In the Lap of Luxury novel (Grace and Benjamin) novel Chapter 519

Xander glanced at her after he finished speaking. What he meant was evident enough.

Grace tightened her grip on the seatbelt as she calmly asked, "What did you want to tell me? Was it something that could be done with just a call?"

Xander replied, "You only had Luke with you. I was worried that you might have been forced to drink."

Grace asked, "You were the one who introduced Mr. Thorne to me. Don't you know the kind of person he is?"

Xander answered, "He's a gentleman. He wouldn't make it hard for you."

Grace continued, "Then you still—"

"I wanted to see you."

Xander tilted his head and looked at her as he made it clear. "Would you be able to accept this answer?"

Grace was stunned. She was clearly surprised.

She replied, "We just met yesterday."

"Meeting once isn't enough for some people."

Xander glanced over at the rearview mirror and drove out of the city center. He then slowed the car down and stopped by the roadside.

Grace asked, "Why did you stop the car?"

"There was an accident somewhere further down when I came over earlier. They haven't cleared up the road yet, so I figured we could just wait here."

Xander opened the glove compartment. There was only a pack of cigarettes inside.

Grace held his hand to stop him and said, "This is a mild one. You won't be used to it."

"I'll just try it." Xander took out a cigarette and held it in his mouth.

He said, "Light it up, Gracie."

His gaze was clear and piercing under the dim lights.

Grace's heart skipped a beat. She took out a lighter and lit it up. The flame illuminated both their faces.

Xander asked, "You didn't know how to smoke in Coronia. When did you learn it?"

Grace replied, "Nobody was looking after me in Pamore. I just learned to smoke on my own."

Grace lit his cigarette and tossed the lighter away.

She recalled how she had once been troubled by some people back when she had been married to Benjamin. But none of the Hawkinses had cared about her, not even Benjamin.