Page 17 of Bound To Be Mine

“Give me fifteen minutes. And Briggs? This doesn’t mean I’ve forgiven you. This means you get a chance to convince me you’re not a complete waste of my time.”

I stepped back and gestured for him to come into my hotel room. Briggs Blackwell was in my hotel room. That is not a sentence I ever thought I would say. I shook off the fluttery feelings and walked to the bathroom where I was just about to get dressed. My outfit was hanging on the back door. Makeup on the counter.

I shut the door and leaned against it, my heart racing. What the hell was I doing? I should be getting ready for my flight to Vegas right now, putting this disaster behind me. Instead, I was about to have breakfast with the man who’d humiliated me yesterday.

And I was going to look good doing it.

I dropped the robe and pulled on the jeans and silk blouse I’d laid out. Black skinny jeans, a pink blouse with a subtle ruffle at the neckline. The blouse hung low enough to cover my ass in the jeans. Casual but polished. I wasn’t planning on another business meeting and didn’t pack a second outfit. My jeans would have to be enough. I dabbed on some tinted moisturizer, mascara, a little blush. My hair was still damp, so I worked some product through it and let it air-dry into soft waves. I slipped on my sandals with a sensible heel and sparkling pink straps.

When I emerged from the bathroom, I found Briggs standing awkwardly in the middle of my hotel room. He looked comically out of place among the mess I’d created. My suitcase was open on the luggage stand, clothes spilling out. My satin pillowcases I traveled with were still on the hotel pillows. My essential oil diffuser was on the nightstand, filling the room with lavender.

His gaze landed on the three candles I’d arranged on the desk, all lit despite the morning sun streaming through the windows.

“Did you seriously bring your own candles to a hotel?” he asked, his tone somewhere between bewildered and amused.

“Yes.” I grabbed my purse from the chair. “I like my spaces to feel like home. Is that a problem?”

“No.” He picked up one of the candles, examining it. “Eucalyptus mint.”

“It’s calming.”

“You brought calming candles to a hotel room?”

“I brought calming candles because I travel for work constantly and hotel rooms are depressing.” I snatched the candle from his hand and set it back on the desk. “Are we doing this or not?”

He gestured toward the door. “After you.”

I blew out the candles, grabbed my key card, and walked past him into the hallway. He followed, and I was acutely aware of his presence behind me.

In the elevator, I snuck a glance at him. He was staring straight ahead, jaw tight, looking like he’d rather be anywhere else. Good. This wasn’t supposed to be comfortable for him.

“There’s a place two blocks from here,” he said as we stepped into the lobby. “Good coffee, great food.”

“Let’s go.”

We walked in silence, weaving through the morning crowds. His long stride forced me to walk a little faster to keep up. That was the only reason my heart was racing. It had nothing to do with Briggs.

He opened the door to the restaurant and allowed me to enter first. Maybe he was a gentleman.

“Two,” he told the hostess, who took one look at him and immediately grabbed menus.

“Right this way, Mr. Blackwell.”

Of course she knew who he was. We were seated immediately at the best table in the house, tucked into a corner with a view of the street but away from the noise.

I sat in my chair with him across from me, his long legs bumping mine under the table. He shifted, putting distance between us.

The waitress appeared with water. I ordered a latte. He ordered black coffee and downed half his water in one go.

“Rough night?” I asked sweetly.

“Something like that.”

“Good.”

His lips twitched. “You’re not going to make this easy on me.”

“Why should I?” I leaned back, crossing my arms. “You insulted me in front of my business partners. You questioned my value before you even knew who I was. You made me feel small, and I don’t do small, Mr. Blackwell. Not anymore.”