Page 35 of False Pretenses

“Um, okay.”

“Whatever he says or does, give him the benefit of the doubt if it upsets you. He is a good man, and often there’s more to why he does what he does than you know.”

So what did she do with that little tidbit? Leo hadn’t really given her much to work with in understanding Nathan. Even if he did, she was not a doormat. Leo might or might not know his son, but he didn’t know her.

“I’ll keep it in mind,” she said rather than question him further.

Lydia appeared in the doorway. “There you two are. I wanted to let you both know we’re having guests for dinner tonight.” The way she almost bounced into the room spoke volumes, but Alyssa decided not to speculate on why. Maybe Lydia got off on having people over. Of course, some did. She almost never had visitors, but that wasn’t by choice. If her neighborhood were better, she would entertain. As it was, she had a hard time convincing Trinity to visit. Instead, they spent time together at her cousin’s or at her uncle’s house.

Lydia’s popping about giving instructions to Talia, Aziz, and the cook somehow prevented her from getting around to sharing who was coming to dinner. Extra maids were called in to give the house a good scrubbing, although Alyssa hadn’t spotted even a speck of dust in the place. She managed to stay out from underfoot of all the activity. She swam in the pool, walked the beach, and took an afternoon nap. The idleness after the long hours running her bookstore felt incredible. She might as well soak it up.

The white dress she chose for the evening featured ruching at the center front, highlighted with a rhinestone-and-beaded brooch. The halter V neckline extended over her shoulders to crisscross in the back. She loved the soft material and how the dress ended just above her knees—not too short or too long, a simple style yet elegant at the same time. When Nathan strode into the room, she was just slipping into medium-heeled silver slingbacks. He paused upon spotting her, and she waited for the verdict.

“Incredible.”

Pleasure warmed her from head to foot, and she lowered her gaze to hide it from him. “Thanks.”

He strode over and rested his hands at her waist. When he leaned in to breathe deep at her neck, she bit her lip at her body’s reaction.

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“You smell good enough to eat. Forget dinner and stay here with me.”

“Lydia won’t hear of that.”

He sighed. “You’re right. Do you know who’s coming to dinner?”

Her eyes widened. “You don’t?”

He shrugged. “Mom is too excited to sit still more than a second. I tried asking Dad, and he doesn’t know either. Then again, he always did indulge her. As long as she’s happy, he’s okay with it.”

She studied his face, wondering if he would be that way with the woman he fell in love with. Not her concern. She shook her head and moved out of his hold. He loosened his tie and pulled his rumpled shirt from his pants.

“I’ll be ready soon. Work took longer than I thought it would.”

“Does it follow you around the globe?”

“Alyssa.”

She shrugged. “Whatever.” Before he could grab for her again, she moved away. A bit of last-minute rearranging of her hair, since a few pins had escaped the style she’d put it in, and she was all set. “I’m going down.”

“Wait for me.” He strode into the bathroom naked, and she took in the sight of his back, ass, and thighs with a sigh.

“Is that an order?”

He peeked out from the bathroom. “Please.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Fine.”

To the sound of his chuckling, she moved to the window and pushed the curtains aside. A dark car was just pulling up the drive. She strained to see as they disappeared from sight, and curiosity sent her to the doors leading out to the balcony. Voices rose from the driveway, Lydia’s unmistakable manic tones included. Alyssa leaned out to get a better look. A knot formed in her belly, and her fingers spasmed on the rail.

“Get a look?”

She jumped and turned around. Nathan stood in the doorway.

“Sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

Did she dare tell him the truth? Better to do it now rather than deal with the drama later. Why the hell would Cullen be a dinner guest, and the woman with him was without a doubt Piper’s girlfriend. Had she told her mother the truth about them and Lydia had been that excited to invite her over? That seemed unlikely.

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