Page 109 of Hearts Aweigh
“Maddie won’t mind if I borrow her stool for a few minutes.” She clasped her slender arms around Spencer’s neck, stared at his Adam’s apple, and sighed in frustration. “Even with the boost, you’re still a giant. Can you give a girl some help?” Cupping her hand behind his head, she tugged his face down until his mouth was an inch from hers.
Green eyes ensnared him. He leaned closer until a mere centimeter separated them.
Abby’s warm breath tickled his lips as she spoke. “Mr. Masterson, I have good news. You may not believe in falling in love, but I do.” As her lips stretched in a smile, they brushed his for the briefest instant. “I accept your apology and your confession too. That leaves one thing more to say.” She whispered in his ear. “It’s about stinkin’ time.”
Spencer turned his head and captured her mouth in a passionate kiss, followed by another. His arms crushed her tight. Her petite frame fit against his and locked into place like a missing puzzle piece. The warmth of her body thawed the frozen corners of his soul, and a sense of home he’d never experienced overwhelmed him.
Love and elation and a million other emotions rushed in, drowning him in their fervor. Pesky reality intruded with questions of locations and careers and taking the proper time to get to know one another, but he pushed them away.
His heart, his mind, and his world were filled with Abby. Everything else could wait.
CHAPTER 54
SPENCER STOOD WITHPRISCILLA ONthe pier. She wore an outfit more fit for a political rally than a flight—immaculate white suit with a red-and-blue designer scarf, five-inch heels, and minimal but expensive jewelry.
His ex-wife eyed him, her lips pursed. “You’re sure you won’t regret this impetuous decision?”
He battled the temptation to start another fight. “I can’t predict the future. But I’d like to spend the rest of it with Abby. She’s a beautiful, loving, genuine person. It will do Madeleine good to be around her.”
Priscilla smoothed her chignon. “On that point we agree.”
“Excuse me?” Spencer cocked his head.
Her gaze met his. “If this affair with the nanny falls through, I’ll consider taking you back. But if your crazy gamble pays off, I can at least take comfort in the knowledge a warm, caring woman is raising our daughter.” Priscilla sagged. “Perhaps she can give Madeleine the happy childhood neither you nor I lived.” Clearing her throat, she drew a pair of diamond-studded sunglasses from her bag, slipped them on, and held out a hand. “No hard feelings.”
He studied the long fingers with their perfectly shaped red nails, and a twinge of regret hit. They hadn’t been happytogether, but they’d done one thing right—Madeleine. For the gift of his daughter, he’d always be grateful to Priscilla.
He shook her hand. “Take care of yourself.”
His ex-wife walked to the waiting limo. The chauffeur opened the door, and she slid inside. Spencer headed for the ship with anticipation. Whatever awaited him in the future, he was sure it would be better than his past. Because of Abby.
He checked his watch and quickened his pace. They were supposed to meet in his suite after she dropped Madeleine off at the Kids Kingdom. They’d agreed it might be better for his daughter not to be present when they revealed their new relationship status to the Shippers. She was too young to grasp the intricacies of dating.
Spencer strode up the gangplank and through the tranquil lobby. Most of the passengers must be enjoying their day in port. An elevator ride took him to the suite’s floor, and his heart raced as fast as his feet. The few kisses Abby and he had shared before she left last night had only awakened a craving. If he hurried, they might be able to sneak a few more before the Shippers arrived.
He let himself into the suite and stalled as the door shut behind him. Abby stood in the same flirty green dress she’d worn the night she’d dined with the chef. At the time, Spencer had hated the outfit, but now that she was wearing it for him, his pulse tripped.
She extended a foot and waggled her gold, high-heeled sandal. “I chose my tallest shoes so we won’t be totally mismatched.”
Spencer bounded across the room. She giggled as he caught her in his arms. He pressed her close and bent his head near her ear. “Who says we’re mismatched? You fit perfectly.”
He kissed her lobe, and she shivered.
“Don’t start.” She squirmed from his arms. “The Shippers will be here any minute.”
“All the more reason to not waste a second.” Again, he reached for her.
Abby dodged right. Spencer stalked her around the living room couch. Her heel caught on the edge of the area rug, and she tottered to the side. He grabbed for her and wrapped her in a secure embrace.
“That’s more like it,” Spencer said.
Her emerald eyes sparkled. He bent his head, his lips a hair’s breadth from her own … and a knock sounded.
Spencer moaned and buried his face in her neck. “Why do they have to be so punctual?”
She pushed him aside and hurried to the door.
The four matchmakers entered the room and stood in a row, his mother at the end. Identical expressions covered each face. Suspicion.
