Brandon (Anderson Billionaires #3) - Melody Anne Page 0,54

a walk with me to the veterans center. It’s a beautiful day,” Brandon said as he looked at her, then tried to see the book she was quick to cover. He seemed confused. She understood why.

“What did you say?” she asked, realizing he was waiting for her to speak.

“I asked if you’d like to go for a walk with me to the veterans center. We’re truly behind schedule now,” he repeated, glancing at her book again. She quickly tucked it inside her jacket. She wasn’t going there.

She was having a really difficult time going from fantasy to reality, especially when her fantasy was now standing before her, looking better than ever in a pair of tight jeans, a molded sweatshirt, and running shoes. Of course, he could wear anything and look just as good. It was criminal how amazing he looked day and night—especially at night.

“That sounds like a great idea. Let me run inside and get a warm coat,” she said. She jumped up and had no doubt she was fleeing from him to try to gain some of her lost composure back.

She took her time getting her UGG boots on and finding her warmest jacket that wasn’t too bulky. She needed a good walk. Though she’d been on her feet all day at the restaurant, it wasn’t the same as strolling outside. She got really sick of artificial lights all of the time.

When she’d made him stand around long enough, she finally made her way back downstairs and found him in her living room. She could’ve made him wait on the porch, but she was tired of being rude to this man who was going out of his way to accommodate her.

“Sorry I took so long. I had a hard time finding my boots,” Chloe said as she moved to stand beside him.

“You took hardly any time at all,” he told her. “Most women I know hate to do anything last minute because they need hours to put on makeup and do their hair.”

“I’m not sure if I should be offended by that statement. Are you saying I don’t care about my appearance?” she asked, only half teasing. She was a woman, after all, and didn’t want to look as if she’d just woken up when she was exiting the house.

He held up both hands. “I was totally giving you a compliment, because you’re naturally beautiful, and it would be a shame if you tried to cover anything up with a bunch of silly paint,” he told her.

Though she didn’t want it to feel good, the compliment made her glow inside. She couldn’t stop the beaming smile she sent him. “I guess I can’t complain about words like that,” she said, then giggled.

Her hand flew over her mouth when the sound escaped. She was acting like a nervous teenager on her first date. Brandon put an arm around her and gave her one quick kiss before releasing her just as quickly.

“You’re adorable,” he said. She didn’t know how to reply to that, so she just walked toward her front entrance.

They stepped through the door into the cool afternoon air. There was a bit of snow falling, but not enough to keep them inside. It couldn’t be a more perfect winter day for a brisk walk.

“It’s so beautiful this time of year. Every time I look out the windows or step through the front door, I’m reminded of a winter wonderland. It’s like it snows here just to make a perfect Christmas,” Chloe told him.

“I’ve lived all over the place, and coming here feels like home. My family was originally from the Seattle area, then we moved away. I love it here, though, and never want to settle anywhere else.”

“I’ve done my share of travel, and I have to agree with you. This place does feel like home.”

They’d made it about a half mile when she slipped, the ground slick from the snow and low temperature.

Brandon was quickly there to catch her fall. Then he took her arm and ran it through his so he could help steady her. She didn’t pull away from him. She liked being this close.

They walked in silence, enjoying the quiet around them. There weren’t too many people out and about as they left the small town. It was only about a mile and a half away from her house, but in this cold that might end up being quite the distance. Still, as they moved along, Chloe gasped in pleasure as they passed