letting him wonder and worry about where she was would serve him right for what he’d done.

“I’ll have to call my dad to tell him about my phone,” she said. Then, another thought suddenly struck her. “I don’t have any clothes with me, and these”—she glanced down at her jeans and shirt, both of which were dirty and sweat-stained—“do you happen to have a washer and dryer?”

“Yes, but my sister always has extra clothes at the penthouse. I’m sure you can wear something of hers until those are clean.” He nodded at her attire. “Or until you buy new clothes at the mall. Whichever you want.”

“Thanks.”

Before she could say anything else, their food arrived. The smell of meat and cheese and bacon wafted from her plate, and her mouth watered. Originally, she and Danny were going to grab food after the bonfire, then go back to his place for the night. That obviously didn’t work out.

Carissa snatched the ketchup and squirted a generous amount onto her plate. Swirling a fry in the ketchup, she popped the crispy potato into her mouth. Her eyes fluttered closed with satisfaction, and for the first time since Danny had shown up at the bonfire, her body relaxed—truly relaxed—as if her cells instinctively knew she was safe now. When was the last time she’d felt that way?

She glanced up just as Bradley dipped a fry in mustard and bit into it. She scrunched up her face. “Eww. Mustard, really?”

He laughed. “You shouldn’t yuck someone else’s yum. That’s rude.” He wagged his finger at her, his grin light and contagious.

“Whatever you say.” She shook her head, then mumbled, “Weirdo.”

A split second later, a French fry smacked her in the forehead. She jerked her head up, jaw open in disbelief. “Did you just throw food at me?”

“Maybe. What’re you going to do about it?” His voice was low and rough, a delicious mix of taunting playfulness.

“Oh, I’ll get even. That’s a promise.”

“Mm-hmm.” He took a large bite of his burger, his eyes dancing with humor, and if she weren’t mistaken, a dare, too. “So.” He wiped his mouth and took a sip of his soda. “How long do you want to stay here?”

She shrugged and pushed fries around on her plate. “I don’t know. Is there a time limit on this invitation?”

“Nope,” he said without a moment’s hesitation. “You can stay as long as you want. With or without me.” He met and held her gaze.

Carissa’s breath caught in her throat, and she reached for her drink, needing to dislodge the emotion choking her, and to cool her rising temperature. Bradley’s offer was generous and sweet, and she’d never be able to tell him how much this meant to her, but no way would she stay in his penthouse without him. That seemed… wrong, somehow.

“Is there any store or pharmacy open now?” she asked and tossed another fry in her mouth.

“I don’t think so. Why?”

“I need a few things. Toothbrush, hairbrush. You know, the necessities.” She lifted her burger from her plate. The thing was huge, and she had no idea how she was supposed to eat without making a mess.

“We have all that at the penthouse. Mom always keeps it stocked with extra stuff like that just in case any of us ever need to go there.” Bradley finished his burger and pushed his plate away. “And like I said, my sister always has clothes stashed there. Most of them have never been worn.”

She nodded, grateful she wouldn’t have to go into a store looking like she did. Thankfully, the diner was empty save for one customer at the counter, so she wasn’t too concerned right now. Besides, she was quickly running out of steam. The past two days had been non-stop, and then fighting with Danny tonight had drained her. The nap she’d had in Bradley’s car only made her more tired. She really just wanted to sleep.

They finished their food in silence. While Bradley paid the check, Carissa used the restroom. Her face was streaked with makeup, and her hair was a mess. She wetted paper towels and cleaned her face as best as she could; then she tamed her hair with her fingers. She wouldn’t win any beauty pageants, but she no longer looked like a hobo, either.

When she emerged from the bathroom, Bradley was waiting for her. He smiled and straightened from where he’d been leaning against the wall. “Ready?” he asked.

“Yup.” She covered her yawn with the back of her hand.

They walked out to his car, and he once again opened her door for her. She could easily get used to that. She slid into the passenger seat and hooked her seat belt. Moments later, they were back on the road.

“So, um… what’re the sleeping arrangements? Is this a one bedroom penthouse?” she asked, her face heating with the question.

