More Than Anything

The feeling lasted only till after, when we lay exhausted on the floor. Then without a word, I started to get dressed, sparing her only a word of goodbye as I closed the door behind me.

Book Four

Present

Twenty-One

Braden

It was still snowing heavily outside. I’d spent most of the day in my study, making calls and arrangements that, to be fair, could have waited till after Christmas, because I couldn’t face the woman whose presence in my house made me feel like I was being torn into pieces.

Maybe I should have stayed at the Jeffersons’. Fighting off seduction attempts from a woman who couldn’t even stir lukewarm emotions in me now seemed much more palatable than the maelstrom of feelings I was experiencing with Allie in the house.

I heard the faint sounds of music from downstairs, but I ignored it. I ignored the faint hunger in my belly too. I was being a coward, hiding instead of facing her, instead of telling her that without her, life had lost most of its color. What was the point anyway? She was always going to step her dainty little feet on the next plane going back to the next location, the next premiere, the next awards party. That was her life.

There was a knock, followed by Colleen.

I smiled tightly. “What’s going on?”

“Dinner.”

“Yes.” I glanced at my watch. “Will Allie be joining me?”

“Yes,” the housekeeper said, something in her expression leaving me wondering what was up.

I waited a few minutes before going downstairs to the formal dining room.

The table was set for two. Aside from the decorations on the walls, and slow holiday music, the table was lit by candles. It looked…set for romance.

Allie walked in a few moments behind me and took in the whole setup. “This is nice,” she said noncommittally.

“Yes.” I nodded, my eyes skimming over her. She was wearing a simple black dress, but nothing looked simple on her. On her, everything was sexy, tempting, an invitation to be peeled off to reveal the creamy beauty beneath.

“I was told you wanted me to join you for dinner. I had no idea you’d planned something so elaborate.”

I gritted my teeth; Colleen had a lot to answer for. “I didn’t plan anything, believe me. I’m as surprised as you are.”

She sighed. “Well, we can’t let the effort go to waste, can we. Let’s eat.”

She walked over to the place that had been set for her, and I hurried after her, pulling out her chair so she could sit. I sat at the head of the table and spent a few moments watching the play of candlelight on her hair and skin. She was breathtaking.

“Thank you,” she said, looking surprised. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

I realized I’d said the words out loud and groaned internally. I poured wine, and we ate in silence. It was just as well; soon I would be gone, and so would she.

“Sometimes, I forget how beautiful it is here,” she said softly.

“The house?”

She nodded. “I don’t know. There’s a feeling of safety, like all the craziness can never reach me here.”

“You love the craziness,” I said with a shrug.

Her lips pursed. “I don’t.”

“Would you give it up?”

She looked at me. “Would you give up your career, all the funds you manage, because of a little unpleasantness that comes with it?”