Total pages in book: 38
Estimated words: 35174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35174 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 176(@200wpm)___ 141(@250wpm)___ 117(@300wpm)
“Ren!”
He picked her up and spun her around, pulling a squeal from her. “Stop it,” she only partially admonished. “I’m working here.”
Rolling his eyes, he placed her down and pressed a kiss to her cheek before taking the satchel from her hand. “Not right now you’re not. I’m kidnapping you for the day.”
She didn’t hesitate, just slid her arm through his and rested her cheek against his upper arm. He was her brother, as much as Violet and Iris were her sisters. They’d grown up in the same foster home and this man, who looked almost identical to the star of the movie Ninja Assassin, was her brother in every way that mattered. He’d been away for the past year and had let her know he was swinging through for the day.
“Consider me your willing kidnappee.”
“I have tennis shoes for you in the car.”
They exited the casino and he walked her up to a waiting town car, the pearly gray shimmering in the cold sun. The driver opened the door and Ren gestured her in first before following. As the car had been running, she moaned in pleasure as the heat cut the chill that had swarmed her the moment she’d exited the casino.
The first thing she did was rid herself of the heels she’d been wearing and slip on the tennis shoes. Then she angled herself toward Ren. “Catch me up on everything, Ren. Have you told anyone else you’re back?” She licked her lips and opened her mouth again only to have him place his hand there.
“One at a time, little sis.”
The driver navigated through the streets until he stopped, and she looked around and recognized Jackson Square.
“Come on,” he said, opening the door. “Leave your briefcase. He’ll keep an eye on it. I’ll call you when we’re ready to head back, Thom.”
“Yes, sir.”
She hopped out beside him and smiled as he draped one of his large hoodies around her shoulders before zipping it up, warding off the chill.
Ren filled her in as they walked slowly through Jackson Square and made their way to the famous green-and-white awning that was world-known to represent Café du Monde.
Waiting their turn, they each ordered some beignets and chicory coffee. Together they found a table and sat. The atmosphere here, electric. Her nose was overwhelmed by the scent of the treats and her stomach rumbled in anticipation. She popped her first bite in her mouth and moaned.
Most likely very loudly and almost in a way that should have been kept behind a bedroom door. Daisy didn’t care.
Ren grinned and ate his own. After she’d demolished two, she licked the excessive powdered sugar off her fingers and wiped them dry. Only then did she curve her fingers around her coffee, grateful for the warmth as the cold wind whipped through the outdoor seating area.
They stayed out until the chill had pushed by his additional clothing and into her bones.
* * * *
Back at the casino, Ren climbed out when the car stopped and pulled her close, Daisy still wearing his oversized hoodie.
“Merry Christmas, little sister.” He wrapped his arms around her and placed a kiss on the top of her head. “I’ll miss you.”
“I already miss you, Ren. Give my best to everyone when you see them.” She wasn’t going to be heading home this year.
“Won’t be the same without you three.”
“Iris is heading to check that new property and Violet is swamped with work.”
Ren grunted and she quietly agreed. There was something going on with Violet that her sister was keeping from them all.
“Love you,” he said, looking in her eyes.
It was impossible not to smile back at him. “Right back atcha, big bro.” She pushed up on her toes, her heels safe in one of the bags of souvenirs she’d purchased and the tennis shoes still on her feet.
Ren handed her all of her bags and she smiled at him and Thom. “Oh,” she said, holding the bags back out toward him. “Your hoodie.”
His dark gaze flicked around and he shook his head before tugging her close once more to brush a kiss along the corner of her mouth. “You keep it. I’ll get it from you later.”
“Okay. Bye. Travel safe.”
“Merry Christmas, Sprite. Love you.” He ducked into the back of the idling town car and she waved even though she couldn’t see him through the tinted glass. Once the car moved away, she turned, only to freeze.
Livingston Rhodes stood in the doorway to his casino, those slate eyes hard and unforgiving as he glared at her.
He took two steps and was right in front of her. “Perhaps your time would be better served doing what it was I’m paying you to do, per our contract, instead of gallivanting around town with a boy toy.”
Is he jealous? Couldn’t be, because that didn’t make any sense to her.