Page 17 of Receiving His Mercy
Her eyes flared as she gaped at him. “Are you serious right now? Have you been drinking?” Her hands went to her hips.
Oh, so she was going to throw some sass? That was cute.
Wait. Did he really just think that? He never found anything cute. Not rainbows or puppies or babies.
Certainly not Caren Stanford.
She was rude and snooty. Self-absorbed.
Or maybe she’d been a kid who needed some understanding and you were a dick.
Maybe. But if that was the case then he owed her.
And Travis always repaid his debts. Which meant that she now had someone who was going to watch out for her since she obviously couldn’t do it herself.
“I don’t drink. I like to be in control at all times.”
She visibly swallowed. Hmm, interesting reaction. Did she like the idea of him taking control?
Well, that would make things easier on her, then. And here he thought he was in for a fight.
The maître d’ returned with the bill and Travis frowned as she handed over a credit card to pay for it.
He didn’t care about all that stuff about women paying or going Dutch. It was all mumbo-jumbo in Travis’ world. The man should always pay.
“Thanks for meeting with me, River,” she said after getting her credit card back. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Don’t hold your breath, River,” he said.
“Travis!” she chided. “Be quiet.”
He narrowed his eyes at her, watching as she gave him a nervous look back.
Be quiet?
When was the last time someone had told him to be quiet? Actually, he couldn’t remember anyone ever telling him to be quiet.
“Be quiet?” he said in a low voice.
“Yes, please,” she added in a nervous-sounding voice. “Please, just be quiet for a moment. River, thanks for meeting with me and I will be in touch despite what Travis thinks.”
River eyed him with wariness. “Sure you’re okay, Caren?”
“I’m sure. Travis might not think before he speaks, but he’s harmless.”
Travis snorted. Tonight was filled with firsts for him, it seemed. First time someone told him to be quiet. First time anyone ever thought he was harmless.
Caren could think that if she liked, but River needed to know better. So Travis gave him a death-filled look. The other man swallowed heavily.
Good.
“All right. See you later.” He raced off and Travis stared after him in satisfaction.
That satisfaction faded as his arm was tugged at and he turned to stare down at an irate-looking Caren.
“What the hell was that?” she demanded. “Explain yourself. Now.”
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