AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yes. I want to be with you.”
“Thank you, sweetheart. Enjoy your nap now. I’m going downstairs and taking our guest home. He ate more than enough.”
She chuckled, and he hugged her, keeping her against him for a long moment. “You’re too precious to me, Erin. I won’t let you go, and I’ll always be by your side to help you.” After a quick kiss, he left her and ran downstairs, ready to explain that the twins had retained him.
He shouldn’t have worried. Russell and Teresa still lingered at the table, chatting and laughing.
“Russell, shall we go? We’ve taken too much of their time.”
“Not at all,” Teresa protested.
“Bye, Teresa. Thank you for a delicious dinner,” Tim said. “Brianna is staying for the night, and tomorrow I’ll take you all to the swim club.”
“Not me, Tim. I have other plans.”
Tim almost flipped over when Russell bent and kissed Teresa’s cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow for tea in the afternoon.”
“That’d be lovely.” Teresa smiled warmly at her new friend.
“Did you enjoy your visit?” Tim sent Russell a sideways glance as he drove away.
“Immensely. Teresa is a charming woman and the best cook I’ve ever met. I’ve invited her for tea and cake. My butler will prepare the tea, and Teresa promised to make a special cake.”
“You don’t waste your time.”
“Never.” Russell laughed. “I enjoyed her company enormously. She’s witty, spontaneous, honest. She says things as they are and has a lot of dignity despite her lack of money. I like a confident woman when I see one.”
“What about Erin?”
Russell sobered. “I think Erin is a sweet woman who’s totally devoted to her children.”
“Do you still suspect her husband?”
“More than ever. With such an adoring wife at home, Perkins had a field day doing his deceitful tasks without her questioning him.” Russell’s voice sounded crisp and sharp. “Bothering her wouldn’t be of any help to me. She was obviously not aware of her husband’s activities. Besides, I’m convinced she needs every penny she honestly earns. I’m even tempted to help her.”
“Help her how? She won’t accept any charity.”
“I can do it indirectly. If Teresa agrees to cook for me, I’ll pay her generously.”
“She too may not accept any money.”
“Tim, don’t worry about my private dealings. I know how to convince a woman.” The man arched his eyebrows, his wily smile annoying the heck out of Tim.
Should he warn Teresa to be careful? No way, she would send him flying.
For the moment, Russell’s promise was reassuring. The businessman would stop pursuing Erin for money. And Tim would do his best to make her feel safe, relaxed, and cherished.
Chapter Fourteen
At seven sharp, Erin opened the garage door and found Tim’s car waiting in the driveway. Ignoring the rush of anticipation that meandered from her heart to her stomach, she climbed in next to him.
“Did you have a good nap?”
“Huh, no… Yes…yes.”
She caught his surprised glance and shrugged. She’d tossed for too long, a torrent of emotions flooding her mind, her fear of Russell’s reaction, although he’d acted as courteous as a lord, her memories of Tim’s lips against her ear and her throat, his hand gliding to her breast, causing goose bumps to sprout all over her body, and his demand for her to spend private time with him, in his arms…
Sleep had eluded her at first. When she’d imagined herself snuggled against him and secure in his arms, peace had washed over her heart, and she’d drifted off, a smile on her lips.
