CHAPTER TWELVE
ANIKA
I never would have thought I’d been going on a road trip with Nathan Wolfe. But after agreeing to work for him and give my painting to Mr. Simmons, it seems that’s what I signed up for. I wake up earlier than usual two days after our meeting to get ready for the journey.
Carson’s not very happy about the whole thing but all I had to do was sic mom on him and she’s gotten him to mind his own business. I know he means well but it’s ridiculous that he’s trying to protect me from working with Nathan.
I don’t need any protection. I can handle him on my own. Or at least I can think I can.
If I’m being honest, half the time, I don’t know what I’m feeling around the 6 foot 2, billionaire with the constant scowls and dark eyes. But I also spend the other half realizing he might not be as bad as I thought. He seems genuine somehow, sturdy. And I really admire the lengths he’s going to, to make sure that the exhibition’s a success.
It’s important to him. I don’t know why but I can tell.
Soon enough it’s 10am and I hear of a car pulling up outside my house. I grab all my stuff, a huge bag filled with essential things, water, a blanket, socks, a change of clothes, charger. Most of them I probably won’t use. But I’m still traumatized from the time I went on a hike and got lost with a group of friends. We were there for two days, I genuinely thought we were going to die.
But it was a lot of fun though. We laugh about it now.
I step outside the house to find Nathan leaning against a pitch black BMW. The man seated in the driver’s seat isn’t someone I recognize. I suggested Nathan and I take turns driving instead of dragging someone else on the trip with us unnecessarily. But he practically bit my head off at the suggestion, shutting it down. Then I remembered the car accident and how he lost his mom and I let the conversation die pretty fast.
Nathan pushes off the car to meet me halfway. He’s dressed pretty casually. Probably his most casual look so far. His hair isn’t slicked back today. Instead it’s in a cascade of brown waves, showing off its natural volume. Strands curl at the end, framing his face in a way that softens the sharp angles of his jawline. It’s so irresistible. He’s wearing a simple black jacket, t-shirt and black pants. He really likes the color black I’ve noticed. Which would be annoying if it didn’t suit him so well.
I’m dressed the complete opposite in a short orange dress with little white polka dots and a soft flowing skirt.
“Hey,” he greets.
I pretend not to notice his eyes trailing over my body for a second. I pretend to be unaffected.
“I thought Josh was going to drive us,” I pout.
I actually really like Nathan’s assistant. He’s like two years younger than me and he reminds me of a golden retriever. If they wore vests and had the style equivalent to a professor in a university. It suits him though. He’s extremely friendly and kind. Josh is the kind of person you can’t not like.
“Josh had to do something last minute. Robert will take us instead,” Nathan states, eyeing my bag, the framed and wrapped painting in my hand and the small box in my hand with a frown, “You do realize we’re only going to be gone a couple of hours, right?”
“I’m always prepared, Mr. Billionaire. Anything can happen.”
“Sounds ominous,” he mutters before reaching for the painting and also grabbing the box in my hand.
I offer him a grateful smile as he turns around with my stuff in his hand, helping me carry them into the car. He even opens the backdoor for me when we get there. I wasn’t aware he knew how to be a gentleman. I climb into the car, shifting to the other side so he can climb in after me.
“Hi, Robert,” I greet the man in front with a smile.
He looks to be in his thirties with brown hair and a calm demeanor.
“Pleasure to meet you, Miss Cameron,” he says back.
“Let’s go,” Nathan grumbles.
I shake my head. He’s such a grump. The car starts and I settle into the chair, getting comfortable. It’s going to be a long three hours.
Thirty minutes in, I’m proven absolutely right. The ride is completely silent. Nathan’s scrolling on the tablet in his hand, Robert’s driving. No one’s saying anything. And I’m tired of going through Instagram updates and seeing the various ways all my friends’ lives have progressed. Meanwhile it seems mine has fallen to a still.
Marriages, Promotions, pregnancy announcements. Everyone’s out there living life. It stings even more because I used to be doing just that. I used to have so much fun when I was younger. If I wasn’t painting, I was out doing living my life. I had a lot of hopes for my future.
And now it’s all gone.
“I’m bored,” I announce, placing my phone facedown beside me.
Nathan shifts, his concentration breaking to look up at me, “Are we supposed to provide you with entertainment?”
“It’s too quiet in this car. How about we play a game?”
“No,” he replies without giving it any thought.
“You’re no fun,” I tell him, then I’m leaning forward, popping my head between the front seats of the car. “How about you, Robert? Ever played road trip games?”
I feel Nathan’s hands wrap around my waist, the touch searing. He pulls me backward gently, placing me against the plush seats of the car.
“He can hear you from here. Don’t distract him,” he chides.
He’s so annoying, I swear.
“Robert? How about we play I spy?” I say, unwilling to let go of my mission.
“He’s busy driving, Anika. Leave him alone,” the fun sponge speaks before Nathan can answer me.
I turn to glare at him, “Well then who am I supposed to talk to?”
