When he emerged from the Maserati she wondered if she’d dreamed that this handsome, sexy man had told her he loved her. Unable to hold back, she darted out to hug him.
“Mmm, that feels good,” he said.
Pleased, she reached up and kissed him.
“So did you like being here on your own, without me?” His eyes twinkled.
He was teasing her, because she’d thrown herself into his arms. “I’m not answering that. I might incriminate myself.”
“It’s only fair. I didn’t like being here without you.”
“So you wanted me to know how that felt.”
“Yes.”
“You’re shameless.” She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. “Have you eaten? Can I make you something?”
“I’d like to go for a stroll around the grounds. I understand it’s something you always do when you return to Burlington Manor.” There was mischief in his eyes.
“Okay.”
He took the lead, first ushering her with his arm around her waist. When they walked along the gravel path at the rear of the building, he held her hand, meshing his fingers with hers. That simple act made her feel light-headed. He’d never held her hand like that before. Walking alongside him with their fingers clasped together felt deeply significant.
“I’ve done a lot of thinking about this place, about ways to make it work. Your fault.” He smiled her way. “You got me thinking with your proposals for renovating the stables and cottages.”
Carmen peered at him. “Why, Rex Carruthers, I do believe the shadow of mortmain has finally gone from your eyes.”
“Ah, well, that’s your fault, too. Although I’m not entirely sure that you’ll like my proposal, but it is negotiable.”
“Okay.”
“Some of the things you said really stuck with me. You want to see the place alive with people. I liked your proposal for the holiday lets, but that would be transient.”
“You’ve got a better idea?”
“Maybe. I was thinking of something more permanent.”
Permanent? “Go on, I’m fascinated.”
She was, although it was making her nervous that he was talking about his plans for Burlington. That familiar fretful feeling came upon her as she realized what that might mean for her—saying goodbye to the manor.
“I currently rent premises for Slipstream in South London, at a hefty cost to the business. We don’t really need to be based there, other than my team live there. It occurred to me that the disused stables could be used for the workshop and offices, and the old cottages restored for accommodation for the team.”
Carmen was shocked. If Rex was making plans on his own, was he already thinking past their time together? She clung to her role as a businesswoman and tried to address the proposal without letting her emotions get involved, difficult though it was.
However, when she looked out across the land where he was gesturing, she could picture it all. The businesswoman in her recognized it as an amazing idea. When she saw the light in his eyes as he talked about a miniracetrack and she knew what it meant—he was glad to have found a way to work with the responsibility that he’d walked away from so many years before. She was proud of him, but she barely had a hold on her emotions. When she forced herself to respond, she could hear the tremble in her own voice. “That’s an amazing plan. It would bring new life and that would be so positive for the estate.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
She saw relief in his eyes. He’d been worried about her reaction.
He studied her quietly for a moment, then squeezed her hand and they continued on their circuit around the house. “I tentatively proposed it to my team. I was dubious at first because the two lead engineers both have young families. I asked them to discuss it with their wives and they’re both keen. They see it as a positive move.”
Her stomach knotted. “It’s a done deal, then?”
“Not at all. It depends on you.”
“Because you want to buy me out?”