Page 6 of Scandalous Whispers (Alpha Billionaire #28)

PARKER

I swiped across my phone screen and ended the call I’d been on with David.

Snow had blanketed the entire city and continued to fall.

I’d already called a remote workday for everyone tomorrow.

Even in Chicago where we got several feet of snow every year, we couldn’t be too safe.

Only the essential people would have to report to work after this storm, at least for one day.

I looked up at the building where Michael was diligently shoveling snow in front of the entrance.

He’d continue for the next few hours as snow fell, but even he would tire and head home.

I’d have to call the snow removal company to come make sure the sidewalks didn’t ice up and cause a potential fall hazard.

It was one of the challenges of winter in the Windy City.

“Take me home, Gordon.” I pocketed my cell phone and laid my head back on the head rest. As my eyes shut, I felt the car begin moving, only to jar to a stop at the thud of a collision.

I snapped up, my eyes locking on the front windshield where a blue sedan appeared to be pushed sideways by the front of my car.

“Oh, Christ. I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t see it. It’s snowing so hard, I’m practically blind out here.” Gordon shifted into park and tried to open his door, but it was pinned shut.

“Alright, let me go see what the damage is.” Shaking my head, I opened the back door and stepped out into the weather.

Thankfully, it wasn't as windy as it was cold.

Snow crunched under my feet as the muted sounds of passing cars met my ears.

It was strange how even the noisiest traffic seemed to be silent when snow fell, creating a natural damper for every vibration.

I strolled up to the blue sedan expecting a loud, angry driver to climb out of the car.

The front left corner of my car had left a giant scrape and dent down the passenger side of the sedan.

The mirror was busted, and the front headlight was shattered.

I rolled my eyes. Accidents happened. I just didn’t have the time or energy for this today, and all I wanted to do was head home for a drink and a cigar.

The driver’s side door opened and someone climbed out, their back to me. It appeared to be a petite woman with a thick black coat, hood pulled up. “I’m sorry, Miss. My driver didn’t see you. I apologize profusely. This weather is?—”

“Mr. Danvers?” Haley’s pink cheeks and nose surprised me as she folded the furry hood back and pushed hair out of her face with her leather-gloved fingers. “This is your car?”

“Yes, well, Gordon brings the car up for me every day after work.” I looked down at the damage on her car and knew it was only cosmetic. “My insurance will cover this. Don’t worry about a thing. This is totally my fault.”

Haley stood there shivering, dusting the snow off her shoulders as it fell.

“I should move my car out of the street. It’s too hectic to worry about a police report.

I trust you have insurance.” She smiled and ran back to her car.

I glanced at Gordon, who cringed at the sound of metal on metal as she pulled away and parked in front of him.

He offered an apologetic look and rolled the window down.

“I’m so sorry, sir.”

I leaned into the window and sighed. “It’s nothing a little body work can’t handle. Keep the car warm. I’m going to take Ms. Spencer into the restaurant there, and we’ll exchange insurance information. Not sure how long it will take.” I patted the door as I stood.

“Sure thing, sir.” Gordon rolled the window up, and I turned to see Haley approaching, purse in hand. She extended her insurance card toward me, and I nodded at the restaurant door.

“It’s too cold to do this out here. Let’s duck in there and take care of business.

” The sky was growing dim. Four p.m. on any given day during the middle of February was sunset, which meant darkness would only consume the street the more we stood shivering.

Haley nodded and led the way, and I followed, glancing back at her beaten up car one more time.

The restaurant was warm and loud, a stark contrast to the muffled traffic sounds. I peeled the scarf off my neck and unbuttoned my trench coat. Haley left hers on and spun around expectantly with her card in hand.

“I think it’s easiest if we just take a picture of the information.

Faster that way.” The way her skin blushed due to the cold air was adorable.

Her lips looked dry. It made me want to lean down and kiss her, feel the texture of them against mine, perhaps soothe the chapped ache she felt.

Ever since the other morning when she winked at me, I couldn’t get her out of my head.

“How about a drink?” The host approached, and I nodded, holding up two fingers to him.

“I, uh… I mean, it will just take a second to exchange information.” She hesitated, looking around the dining room.

“Don’t be na?ve, Haley.” My concentrated gaze lingered on her lips.

I stepped forward to allow more guests into the waiting area, and it put me so close to her, I could smell her perfume.

“Let’s get a drink.” I lowered my voice to a near whisper and said, “I think we both need a moment to gain our composure after the accident.”

She bit her lip and nodded, and I swore the pink of her cheeks deepened.

“Of course.” As she turned, I placed my hand in the small of her back and guided her through the dining room, following the host. He led us to a small table near the center of the room.

I’d eaten here before and knew the food was delicious, but my typical table was tucked away near the back with a curtain to draw around me so I could dine in privacy.

This seemed a bit more public, but it would have to do. My table was occupied.

“What can I get you to drink?” the host asked as he held Haley’s chair out for her. She hurriedly unbuttoned her coat and draped it over the back of the chair then sat.

“I’ll take a white wine, please,” Haley said cautiously.

“I’ll have the same. Thank you, Robert.” I sat, watching Haley’s face light up. She waited until he left to ask.

