Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87513 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
But first, she needed to address that kiss.
As with her mother, Michaela wasn’t ready to talk about it. Later, but not now. Not when her lips still tingled just thinking about that kiss. Not when her emotions felt all jumbled up.
She went into denial mode. “No, no, it’s just someone I’m helping out.” Which was true. She was helping Troy test the hiking boots.
Gloria eyed her with an all-seeing gaze. “I’ve never seen you blush like that before.” Michaela couldn’t help slumping in her chair when Gloria added, “So what’s this kiss you mentioned?”
She had no choice but to come clean, at least as far as she could.
“I swear, I’m not dating him.” Then the words slipped off her tongue. “But, oh my God, that kiss.”
Gloria smiled—she had a beautiful smile. And she was so put together, her blond hair perfectly blown out, her cheekbones high, her lips lined with a plum color that suited her complexion perfectly.
“It definitely sounds like a forever kind of kiss,” she said, her blue eyes twinkling.
A forever kind of kiss? No way. The man just knew how to kiss. He’d probably kissed a hundred women the same way. It didn’t mean a thing. “It wasn’t a big deal. He’s not my type.”
Gloria knew her well enough to say, “So he’s a billionaire.”
Michaela eye-rolled her friend.
Which prompted Gloria to add, “I know you’ve got your rule, but aren’t rules meant to be broken sometimes?”
“Not this one,” Michaela said adamantly.
And not with this man. He was dangerous. No one made her forget about her business, let alone a client sitting right there in her office.
Not until Troy.
She turned back to the business at hand. “But let’s talk about art.” Gloria had already told Michaela what she and Ivan were looking for. “I know exactly whose artwork you’ll love. She’s a relatively new discovery, and she’s got plenty of works for sale. Her name is Rosie Diaz Jones. She did the paintings in Dane Harrington’s resorts. He had them made into limited-edition prints that he’s distributed throughout his resort suites. You can look at her work online.”
Thankfully, Gloria let her sidestep further talk about that kiss. “I’d love to chat with her, and Ivan and I can look at her work tonight.” She stood then. “But I have to go now.” Gloria blushed. “Ivan has booked a couple’s massage.”
Michaela winked. “That sounds like fun.” And sexy. Which, dammit, made her think of Troy again. Then she added, “I’ll talk to Rosie and see about setting up a time for you to chat.”
Gloria waggled her fingers good-bye as she exited the office.
That left Michaela alone with her thoughts, Gloria’s words echoing in her mind.
Forever kiss, forever kiss, forever kiss.
Per her instructions, Troy picked up Michaela at her office the next morning. She was waiting on the street outside, not wanting to give him a chance to do anything like that kiss. In the car, while he was driving, she’d be safe.
He got out the moment he saw her, popping open the back of his SUV to set her backpack inside. The man actually had two vehicles, one for day-to-day driving, the other obviously for more sporty activities. But wait, of course he did—he was a billionaire.
Though she couldn’t tell if he’d make a move toward her, Michaela kept her distance. But God, he looked good in hiking shorts, hiking boots, and a moisture-wicking shirt made of sun-protective fabric.
Good Lord, she’d be hiking with an Olympian. How was she supposed to keep up? Ah, but she could use the new hiking boots as an excuse if she had to.
He pointed to the array of boots lined up in the back of the SUV. “I brought different types, different sizes, and different kinds of socks for you to try.”
She appraised her own hiking boots. Though she’d agreed to try out his, she didn’t want to be stuck on the trail in something that chafed. You could tell almost right away whether a boot would work for you or not.
She made a joke of it. “Are we coming back to the car every fifteen minutes so I can try a different pair?”
His smile threatened to melt her. “I wouldn’t do that to you. You should wear whichever one feels best.” He closed the back, but instead of going to the driver’s side, he followed to open the passenger door for her.
“Thank you.” The man was too polite.
Once inside the car, he smoothly headed them toward Highway 9, which would take them up into the mountains.
“Where to?” he asked, his hands lazily turning the wheel as if it barely took a push.
“I thought we could do something in Castle Rock State Park. It’s along Skyline.”
“Sounds great. Which trail would you like to try?” He shot her a glance.
Skyline Boulevard ran along the crest of the Santa Cruz Mountains, and Castle Rock Park took up a lot of the surrounding area. “Let’s do the Saratoga Gap and Ridge Trail Loop. I haven’t done that one yet.”