Page 41 of High Seduction
Outside the grey sky filled with clouds, harsh against the deep green of the evergreens on the mountainsides. They were out off the highway and headed into the higher ground of the island. “So not into Victoria City?”
“What’s that?”
Erin rested a palm on his chest and held on lightly. “I thought you’d take me into the big city. Find us a fancy hotel so you could impress me.”
“Too easy. And too much like being back living in a tourist town. Banff is great, but I want some time away from the constant influx of strangers, even if we’re a couple of them.”
Good point. “Rustic cabin in the woods?”
“Just about.” Tim pointed ahead of them.
Erin leaned forward to follow the line. “Holy shit, Tim. Rustic doesn’t mean castle-sized.”
“I do everything bigger.” Tim laughed when Erin’s hand curled into a fist, and she playfully tapped him on the chest. “I can’t help it. I’ve been gifted in so many ways.”
“Gift of oversized ego, that’s for sure.” Erin stared out at the rapidly approaching estate and wondered why she wasn’t screaming harder about being kidnapped. “Tell me what is this mansion we’re headed to. Because that doesn’t look like a hotel.”
“It’s a private residence. Someone I know who has a few places, and offered for me to stay anytime I wanted.”
Oh, right. She gave him a look. “You just happen to know someone who just happens to have a place on Vancouver Island that is like a million-dollar setting, and without even calling, we’re going to be welcome for a few days?”
“Multibillion-dollar.”
She snorted. “You are so going to have to tell me what you’ve been up to over the past years.”
“Making friends.” He shrugged. “There’s a lot of money in and around the oil industry. In this case, though, knowing how to save a man when he was having a heart attack during a visit to the platform got me the connection.”
“Oh, that makes sense.” Erin relaxed a little. “He got sick while doing a tour of the station, and now he’s eternally grateful to you?”
“Something like that. Add in the fact I’m a charming fellow, and I get invited to a lot of parties.”
“I bet you do.” Erin eased back. “Fine. I’ll trust you.”
Utter silence followed the statement, and panic threatened to rise in Erin.
Trust. She pretty much had always trusted him. Except when her actions had led to his one shitty retaliation. For the rest, when things had gone sideways, it had been far more about her fears than him doing anything wrong.
Far more about losing control and losing herself.
The car pulled up to the front of the long drive, stopping under the protective roof of a massive overhang. A few lights were on in the house, and a well-dressed young man came forward to open her door and offer her a hand.
Erin waited silently, a little uncomfortable until Tim joined her.
“Is Matthew home?” Tim pulled Erin to his side, soothing her fears with his confident approach.
“Unfortunately, you’ve missed him. He’ll be home tomorrow.”
Tim held out his hand. “Timothy Dextor and Erin Tate. Matthew said for me to drop in. We’ll be staying for three nights.”
The man shook hands. “I’m Jason Lord. Let me help you with your bags, and I’ll show you to the sunroom. You can relax while I see about getting your suite prepared.”
“I’ll deal with the taxi.” Tim gestured for Erin to go ahead. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”
Jason extended his arm, and Erin wrapped her fingers around the cool black suit with hesitation. “There’s not a problem with us stopping in unannounced?”
“Mr. Haven enjoys the spontaneity of new guests,” Jason assured her. “I’m sure he’ll be delighted.”
Then Erin got lost in the three-storey ceiling and massive roman columns arranged in a circle around the grand foyer. “Holy shit,” she whispered. “We’re not in Kansas anymore.”
