"People in business just drive shy cars for show. Nothing special about it," Faye said with a shrug.


    Gwenda, who came from a modest background, nced at Faye with open envy. "Faye, your family must be even richer than Eleanor''s." She paused, something else dawning on her, and added, "And your sister—she''s going to be married to the wealthiest man in the country someday!"


    Faye''s mood soured even further. So what if Eleanor had a husband now? That never stopped her from getting Joel''s attention.


    The car was quiet, so quiet that Eleanor leaned back, closed her eyes, and let herself drift. Ian''s driving was steady, almost soothing, and it didn''t take long for her exhaustion to win out-she fell asleep.


    Days of cramming for exams, coupled with two sses of wine earlier, had left her utterly drained.


    At a red light,n eased down on the brakes early, careful not to jolt the car or wake the sleeping woman beside him.


    A streemp cast pale light through the windshield, highlighting his tall, broad figure and the unreadable expression carved across his face.


    He nced at Eleanor, peacefully asleep, then stared out toward the distance, lost in thought. Finally, he turned the steering wheel, guiding the car away from the familiar route home and onto the coastal highway.


    Nearly an hourter-<fne80a> Content originallyes from find{n}ovel</fne80a>


    Eleanor woke in a haze, thinking she''d arrived home. She pushed her messy hair from her forehead, but when she looked up, she froze.


    This wasn''t her house. It was avish seven-star hotel by the sea.


    Turning to the man in the driver''s seat, she demanded, "Why did you bring me here?"


    "Evelyn''s at Goodwin Manor tonight. We''ll stay here,"n replied, meeting her gaze. Even though he tried to hide it, his intentions were written all over his face.


    Eleanor stared-he wants a night alone with her?


    How absurd.


    She remembered this hotel. Ian kept a presidential suite here year-round. Back when things were simpler, the three of them would spend weekends here as a family.


    Her expression hardened. She opened the car door and stepped out.


    "A cab. I''m going home," she said tly.


    "It''ste,"n reminded her.


    Just then, Eleanor spotted a taxi dropping off a passenger. She hurried forward, hoping to g it down. At that moment, a car sped toward her, headlights slicing through the night.


    She froze, panic nking her mind-until a strong arm yanked her out of harm''s way.


    Her back collided withn''s solid chest. She could feel his heart pounding, his hand tightening protectively around her waist, as if afraid she''d bolt again.


    The driver, a middle-aged man, rolled down the window, face pale with remorse. "I''m so sorry! Are you alright?"


    "Let go of me," Eleanor snapped, struggling to pryn''s hand off.


    "Stop it. I''ll take you home,"n said, opening the passenger door for her.


    She hesitated a moment, then slid into the seat.


    in the car was thick, his annoyance radiating in waves.


    Eleanor was in no better mood. She bit her lip, arms crossed tightly, staring out the window.


    The ck sedan reversed, then sped back down the winding coastal road.


    After a while,n turned on the radio, letting soft music fill the silence.


    Neither spoke the rest of the way. By the time they pulled up at the house, it was already half past eleven.


    Eleanor stepped out and headed into the foyer. Spotting the door to the housekeeper''s room opening, she called, "Joslyn, you can head to bed now!"