Page 15 of A Mate for Christmas

It’s only then that I realize I’ve been crying. Slowly, my tears dry but I don’t pull away from my boss’s grasp. My ligress purrs happily to be in his arms but I know it won’t last. He is only trying to make me feel better before he leaves.

“Pack a bag,” Carter says as he holds me at arm’s length.

“What?” I ask confused.

“Get something together for a couple of days. I can’t let you stay here until I know that asshole has been taken care of.”

“Car—” I start but catch myself. “Mr. Lawson. I am thankful for your assistance, but I can take care of myself.”

Taking my chin in his hand he stares at me, making sure he has my full attention. “It wasn’t a request, River. Pack. Your. Shit.”

I feel the need to fall to my knees before him and offer myself to him. His dominance. His pure male Alphaness is enough to have my knees shaking. He only releases my face after I nod in acceptance.

“Good girl.”

A shiver works its way up my spine. Who knew those two little words would have me feeling giddy? Why do they feel so familiar? A moment later Carter has his phone out of his pocket and is making calls and barking orders at people as I try to clear the cobwebs from my mind. The man is like a potent drug working his way through my system. I need to get away from him before I embarrass myself.

It only takes me five minutes to gather everything I will need to get me through Christmas at a hotel. I don’t have any family and the few friends I have are more like acquaintances. We get along just fine but there isn’t anyone I could call to stay with.

Walking out of my room I take in my apartment and the damage Kevin has wrought. My Christmas tree is tipped on its side, and ornaments are strewn all over the place. The frames Ihad against the wall are smashed on the floor, glass covering the hardwood I had installed last year. More tears sting my eyes as I take it all in, but crying isn’t going to solve a damn thing.

“I have someone coming in to clean everything up.” I jump when Carter speaks but I don’t turn to face him. “I’m also getting someone to replace your door and install a better lock and a new security system.”

“That’s not—” I start to argue but he grips my shoulders and turns me to face him.

“It is necessary, River. If I had been even two minutes later, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” he says and frowns.

“Why are you here?” I ask curiously.

“I forgot to tell you about a meeting we were supposed to have early this morning. I wanted to pick you up on the way.”

“Shit.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he says while leading me to the door. “I already moved the meeting to the new year and Trask was more than happy to oblige. Blake Industries will be closed from tomorrow into the new year so you can stop worrying.”

I didn’t even realize we had reached the bottom of the stairs while he had been talking. Carter opens the door to his sleek black car and helps me get inside while dropping my bag on the back seat. He stalks around the front before sliding in beside me and pulling away from the curb. His presence fills the entire vehicle and I start to get a little dizzy from his scent.

“You can just drop me at a hotel,” I say while staring out the window at the buildings passing us by.

“You’re not going to a hotel, River.”

“What do you mean I’m not going to a hotel?” I glare at him, and he smirks. I want to smack him but hold back because he’s driving.

“I have a house on Moloka’i. You can rest there.”

“I’m not going to an island with you!” I yell in the confined space of his car. “Yesterday you couldn’t stand to look at me and now you want me to go to a remote island with you.”

“River…” He sighs as he turns into the marina. “I can’t leave you here in town, with that fucker on the loose. I have someone looking for him, but it could take a couple of days.”

“That still doesn’t mean—” but he cuts me off.

“It’s secluded. You can have the freedom to shift whenever you want. Heal without having to worry about someone catching you.”

Fuck. That sounds good. Shifting whenever I feel like it, not being concerned about someone seeing me. But I can’t go with him. The man is my boss, for God’s sake.

“Mr. Lawson.” I sigh loudly.

“Carter.”

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