Page 27 of An Enchanted Spring

“I thought nothing is unsalvageable in publicity.”

“It is if the most powerful man in the business makes it so.” Emma sighed. “I’ll figure it out tomorrow. I’ve had enough of today to last a lifetime.”

Aidan studied her thoughtfully. “All right. For now, let’s settle the payments and head back to the hotel.”

She nodded, a small, sad smile gracing her lips, and allowed him to usher her ahead.

Later that night,Emma stood in her room, wrapped in a fluffy white robe. She dumped the cardboard box of her clothes onto the lushly made bed.

One box. A single box contained the only items that hadn’t been destroyed in her apartment. Only the small load of laundry she’d hastily dropped off at the laundromat the other day. She had very little of value, monetary or sentimental. After her grandparents died, Emma was left with all their belongings—as well as their debts, funerals, and a myriad of other expenses. She was forced to sell everything to pay for it all. She had no inheritance from her parents—all they left to her had gone to her upbringing.

All she was left with was memories.

She grabbed her dark pink SAVE A HORSE, RIDE A COWBOY nightshirt from the pile and tugged it over her head, allowing herself a false sense of comfort from it.

Though she would’ve preferred to hide in the hotel bedroom all night, she needed something to drink. She glanced in the en suite bathroom and amended that—she needed something stronger than tap water.

Mentally girding her loins, she opened the door and walked downstairs to the living area, but she stopped short at the sight of Aidan, who was sound asleep on the couch. He’d turned the gas fireplace on, and the light danced off his features as he took long, even breaths. He still wore his tux, although the jacket was slung over the arm of the couch. His bow tie hung, untied and uneven, around his neck, and his shirtsleeves were rolled up to his elbows. His forearms were huge—solid muscle, relaxed in sleep, covered with a dusting of dark hair.

He was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen, but also the most complicated. Did they really only just meet yesterday? She felt as though she’d known him for much longer.

Or perhaps she’d just had the longest day of her life.

She studied him. He was a throwback to another era. Gallant, protective, almost…chivalrous.

She mentally rolled her eyes. That word was only in her mind due to the overwhelming medieval artifacts she’d been privy to that night.

And what was his relationship with Cian? He was more than just Aidan’s driver and bodyguard. They seemed to be friends, and he called Aidan “my laird” frequently. Perhaps it was an Irish thing, to call someone “my laird” out of respect. She certainly hoped Aidan didn’t expect her to call him that. Although she had to admit, the power in that title was rather sexy.

Emma mentally shook herself. Even though she held onto her sanity by a mere thread, she could allow herself a small, harmless crush on the man who’d saved her from an undesirable situation. It was probably even natural.

She carefully eased herself into the wingback chair and watched him sleep. She openly admired his jawline, wondering why he hadn’t been chased down by a modeling agency. His five o’clock shadow was making a spectacular appearance, giving his face an even harder edge.

She watched his chest rise and fall rhythmically. His chest was rock solid—there was nothing soft about him. When leading her into the hotel, he rested his palm against the small of her back, just enough pressure to move her forward without any effort. His hands were rough and calloused, as though he spent hours every day splitting wood with an axe, yet his manners were suave and sophisticated, something she’d expect from a businessman.

He was a mystery, and Emma wasn’t sure she wanted to solve it. She would have to move to a new place. With the amount of money Aidan deposited into her account that evening, she could go anywhere she wanted, at least for a little while.

“Emma, if you don’t stop thinking so hard, I won’t be able to finish my nap,” Aidan said without opening his eyes.

She gasped. “I didn’t know you were awake!”

“I didn’t want to interrupt your inspection,” he replied. “Did I pass?”

She crossed her arms and he opened one eye.

“I guess not,” he said, a small smile playing around his lips. He stretched, and Emma tried not to stare.

A small laugh escaped her mouth, and she clapped a hand over it to stop the completely inappropriate giggles.

“I’m glad you can find humor in my failings,” Aidan replied dryly.

“Laugh or cry,” Emma giggled, slightly hysterical. “Thesum total of outlandish incidents in my life, prior to yesterday, numbered exactly one. But since I met you, it’s been one catastrophe after another. I must admit, your job offer came at a fortuitous time.”

Aidan shifted uncomfortably. He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. He pressed his clasped hands to his mouth for a moment, then said hesitantly, “This was left at the front desk for you.” He reached behind the couch and picked up a bulky envelope from the end table.

Emma frowned. “Who could that be from?”

He didn’t look at her, but instead dumped the contents of the envelope onto the coffee table between them.

---