Book 1 - Page 21 (1/2)

”You two seemed cozy last night. He's definitely into you.”

”I'm definitely into him.” Curling into the corner of the couch, I pressed my cheek into the cus.h.i.+on and hugged my legs to my chest. ”We're going to hang out, get to know each other, have casual-but-physically-intense s.e.x, and be otherwise completely independent. No strings, no expectations, no responsibilities.”

Cary hit a b.u.t.ton on his netbook and the printer on the other side of the room started spitting out pages. Then he snapped the computer closed, set it on the coffee table, and gave me all his attention. ”Maybe it'll turn into something serious.”

”Maybe not,” I scoffed.

”Cynic.”

”I'm not looking for happily-ever-after, Cary, especially not with a mega-mogul like Cross. I've seen what it's like for my mom being connected to powerful men. It's a full-time job with a part-time companion. Money keeps Mom happy, but it wouldn't be enough for me.”

My dad had loved my mom. He'd asked her to marry him and share his life. She'd turned him down because he didn't have the hefty portfolio and sizeable bank account she required in a husband. Love wasn't a requisite for marriage in Monica Stanton's opinion and since her sultry-eyed, breathy-voiced beauty was irresistible to most men, she'd never had to settle for less than whatever she wanted. Unfortunately she hadn't wanted my dad for the long haul.

Glancing at the clock, I saw it was ten thirty. ”I guess I should get ready.”

”I love spa day with your mom.” Cary smiled and it chased the lingering shadows on my mood away. ”I feel like a G.o.d when we're done.”

”Me, too. Of the G.o.ddess persuasion.”

We were so eager to be off that we went downstairs to meet the car rather than wait for the front desk to call up.

The doorman smiled as we stepped outside - me in heeled sandals and a maxi dress, and Cary in hip-hugging jeans and a long-sleeved T-s.h.i.+rt.

”Good morning, Miss Tramell. Mr. Taylor. Will you need a cab today?”

”No thanks, Paul. We're expecting a car.” Cary grinned. ”It's spa day at Perrini's!”

”Ah, Perrini's Day Spa.” Paul gave a sage nod. ”I bought my wife a gift certificate for our anniversary. She enjoyed it so much I plan to make it a tradition.”

”You did good, Paul,” I said. ”Pampering a woman never goes out of style.”

A black town car pulled up with Clancy at the wheel. Paul opened the rear door for us and we climbed in, squealing when we found a box of Knipschildt's Chocopologie on the seat. Waving at Paul, we settled back and dug in, taking tiny nibbles of the truffles that were worth savoring slowly.