“You can talk to me,” he murmurs, his gaze moving back to the tablet. “I can’t guarantee I’ll listen though.”
“That’s not how a conversation works,” I grit out.
He sighs before placing the tablet on the chair beside us.
“Fine. Enlighten me,” he says, turning to face me, dark gaze meeting mine.
“On what?”
“How a conversation works,” he clarifies. “Talk to me.”
I hate being the sole focus of his attention, it throws me off. There’s just something about those dark eyes. It feels like he’s looking into my soul, trying to see my thoughts. It both excites and unnerves me.
“Anika?” he calls when I don’t quickly reply.
I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind, “How old are you?”
He smirks, “Nice conversation starter there, sweetheart.”
“What would prefer? I ask how much you have in your bank account.”
“Enough,” he replies simply.
“Was that an attempt at humility?” I question on a laugh.
“I’m a humble man.”
“You’re delusional,” I retort. “But seriously? How old are you? I can’t find much about you online, except that you’re heir to the Wolfe Group and all that.”
“You looked me up?” he asks with an all too annoying smirk.
“Out of curiosity. Nothing more.”
“Huh-uh. Well then since you’re so curious, I’m 33 years old. My birthday’s in December, on the 13 th . I drink my coffee black, no sugar. I have an eight year old daughter named Kara. I don’t have any pets-”
“Woah, slow down. I didn’t ask for your entire life story.”
“Just providing you with information you’re so clearly desperate for, stalker,” he teases.
My lips part and I feel my cheeks heat, “I’m not desperate for anything and I wasn’t stalking you,” I say defensively.
He chuckles and the action completely transforms his face. Makes him look younger.
“You’re so easy to rile up.”
“And you enjoy it way too much,” I say accusingly.
He shrugs, not denying it, “Maybe I like that cute little blush you get when you’re flustered.”
“I do not blush!”
“Yeah, right,” he grins.
“You’re so frustrating,” I mutter.
“And you’re embarrassed. Really, Cameron, you got a crush on me or something?”
I groan, “Shut up.”
He laughs, “Alright, alright. I’ll stop. Let’s go back to your twenty questions, then.”
I recover at that, blowing out a breath before facing him again.
“Where did you go to college?”
Soon enough, we’re talking, about anything and everything we can. The both of us silently agree to stay away from any questions that are too personal since we’re going for a light and easy conversation here. Nathan actually reciprocates. And it’s not short one word answers either. He actually talks to me, about his hobbies, his interests. It’s fun.
Before I know it we’re two hours into the trip and I’m the farthest thing from bored. It actually feels like I know him now. Really know him and if I’m being honest he’s not that bad.
“Four things you can’t live without?” I ask him.
“That’s hard,” he says thoughtfully before answering, “My daughter, my Amex card, my phone and access to a bath. I can achieve anything as long as I’m not filthy.”
A laugh bubbles out of me, “That has to be the oddest combination of things I’ve ever heard.”
I like it though. It’s real. Honest.
“Your turn, smartass. Four things you can’t live without?”
“Let’s see…. my family,” I start, lifting my palm to count with my fingers. If I’m being honest there are so many things I couldn’t live without but I decide to go with, “Sleep, food and-”
I pause, the realization that I was just about to say art hitting me.
“And what?” Nathan prompts.
“My horse,” I quickly settle on.
“You have a horse?”
I’m not sure if he didn’t notice that almost slip up or if he’s choosing to ignore it. Knowing him it’s the latter. I’m grateful if that’s true.
“Yeah, her name’s Winter. She’s amazing. I go on a ride with her almost every day.”
“Is that what you do at the country club?”
I nod.
“How come I haven’t seen you there since that day?”
He’s talking about the infamous incident in the gym where I brought up his dead mother. I try not to wince as I remember what I said. That was seriously not my finest moment.
“Oh that’s because I switched up the time I go to the club. Instead of mornings, Winter and I go out in the evenings now. I get in extra hours of sleep now too so that’s a plus.”
“That because you were trying to avoid me?”
“Perceptive as always, Mr. Billionaire,” I say on a smirk. “Anyway, speaking about food.”
“We weren’t speaking about food,” he points out.
I wave him off, reaching for the box on the floor of the car. I place it between us and open it with two clicks.
“I made us sandwiches earlier,” I announce with a grin.
His eyes grow lighter when I hand him his own peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Then I stretch my hand towards the front of the car, handing Robert one too. I watch carefully as Nathan takes a small tentative bite. A part of me wants to impress him.
Which is crazy. I don’t care what he thinks.
“You like it?” I say expectantly.
“It’s alright,” he shrugs, giving me absolutely nothing.
My nose wrinkles. Jerk .
“Thank you, Miss Cameron,” Robert says appreciatively from the front.
“You’re welcome,” I tell him with a smile. “Let me know if you want another one. I made a lot.”
“So this is what you spent your morning making?” he asks, taking another bite.
“Yes. I sacrificed two hours of sleep and some jackass hasn’t given me the courtesy of a thank you,” I mutter.
