Page 35 of Wintertime Heat (Holiday 1)

I don’t know for how long I walked.

My bare-arms were feeling numb with the cold and I felt dazed. I wanted to go home. I wanted Scarlett. I –

“Abby?”

The familiar voice from behind me made me whirl around and on seeing Steven’s shocked face, I just burst into tears.

“Sweetheart, what -?”

I feel his warm trench coat thrown over my shoulder, as he drags me closer, “What are you doing out here, dressed like that?”

My tears wouldn’t stop, I just clench my fingers into his expensive suit and bury my face in his jacket.

“Come on,” He guides me to his car and helps me in, closing the door behind him.

When he slides into the seat next to me, he cranks up the heater to full, letting my half-frozen body soak in some heat.

He turns to me, anger mixed with concern, “What happened?”

I rub my eyes, feeling raw, “I – I was on a date, and he – he –“

I couldn’t continue, my voice cracking.

If I had been all there, I would have thought that I had never seen this man wear that expression on his face. His eyes held pure fury, and his mouth was pressed in a thin line, “Give me a name.”

I shake my head, “J-Just, can you just take me home, p-please?”

My voice was wavering and small, and he growls out loud, before throwing the car in gear.

I didn’t see where we were going, as I just huddled myself into a ball, wrapping his coat tighter around myself.

Feeling my phone vibrate, I take it out, my hands numb and stare at the caller ID.

It was Scarlett.

“H-Hello?”

“Abby, are you okay? I’ve been calling over and over, again! Where are you?!”

My voice trembles, “T-Travis put his hand on my l-leg and then he tried to – I had to leave, Scarlett!”

“What the fuck! Where are you right now?” I could hear the upset in her tone.

“I – I ran into Steven. He’s –“

My phone is taken from my hand and Steven holds it to his ear, “I’m taking her to my place.”

Scarlett said something to him, and his expression turns dark, “Not if I get there first, lady.”

When he threw the phone into the backseat, I rub my eyes, “Your place? I want to go home.”

He threw me a look that brooked no argument, “My house is closer. You’ll get hypothermia if you stay in that dress any longer.”

I was already shivering despite the heater blasting at me. So, I didn’t say anything, my mind in a confused mess.

There was a reason I played it safe in the dating game.

Scarlett was the only one who knew it.

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