Page 46 of Obligation
“More like a wanna be hero in tinfoil,” she said coolly.
Bradley flung his head back and laughed. “For the record, I look damn good in tinfoil.”
She didn’t doubt for one second that he looked good in just about anything, including tinfoil. And now she was imagining him parading around in tinfoil. A giggle erupted, and then another, and she was powerless to stop them. Soon, she was clutching her stomach, doubled over in the seat, laughing so hard she had tears in the corners of her eyes.
“Didn’t realize it was that funny,” he said, his voice filled with humor.
“Sorry.” She gasped. “I’m just picturing you draped in tinfoil.” She devolved into anther fit of giggles. “Complete with a little tinfoil hat.” She took a took breath, wiped the tears from her eyes, and straightened.
The way Bradley looked at her made her breath catch for an entirely different reason, and her heart beat frantically.
“What?” she asked self-consciously.
“Nothing.” He shook his head. “It’s just… when you laugh like that, your entire face lights up. It’s beautiful,” he said, then added in a much quieter tone, “You’re beautiful, Carissa.”
She sat, stunned, at a loss for how to respond to that. She could tell him she didn’t have a reason to laugh like that anymore, not since she’d gotten pregnant, had a miscarriage, and found out her boyfriend was cheating on her—all within a matter of days. But she didn’t say any of that.
Instead, she said, “Thank you.” Sincerity rang out in her tone.
She couldn’t remember the last time Danny had complimented her just for the sake of complimenting her. Lately, he only said nice things when he wanted something in return, usually sex.
Bradley pulled up in front of a towering building that extended high into the dark, night sky. Carissa peered out the windshield, but she couldn’t see the top of the building. A valet opened her car door, and she climbed out. She was no stranger to the fancier, more expensive things life had to offer, but this was impressive even to her.
“Thanks.” Bradley handed his keys to the valet, then offered the guy a tip, though she couldn’t see how much. He came to a stop next to her. “This way.”
Two impeccably dressed doormen held open the gold trimmed glass doors, and Carissa followed Bradley inside. A pristine lobby complete with a security desk and concierge services was spread out in front of her. The marble floor sparkled as if it had just been polished.
“Good evening, Mr. Moore.” The security guard tipped his head in Bradley’s direction.
“Evening, Mr. Holson.” Bradley smiled at the guard, then guided Carissa toward the bank of elevators. He pressed the up button and stood back to wait.
“If you’re from Texas, and that’s where your family lives, why do you have a penthouse in Arizona?” she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.
“My father has his hands in a lot of different businesses, and he often travels a lot.” The elevator door slid open, and he motioned for her to go first. “He has places like this in several cities where he does a majority of his business.” He hit the button that would take them up to the penthouse.
“What kind of businesses?” She leaned back against the elevator wall. “He’s not into anything illegal, is he? Drugs? Guns? He’s mafia, isn’t he?”
Bradley laughed and shook his head. “My father is the most straightlaced, law abiding man I’ve ever known. He hasn’t so much as had a parking ticket.”
“So, what does he do, then?”
Carissa’s father had made his fortune as a family law attorney for some pretty big name celebrities in the California area. Then he dipped his toe into a little bit of criminal law, getting his high-powered clients out of various legal situations that would tank their careers if they’d been found guilty.
“Mostly acquisitions. He buys struggling businesses, revitalizes them, re-trains the executives for success. I’ve lost count of how many companies my father owns now.” He chuckled.
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened.
“Here we are,” Bradley said.
Chapter Eighteen
Bradley rested his hand on Carissa’s back and gently nudged her out of the elevator and into the penthouse foyer. He’d known coming here wouldn’t be easy, but he didn’t expect the ambush of bad memories to hit him so hard. But the second he stepped over the threshold, he was bombarded with the haunting sounds of his ex-girlfriend’s cries, of her shrill screams and nasty words—all hurled at him because he refused to propose on her terms.
He momentarily closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. That night was a long time ago, and he’d moved on since then. The things she’d said about him weren’t true—he knew that—and he’d worked hard to prove to himself every single day that he wasn’t the cold, uncaring, selfish man she accused him of being.
“Wow.” Carissa left his side and wandered farther into the penthouse. “This place is amazing.” She took her time strolling through the living room, her gaze perusing every inch.
He smiled watching her, remembering the first time he’d seen this place, too. His reaction had been much the same, but now this place was like a second home. Or rather, it had been. Now it was simply a place he avoided—until tonight.
