Kellin’s gravelly laugh travels all the way down to my toes. “If this were a date, I wouldn’t have waited around.” He gives me a blindingly perfect grin. “But this isn’t a date. It’s a…” He trails off, one brow cocked expectantly.
“Business meeting.” I chuckle a little, my shoulders relaxing. “Right.”
“And if this were a date, I’d walk you home. But since this is a business meeting,” his head tilts to the side like an innocent puppy, “why don’t you walk me home instead?”
An illicit little thrill zips down my spine.
Walking Kellin to his door is an undeniably terrible idea.
I should say good night immediately and retire to my own room.
Instead, a few minutes later, Kellin and I wait side by side in front of the elevator bank.
The professional part of me screams to leave him here.
Don’t go upstairs with him. Have you lost your mind?
Kellin’s a grown man. He doesn’t require an escort to his suite.
He asked me because…well, I’m not quite sure why. What I do know is that this day seemed determined to test me.
A temperamental chef yelled at me, and my dad pushed me around. Twice.A guest embarrassed me and tried to attack me in front of an audience. And, as the cherry on top of my crappy sundae, my annoying little brother interrupted an important business meeting with another one of my father’s absurd requests.
And now I’m here, with the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’m drawn to him, a fluttering, idiotic moth to his magnetic flame.
I should say goodbye now. I’ve had too much to drink and far too much excitement for one night.
But it’s just up two floors.
Ugh,whydid I drink all that wine? Because when I’m around him, my stomach writhes with nerves? Or because he brings even the long-dormant parts of me to life?
The elevator dings, doors sliding open to reveal a vacant car.
Once we’re inside, I realize my mistake.
We’re utterly alone.
I stare resolutely at my own reflection in the mirrored wall, ignoring Kellin at the edge of my vision. The scent of him—clean, earthy, a little musky-sweet—washes over me. Hiswarmth is a personal furnace. I think I may just die of heat stroke.
As we travel up, Kellin clears his throat. “I know how difficult family can be.”
I glance at him, but he doesn’t return the gesture. “Oh?”
“I come from a pretty chaotic household myself.” Authenticity underscores his words.
I get the impression he isn’t just placating me. “Yeah? Do you have two brothers and a tyrannical father too?”
A throaty laugh slips out. “Not exactly. One brother and one sister, both younger.” He sobers, his voice softening. “My dad died about ten years ago.”
My heart sinks. I peer straight ahead, trying to control my expression so he won’t see exactly how much I can relate.
I suck in a breath. “I’m so sorry. Parents, good or bad, leave a void when they go. I understand that all too well.”
He exhales. “You’re right about that.”
I peek at his reflection.
After a bit, he meets my gaze. “But that’s why we work so hard, isn’t it? To fill up that empty space.”
