Chapter Eight
Natalie
Iwalked him througheverything at top speed. To his credit, he was listening and asking the right questions. The second I was done, his entire demeanor changed. He rolled his shoulders and seemed even taller. He was slipping into business mode.
"I've got a pilot on hold. How fast can we leave?"
"I'm ready."
"I'm going upstairs to get your suitcase."
I opened my mouth and closed it again. I wasn't going to say no to that.
"Thank you. I'm coming with you anyway. I need to get my purse."
I felt him next to me as we walked to the house. He radiated masculinity and strength, his body language different than before. He took out his phone as we walked up to the second floor.
"Colton, finally. I've been trying to get a hold of you the whole morning."
My God, that voice. That was the way he spoke to his brother? Like he was just commanding him about. I could only imagine him in a boardroom. I didn't think anyone ever dared contradict him.
"You're positive about that?" His tone was clipped. "I'm coming to Boston anyway. Yes, today. I want to check on Grandfather myself. It's time he and I had a chat. Thank you."
He pocketed his phone.
"You're not on friendly terms with your brother?”
"Yes, I am." He actually looked confused by my question.
"Oh, wow, my bad," I said. "That was friendly?”
“That was me when I’m pissed at my brother."
The minute we stepped inside the bedroom, I took my purse, and he grabbed the suitcase. My, my, his shoulders flexed deliciously when he lifted it.
"Actually, you know what? I hate to do this, but I do need to take something out of the bag. This shirt is not really very comfortable. It was just the thickest one I had."
He set it back down, his jaw ticking. "Sure. I'll wait outside your room."
"There's no need. I'll go into the bathroom and change. I'll be quick." I hurried to the bathroom and got rid of my shirt swiftly. For some reason, I was nervous. Why, because I was changing while he was in the next room? That was insane.
I put on a white cotton shirt. I called it business casual, although it was more casual. Who cared? It was only a flight, and I was done trying to impress Jake. It clearly hadn't worked. Besides, he had bigger things to worry about now.
When I stepped back into the bedroom, he was sitting on the bed. He looked down my body and then back up. I was rooted to my spot, heat coiling throughout me.Holy shit!He stood up from the bed abruptly, clearing his throat as I put the shirt in my suitcase.
"Ready to go?" His voice was composed, his tone businesslike.
Oh, so that was a slip before. Had he fought checking me out as much as I fought the same? Now that was a thought. The heat level in my body rose another few degrees.
Don't blush, Natalie. Don't blush.
Perhaps this was just a knee-jerk reaction to having a woman in front of him. I tried not to focus too much on the bulging muscle in his right arm as he took my suitcase again and we went down the stairs. There was already a car in front of the house. He picked up his own suitcase from the doorway. I hadn't even noticed it on the way in.
"Aren't you locking up the house?" I asked.
"No. Mrs. Winters, my housekeeper, is going to come and take care of everything."
He opened the car door for me to get in. I accidentally brushed my arm against his chest as I lowered myself onto the seat, and the reaction my body had was simply insane. I felt goose bumps forming everywhere. And I really meaneverywhere. Not just my arms and legs but my tummy and even lower. I didn't even know you could get goose bumps there. My breath caught. I felt Jake exhale sharply, his hot breath landing on my temple. On instinct, I looked up at him. His eyes were glued to my lips. On a shaky breath, I lowered myself into my seat, and he closed the door. I swallowed hard, fiddling with my thumbs in my lap.