“You know him by name?”

I chuckled as I slipped out of my coat and let it fall behind me. “Yes, I come here very often. I know a lot of the staff by name.”

Haley whistled through her teeth. “I don’t think I’ve stepped foot into this place once. It’s pretty fancy.”

“Of course it is. It’s nearly forty dollars a square foot per month for rent in this part of town.

Things get pricey when you pay big bucks for rent.

” I pushed the menu to the side and reached into my pocket to get my cell phone.

“Let me get a picture of that insurance card, then, and we’ll be done with business. ”

“Actually, the damage isn’t that bad. I can probably just drive it like that. I’m not particular.” She sat back, tucking her hands into her lap. This shy, withdrawn version of Haley Spencer wasn’t what I expected.

“Nonsense. We damaged your car, and I will fix it.” I wriggled my fingers, and she handed over the card and snapped a photo of it then handed it back. “Thank you. Now, let’s just enjoy a drink.”

Robert returned with our glasses of wine and set them in front of us, retrieving the menus as I handed them to him. “Anything else, Mr. Danvers?” He lingered there for a moment.

“Yes, the bottle, please. Then leave us alone.” I put my phone away and retrieved my wallet, handing him a crisp hundred-dollar bill. His eyes lit up as he took the tip and walked away.

“I get the feeling this isn’t just about a car accident.” Haley’s blue eyes glistened as she peered at me over the rim of her stemware. I saw a smirk peeking at me.

“I got the feeling that you wouldn’t mind.

” I lifted my own glass to my lips and tasted the tart and sweet flavors of the wine.

After the flirtatious wink she shot me in Tom Green’s office the other day, I’d done nothing but imagine this moment—the two of us alone with the ability to explore the chemistry between us. “Was I wrong?”

“Oh, no.” She set the glass down. “You weren’t wrong at all.”

“So I wasn’t mistaken, then. You were flirting with me in Tom’s office.” I downed the glass of wine and placed the glass on the table. Haley looked down as she smiled.

“I believe you flirted first. Or was that wink a playful gesture at Tom’s expense?

” I heard her chuckle as she looked back up at me.

Her hand shot out to her glass of wine just as Robert returned with the bottle.

He filled both the glasses in silence then left the bottle and vanished back into the kitchen.

“No, you weren’t mistaken. I was definitely flirting, though I wondered if someone your age would want to be seen with someone my age.” I was fairly confident I wouldn’t have gotten this far if Haley wasn’t interested, but it was an elephant in the room that needed to be acknowledged.

“People will talk, sure. But age is just a number.” She sipped her wine again, much faster than me, perhaps a vice of the age she was, drinking to hide the anxious excitement she felt. If she kept it up, she’d finish the bottle herself in under twenty minutes.

“And does it bother you if people talk?”

“No such thing as bad publicity.” Haley winked at me and emptied the glass. “Look, the roads are getting worse and I think maybe I should get home before I drink too much. I’d love a raincheck on this dinner? Maybe a night when I’m not risking driving drunk in the snow.”

I nodded at her and picked up my coat, sliding my arms down the sleeves.

“Just let me pick up the check and I’ll walk you out.

” Haley agreed silently, putting her coat on as she snuck another tiny pour from the wine bottle.

I handled the check with Robert by tracking him down after he delivered plates.

It was as easy as another hundred-dollar bill for the bottle of wine and I was back at Haley’s side, arm extended to escort her outside.

As we approached the car, she noticed her headlights were on but very dim.

The snow made it very slippery to walk in the pointy-toed high heels she wore, so I helped her around to the driver’s door.

I hovered there while she turned the key in the ignition, only to discover the battery was so flat, the car wouldn’t start.

“Dammit!” She smacked the steering wheel and sighed. “I’m going to have to call roadside assistance.”

“No, you’re not. Just get in my car.” I glanced at Gordon who was seated in the driver’s seat reading a book. He had the car running and warm. “I’ll give you a lift home. The insurance adjuster will have your car towed to a shop to get repaired.” I offered my hand to her, but she scowled.

“But I really don’t need anything fixed but the mirror. Honestly, Parker. It’s not that bad.” She shook her head at me and refused to take my hand. A car passed, splashing slush off the road up onto my pants, and she gasped as some of it hit her bare leg.

“Get out of your car and come with me.” I sternly offered my hand again. “You’re going to freeze in that outfit waiting for roadside assistance. A day like this, there have probably been a dozen accidents just on this side of town. It will take them four hours to get to you.”

With another sigh and a shake of her head, she took my hand and climbed out of her car. When she’d locked up, I led her to my car where we both climbed into the back seat. “Gordon, you remember where Haley lives?”

Gordon’s eyes popped up in the rearview mirror and he nodded. “Yes, sir. I’m on it.”

“Good, thank you.” I turned to Haley. “Now, would you like another drink?” I opened my mini-fridge and displayed the drinks I had chilled. Her eyes widened and she pointed.

“Sex on the beach?” I chuckled. “Coming right up.” This night was shaping up to be more than I hoped for. Forget the drink and cigar by myself. Haley was better company than I’d had in years. I wanted to get to know her better.