NOVGO.NET Chapter 68: HIS DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
Chapter 68: HIS DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
LAURA
The ride back to my car was loud and quiet at the same time.
My choice had been very, very intentional. I did it for no one but myself.
One, I wanted to go with Tristan instead, deep in my heart—not that Harlan couldn’t get me there too.
Two, I wanted to get Tristan far away from my son. I didn’t even want him getting a glimpse of Eli, or getting within an inch of him. I wanted him as far away as possible. It was what was best for us all.
Or was it simply a lie I told myself to feel better? To feel in control? To punish him?
I held on tightly to Tristan’s waist as he sped across highways, not saying a word to me, his shoulders tight with knots the entire time.
The wind roared in my ears, my hair tumbling around in my face. So I just focused on squeezing my eyes shut until the motorbike eventually groaned to a stop and I heard Tristan curse under his breath.
My eyes flew open, and to my horror, my car was just about to be towed.
"No, wait—stop!" I jumped off the bike and hurried over, struggling to unstrap the helmet from my head.
There was a traffic cop standing by the telling van, directing it to take my fucking car in its jaws. "You can’t do that!" I cried. "It’s my car!"
The petite cop turned to me with a scowl. "It’s good you’re here, then. You’ll be fined for obstruction of traffic and illegal parking—"
"I really didn’t mean to," I cut in, hurrying over to the front of my car and blocking it off, ignoring the risk of the van just inches away from me. "My son had a health emergency. I couldn’t sit in traffic and wait while he’s in pain."
Way to go, Laura. Way to go...shamelessly using Eli’s allergy as a shield.
Her features softened for only a brief moment before duty took over once more. "I’m sorry about your son, ma’am, but rules are rules, and one in a million traffic rules is that you don’t just leave your car in the middle of a traffic, thereby causing another traffic. You’re going to have to pay a fine of five million and have your car cleared from—"
"Is five million not too much money for a worried mother who just wanted to get to her sick kid?"
The cop whirled to glare at Tristan, but every single resolve physically dissolved from her being as her eyes collided against Tristan’s attractive frame. Her cheeks flamed hot and she struggled with her words for a moment.
Tristan had that effect on people. I would be lying if I said my cheeks didn’t heat up whenever those blazing blue eyes catch my face or any part of my body at all.
"I’m sorry, sir," the cop cleared her throat. "Who are you again?"
Ohhh damn, look at that. She was pulling the card of pretending to not know Tristan to cover up her stutter.
Tristan went ahead to nail the point to the head by handing her his business card. "Tristan Pierce, Pierce Holdings. I’ll have to beseech you to release the lady’s car. I’ll cover whatever costs that incurs, including the fine."
The cop raised a brow at him, then at me. Then she shrugged, licking her lips. "Fine. I mean...that works." A nervous chuckle spilled past her lips as she looked at me. "Does that work for you?"
I slid Tristan a quiet, appreciative glance. "I just want my car, please."
Moments later, my car was released to me and I was standing by the roadside with Tristan. He leaned against his bike while I leaned against my car. And we both watched each other quietly for a few seconds.
"Thank you," I finally broke the silence. "For...today."
He cocked his head, blue eyes twinkling in the soft evening dusk. "You can thank me some other way."
I rolled my eyes. "Not pushing my hand here but dinner sounds like a good idea." He glanced at his wrist watch and back at me. "I’m free tonight."
I shook my head slowly, even though I was tempted to give in to his suggestion. "I have to be home with my son tonight."
"I know. I’m sorry but I can’t help being selfish." He winced, blue eyes darkening as they moved down my body. "So, you can thank me some other time."
I gave him a firm nod. "Will do. Just let me know what you need and I’ll be in touch."
"One of my fashion brands is facing a crisis and I need your professional insight into the situation. On the ground, preferably." He raised a perfect brow at me. "Think you can do that for me?"
"I’ll try." My stomach flipped as he gave me another hot once-over.
He shrugged. Then he grabbed his helmet and coiled that strong body astride the motorbike. And just before he slipped the helmet, blue eyes found my face. "Drive safe."
He kick-started the engine and I watched him speed off, my heart doing the flip-flop thing that had me breathless.
And a decision already imprinted in my mind.
°°°
The next morning, I warned Eli strictly about not controlling his gluttony and getting himself in trouble again, before dropping him off in his homeroom. Then I placed an order for Harlan’s lunch and a thank you note, with a request to have it sent to his office at the right time.
Afterwards, I headed over to Pierce Holdings, wondering what the crisis could be. I already left Tristan a text that I was on my way, and he should better not waste my time.
Even though I would very much like nothing else but to spend the whole day next to him...
That protective stunt he’d pulled yesterday evening...I never asked for it, and despite how much of his damsel in distress it made me feel like, some sort of euphoria still found its way into my heart. Euphoria at having someone who fiercely looked out for me and pulled all kinds of charms while at it.
My car rolled into the driveway of Pierce Holdings after about twenty minutes of driving. And I went straight up to Tristan’s office.
His corporate assistant was heaving out when I arrived, his expression tight.
"Mr. Callahan, is Mr. Pierce in?"
"Go on," he waved me ahead a bit absent-mindedly as he typed on his phone.
Narrowing my eyes in confusion, I knocked once, pushed the door open without waiting for an invitation, and walked straight into Tristan yelling on the phone.