Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
The door shut behind them and there was Morgan, waiting to escort them back to Harrison’s apartment. During the course of the afternoon, she’d forgotten about the drama waiting for her outside that large suite.
“Come on. Let’s get you two out of here,” the large man in a sports jacket said.
Harrison clasped Winter’s hand, and they strode down the hall. At her request, Morgan drove by her apartment building. Paparazzi were still outside with cameras and cell phones.
So much for the possibility of her going home. She ought to be upset her life was in utter disarray, yet she couldn’t bring herself to be upset she had to stay with Harrison.
* * *
Harrison and Winter returned to his apartment, leaving the bodyguard outside. Harrison was used to the occasional need for security, but Winter was not. When the man insisted on walking Panda again, she’d waited for them with soda and a granola bar from the kitchen. She was good to people she didn’t know, especially those who went out of their way for her, job or not, reminding Harrison of the women in his family.
Although he had precooked meals in his freezer, courtesy of a private chef who delivered healthy food for people who could afford her crazy prices, he was in the mood for take-out. “Pizza or Chinese?” he asked Winter. “Or if you’re nauseous I can make you tea, toast, and jelly.”
Her lips quirked up. “Look at you, taking care of your baby mama.”
She did that often, he realized, referring back to something about her pregnancy or the baby instead of letting herself think he was being kind to her, in order to put emotional distance between them.
“I’ll have pizza,” she said. “Mushroom, onion, and meatball.”
“Nice combo.” He wasn’t so sure.
She patted her flat stomach. “I’m eating for two. Now, I’m going to change. I want to get more comfortable. I hope Nikki brought me something to sleep in.”
“You can grab a tee from my dresser.” He thought of Winter in his shirt, her full breasts rubbing against the soft cotton, her nipples poking at the fabric, and he stifled a groan.
She treated him to a small smile. “Thanks. I’ll be back.”
As she strode toward the primary bedroom, he thought back to his private talk with the senator. Winter had excused herself to use the bathroom, leaving the men alone and her father had jumped on the opportunity to act like the parent he had no right to be. At least not yet.
“Are you two a couple?” he’d asked.
Harrison had stiffened. “That’s none of your business,” he muttered because he’d have had to say no. And the truth was, he was starting to think he wanted them to be together.
The other man dipped his head, silently acknowledging Harrison’s words. For a one-time senator, he cowed easily, Harrison thought with a frown.
“I understand,” her father said. “Then consider this a word of advice from a man who knew and loved her mother.”
Harrison bit his cheek to keep his sarcastic comment inside and waited for the older man to continue.
“If you want to be with Winter, you need to know where she came from.” The conversation had happened after her father had told her about her mother being the love of his life. “Juliana was the most independent woman I’d ever met. While my wife needed to mold and guide me, Juliana liked to be her own person, not an extension of a man or a politician.”
He paused, letting his words settle, and Harrison listened and digested every word.
“And that was the Juliana I knew before she’d had to raise a child alone. I can’t imagine how those harder years reinforced her independent beliefs. Or what she taught her daughter.”
Harrison had already seen Winter’s walls in action when she’d informed him she was pregnant and ready to handle things alone. And each time she reminded them both of the baby—the reason he’d come back to her to begin with.
The creaking of the bathroom door opening had sounded in the outer room and the senator leaned forward, speaking in a low voice. “All I’m saying is if you want my daughter—and make no mistake, one day she will acknowledge that she is my child—don’t give up on her like I did to her mother. And ultimately Winter.”
Harrison inclined his head, letting the man know he understood. Corbin Bettencourt hadn’t told him anything he hadn’t already inferred about Winter but now he had a better understanding of why she was that way.
A while later, they’d eaten dinner, cleaned up, and watched television. Then they’d gone to the bedroom and taken turns in the bathroom. He’d let her go first and once she stepped out, he swallowed a groan.
She was still wearing the soft, white T-shirt she’d taken from him. When she’d walked out of the bedroom earlier, ready for dinner, she’d showered. Her damp hair brushed her shoulders, and her face was shiny from what he assumed was moisturizer. She’d sat down beside him, smelling warm and delicious. Her sister had obviously stocked her up with supplies. Even if Winter was just here for the night, Nikki had taken care of her.