Page 69 of One Night With The Nanny

“Just hand over the robe and I’ll figure it out. You’ve got a schedule to keep,” Reid scolded with a playful snap of his fingers.

Max laughed and rolled his eyes, stealing one last kiss. “I should have known better than to give you my itinerary, but I’m so glad you’re here.”

27

Friday 7:12 p.m. …

Was there such a thing as sixth thoughts? Reid had second thoughts as soon as he dialed Gavin’s number and third thoughts when he answered. He was due to arrive at any moment with a garment bag and Reid had nearly called and told him to turn back twice. His heart was racing as he paced by the dining room and watched the elevator at the end of the small hallway.

He heard the ding and considered hiding as Samuel stepped into the foyer to greet Gavin. There was a low rumble as Gavin thanked Samuel and Reid waved when the butler pointed at him.

“Over here,” Reid said awkwardly. “Thanks for coming.” He waved for Gavin to follow him as he turned into the main suite. Then, he backtracked to see where Gavin was. Reid found him in the living room. “Bedroom’s over here…” he said, pointing over his shoulder.

“This is where he brings you?” Gavin whispered, widening his eyes at Reid when the hair and makeup team from Agnes’s suite wheeled their cases into the elevator.

“It’s way too much, right?” Reid whispered back and Gavin laughed.

“Not if you’re a prince or Agnes Cameron, it seems.”

“Let’s put my tux in the bedroom and I’ll give you a quick tour before I get ready.”

Max’s stylist and assistant had already left, and Agnes’s stylist was nearly finished packing up, so they had most of the suite to themselves. Reid showed Gavin the sexy Viking range in the kitchen, the baby grand in the living room, and where the liquor was hidden in the study. He was giving a demonstration on the rowing machine in the gym when Gavin stopped him.

“Did you ask Morris to drive me here so you could show me a piano and a rowing machine?”

“No! But isn’t this place bonkers?”

“I don’t know why you ever come home,” Gavin said as he turned on his heel.

“Where are you going? I forgot to show you the closets in the dressing room. We could fit everything we own in there!” Reid said, following Gavin from the gym and down the hall.

“I’m going home.”

Reid groaned. “You just got here!”

“You’re stalling.”

“I know but I can’t do that if you leave.”

Gavin snorted as he turned and reached for Reid’s shoulder. “Not a single person down there is better than you. Max already knows that, stop worrying about what anyone else thinks.”

“Everyone is going to know, though!” Reid said and Gavin nodded.

“Good, and congratulations,” he replied firmly. “You should be proud of Max. He’s a wonderful man and he’s smart: he knows you’re worth all of this,” he said, gesturing around them. “I want the whole world to know that Max von Hessen is in love with you and I can’t tell you how happy I am that he’s willing to go to ridiculous extremes to show you.”

“I appreciate that…” Reid began slowly, possibly stalling. “But do I have to show him by going to a gala and stirring up a bunch of gossip? What if he wants to dance?”

Gavin stared at him. “Put on your goddamn tuxedo and go dance with the man, Reid. I’m sure there are plenty of men downstairs who would be happy to, if he looks half as good in a coat and tails as Agnes says he does.”

He looked even better and that was what eventually kicked Reid in the pants and got him moving. Reid wasn’t worried that Max would be tempted, even if the other man happened to be younger and hotter. He simply didn’t want another man on Max’s arm or waltzing with him when it could have been Reid.

The receiving line started at the ballroom’s entrance but Reid bypassed it, waving at Max and Agnes. He recognized several prominent New York politicians, businessmen, and a few media moguls waiting to shake hands with the gala’s hosts as he skirted the room’s perimeter until he found the bar.

“Makers Mark,” he told the bartender when it was his turn, nodding and smiling at the occasional curious look. He was wondering why he was there as well, but Reid figured he’d hang out at the bar and that Max would find him when he was free.

“Excuse me, Mr. Marshall,” Banks whispered from behind his shoulder, startling Reid just as he was about to take his first sip.

“Yes?” Reid replied and Banks blushed as he leaned in.

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