Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 300

Willa glanced at the screen, tossed her phone aside, and ignored the message.

She buried herself in her work for another hour, finally packing up her things shortly before six.

As she walked out of the office building, Randal's sleek car was impossible to miss.

She hesitated for a split second before walking over, opening the back door, and sliding in.

Randal, seated on the opposite side, instantly lit up the moment she got in, though he aggressively tried to dial back his excitement.

"You're off earlier than yesterday."

Willa leaned her head against the headrest and closed her eyes. "It wasn't too chaotic today."

"What are you in the mood to eat?"

"Whatever."

Randal's dopey smile never wavered, completely immune to her freezing demeanor. He leaned forward and gave the driver an address.

After they had been driving for a few minutes, Willa turned to look at him. "How did you know what time I'd be done?"

He stared at his lap, his thumb nervously rubbing his knee, his voice low. "I got here at four-thirty. I've just been waiting."

Willa couldn't resist a cynical jab. "Mr. Yates, you fought tooth and nail to get a seat at Vanguard. How are you supposed to climb the corporate ladder if you're constantly ditching work early?"

Randal's smile faltered, trapped with no defense.

Cautiously, he reached out, his fingertips brushing against the back of her hand as if by accident.

Willa glanced down but didn't pull away or acknowledge the touch.

Taking her silence as permission, he grew bolder, gently enclosing her hand in his, his thumb tracing soothing circles over her skin.

"Things at Vanguard aren't that pressing right now. It's all coming to an end soon anyway."

Willa stared at their joined hands in the dim light of the cabin, the faded scar on his hand glaringly obvious.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked evenly. "Are you almost finished with whatever you've been doing at Vanguard?"

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify