“George,” Noah said, nodding.
Turning red, he looked from one to the other of them. “Goddamn it! I’d heard the rumors, but I didn’t believe them. What in the hell were the two of you thinking?”
* * *
OF ALL THE LUCK.
Miller had to be the last council member Noah would have wanted to encounter under these circumstances.
Noah knew his fingers had to be biting into Cait’s arm. She seemed to be struck dumb, not even blinking.
He thought quickly, but there weren’t many options. No point in denying she’d spent the night, not when the bag that dangled from his other hand was peach-colored and clearly feminine.
“We’re both single adults,” he said evenly. “We’re not stepping on anyone’s toes.”
George’s eyes narrowed. Chances were he was seeing a gift placed right in his hands. He’d like nothing better than to force Noah’s resignation.
“The woman works for you, Chandler.” He shook his head in disgust. “You’re playing with fire here.”
Cait stiffened. “I can assure you there was no coercion involved, George. The city won’t be looking at a suit for sexual harassment, if that’s what you’re afraid of.”
George didn’t so much as bother glancing at her. Neither did Noah, who appreciated the sentiment but almost shook his head at her naïveté. George wasn’t afraid of a lawsuit—he’d like nothing better.
This was politics, plain and simple.
“This is a little more than the two of us sleeping together,” Noah said easily. “Cait has agreed to marry me.”
“What?” she gasped.
This time George’s sharp gaze did slice to her.
Noah tightened his fingers even more. “As it happens, you’re the first to know. We haven’t even told Cait’s brother yet. We’d appreciate it if you’d keep the news to yourself for a day or two.”
The dog squatted and peed on Noah’s lawn. George scowled at Cait and Noah.
“What do you plan to do about the job?”
“We wouldn’t be the first married couple to work together.”
Noah sensed words wanting to burst out of Cait, but for the moment she kept her mouth shut.
“Hmph.” The city councilman yanked on his dog’s leash. “We’ll see about that,” he snapped and turned back the way he came.
For a moment, Noah didn’t move. Then he steered Cait to the Suburban. As always when she wore her high heels, he stood behind her until she was safely in, tossed her bag in the rear, then went around and got in behind the wheel. He stuck the key in the ignition but didn’t turn it. His hand fell to his thigh.
He couldn’t decide if he was in shock or not. A man who’d sworn never to marry had just announced his engagement.
“Are you crazy?” she burst out.
He turned his head to look at her. “What did you want me to say?”
“‘It’s none of your business, George’? Or stop with reminding him that we’re two adults?” Her eyes shot sparks. “And, by the way, you couldn’t have mentioned that he’s a neighbor of yours?”
“He lives two blocks down.” Noah clenched and unclenched his jaw. “Howard Fulton is three blocks the other way. You know at heart this is a small town.”
“Oh, God.” Her voice had sunk to a whisper and she crossed her arms as if to hold herself together. “I knew this was going to happen. I’ll lose my job.”
“You won’t,” he said sharply.
“Oh, come on. You’re important—I’m not. I haven’t made any mark at all yet.”
He shook his head. “You don’t get it. If there’s trouble, it will be aimed at me. As your boss, I’m the predator and you’re the victim.”
“Oh, God,” she said again and bent forward as if her stomach hurt.
“You had to know we were heading in this direction.”
She looked at him with a complete lack of comprehension. “What are you talking about?”
“Marriage.”
Cait snorted. “Give me a break. Have you ever thought the word in relation to yourself?”
Stung, he gritted his teeth before responding. “I wouldn’t have said it to George if I hadn’t meant it.”