Page 38 of Baby Perfection

“You have sources who have inside information regarding the Ridgeways and their lawyer?” At his bland stare, she nodded. “Okay, I guess you do. Why are they delaying?”

“They’ve arranged for a cardiac specialist to give Benjamin a full workup.”

“So you won’t have grounds to argue any possible health issues impeding their ability to raise Mikey,” she surmised.

“Shrewd as always,” he said with an approving nod. “That’s precisely their plan.”

“Okay.” She lifted her shoulder in a casual shrug. “How do you want to handle the wedding?”

The level of relief Lucius experienced at her immediate understanding and willingness to fall in with his plan, caught him off guard. He’d anticipated her arguing the need to marry quite so soon, had his arguments lined up like little ducklings following the mama duck. Or in this case, the papa. He’d been determined to bend her to his will with logic and reason, and if that didn’t work, with emotion. He’d even been prepared to commit the ultimate sacrifice and take her to bed and wring an agreement from her once he had her naked and helpless and vulnerable to his influence. Of course, considering those moments of ecstasy left him equally naked and helpless and vulnerable toherinfluence, put him at a small disadvantage. Not that it mattered.

Bottom line, he wanted Angie tied to him in every possible way, wrapped up in inescapable bonds, though he didn’t want tolook too closely at whether it was strictly for Mikey’s sake or if there were another, more personal reason for the sudden rush.

“I’d prefer a small, private ceremony,” he said. “Tasteful, with a few close friends and family invited.” A sudden thought struck him. “You’ve never mentioned your parents. Will they attend?”

She shook her head. “My father walked out on my mother when I was Mikey’s age. Mom died in a car accident shortly before I started working for you.” Her smile held a heartbreaking stoicism. “There’s just me.”

“I’m so sorry, Angie.”

“That’s okay.”

But it wasn’t. He could see it wasn’t. One more abandonment. One more relationship that had slipped away, never to be recovered. Could they be any more alike?

“I do have a couple of friends I’d like to include if that’s acceptable,” she continued. “Trinity, in particular. She’s my best friend.”

“Of course. Anyone you want. How about a sunset ceremony followed by a small dinner reception? Would that appeal?”

“Very much.” Her smile was radiant. “Will you be inviting the Ridgeways?”

“Definitely, though I doubt they’ll attend. I’m thinking engraved invitations, the Dorchester Chapel for the service, followed by a private dinner for our guests at Milano’s on the Sound. Joe has a room for events like these above the main dining room.”

“I’ll get on that right away.”

She immediately fell into PA mode, opening a kitchen drawer and rummaging around for a pen and notepad. Lucius took them from her and tossed them aside. Then he drew her into his arms. “You’re not my PA anymore.”

She settled into the embrace, releasing her breath in a laughing sigh. “That’s a good thing since I don’t believe our antics last night fall under the heading of proper office decorum.”

“Not in any office I’ve been in charge of.” He kissed her, tasting the tea that flavored her lips. “Nor any office I haven’t been in charge of.”

She settled into his embrace, her trim curves growing more familiar by the day, even as they grew more tempting. “I can’t begin to tell you how relieved I am to hear you say that. So, when are you thinking we should marry? I can’t send out engraved invitations without a date.”

“Good point.” He frowned in concentration. “Let me call Joe regarding the dinner and make the arrangements with Dorchester Chapel. I think they’ll both be willing to accommodate me.”

She stroked her fingers along the jutting curve of his jaw, causing his blood to heat. How did she manage that with just a single touch? “They’ll be accommodating because it’s you?”

He laughed, the sound ironic. “No, more because of my bank account. It does come in handy at times like this. Once I have that set up, do whatever it takes short of offering sexual favors to get those invitations printed and out as quickly as possible.”

She tempted him with a laughing pout. “And here I was looking forward to offering sexual favors.”

He chuckled. “You can offer them to me, instead. Or maybe I should offer them to you out of sheer gratitude.”

“I have to admit, I like a grateful man,” she teased. “Once the venue’s set, I’ll take care of the rest of the details.”

“Thank you, Angie.” He couldn’t help himself. He took her mouth in a slow, thorough kiss. He vaguely heard Mikey squeal in approval, banging his hands against his high chair tray as though in applause. “I agree, munchkin. That definitely deserved a round of applause.”

As always, it took Angie a few seconds to surface and her open passion and lack of artifice never failed to humble him. She moistened her lips as though still tasting him. “You leave tomorrow, right? Monday? How long did you say you were going to be gone?”

“Five days. I’ll see if I can’t cut it to four. Three. Maybe I can rearrange my schedule and get back here in three.”

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