Bradley’s answering smirk was sinful. “No, there are multiple bedrooms, but if you want a snuggle buddy…”

Laughing, she playfully smacked his arm, and he laughed, too. “I’ve got enough guy issues. I don’t need another one.”

“So now I’m an issue?” He raised a brow. “And here I thought I was your knight in shining armor.”

If he only knew how true that was, but she refused to tell him so. She didn’t want to lead him on or give him false hope. He was too nice for that, and until she figured things out with Danny, she couldn’t drag anyone else into her life—least of all someone as great as Bradley.

“More like a wanna be hero in tinfoil,” she said coolly.

Bradley flung his head back and laughed. “For the record, I look damn good in tinfoil.”

She didn’t doubt for one second that he looked good in just about anything, including tinfoil. And now she was imagining him parading around in tinfoil. A giggle erupted, and then another, and she was powerless to stop them. Soon, she was clutching her stomach, doubled over in the seat, laughing so hard she had tears in the corners of her eyes.

“Didn’t realize it was that funny,” he said, his voice filled with humor.

“Sorry.” She gasped. “I’m just picturing you draped in tinfoil.” She devolved into another fit of giggles. “Complete with a little tinfoil hat.” She took a breath, wiped the tears from her eyes, and straightened.

The way Bradley looked at her made her breath catch for an entirely different reason, and her heart beat frantically.

“What?” she asked self-consciously.

“Nothing.” He shook his head. “It’s just… when you laugh like that, your entire face lights up. It’s beautiful,” he said, then added in a much quieter tone, “You’re beautiful, Carissa.”

She sat, stunned, at a loss for how to respond to that. She could tell him she didn’t have a reason to laugh like that anymore, not since she’d gotten pregnant, had a miscarriage, and found out her boyfriend was cheating on her—all within a matter of days. But she didn’t say any of that.

Instead, she said, “Thank you.” Sincerity rang out in her tone.

She couldn’t remember the last time Danny had complimented her just for the sake of complimenting her. Lately, he only said nice things when he wanted something in return, usually sex.

Bradley pulled up in front of a towering building that extended high into the dark, night sky. Carissa peered out the windshield, but she couldn’t see the top of the building. A valet opened her car door, and she climbed out. She was no stranger to the fancier, more expensive things life had to offer, but this was impressive even to her.

“Thanks.” Bradley handed his keys to the valet, then offered the guy a tip, though she couldn’t see how much. He came to a stop next to her. “This way.”

Two impeccably dressed doormen held open the gold-trimmed glass doors, and Carissa followed Bradley inside. A pristine lobby complete with a security desk and concierge services was spread out in front of her. The marble floor sparkled as if it had just been polished.

“Good evening, Mr. Moore.” The security guard tipped his head in Bradley’s direction.

“Evening, Mr. Holson.” Bradley smiled at the guard, then guided Carissa toward the bank of elevators. He pressed the up button and stood back to wait.

“If you’re from Texas, and that’s where your family lives, why do you have a penthouse in Arizona?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

“My father has his hands in a lot of different businesses, and he often travels a lot.” The elevator door slid open, and he motioned for her to go first. “He has places like this in several cities where he does a majority of his business.” He hit the button that would take them up to the penthouse.

“What kind of businesses?” She leaned back against the elevator wall. “He’s not into anything illegal, is he? Drugs? Guns? He’s mafia, isn’t he?”

Bradley laughed and shook his head. “My father is the most straightlaced, law abiding man I’ve ever known. He hasn’t so much as had a parking ticket.”

“So, what does he do, then?”

Carissa’s father had made his fortune as a family law attorney for some pretty big name celebrities in the California area. Then he dipped his toe into a little bit of criminal law, getting his high-powered clients out of various legal situations that would tank their careers if they’d been found guilty.

“Mostly acquisitions. He buys struggling businesses, revitalizes them, re-trains the executives for success. I’ve lost count of how many companies my father owns now.” He chuckled.

The elevator dinged, and the doors opened.

“Here we are,” Bradley said.