Page 31 of Better Watch Out
Andrew’s lip twitched. He shouldn’t smile but even her sassy attitude was enchanting. He cleared his throat. “Right, which is why I’d like to offer to take you to a new hotel, where a reservation has been made for you.”
The door opened wider as Frannie leaned forward. “A reservation for me?”
He’d been expecting immediate resistance—or at least a bit of a fight—but her expression looked almost relieved. “Yes. After what happened at the bookstore, the Defensemen Agency would like to compensate you.”
“Compensate me?” Her brows lifted with confusion. “What happened yesterday wasn’t your fault. I’m lucky you were close enough to hear me scream.” She rubbed her arms but he saw the tiny shudder ripple through her. “I should be the one compensating you for coming to my rescue.”
That last bit opened a flood of mixed emotions. A warmth blossomed in his chest at being the one who came to her rescue, but the stress of not protecting her like he should have had his muscles knotted tighter than a string of Christmas lights. “If I had done my job correctly—”
“It wasn’t your job.” Frannie was suddenly inches away from his chest, her hand on his arm sending a current through him that reached his toes. She looked up at him and there was so much compassion in her expression it forced him back a step. She dropped her arm and her cheeks flamed red. “Sorry.”
“No, it’s me. I mean, I should be apologizing. To you. You didn’t do anything. I, uh …” Why were the words getting stuck on his tongue?Take a breath, Bishop.He did. “We have a room.” He looked past her into her tiny room. The 1911 was nice but it wasn’t The Peninsula. “One that has a whole lot of Christmas spirit.” He’d done a little internet recon, checking to see what The Peninsula offered that might help him keep Frannie tucked safely inside. “Including reindeer.”
“Reindeer!” Her brows shot up to her hairline. “Real reindeer?”
“No, New York City has wildlife laws. But reindeer sugar cookies,” he added quickly, hating that he’d led her on. “And a giant gingerbread house that looks like the hotel, a candy cane scavenger hunt, and carolers who sing in the lobby.”
“You should’ve led with the candy cane scavenger hunt.” She gave him a glare that was all tease and he had to admit he liked it. “I feel uncomfortable accepting the room as compensation, though.”
“Don’t.” Andrew may have stretched the truth a little. Mr. Malone was covering the majority of the hotel room for Frannie but Andrew had convinced Doug to let him pay for the rest. “It’s all covered.”
“Are you sure?” She twisted the hem of her pajama shirt. “I have a list of hotels that I can stay at.”
“Frannie, you’re unlikely to find a room anywhere else in the city.”
She glanced behind her to the window that was frosted at the edges. “Okay.” She faced him. “But I want to talk with your boss or manager.”
“Why?”
“To make sure they know what happened yesterday wasn’t your fault.”
Her insistence on defending him caused something in his chest to flicker to life. Man, another time, another place, and he might’ve explored that flicker but right now he just needed to get her to The Peninsula safely.
“I appreciate that but I don’t think it’s necessary.” He tipped his chin at the suitcase sitting behind her feet. “What is necessary is getting you checked out of here and into your new room so you don’t miss the candy cane scavenger hunt.”
Biting her lip, Frannie smiled and clapped her hands beneath her chin. “Okay. I can be ready in like fifteen minutes.”
“Fifteen minutes?”
Frannie pressed her hands on his chest like it was no big deal but the heat of her touch beneath his Henley said otherwise. “There are candy canes to be scavenged. I’ll meet you in the lobby in fifteen minutes.”
When Andrewand Frannie walked through the revolving doors of the 1911, Frannie inhaled on a gasp. “It’s even more beautiful than I imagined.”
Her scarf slipped to the ground and he scooped it up. Without thinking, he snaked it around her neck, taking care to lift her hair and not react to the way his fingertips buzzed brushing against her skin. It was far too easy to appreciate the alluring way her dark lashes contrasted against her creamy skin, highlighting her natural beauty. Her aquamarine eyes watched him with a spark that had his insides warming. The feeling was disarming and he shook it away, letting his hands drop back to his side and bringing his mind back to a safer place—the view.
Andrew glanced around. Except for the gray mounds of dirty snow that had been scraped to the edges by street crews, the rest of New York City was still decked out in a blanket of white worthy of Bing Crosby’s ballad.
Inside the Uber, Frannie’s nose was practically glued to the window, watching New York City show off. Her bubbly delight was infatuating, and he found himself wanting nothing more than to continue to watch her excitement, but he still had a job to do.
He swallowed, preparing for the next part of this plan. “So, um, when we get to the hotel, I was thinking of maybe sticking around. Help you scavenge those candy canes.”
She sat back. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to.”
Her expression darkened. “Is this because you feel bad about yesterday? Or did my brother put you up to this?”
“I do feel bad about yesterday.” Safer not to answer that last one. Andrew sensed her hesitation and knew it was time to pour on the charm. He dug deep to those years he had to schmooze sponsor execs. Locking her in his gaze, he leaned closer, and registered her sharp intake of breath. “But I really don’t have anywhere else to be today.” He smiled at her, the one he reserved for his female fans. Was he manipulating her feelings? Absolutely. But he’d do anything to keep her safe. “That is, if you don’t mind the company?”
