At His Majesty's Convenience / Her Little Secret, His Hidden Heir. Jennifer Lewis

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СКАЧАТЬ He moved to the liquor cabinet, deciding to have that whisky after all. “I am relieved. The thought of managing without you was quite frightening.”

      Andi had risen from the sofa and was now waltzing around the room by herself, singing, “Someday my prince will come.” She twirled, sweeping her pale evening dress about her like smoke. “Some day I’ll love someone.” Her radiant smile was almost infectious.

      Almost. Jake took a swig of his drink. Did she really think they were having some kind of relationship outside their well-established professional one? As much as the idea appealed right this second, he knew it would really mess things up once she snapped out of whatever chemical induced trance she was in.

      He’d better remind her of that. “We’ve worked together a long time.”

      She stopped twirling for a moment, and frowned. “I don’t think I do work.”

      “You’re a lady of leisure?”

      She glanced down at her evening gown. “Yes.” She frowned; then her expression brightened. “I must be. Otherwise why would I be dressed like this?”

      Had she temporarily forgotten that she was his assistant? “Why are you dressed like that?” She’d certainly never worn anything so festive before.

      “It’s pretty, isn’t it?” She looked up at him. “Do you like it?”

      “Very much.” He allowed his eyes to soak up the vision of it draped over her gorgeous body. Desire licked through him in tiny, tormenting flames.

      Andi reached out and tugged at his shirt. Even that made his synapses flash and his groin tighten.

      “Why don’t you come sit with me.” She stroked the sofa cushion next to her.

      “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” His voice came out gruff.

      “Why not?”

      “It’s late. We should get to bed.” The image of her in his bed flooded his brain, especially as it was right there in the next room. But caution tightened his muscles.

      “Oh, don’t be silly—” She frowned. “How odd.” She glanced up at him. “I can’t think of your name right now.”

      Jake was about to tell her, but something made him stop. “You don’t know my name?”

      She looked up for a few moments, as if searching her brain. “No, I don’t seem to know it.”

      Panic tightened his chest. “What’s your name?”

      She looked toward the ceiling, scrunched up her brow and clenched her fists. When she finally looked back at him, her expression had changed from glee to confusion. “I’m not sure.”

      “I think we should call for a doctor.” He pulled his phone out.

      “A doctor? What for? I feel fine.”

      He hesitated. “Let me look at you. Did you bump your head?”

      She shrugged. “I don’t think so.”

      He put his phone back in his pocket and touched her temples with his thumbs. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him and her scent was a torment. He worked his fingers gently back into her hair—which was soft and luxurious to touch. “Hey, I feel a lump.”

      “Ouch!”

      “You have a bruise.” He touched it gently. A big goose egg. That explained a whole lot. “We’re definitely calling the doctor. You could have a concussion.” He dialed the number. “Listen, sorry it’s so late, Gustav, but Andi’s taken a fall and bumped her head. She’s not talking too much sense and I think you should look at her.”

      Gustav replied that he’d be there in the ten minutes it took to drive from the town, and to keep her awake until he got there.

      After letting the staff know to expect Gustav, Jake sat down on the sofa opposite her. It made sense to find out just how much of her memory had vanished. “How old are you?” Odd that he didn’t know that.

      “Over twenty-one.” She laughed. Then frowned. “Other than that, I’m not too sure. How old do I look?”

      Jake smiled. “I’d be a damned fool if I answered a question like that from a woman.” He decided he’d be better off following the lawyer’s strategy of only asking questions he knew the answer to. It was pretty embarrassing that he really didn’t know how old she was. “How long have you lived here?”

      She stared at him, mouth slightly open, then looked away. “Why are you asking me these silly questions? I’ve lived here a long time. With you.”

      Her gaze—innocent yet needy—ate into him. She stroked the sofa arm with her fingers and his skin tingled in response. She seemed to have lost her memory, and, in its absence, assumed they were a couple.

      Jake sucked in a long breath. They’d never had any kind of flirtation, even a playful one. She always seemed so businesslike and uninterested in such trivial matters. He’d never really looked at her that way, either. Much simpler to keep business and pleasure separate, especially when a really good assistant was so hard to find and keep.

      Right now he was seeing a different aspect of Andi—alarming, and intriguing.

      She rose and walked a few steps to his sofa, then sank down next to him. Her warm thigh settled against his, causing his skin to sizzle even through their layers of clothing. He stiffened. Was it fair to offer a man this kind of temptation?

      At least it was keeping her awake.

      Her fingers reached up to his black bow tie and tugged at one end. The knot came apart and the silk ribbons fell to his starched shirtfront.

      “Much better.” She giggled again, then pulled the tie out from his collar and undid the top button of his shirt. Jake watched, barely breathing, trying to suppress the heaving tide of arousal surging inside him.

      After all, it would be rude to push her away, wouldn’t it? Especially in her delicate and mysterious condition.

      When her fingers roamed into his hair, causing his groin to ache uncomfortably, he had to take action. He stood up rapidly. “The doctor will be here any minute. Can I get you a glass of water?”

      “I’m not thirsty.” Her hurt look sent a pang to his heart.

      “Still, it’s good to keep hydrated.” He busied himself with filling a glass at the bar, and took care not to accidentally brush her fingertips as he handed it to her. Her cheeks and lips were flushed with pink, which made her look aroused and appealing at the same time.

      She took the glass and sipped cautiously. Then looked up at him with a slight frown. “I do feel odd.”

      Jake let out a sigh of relief. This seemed more like the real Andi than the one spouting loopy epithets. “You’ll probably feel better in the morning, but it can’t hurt to have the doctor take a look.”

      Alarm filled him as tears welled in her eyes. “It’s just so strange not being able to remember СКАЧАТЬ