Chapter 15 Even the heavens seemed to be against her . She stepped back under the shelter , but within minutes , her clothes were soaked through . Just as she was about to give up , a black Bentley pulled up in front of her . A man stepped out with an umbrella and walked toward her . Rain blurred her vision , but when he came closer , she recognized him - Mike . What was he doing here ? " Ms. Whitmore , it's pouring . Why are you out here ? Come on , get in , " he urged , shifting the umbrella over her . Aria didn't refuse . She thanked him and headed for the back seat . Right now she was drenched and miserable . Someone offering her shelter ? She wasn't going to play stubborn . Once inside , she noticed another man in the car - Bennett . Chapter 15 He was leaning back , legs crossed , reading an email on his laptop . The warm overhead light cast a soft glow over his side profile . He turned his head and handed her a towel . Aria thanked him quickly , sitting up straight and blotting at her face under his intense , commanding gaze . The man's presence was intimidating . Mike got in and closed the umbrella . Bennett told him to turn the heat up . As Aria stole another glance at him , she had to admit - he was unexpectedly handsome . And , oddly , considerate . Her impression of him was shifting . He handed her a thermos . " Water ? " She took it and drank a few sips , warmth slowly spreading through her chilled body . April wasn't cold , but being drenched made her ache all over . Was she getting sick ? She adjusted her posture , sitting even straighter . Chapter 15 Suddenly , Bennett glanced at her . " Are you afraid of me ? " She froze . Seriously , does he have to ask that so directly ? Aria shook her head with an awkward smile . " Of course not . You're not a tiger - why would I be afraid ? " Her words said one thing , but her fingers fidgeting with her clothes told another . Before she could dwell on it , Mike hit the brakes hard . Without warning , she fell into Bennett's arms . For a moment , all she could hear was his strong , steady heartbeat . It startled her enough to forget what to do next . Bennett made sure she was unhurt before asking Mike , his voice low , " What happened ? " " Sorry , sir. The rain's too heavy , and an e - bike shot out from the intersection . I almost hit it . Had to brake ," Mike explained . " See that it doesn't happen again , " Bennett said curtly . Aria quickly scrambled upright , hitting her head on the roof in her haste . Pain shot through her skull . Holding her head , she apologized . " Sorry , I didn't mean to fall on you , I- " Chapter 15 Her eyes fell on the damp patch across his chest - her doing . She grabbed the towel and dabbed at it . But as she wiped , her hand brushed somewhere she definitely shouldn't have . She jerked back , her face flaming . God what did I just touch ? Bennett looked equal parts amused and exasperated . Aria wanted to vanish into thin air . Every second in this car felt like torture . Finally , the Bentley pulled up to the Whitmore Mansion . She didn't care how hard it was raining - she jumped out of the car . Mike followed , handing her a white bag . " Some cold medicine and ointment . Mr. Rhodes thought you might need them , since you caught a chill and got hurt ." He pressed an umbrella into her hand before heading back to the car . Aria stood in the rain , watching the Bentley disappear . The medicine wasn't worth much , but in moments like this , when she had no one else the gesture was priceless . Chapter 15 The Bennett she knew was ruthless and brilliant , a rare business prodigy . In her last life , he'd been cold to everyone except Tessa , the sister he doted on . But now something felt different . Just what kind of man was Bennett ? Back home , Aria quickly grabbed some clothes and took a hot shower . Coming out of the bathroom , she took out the hair dryer to dry her hair . Heading downstairs , she noticed the house was empty . It seemed like , except for Zoe , no one else was home . Zoe came over holding a freshly made ginger milk . " Today is Ms. Lockwood's birthday . Mrs. Whitmore and the others all went to the birthday banquet ."' Chapter 16