Hot Property (Hot Zone 4)

Amy turned to Roper. “Don’t you have an appointment with the doctor and then with the physical therapist today?”

He glanced at his watch. Surprise at how fast the morning had gone registered on his face. “I do, but my family needs me right now. I’ll call Aaron and reschedule.”

She might as well start handling him now. “No, you won’t. Your shoulder might heal on its own, but you won’t get your strength back without hard work.”

“Amy’s right, John,” his mother said, shocking Amy.

If the stunned look on Roper’s face was any indication, he agreed.

“I’m tired. I’ve upset your sister and obviously overstayed my welcome. I’m going to go back to the hotel. First I’ll go talk to Sabrina and make peace. We can pick up the wedding talk another time. I still say they’ll regret a small wedding later.” With a wave, his mother headed in the direction Sabrina had gone, leaving Roper and Amy alone.

Roper leaned against the wall and let out a low groan. “She gave in,” he said, relieved.

“For now. And only because I backed off first,” Amy said.

“You are amazing.” She’d been astute enough to realize that his mother might perceive her as a threat. Roper shot her a look filled with admiration and gratitude.

She shrugged. “Years of experience at the retirement community, I guess. I just sensed she needed to feel in control of things.”

“Well, it worked.” Roper knew another reason why Amy had been able to get his mother to step aside for today, at least—because his mother was astute enough to sense there was more to Roper’s relationship with Amy than business. She’d said as much on the phone after meeting Amy at the apartment the other day. Cassandra thought her son had a thing for Amy, which worked to Amy’s benefit because his mother played nice to Roper’s girlfriends.

She had spelled out her reasons to him the one and only time he’d brought a girlfriend with him to L.A. The woman hadn’t had nearly Amy’s intelligence and she’d grated on his mother’s nerves, but Cassandra had been the gracious hostess, giving in to all the other woman’s requests—to go shopping on Rodeo Drive, to tour Paramount Studios—all because, as she’d told Roper later, she knew he’d grow tired of her quickly.

And he had. He always did. The women he met and dated up until now didn’t have enough substance to make him want them in his life long term.

“Time for the doctor,” Amy said.

He rolled his eyes at her bossy tone. He wanted to tell her that she wasn’t in charge. That he could make his own decisions. That he was the man.

Until he realized that if she hadn’t been here, he would have canceled his appointment. She’d done her job, keeping him on schedule. Damn, but he liked her take-charge personality.

“Amy, do you want to join us for a late lunch this afternoon?” Sabrina called out as she and his mother walked back into the room.

Amy paused, then said, “Love to.” She shot him a satisfied grin.

Knowing Amy, she figured keeping his mother and sister busy would enable him to work uninterrupted.

She was right.

But he’d have the last laugh. Because while he was going to his appointments, she’d be getting grilled by his inquisitive family.

He ought to tell her, then decided against it. Amy could handle herself.

“Can we talk before you take off?” Amy asked.

He nodded and she walked him to the door.

“Ready to rethink the lodge?” she asked.

He shook his head. “So far you’ve got things well under control. When you don’t, we’ll talk.” He threw down the gauntlet, knowing she’d work doubly hard to prove she could corral his family.

No escape necessary, or so he hoped.

“Promise?”

He nodded.

“Say it.”