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"Fine. But only because of the gala. Then it's right back to it."
"Whatever you say, sweetheart."
He took her hand in his and led her down the hallway to her bedroom. She glanced at his open bedroom door along the way.
"Isabel?"
"What?" She shifted her gaze to his and found him watching her.
"What are you thinking, wife?"
The air left her lungs in a rush as his huskily murmured words drifted over her. They'd reached her door by then, but only a few more steps would take her back to his. "Nothing. I-I'm tired."
His gaze glittered as he stared down at her. Amusement? Patience?
He drew her close and pressed his lips to hers.
"My door is always open to you, sweetheart. Good night, Isabel."
She fumbled to turn the knob of her door and practically fell inside before shutting it behind her and pressing her back against the panel.
Seductive Everett was a force to be reckoned with—and one she had to sketch.Now.Before the image faded away like the way their marriage would end.
"You know Everett Drake?"Kirk said with a shake of his head in Tessa's direction.
They'd gone to dinner and then for a walk along the beach and now sat on her couch having a nightcap. "Not really. I only met him recently but Isabel seems quite taken with him."
"I'd say. Man, what I wouldn't give to be able to bend his ear for a while. That man knows more about business than anyone."
"Really? He seems too young for that." Tessa took a sip of her wine and listened as Kirk expounded on Everett's business acumen. It took a while. But when he finished, she smiled at him. "If he returns with Isabel, perhaps I could arrange a meeting between you. No promises," she said quickly. "But the girls are already planning a New Year's Eve celebration. Mary Elizabeth assumes Everett will join Isabel, but no one is certain."
"Tessa, sweetheart, that would be great. Thank you. Wow. It's just… I have things rolling for this project I'm working on, but one of my investors just reneged and pulled out. I'd love to know what Everett would do in that situation. I mean, I had people lined up before, but they've moved on to other things. Now I’m scrambling to keep all the balls in the air."
"That's understandable." Owning her own business, she knew well the problems too little cash flow could cause.
"At least it wasn't one of the big guns. I mean, I should be able to find someone to fund fifty grand, no problem, right? It's notthatmuch. I'd do it myself but I'm already all in and skating by." He broke off and shook his head. "I'm sorry. No woman wants to hear that from her man."
Her man? Was that really how he saw himself? The thought made her smile. "No, it's fine. Although I wouldn't have let you take me to such a luxurious dinner again had I known." He'd taken her to one of the upscale restaurants in Wrightsville Beach, one where a bottle of wine cost a week's worth of groceries.
"I wanted to."
"You spoil me."
"You deserve to be spoiled. Tess—"
Kirk broke off and she wondered at his words. "What?" she asked, feeling like a schoolgirl with the way he looked at her.
"You're just...you're beautiful. Amazing. I'm having so much fun with you. I hope you feel the same?"
He leaned forward and lifted his hand to caress her face, letting his fingertips glide over her smooth skin. Thank God she owned a salon, which forced her to keep up her appearance, because otherwise her old woman chin would've been apparent. "I'm having fun with you, too."
"Yeah?"
She sucked in a breath when she watched his head lower toward hers. He'd kissed her before. Many, many times. Light brushes over her lips or cheeks. But this…the look in his eyes…
Her lungs seized as his mouth settled over hers. Kirk pressed and she allowed the embrace to deepen. By the time he lifted his head, her heart raced and she wondered if she'd dreamed it. He'd seemed so passionate, like he didn't notice her wrinkles and lines and the years of difference she couldn't hide if she tried. And, oh, she tried.
"You're blushing," he said, amusement in his tone.
