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“Great. I’m dying to see it.”
Liar.
In truth, Scarlet’s previous obsession with getting a good look around the place had vanished the second Michael had told her he’d invite Sam along for their rendezvous.
Sam said, “The mansion can be a little overwhelming, I’ll forewarn you. I got lost the first couple of weeks I lived there. Had to memorize some landmarks to know which direction I was going, like the Italian vases are arranged on display stands in the back portion of the east wing and the French ones are scattered on tables in the front part of the west wing. Things like that.”
“Hopefully I’ll be able to find a bathroom.”
“Not too difficult,” he said with his easy grin. “There are twenty-two of them.”
“That’s helpful,” she deadpanned.
“Also eight bedrooms. Six suites. Numerous living and dining rooms. A library and fitness center.”
Scarlet blanched. “Oh, Jesus.”
“Don’t worry. There’s always someone in the hallways cleaning something who can send you to the right place.”
“So when you said it was a little overwhelming at first … That was a total understatement.”
He kissed her forehead and told her, “Don’t stress. We’ll mostly be in the guesthouse.”
“And how many bathrooms does that have?”
“Just four.”
“Just four, he says.”
Sam took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You hardly strike me as the type to be intimidated by real estate.”
“Usually not. One of my best friends, Jewel Catalano, grew up in a mansion in wine country.”
“Then no worries.”
“The difference is, today I’m invading the turf of someone I have to consider a suspect in a crime. Two someones, to be exact.”
“You did just fine when you suspected both Michael and me,” he reminded her.
“Well, Michael was a bit gritchy with me in the beginning. Not quite pissed off enough to keep from asking me out on a date, though. And as for you … You had me off the scent the second I saw the puppy.”
He laughed but said, “That’s not true. It took more convincing than that to get you to realize I honestly don’t have a clue as to what happened to the art collection.”
“Well, someone has to know. By the way, how’s Rudy?”
“Doing much better. Eating more and he looks less terrified of snowflakes and a stiff breeze. The vet took him for the weekend. I figure that’s a good thing, so he can get looked over again and we can make sure he’s on the solid road to recovery.”
Her heart swelled. “You’ve been really worried about him.”
Sam’s sky-blue eyes glowed warmly. “I’m really happy about him. He’s a survivor. A tough pup. And I’m glad I found him.”
“That’s very endearing. And I bet he’s damn glad you found him, too.” She brushed her lips over Sam’s and felt that now-familiar jolt low in her belly, along with the stirring of emotions deep within her.
He let out a sexy groan and told her, “It’s a good thing we’re here. Or we’d be getting into a lot of trouble in the back of this limo.”
“I’ve become a big fan of trouble lately.”
“Hmm. A different kind of living dangerously.”
