Page 13 of Like You Love Me

Bianca caught herself nodding and realized what she was saying was true. “I would. Once Dr. Charles says it’s okay, I would like to begin trying.” She suddenly realized that she hadn’t taken her birth control pills since the accident.

“I can’t wait.” He kissed her and dragged her off the chair and over onto his lap. She stared up into his face. “All the fun is in trying,” London said with a wink before the warm pressure of his lips covered hers.

A soft sigh escaped her mouth as London’s tongue slipped inside. Bianca hoped planning to have a baby would help ease Collin’s request to be in Sierra’s life. It wasn’t much, but it was something. Maybe if she hurried and got pregnant, she could share the good news first. That’s if she could get Collin to hold off long enough.

The moment Bianca stepped into the luxurious Beaumont Hotel in a designer houndstooth coat, employees turned in their chairs. Most smiled while others chorused, “Welcome back!”

“Thank you,” she mouthed as she breezed across the sparkling-white marbled lobby toward a bank of elevators. She pressed the button to take her up to the corporate offices, which occupied the entire fifth floor. When the elevator’s bell dinged, and the door slid open, she climbed out the small compartment and sauntered toward her office. There were more greetings, and she waved and kept moving. She was determined to avoid small talk and hear employees tell her how sorry they were about the incident. Her assistant was up from her chair the second she saw her coming.

“Good morning, Bianca,” Mary greeted her. “I didn’t know you were coming in today.” She rounded the U-shaped desk and wrapped her arms around her.

Bianca squeezed her, then drew back and smiled at the worry gleaming in her assistant’s dark brown eyes. Mary was a lovely woman with peanut-butter brown skin and long dark faux locks she had spun into a sophisticated updo.

“I couldn’t spend another day at home and decided to come in for a few hours.” Bianca gave a quick look at her watch. Four hours, she reminded herself she had pledged to work half the day.

“I am so glad to see you.” Mary had been working for her for more than a decade. Bianca briefly squeezed her hand.

“I’m glad to be back.” She started for the office door behind Mary’s desk when she stopped and swung around to say, “How was your holiday?”

“It was very nice. I had a chance to spend time with my folks.”

“I’m glad. Family is important,” she replied sincerely. “Okay, so let my brothers know I am in, and let’s go over my calendar in a few minutes.”

“Sounds good. Would you like some coffee?” Mary offered.

Bianca grinned. “Yes, please.”

“Coming right up.” She backed away quickly and strolled toward the elevator in a brown tweed dress and stylish brown wedged boots. There was a Starbucks in the lobby, and Mary knew how much her boss loved a caramel macchiato with two expresso shots.

Bianca moved into her posh office and noticed the poinsettias were gone as well as the Christmas decoration. Her assistant took care of everything. She peeled out of her coat and hung it on the back of the door, then moved to take a seat in the chair. It felt good to be back. Swiveling around, she stared at the beach and the icy Atlantic Ocean below and released a sigh. The breathtaking view always had a way of settling her nerves. The luxurious hotel chain had started with this location and now had locations across the country. With a grin, her eyes shifted along the snow-covered sand, and to the far left, up high on the hill, was Beaumont Manor, where she and her brothers had grown up. The entire hill was covered with a beautiful blanket of snow, with the large house on top almost like a Christmas tree topper.

There was a soft knock, and Bianca swung around to find Jace standing at the door.

“Hi, big brother,” she greeted cheerfully.

He strolled inside her office in a sharp midnight blue suit that fitted his size six-two frame to a tee. As he came across the room, Bianca met him halfway and wrapped her arms tightly around him.

“Squirt are you okay?” he asked, using her pet name.

With a tilt of her head, she stared up at Jace’s handsome nutty-brown face and thickly lashed sable-brown colored eyes before saying, “I’m better than okay. You know I have an amazing husband.”

“Yes, London is a good man,” he admitted. “But I wasn’t expecting you back in the office. Not yet.”

She pressed a kiss to his cheek, then drew back and gazed up at him. “Isn’t Sheyna back at work?”

Jace shook his head and looked confused by the question. “No, not yet.” He released her and eased down into the chair across from her desk, and waited until Bianca was seated before continuing, “She won’t admit it, but she’s having a hard time. She’s been dealing with a lot of nightmares.”

Bianca had not thought to ask Sheyna if she also was having terrible dreams, because she never would have volunteered the information. Sheyna always had a way of putting other people’s needs before her own. “A crazy man kidnapped her. I can understand.”

His brow stretched upward. “I’m not sure when my wife will be back, but I’m not rushing her.”

Bianca turned up her nose. “She’s a strong woman. I think the bachelor auction gives her something positive to focus on.” Bianca gave him a teasing grin. “Twelve sexy single men.”

Jace scowled and stroked a neatly barbered goatee as he said, “I try not to think about that, but it gives her a purpose right now and keeps her from being around here. I think being in the building is the reason she’s in no rush to return.”

“She earned the break.”

“Yes, she has.” Jace cleared his throat, and she could tell he was uncomfortable discussing his wife’s mental health. Bianca gladly changed the subject.

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