He lips tilt upward in a smile, the devastating kind that makes my heart skip a beat. He finishes his sandwich in two more bites.
“They’re delicious, sweetheart,” he tells me, dark eyes gleaming. “Thank you.”
I feel my heart melt.
“You’re um- welcome,” I say quietly, grabbing a sandwich for myself and looking forward, hoping he doesn’t notice the blush on my cheeks.
Although I’m pretty sure he does.
“Can I have another one?”
“Help yourself, Mr. Billionaire. I made plenty,” I state, gesturing at the box.
“Thanks.”
He’s reaching for the box when the car suddenly swerves sharply to the left, nearly knocking me off the seat. It falls to a stop and I place a hand against my rapidly pounding heart trying to calm myself down.
Phew that was close.
When I look up, Robert has whirled around possibly to check on us, his eyes widened. But I’m not the focus of his attention. Nathan is. He’s currently hunched over, his jaw clenched and his eyes screwed shut. His hands are balled into fists, his entire body tense, like he’s relieving something he doesn’t want to. Something painful.
Sympathy lodges in my throat and I shift closer to him. I briefly hesitate touching him but his pain feels like a visible thread, one that’s interwoven around him. A thread I desperately want to destroy. I wonder when I started to care for him this much. Enough to want to take away all his pain.
I place a tentative hand on his arm, trying to call him back to reality. To get him to return from whatever painful memory he’s trapped in.
“Hey,” I say softly.
There’s no inclination that he hears me, except the further tightening of his jaw.
“We’re safe,” I whisper, trying to call his attention.
My hand goes lower, down to his palm. My fingers glide over his hand and I shiver at the way the heat of his skin pierces into me. Goosebumps erupt over my skin but I ignore it in favor of sliding my palm into his hand.
“Nathan?”
That seems to do it. His eyes open at the sound of his name on my lips, flashing with surprise for a moment. Surprise and a hint of vulnerability he would never show otherwise. For just a second I see what he must really be hiding underneath all his bravado and grumpiness, all the heartache, all the trauma. And then it’s all gone. His expression becomes withdrawn in an instant.
He exhales a soft breath but he doesn’t let go of my hand. He grips it even tighter, almost subconsciously.
“Are you okay?” I ask, my voice thin, nervous.
He looks at me again, dark eyes back to normal.
“I’m fine,” he bites out and then he’s looking towards the drivers’ seat, glaring at Robert. “What was that?”
I feel bad for the poor man. I wouldn’t want to be on the other end of that withering glare.
“I’m sorry, sir. There was a squirrel,” he replies meekly.
“A squirrel?” Nathan grits out.
“I was trying to avoid it. I’m sorry sir.”
I decide to help Robert out since he currently looks scared shitless. I tug on Nathan’s hand which is still in mine, drawing his attention.
“Hey, we’re oaky. It was just a small hiccup. I’m sure he’ll be more careful,” I say softly.
A muscle ticks in his jaw as he looks at me. And then he huffs out a breath.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asks, expression genuinely concerned, for me.
No. I need you to stop making me feel all these weird things that I don’t have a name for. Because I haven’t felt like this in a very long time and frankly it’s a little scary.
Instead of saying all that, I nod.
“Yeah, I’m good. Are you good?”
“I’m fine,” he mutters before looking towards Robert again. “Drive. Carefully.”
“Yes sir.”
Robert turns around, starting the car and soon enough we’re back on route. After a couple seconds, I clear my throat, wiggling my fingers which are still in Nathan’s hand.
“Hey, you plan on letting go soon?” I ask, trying to sound nonchalant and amused when deep down I actually like the feeling of his hand against mine.
A little too much.
Nathan looks down at where our fingers are joined studying them for a second. Then he runs his thumb over the back of my hand eliciting another shiver from me before finally letting me go, almost hesitantly.
I settle down against the car seat, trying not to feel disappointed at the lack of contact.
“How much longer until we get to there?” I question curiously.
“Thirty minutes,” he replies quietly.
We don’t really say much after that. At least not until we’re turning on to a dirt road that leads up to a creepy, dark and secluded estate.
“We’re here,” Nathan announces.
“You didn’t tell me the house was haunted,” I whisper shout as the car falls to a stop.
Nathan smirks, his expression growing lighter.
“Josh said the same thing. The both of you are so dramatic,” he says, rolling his eyes before opening the car door.
He climbs out and holds the door, waiting for me to do so as well. I’m glad to finally be able to stretch my legs after being cooped up in the car for so long. My eyes study my environment, taking note of the house and then my gaze is drawn up to the sky and the fast gathering clouds.
“That doesn’t look good,” I murmur.
Nathan looks up to and I watch a muscle tick in his jaw.
“No, it does not,” he agrees. “Come on. Let’s get this over with as fast as we can.”
I follow him towards the front door of the house, feeling a pit in my stomach for some reason. I don’t know why but I feel a sense of foreboding not in a bad way.
It’s more of a sense that things are about to change. And I might not like that change when it comes.