From Boardroom to Bedroom

The smile that spread across Nigel’s face had her wondering if she’d just sacrificed every part of her sanity...and her heart.

Six

“Okay, Nigel,” Lulu said, as she stepped from her en suite. “I’ll try to hint around to Fee about her wedding. I agree it would be amazing to make it a special episode of the show.”

“Thanks, Lulu,” Nigel replied. “I knew I could count on your support.”

She disconnected the call and slid her cell into the pocket of her robe.

Lulu Shepard may be one of the stars on Secret Lives, but her life was crumbling. Her very best friend, the one she confided in and went to when she needed a trusted soul, was leaving the show.

Seraphina had found love and was moving to Texas to begin her life. Lulu was happy for her, but selfishly she wanted her friend to stay in her life, as a constant, reassuring presence. Though she did love the idea of the wedding being aired for the world to see. The love Fee and Clint found should be shared and celebrated at any opportunity.

But after the wedding...what would Lulu do with Fee so far away? Their luncheons would be reduced to texts and occasional calls. Even now, Fee was away more than she was home, spending as much time as she could with Clint in between packing up her life in Manhattan. It was almost enough to make Lulu wish she’d stayed longer in Texas... But no, it was better that she’d left.

This show was such a huge part of her life and she loved every aspect of it. She truly had no idea what she’d do if the show failed or if she didn’t have that constant in her life anymore.

The doorbell rang and Lulu glanced to the time. Nearly ten o’clock. Who would be stopping by this late?

Clearly someone the doorman knew, but he hadn’t buzzed her to let her know, meaning it was either a neighbor or the guest was on the list to be allowed up unannounced.

That narrowed down her suspects to just a handful.

She crossed her penthouse and looked out the peephole. The one person she both wanted to see and wanted to avoid stood on the other side.

Kace LeBlanc.

She tightened the knot on her silky robe and pulled in a shaky breath as she slid the lock and opened the door.

“Kace.”

Those warm brown eyes landed on her and she felt the jolt just as fiercely as if he’d reached out and touched her.

She’d done some reckless things with Fee and the cast of the show, but none had been as reckless as starting to lose her heart to Kace. The man was the opposite of her, he lived in Texas, he irritated the hell out of her... But she couldn’t deny there was still something about him that turned her on in ways she couldn’t explain.

She’d seen a different side of him when they’d helped clean up from the fires in Royal. He’d not been so cocky and arrogant. He’d been...strong, powerful, commanding in a ridiculously sexy sort of way as he’d worked to get things organized and put the town back in order.

And she’d ultimately given in to that attraction. Who could blame her? There was no way she could keep denying herself, denying him.

“What are you doing here?” she finally asked.

His eyes raked over her state of undress and she shivered once again. Who knew a stare could be so potent?

Kace took a step forward, urging her back until he was inside and could close the door behind him.

“I’m in town for business,” he told her. “I was walking to my hotel and the next thing I knew, I ended up here.”

“Without calling or texting?” she asked, irritated that he could get to her on every level. “That’s rude, Kace, even for you.”

He took one step closer. “Are you going to turn me away?”

Lulu crossed her arms to keep from reaching for him. “No. No, I’m not.”

The smile that spread across his face had her wondering what the hell she was getting in to.

* * *

“Did I tell you how stunning you look tonight?”