Page 98 of Burning for You

“You’re welcome,” I say.

“You’re unbelievable. Have I told you that?”

“This may be the second time you did.” A sense of honor rises within me. “How did that feel?”

“I never thought I would ever ride again. It was… well, I’m going to repeat the word ‘unbelievable,’ because that’s exactly how I feel.”

I tighten my grip on her waist. “Come on, let’s finish the last few yards.”

We ride the long drive from the gate to the garage door. I help her shed her riding suit soon after she parks the bike.

“Do I look okay?” Carolyn asks, combing her hair with fingers.

“You look splendid.” I take off my leather jacket and leave it on the bike seat. She tidies up my hair. “Does my hair look okay?” I ask.

She bites her lip. “It’s too sexy. A crime against humanity.”

For that comment, on any other night, I would fuck her right here.

Hand-in-hand, we make our way into the mansion that reminds me so much of the White House.

Carolyn rubs my back. “Relax. I won’t let my dad eat you alive.”

I purse my lips.

“Hey,” she says. “He likes you, trust me.”

A woman ambles toward us. My vision of Leah Meyer was partly right—she’s elegant, just like Carolyn, but there’s warmth and easiness which somehow reminds me of Bear. Physicality and beauty aside, I’m adamant that Carolyn takes after her father.

With a wide grin, Leah hugs her daughter, saying, “My tough cookie! Aren’t you glowing!”

“It’s who you’re with, right?” Carolyn says, grabbing my hand.

“I can see that,” Mrs. Meyer says, needling us with her eyes. “Hi, I’m Leah.”

“Levi,” I say, shaking her hand.

Then a familiar sensation arrives—the sensation of being in the company of a potential father-in-law called Albert Meyer. Something whirs inside my chest once again, just like how I was when I met the man at Sass.

“Nice to see you again, Mr. Holt,” Albert Meyer says, shaking my hand.

“Same here, Mr. Meyer,” I say. “Thanks for inviting us in.”

He clears his throat and looks at me, seemingly thinking about what he should say next.

“Dad.” Carolyn hugs him.

He kisses her forehead. “Good to see you, Ro. We should do this more often.” That draws a grin out of her.

Leah invites us to go further into the mansion, and I think she whispers to her husband: “Go easy on him.”

“Please.” He lets me and Carolyn go ahead and walk a long corridor toward the dining room.

As we sit at the twelve-seater table, I nudge my chair closer to Carolyn, then reach for her hand under the tablecloth. Even under the shadow she would’ve seen the whites of my knuckles.

“Is Samuel with you?” Albert asks Carolyn as we’re waiting for Leah, who’s disappeared with one of the servants.

“No,” Carolyn responds.

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