His lips twisted into a smile as his gaze softly caressed my face, and then his smile fell. Something changed in those seconds quicker than flipping a light switch. He dropped his hold on me and slid his hands into his pockets. “Let me get cleaned up and we can go see my stepdad. The quicker we get this done, the quicker I can have my driver take you home.”
Harlon walked into the bathroom, leaving me in the big empty space. I glanced around the room once more, seeing it in a different light. It was still beautiful, but it seemed lonely. For a brief second, I felt sorry for the man. I felt sorry for myself, too, knowing my room would reflect the same thing. My place might be smaller, but it was similar in quietness.
I walked back into my room, dug out my sketchbook, and stared at the drawing of the landscape full of wishes and dreams.
I’d only sketched three-quarters of the paper when I looked up to find Harlon in the doorway staring at me. Only it wasn’t the Harlon who’d saved me, nor was it the Harlon who’d kidnapped me. This was the Harlon who occupied this apartment.
This was clean-shaven Harlon, wearing a suit minus the coat. “Wow. Lumberjack to Wall Street in less than twenty minutes. That’s impressive.”
I climbed off the bed, ditched my book, and glanced in the mirror. “I look like a drowned rat, and I’m severely underdressed. You didn’t even pack my makeup.”
He crossed the room and held out his hand. “You’re beautiful, Nina.”
“Says the man who needs my help.” I chuckled. “You don’t need to butter me up. I’m here, and I’m going to help you.
His eyes slowly slid down my body, making the heat creep up into my cheeks. “You help those who can’t help themselves.” His eyes softened. “That makes you abeautifultrain wreck.”
Get it done and get gone, I whispered in my head as I grabbed my sketching materials. If I was going to be knocked out, it was possible I’d wake up ready to draw something, much like when I woke from sleeping to sketch the kid’s hiding spot in the woods.
One thing was for sure though; I might have belonged in lumberjack’s world, but no way did I belong in Wall Street’s. “Let’s go see your stepdad.”
I followed him into the elevator and down to the garage. This time when we stepped out, there was no SUV waiting on us. Only a Town Car and a driver.
“Dean, this is Nina Bennett. She’ll be staying with me for a few days,” Harlon said.
“Three,” I corrected. My sister had only given me three days to help before Mercy tells Gwen and then the rest of them show up here to take me back home. They knew I was a sucker for helping people in distress and I had a feeling New York was riddled with them. I leaned in to whisper to Harlon, “You have a driver?”
“Parking is a bitch in the city,” he said as if I should have known.
“Welcome, Ms. Bennett. I’m at your service.”
“A polite driver,” I said, sliding onto the leather seat in the spacious back seat behind the tinted windows. I’d sorely underestimated the lumberjack. I was no longer in my element. Lumberjack calmed my nerves. Wall Street and his toys did the opposite.
The door shut after Harlon followed me into the backseat. “I shouldn’t have sprung all of this on you.”
“You shouldn’t have,” I agreed.
“Technically, had you been paying attention, you should have figured it out. I brought you here on my private jet.”
“Your jet?” I asked.
“I have a bigger one, and a helicopter, should you decide to lose your fear of flying.”
“Not likely, but you go right ahead and ride in your death traps. I’ll keep my feet firmly on the ground.” The sooner I got this over with, the sooner I could arrange transportation home.
I turned away and watched out the window until I couldn’t hold my tongue anymore. “So, what was all that with the lumberjack and the log cabin? Why the ruse?”
“No ruse,” he said with a shrug. “I love the outdoors, and when the psychic told me where to find you, I settled in, not exactly sure what day you’d show up.”
“Right, the psychic,” I said, turning my gaze back to the window.
“I’d like you to meet her before you leave. She helped me find what I was searching for. She can help you, too.”
I snapped my attention back at Harlon. “What makes you think I’m searching for something?”
His face softened. “It’s written in the depths of your eyes.”
