He pulls in front of a building on the opposite side of Main Street in downtown Pelican Bay. It’s a block I haven’t visited yet because it is not down the main strip and most people don’t have a reason to go unless they’re looking for the hot guy who works at the hardware. I’ve heard a lot about him from the ladies.
Nate shuts the car off and pats my leg. “I have a lot of money.”
“You do?”
“I was a single guy in the military on high-risk missions who had no life or girlfriend for years. Without housing, food, or any expenses, I’ve managed to save most of my money and I also made some good investments.” He smiles at the last bit and I want to ask more, but there’s no time when he opens the door and steps out of the car.
“Where are we going?” I ask, following him.
Let’s be honest, this man could lead me into a burning house and I’d follow along with a smile.
“I have to stop by the office right quick. Ridge said one of his outside contractors is stopping by this morning with information.”
We walk up to a building. The glass front door has Pelican Bay Security etched on it but nothing else.
The inside of the building is boring — a place like you’d expect a bunch of men to work. There’s lots of grey and not a single potted plant to be found.
There’s a reception desk with a woman sitting behind it filing a long red fingernail. She looks up as we walk in and smiles in my direction.
“You’re Nate’s woman?”
Nate nods. “Be nice.”
The receptionist rolls her eyes and points to the hallway behind her. “They’re waiting for you.”
Nate’s eyes flicker between her and me, and then he grabs ahold of my hand, wrapping our fingers together as he shuffles me down the hallway with him.
It’s not until we’re passed it when I realized the front desk was empty. Not a phone or computer in sight. Just a lone woman with her nail file.
“Nate,” Ridge says, stepping out in the hallway from the room. He closes the door behind him when he sees me. “Lukis is in here with the intel, but he brought someone with him and she’s in the conference room. I’m sure she could use a friend to chat with, if you know what I mean?”
Ridge tilts his head in my direction indicating I should be said friend.
“Are you okay with that?” Nate asks.
“Sure.”
Nate deposits me in a large open room full of windows and the biggest table I have never seen in real life. It would fit twenty people although I only count sixteen chairs.
“Hey, they sent you to babysit me,” the redhead at the head of the table says, typing away on her cell phone.
I look around. “Or you’re supposed to babysit me. I’m not sure which. Ihavegotten in trouble lately.”
She laughs. “It’s not life until you have a little trouble. Right?”
“I don’t know.” There’s been a lot of trouble since I moved to Pelican Bay.
“I saw the guy who dropped you off, and it’s best to keep these men on their toes. Trust me. I have one of my own.”
“Where are you from?” I don’t know everyone in Pelican Bay, but I feel like her fiery red hair would set her apart from others.
She stares in the corner of the ceiling as if my question is hard. “Most recently, riding around with Lukis. Causing mischief and getting on his nerves. I’m Hannah.”
I take her hand when she reaches across the table to shake mine. “Josie.”
“So, this office building is hot guy central and they all walk around with permanent scowls on their faces kind of like my Lukis. Are all the men who work for Ridge like this?”
I picture Nate’s beautiful smile and the fact he rarely ever scowls. “I think it’s only some of them.”
