The Write Bear (Highland Brothers 1) by Meredith Clarke, Ally Summers Page B

her flimsy tank top was completely soaked through. She had added a plaid button-up shirt before she left her apartment, thinking it gave her outfit an outdoorsy look, but now she realized it just made her cold.
    The porch light was on. Hudson must be expecting her.
    She tapped on the front door, wrapping one arm around her shoulder. The chills had started to set in. After a few seconds with no response, she rang the doorbell.
    She could hear footsteps on the either side. Riley straightened her tank top and pulled her shoulders back. She knew she looked like a disheveled mess, but all she could think about was getting inside and drying off.
    “Who in the hell?” The door swung open and Hudson Highland stood, towering in front of her. His broad chest puffed forward.
    “Hi. I-I’m Riley James.” She knew she had more to say, but it was hard to find the words.
    She had scanned a hundred pictures of Hudson, but good lord, they didn’t do the man justice. His shoulders touched the doorframe, and he stood over six feet tall. He ran his hand through dark brown hair, huffing in the process.
    “Who are you and what are you doing here? This is private property.” His eyes were dark brown, like pools of melted chocolate.
    “I’m from Author’s Unlimited. You hired me.” She tried to peer around him to see inside, but his body was like a mountain, blocking everything else from view. “I’m Riley James.”
    He shook his head, a look of confusion brushing over his face. “I didn’t hire anyone. There must be a mistake.” He moved to close the door.
    “But you’re Hudson Highland.” She knew she was tired, and had spent the last few hours flying then driving, but she wasn’t delusional. This man was her client. What was he talking about?
    “I know who I am.” His eyes were piercing.
    She had to steady the trembling in her voice. “I’m a book doctor. You hired me to help you with the Spy Fire Series .”
    “The hell I did,” he fumed. His eyes raked over her lips, down her neck, and landed on her chest.
    She felt an involuntary hitch in the back of her throat. She felt bare and vulnerable, her body reacting to him more than it should. Then she remembered Helen’s warning. This was the biggest client in the firm’s history. She needed to be professional, not act like she was a horny seventeen year old.
    She cleared her throat. “Look, I didn’t drive out here in the middle of nowhere to be treated like this. The least you could do is let me in so we can figure things out.”
    She thought she saw the corners of his mouth twitch as if he were going to smile. He shoved the door out of the way.
    “Come in I guess.”
    She stepped over the threshold. There was a fire blazing in the stone fireplace. The logs crackled and popped. She had to fight the instinct to rush over and get warm. The night air had chilled her, but she could tell her host wasn’t overly sympathetic. She hadn’t read a single thread about his abrasive personality. It was a cold surprise just like the rain outside.
    Hudson was still planted by the door, as if he were trying to decide if he should kick her back into the rain.
    “Do you have a towel I could borrow?” she asked.
    The question seemed to stir him. “Yeah, hold on.”
    He disappeared down the hallway and returned with a towel. “Here.”
    “Thanks.” Riley pressed it to her face, inhaling the scent of cedar. She wiped the raindrops from her face and her chest, feeling the heat of Hudson’s stare as each raindrop was soaked into the towel.
    She folded the damp towel and attempted to hand it to him. He tossed it on the back of the couch.
    “I didn’t expect it to be so cold here. Or rainy.” She tried to laugh, but his face remained motionless, as if it were part of a statue. This man was intense.
    “Hmm.” He crossed his arms.
    Pages were scattered on the coffee table, couch and the floor. Riley stooped to collect a stack, raising them to her face so she could study them