“So our baby will have a grandfather after all,” she said, the thought warming her.
“And a doting one, I wager.” Her stomach chose that moment to rumble. He chuckled and looked down at her. “Hungry?”
“I lied at the pub. I didn’t eat.”
“Hmm. Let me fix something.”
“You don’t have to. I can go back to the hotel and order room service—”
“And it won’t arrive until nearly ten o’clock. I can cook, remember? What are your no-go foods?”
She laughed. “Coffee, tomatoes, runny eggs.” She shuddered. “For some reason, I cannot do yolks right now.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got this. You relax and I won’t be long.”
He shifted out from under her and headed for the kitchen, while she leaned back against the sofa cushions and marveled at the life events that had brought her to this moment, in his house. She looked around, taking in the fine draperies, the huge rug in the middle of the floor, the expensive lamps. It reminded her a little of the room at Chatsworth Manor that the family used fo
r their casual use, rather than the more formal drawing room. She got up from the sofa and made her way to the kitchen, where Jacob had his head stuck in the stainless steel fridge.
“Do you mind if I give myself a tour?”
“Not at all.” He straightened and smiled. “This floor has the kitchen, dining room, small bath and a study. Upstairs are the bedrooms and other bathrooms.” His gaze touched hers. “I did mean it about you staying if you want. I do have room.”
But not in his room. And she wasn’t sure she could stand being down the hall from him again, imagining him in bed, his chest bare, his long legs with one sticking outside the covers.
She didn’t respond, but instead backed away and went to explore.
The half bath was lovely, with a small marble counter and gold taps. She’d noticed the kitchen had a nook for eating, and the dining room was rather splendid, with a table that seated eight and a sideboard that she was absolutely envious of. But it was the study that drew her in and made her catch her breath. So much dark wood, from the woodwork to the gleaming floors to the massive bookshelves that covered the walls. And the shelves were full of books. New ones, old ones, spines faded and worn. There was a magnificent rolltop desk and chair, and a fireplace with comfortable chairs around it. For a moment she imagined sitting in one of these chairs, a fire blazing, reading a bedtime story to their child.
But that wouldn’t happen, would it? If anyone read bedtime stories here, it would be Jacob. There would be times their child would visit here, without her, spending time with Jacob, while she would be home, missing both of them.
She wrapped an arm around herself, suddenly lonely.
The upstairs was equally gorgeous. Each bedroom had its own four-poster bed, with rich linens and matching window coverings. The bathrooms were stunning, with huge soaker tubs and separate showers. Buying this place had to cost a fortune. Renovating it cost even more. Jacob wasn’t lying when he said his business provided well. Yet you would never know he was wealthy in his own right. There were no airs put on. He was just an ordinary guy.
There was something refreshing about that.
When she arrived back downstairs, she found him in the kitchen, putting sandwiches on plates. “Nothing fancy,” he said, smiling. “Cheese toasties.”
“That’s perfect.” There was something so comforting about a simple cheese sandwich. He’d poured her a glass of water, too, and put everything at the small table in the kitchen’s eating nook.
“If you like we can move this to the dining room.”
She caught his eye and saw he was teasing. “This is fine.” She took a bite and tasted butter and cheese and sighed in appreciation. “This is just what I needed. Thank you, Jacob.”
“You’re welcome.”
They munched for a few minutes in silence, until the quiet became uncomfortable. “So... How’s business been since you’ve been back?”
Jacob wiped his hands on a napkin. “Good. I’ve been in the office the whole time, though. I was just thinking today I might like to take another assignment. I can only stand being behind a desk for so long.”
She nodded, but the bite of sandwich seemed stuck in her mouth. Another assignment. He did have wandering feet, didn’t he?
“I didn’t realize you did assignments anymore. I thought mine was to cover for someone who’d been sick.”
“It was. I wasn’t scheduled to take your job because I was supposed to be on vacation. But I do put myself on the rotation. It keeps me sharp.”
And in danger, she thought. Guarding her hadn’t been that dangerous. It had been an employee with a gripe, who’d wanted to hit back at Aurora Inc. but not harm her physically. That wasn’t always the case, though, was it? I mean, who hired bodyguards if there wasn’t a threat?