a play-by-play from the time you boarded until right before I called.”
After changing shoes, Lauren went from the bedroom to the living room as she gave a recap of the past twenty-four hours, including the instant attraction she’d felt for her preteen heartthrob and why with all of the social maneuvering around Christian that she’d seen last night, the party had felt like work.
“Everyone wanted a piece of him,” she finished.
“Including you?”
“Avery! I can’t believe you just asked me that!”
“Why wouldn’t I? You forget I’ve been your friend for a very long time. It’s just a matter of time before you have to act on that attraction. And don’t give me the ‘no love in the work zone’ argument. You’ve had a crush on that guy since forever. Don’t blow your chance to make your fantasy a reality.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Do more than think. Act. You’ll only be there for six months. What do you have to lose?”
It was a good question, one that Lauren promised Avery she’d ponder while resuming the search for something she’d already lost—her lucky charms.
Christian told himself that going to see Lauren was just about returning the bracelet, that spotting it on the driveway as he pulled up for an impromptu visit was life’s way of leading him toward her place.
When Victoria offered to have Elvis or one of the other guys drive it over, Christian told her he was “already heading that way.” But the real reason the newly elected president of a multibillion-dollar conglomerate was playing the part of delivery boy, instead of sending any one of at least fifty employees who worked on the estate, was because the only time it seemed he was able to stop thinking about Lauren was when he was talking to her instead.
In spite of his suspicions as to why she was here, thoughts of the sexy siren in that emerald-colored jumpsuit had consumed him since she’d stepped off the plane. He remembered his brief interactions with Lauren all those years ago. She’d been the quiet, leggy kid with adoring eyes who’d watched him when she thought he wasn’t looking. The kid he’d brushed off or ignored while pursuing her older sister.
What it was about Lauren that now had him so enthralled Christian didn’t know, except that it was something that none of the other women he’d been around lately possessed. It wasn’t just her beauty, though she was gorgeous, with features she seemed to have been born with rather than purchased. Christian had been around and dated some of the most beautiful women on the planet. What attracted him to Lauren was a mystery, one he was determined to solve.
Christian pulled into the driveway, cutting off the engine and stepping out in one smooth motion. Ignoring his increased heartbeat, he strolled to the front door and rang the bell. Several long moments passed and he lifted his hand to knock just as the door opened.
“Oh. It’s you.”
Christian took in Lauren’s bouncy ponytail and colorful sneakers, and the way her darkly bronzed skin glimmered against the pale yellow dress draped so becomingly over her curves. She looked absolutely delectable, and he prided himself on resisting the urge to lick his lips or kiss hers.
“Who were you expecting?”
“Um, someone else.”
She seemed distracted, swiping an errant strand of hair away from her face as she looked at the floor around her.
“Am I interrupting?”
“Actually, I was just heading out to look for something.”
“This, maybe?” He held up a silver link bracelet with dangling charms.
“Yes!” She reached for the bracelet.
Christian pulled back.
“Chris, give it to me. Now.”
“Only if you’ll be kind enough to invite me inside.” He meant that in all ways imaginable.
“Sure,” she said, stepping back.
He moved inside, stopped directly in front of her, just a few inches and a wall of heat between them.
“Now give me the bracelet.”
“Ask nicely.”
“May I have the bracelet, please?” Said through gritted teeth with flashing eyes.
Christian laughed. He unclasped the bracelet. “Here, allow me.”
“Where did you find it?”
“At the edge of the circular drive. I saw it just before going up the steps.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “Come on now,” he drawled, then grinned. “It’s why I came over, to give it back.”
“Really? I can’t tell.” She held out her arm and smiled as he placed the delicate silver chain around her slender wrist and looked into her eyes. She returned his stare—bold, unflinching. Obviously the shy, awkward tween was all grown up. He hooked the clasp, then, still holding her arm with one hand, turned the bracelet with the other and reached for one of several charms, this one a heart.
“Each of these has a meaning, right?”
“Yes.”
Christian’s thumb brushed the inside of her wrist. An unasked question was immediately answered as Lauren’s nipples hardened and pressed against soft cotton. She wore no bra. Acutely aware of his gaze, Lauren eased her wrist from his grasp and crossed her arms over her chest.
He observed the move but made no comment. Was she sincerely embarrassed? Playing hard to get? What does it matter to you? It didn’t, Christian reminded himself. He’d had enough experience with women to know that even if she agreed to a casual affair, emotions could shift and life could get ugly. She could become a stalker or worse, somehow try to trap him. He knew that when it came to temporary liaisons, it was best to keep a safe distance between his lovers and his family and professional life. That wouldn’t be the case with Lauren. Their mothers were very good friends. Even more, Lauren was now his mother’s assistant. Which meant she was off-limits.
Life wasn’t fair.
“A heart, huh?”
“Yep.” Lauren fingered the silver trinket, her eyes on him as her headlights dimmed. She’d gotten her body under control, he saw, at least for the moment.
“So since you’re wearing it on your sleeve, so to speak, does that mean no one has it yet?”
“That was really bad, Christian.” She turned and walked into the living room, toward the couch. “Like something you would have asked my sister when you were sixteen.”
“Yeah, it was pretty lame.” He pointed to the couch. “May I?”
“Of course. I’m sorry, where are my manners? Would you like something to drink?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Lauren joined him on the brushed-suede sofa. He moved to lessen the distance between them. As one hand encircled her wrist, the other fingered another charm on the bracelet. “Does this signify your wild side?”
“If so, I’d be quite dangerous. Bears are strong. That’s the mascot of my alma mater’s football team.”
“Which is...?”
“Morgan State.”
“I see.”
“Are you into college sports?”
“Not too much, and not football. My games are golf, basketball and tennis. A little pro baseball every now and then. Are you a big sports fan?”
“I