For the Sake of Their Son (The Alpha Brotherhood #5)(24)
Author: Catherine Mann

He pulled her closer, whispering, “The press is particularly ravenous today. We need to go through the private elevator.”

Her eyebrows pinched together. “I’m not so sure that’s the best idea.”

Damn it, was she going to bail on him before he even had a chance to get started? He would just have to figure out a way around it. “What do you propose we do instead?”

She tugged his arm, the warmth of her touch reaching through his race jacket as she pulled him closer to the observation window. “You taught me long ago that the best way to get rid of the hungry press is to feed them tidbits.”

The tip of her tongue touched her top lip briefly before she arched up on her toes to kiss him. He stood stock-still in shock for a second before—hell, yeah—he was all-in. His arms banded around her waist. She leaned into him, looping her arms his neck. He could almost imagine the cameras clicking as fast as his heartbeat, picking up speed with every moment he had Lucy Ann in his arms.

He didn’t know what had changed her mind, but he was damn glad.

Her fingers played along his hair and he remembered the feel of her combing her hands through it the night they’d made love. He’d kept his hair longer then, before the accident.

Lucy Ann sighed into his mouth as she began to pull back with a smile. “That should keep the media vultures happy for a good long while.” She nipped his bottom lip playfully before asking, “Are you ready to celebrate your win?”

* * *

Lucy Ann stepped out onto the castle balcony, the night air cool, the stone flooring under her feet even cooler but not cold enough to send her back inside. She walked to the half wall along the balcony and let the breeze lift her hair and ruffle through her dress before turning back to the table.

Elliot was showering off the scent of gasoline. He’d already ordered supper. The meal waited for them, savory Spanish spices drifting along the air.

There was no question that Elliot had ordered the dinner spread personally. The table was laden with her favorites, right down to a flan for dessert. Elliot remembered. She’d spent so much time as his assistant making sure to remember every detail of his life, she hadn’t considered he’d been paying just as close attention to her.

She trailed her fingers along the edge of her water goblet. The sounds below—other guests coming and going, laughing and talking—mingled with the sound system wafting more madrigal tunes into the night. She didn’t even have the nursery monitor with her for the first time since… She couldn’t remember when. Mrs. Clayworth had already planned to watch Eli tonight since Lucy Ann had expected to go to an after-race party with Elliot.

Then she’d kissed him.

Halfway through that impulsive gesture, Lucy Ann realized that holding back was no longer an option. Sleeping with Elliot again was all but inevitable. The longer she waited, the more intense the fallout would be. They needed to figure out this crazy attraction now, while their son was still young enough not to know if things didn’t work out.

Her stomach knotted with nerves. But the attraction was only getting stronger the longer she denied herself. It was only a matter of time—

As if conjured from that wish, Elliot stood in the balcony doorway, so fresh from the shower his short hair still held a hint of water. He’d changed into simple black pants and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. With the night shadows and flickering sconce lights he had a timeless air—the Elliot from the past mixing with the man he’d become.

She wanted them both.

Lucy Ann swallowed nervously and searched for something to say to break the crackling silence between them. “I can’t believe the press actually left us alone after the race.”

“We did slip away out a back entrance.”

“That never stopped them before.”

“I ordered extra security.” He stalked toward her slowly. “I don’t want anyone hassling you or Eli. Our lives are private now. I’m done playing the paparazzi game. At least we know this place is secure.”

“As private as the woods we hid in as kids.”

How many times had he made her feel safe? As if those quilted walls could hold out the world while they huddled inside reading books and coloring pictures like regular kids.

He stopped in front of her, his hand brushing back a stray lock of her hair. “Why did you kiss me after the race?”

“To keep the press content.” To let other women know he was taken? “Because I wanted to.”

He tugged the lock of hair lightly. “I meant why did you bite me?”

A laugh rolled free and rode the breeze. “Oh, that. Can’t have everything going your way.”

“You’re more confident these days.” His emerald eyes glinted with curiosity—and promise.

“Motherhood has given me purpose.” Even now, the need to settle her life for her child pushed her to move faster with Elliot, to figure out one way or another.

To take what she could from this time together in case everything imploded later.

“I like seeing you more comfortable in your skin.” He sat on the balcony half wall with unerring balance and confidence. “Letting the rest of the world see the woman you are.”

As much as she feared trusting a man—trusting Elliot—she couldn’t help but wonder if he would continue trying to spin a fairy-tale future for them long beyond tonight and ignore the fact that she had been the unnoticed Cinderella all her life. She wanted a man who noticed the real her—not the fairy tale. Not the fantasy. If she was honest, she was still afraid his sexual interest had come too late to feel authentic.

“You make me sound like I was a mouse before—someone in need of a makeover, like that reporter said.”

He cursed softly. “You heard their questions?”

“The TV system in the private box was piping in feed from the winner’s circle.” She rolled her eyes. “It was a backhanded compliment of sorts.”

“Don’t ever forget I saw the glow long before.”

She couldn’t help but ask, “If you saw my glow, then why did it take you all those years to make a move on me?”

“If I remember correctly, you made the first move.”

She winced, some of her confidence fading at the thought that they could have still been just friends if she hadn’t impulsively kissed him that night they’d been drunk, celebrating and nostalgic. “Thanks for reminding me how I made a fool of myself.”

“You’re misunderstanding.” He linked fingers with her, tugging her closer. “I’ve always found you attractive, but you were off-limits. Something much more valuable than a lover—those are a dime a dozen. You were, you are, my friend.”