That worn nightie didn’t disguise the electric feel of her body against his, or her obvious lack of a bra, and he tried to keep his telltale reaction angled away from her. He didn’t want to ruin the moment or cut it short.
Because she was hugging him. Nanny Clegg. Wren. His Wren.
Ducking his head uncomfortably low, he rested his cheek against her hair. It smelled like coconut. He’d had no idea, until just now.
When her arms began to loosen, he bent down and framed her sweet, sharp-featured, tear-stained face in his hands. He pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Her cheeks were wet and cool, and they fit perfectly in his palms.
He gazed into her eyes, and the moment felt as solemn as a ceremony.
Wait.
There it was. At long last, his excuse.
On the plane, he’d checked his email and read a message from his virtual PA. After canceling all his upcoming publicity-related travel arrangements and agreeing to work directly for him, she’d asked for a vacation of at least two weeks before resuming her normal schedule. He’d said yes, of course.
After all, he had nothing to do. Nowhere to be. With one exception, as his PA had reminded him.
One glorious, fortuitous exception.
“You don’t have to miss me.” The plan spooled out before him, perfect in every possible way. He pressed a fierce kiss to the wispy hair at her temple, triumphant with joy. “I have another brilliant idea, Wren, and I’ll take care of everything. All you have to do is say yes.”
She blinked up at him. “Oh, Jesus.”
Lauren’s Email
From: [email protected]
Subject: Checking on you
Hey, honey—
After your cousin called Aunt Kathleen this afternoon, she told your father and me what happened at the convention earlier today. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Are you doing okay?
It all sounds terrible, and it’s not fair that you lost your job because Alexander Woodroe couldn’t manage to behave himself. I have no idea what Ron wanted you to do, honestly. How could you possibly have guessed what would happen? And even if you’d known, did he expect you to physically tackle Woodroe onstage and muzzle him until he calmed down?
That said, your Aunt Kathleen is very upset, and she keeps calling and saying over and over how you owe Ron an apology for allowing him to be humiliated in that way. Again, I know it’s NOT your fault, but could you possibly tell Ron you’re sorry in a brief email? If you forwarded the message to me, I could send it to Kathleen, and I think she’d feel better then.
Also, now that you have some free time, your father and I would love your company for a few days! We’ve been thinking about painting the den a different color. Maybe sage green? Anyway, you know how your father hates doing the corners and edges, and my knees won’t let me sit on the floor for hours anymore, so your help would be more than welcome. You’re so good at cutting in.
When you visit, I’ll do a roast and make Potatoes Anna, your favorite. Just let us know when you can come.
Love you, sweetheart,
Mom
19
“OH, JESUS,” LAUREN SAID WITH FEELING.
Say yes,he’d urged, and God help her, she’d almost agreed to whatever Alex’s cockamamie plan might be on the spot.
He’d ruined her. Without him, everything should have been quiet and peaceful since her late-night arrival at her duplex. Instead, everything had been quiet andboring. Quiet and boring and—sad. Too sad to sleep, given how she’d wound up sniffling every few minutes.
And now he was touching her, cupping her face with his warm, strong hands, and she couldn’t remember why she’d been crying only moments before. If pressed, she wasn’t certain she could reliably recall her own name.
