Mr. Mitchell Billionaires' Club Book 2 - Raylin Marks Page 0,86
my dad worked late and my mom forgot she’d locked Jake and me outside, Jake and I would make up images in the stars. It’s quite a fun game.”
“Okay, then.” I nestled into his side and draped my leg over his. “Show me an image up there. I just see the glitter and a bluish-black sky.”
That’s when I fully relaxed and let Jim’s soothing voice calm my nerves completely. I would check on Addy tonight and again in the morning after I woke up. If everything was still good, then she could stay until Sunday. If not, she was coming back with Jim and me.
I didn’t know where this night would lead—if I went to Jim’s house or he came to mine—but something told me we weren’t leaving each other’s sides until the executive’s elevator doors opened and he disappeared to his office on the top floor on Monday morning.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jim
After I convinced Avery that my house in the Hollywood Hills could take the place of Griffith’s Observatory’s lawns, we left for the car. After I showed her multiple goofy characters I discovered in the stars above us, Avery quickly played along. We laughed together like kids would, and I could tell Avery was certainly more relaxed than before.
I smiled when we got in the car and the first thing she mentioned was food. We hit the nearest drive-thru for her to grab a couple of burgers, milkshake, and fries, and at that point, it seemed that she had regained her composure completely. She called Addy’s grandparents and received confirmation that Derek hadn’t returned and was locked out of his parents’ home. I sighed in relief along with Avery that Addison was safe from the son of a bitch who had no business around his little girl until he sobered his sorry ass up.
“Holy hell, Jim,” Avery said once we drove up the driveway to my place. I pulled the car into my garage, next to the collection of vehicles. “Jesus.” She looked at the cars we parked next to. “Is this a damn car museum?”
“At one time it was.” I smirked at her. “All of these cars sat in here like they were in one, and for far too long.” I took her hand, kissed the soft center of her palm while opening my door, “Until you saved them all.” I chuckled and smiled at her.
“What the hell did I do to help these cars?” She laughed and scrunched her face up in humor.
I missed that look. “You got through to me in England,” I said. “While I drove my car there, I realized I’d missed the horsepower and being behind the wheel myself.”
“Is it why you drove today?” she asked, and I could see confusion spread across her face.
“Today, among other days. Sometimes I am strapped to the laptop and need Blake to drive me around so I can finish up work while on the road.”
“Well, well,” she said after I took the lead and got out of the car, her following. “Yes, I can definitely say…” She paused with a smile on her face, taking in the luxury of sports cars that surrounded her. “Shit, Jim, you were definitely missing out on life by keeping these beauties parked.”
Avery spun back around, and I watched her onyx hair cascade over her shoulder. Damn, she was mesmerizingly beautiful with this smile, this laugh, and the sparkle in her vivid blue eyes. “Well, if little Bunny is dead, I know who I’m going to ask if I need to borrow a car,” she said, walking around to where I stood admiring her.
She wrapped her arms around my waist, and I tilted my head down to meet her eyes, “Bunny?” I questioned.
“The name Addy gave my car.”
“Ah, the Rabbit,” I said, recalling the make and model of her car that definitely could, as she said, have arrived DOA at the towing yard. “Yes, well, you have quite a nice collection to choose from right here.” I ran my hand along her cheek, “How are you feeling?” I couldn’t begin to describe how I loved having her close like this again.
“After running and then enjoying the views at the observatory—and being relieved that your car wasn’t jacked, and then eating?”
“Yes, after all of that.” God, I needed to feel her lips against mine.
“Honestly, I’m beat. I am happy to be with you again, though. I can’t explain it, but this all just feels…” She paused in thought.