Page 19 of Getting Lucky in London

Laura waved a hand in dismissal. “Nonsense. You look lovely in it. Besides, just seeing the look on my son’s face when he looks at you is payment enough.”

More guilt. How could I tell her she had it all wrong?

“How did you two meet? Are you a client?”

I sipped at her tea, stalling while I tried to figure out how to answer. I couldn’t lie to her any more than I already had, after the kindness she’d shown. “We met through a friend.”

Not a lie. Dominic was my brother, but he was also my best friend.

The front door opened and shut, and a second later, Michael joined us in the kitchen. His eyes widened, then sparked in appreciation…and hunger, which was entirely inappropriate with his mother standing there. “You look stunning.”

His mother gave me an I-told-you-so nudge. Flushing from head to toe, I slid a glance to the woman whose eyes twinkled knowingly.

I lowered my cup to the counter. “I should go, but if you won’t let me pay, I’ll make sure this gets cleaned and returned to you as soon as possible.”

“No need.” Laura laid a hand on mine. “Think of it as a gift.”

“I couldn’t.”

Michael moved in beside me and took my hand from his mother’s grip. “You can’t argue with my mum. She’ll have her way no matter what.” He turned to his mother. “Cheers, Mum. I owe you one.”

He hurried me out the door and to the car. “We should have just enough time to get you there.”

When he climbed into the driver’s side, I leaned toward him and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

He snorted as he started the car and gave me a sly grin. “I was expecting better recompense than that for coming to your rescue, but I’ll seek payment later.”

“Some knight in shining armor you are, wanting payment from a damsel in distress. What ever happened to chivalry?” I relaxed as he pulled into the lane and aimed for Central London. It was all working out, thanks to Michael and his mother. “I didn’t know your mother was Lady Laura Chandler.”

He slid me a quizzical smirk. “How could you?”

Fuck. “I-I just mean I’m surprised. That’s all. The names don’t match.”

“She took back her maiden name when she divorced my father.” His bitter tone told me I’d hit a nerve, so I changed the subject.

“She asked if I was a client. Do you often sleep with your clients?”

He chuckled. “No. But if you’re fishing, I’m a partner in an architectural firm. In fact, my office isn’t far from where you’re meeting, so I might run by to pick up plans for a new client, and I have another errand to run.”

When he didn’t elaborate, I turned to look out the window and tried not to feel like shit for keeping secrets from him. He was so open and honest. I really needed to tell him I was Dominic’s little sister and our meeting wasn’t by chance. But the words wouldn’t come, and I wasn’t ready to end the fantasy or risk rejection. Not yet.

Twenty minutes later, he stopped in front of the fake address I’d given him. I wasn’t sure if he knew Daisy’s interview was with the museum, so I’d found a place close by. I’d have to catch a taxi or hoof it to my destination.

Before I could open the car door, he leaned over, his hand at the back of my neck, and pulled me in for a soul-searing kiss. My nipples peaked, and my core contracted. I melted into him just as he retreated.

His breath warmed her lips. “Now, that made all the hard work of your rescue worthwhile.”

I shoved at his shoulder, giggling like a giddy teenager, and opened the door. “I have to go.”

Once the door was shut behind me and I stepped onto the curb, the window rolled down. I ducked to look at him.

“I’ll be right here waiting,” he said, “when you’re finished.”

“Are you sure?” I figured I’d take a taxi to his place, find Dominic’s keys, and make a graceful exit…if that was what he wanted. “I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

“Doesn’t matter.” He waved and drove away.

As soon as Michael was out of sight, I hailed a cab and climbed in. Ten minutes later, I sat in the outer office at the back of the museum, trying to catch my breath. I ended up being five minutes early for my interview and took a moment to check my phone.

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