Cherry Creek - Dani Matthews Page 0,10

would pay obscene sums of cash to look at this man. Then, I realize he’s waiting for me to confirm who I am. I struggle not to flush as I nod in acknowledgment. “Yes, but I prefer Livvy.” I’m relieved when my voice comes out steady.

He smiles, flashing white teeth. My heart actually flip-flops. “Livvy it is. I’m Trace.” He holds out a hand.

I can’t help but look at it warily. I’m not going to do something stupid if I touch him, will I? I’ve never been so dumbstruck in my life. I’ve run across cute guys before when I’ve been working or walking downtown, but I’ve never just stood there before, staring like a love-struck moron.

Trace frowns and drops his hand. “I realize this is probably quite sudden. If you have any requests, or if there is anything I can do to make your transition more comfortable, just say the word.”

The odd pull I’d felt towards him begins to fade as I grow accustomed to looking at him. My reaction to him is a bit strange, but I decide to shelve it and think about it later. Right now, I need to figure out how this move is going to affect me and my future.

I draw myself up to my full five-foot-seven height and stare him down, which is hard to do since the man is over six-feet tall. “Who are you?”

Approval flickers in his gaze. “I work for your uncle. I’m here to drive you to your new home.”

“My home is back in Missouri,” I contradict.

He nods easily. “Hopefully, someday you’ll call Cherry Creek home as well.”

Not likely.

“Ready?” he inquires.

“I have to get my luggage.”

“Someone will bring it by later.”

“I’d rather get it now,” I insist.

His expression remains unfazed by my stubbornness. “No problem. We’ll get your things first before we leave,” he agrees.

We spend twenty minutes waiting for my suitcase at the baggage claim before he leads me out of the airport. He insists on carrying my suitcase, and I let him. When we approach a black, expensive looking SUV, I can feel myself beginning to grow nervous. I don’t care how cute this man is, I don’t know him.

That’s the thing that bothers me the most about my situation. I don’t know a single soul in Minnesota. I am literally on my own.

After storing my suitcase in the back, Trace walks around to the passenger door to open it for me.

I don’t make a move to climb in. How do I know I can trust this man? “I’d like to speak with Khristos,” I say abruptly. After being nearly murdered by Brad, I need confirmation that this guy is being honest with me.

“Understandable,” Trace murmurs as he pulls his cell phone out of his jeans pocket. He must know the circumstances of my situation with Brad, because he doesn’t hesitate as he presses a button and hands the phone to me.

I watch him warily as I put the phone to my ear. The phone rings on the other line several times before Khristos answers. “Yes?” he asks a bit curtly.

“It’s Livvy,” I say awkwardly.

“Livvy. Is everything all right? Where’s Trace?” he asks immediately.

I’m caught off guard by the concern in his tone. The curtness is gone, and I can hear movement in the background, as if he had been sitting but is now rising to his feet.

My voice is stilted as I say, “He’s standing right next to me. I just want confirmation that this is the man who’s supposed to drive me back to your place.”

“Yes, he’s the man I sent. You can trust him, Livvy. He’ll bring you straight to me,” he assures.

“Okay. Uh, thanks.” I hang up the phone and hold it out to Trace.

He pockets it before nodding at me. “It’s good to be cautious. If you have any other concerns, don’t hesitate to come to me or Khristos.”

I have so many concerns that I’d need more hands to count them out on, but I don’t tell him that. I climb in the SUV and buckle up, feeling uncomfortable. My mom and I have always been…well, poor. We barely make ends meet, and we’d had an old car when we moved to Missouri last year, but it broke down and hadn’t been salvageable. Now we’re carless and have to resort to city transportation. Well, my mom has to resort to city transportation. I don’t know what to expect from Khristos, but I highly doubt he lives in an area where there’s city