Page 58 of Nigel

He put away thecontract he had been going over and rose to join her on the bed. “Avais involved with someone.”

“That’swonderful.” Twisting around she met his eyes. “And beingthe over protective big brother, you do not approve of the guy.”

“He is NigelHawthorne.”

Her eyes widened.“Nigel as in magic hands and a penchant for creatingexceptional buildings, Nigel? That guy?”

“One and thesame.” He rubbed her arm absently. “She is in love withhim and claims that he feels the same.”

“How long havethey been seeing each other? There is nothing in the papers-“

“A little overa month. She spent the night with him recently and he has gone off tothe UK on business. She wants to have a family dinner to introducehim. They are eager to be married.”

“I think thatis absolutely amazing. She deserves someone.”

“He is amulti-billionaire.”

“All thebetter.” She laughed at the expression on his handsome face.“Darling, this is a good thing.”

“I don’tknow.” A troubled frown touched his brow. “I asked why hewas still single and she said he lost someone when he was in histwenties and had a difficult time recovering.

Jeffry dug up thepolice report and discovered that he was involved with a girl incollege. She went out one night to get coffee and pastries and anaddict grabbed her in an alley and slit her throat.”

“Oh, goodLord.”

“Yes. Why thehell didn’t he go with her?”

“That’syour concern? You are thinking he is not a stand-up guy?”

“Something likethat,” He muttered. “They kept his name out of the reportas much as possible to avoid the media explosion. I don’t knowthe guy and I keep thinking that he could have anyone he wants. WhyAva?” He jolted when she poked him hard in the ribs. “Hey!What was that for?”

“That mydarling husband was for being a jerk.” Her blue eyes flashed.“Ava is a beautiful woman and he is lucky to have someone likeher. She is loyal and committed and fierce. Give her some damncredit.”

He had the grace tolook sheepish. “You are right. Now I am done talking and wantto make love to my wife.”

Chapter 12

“You secretivebitch. I had to hear it from my husband?” Dahlia waltzed in andclosed the door with a snap behind her.

“Come right in,it’s not like I do not have a company to run,” Ava saidmildly as she watched Dahlia take her seat on one of the chairs infront of the desk. “And I am guessing you have some financialthings to do?”

“See how muchyou know,” she muttered. “I brought you a sandwich fromGabrielle’s. I was there for lunch with a client I am trying tosweeten up and decided to come and give you grief.”

She held it aloft. “Iam not walking over there to hand it to you. Monica said she was justabout to order something for lunch.” She tossed it and smiledwhen Ava caught it in one hand. “Years of baseball practice tothe rescue.”

“Damnstraight.” Ava grinned. “How are you?”

“Queasy, butdealing. We are getting on board with this baby thing and Chloe ispsyched.”

“Tea?”Ava rose to go to the little cabinet where the kettle was already on.

“Oh yes. Mystomach is feeling a little sensitive. Now back to you. NigelHawthorne.”

Ava took her timepouring the water over the pouch and adding a spoon of honey. She hadspoken to him early this morning and the conversation had left themboth flustered and, in her case, feverish.

“Yes.”She handed Dahlia the cup and went back to grab a bottle of juice togo with the sandwich. Taking it to her desk, she sat and opened thewrapper. “Roast beef.” She sniffed in appreciation.“Thanks.”

“You arewelcome. Now spill. How did you get a man like Nigel Hawthorne to bein love with you? The guy is delicious and with all that money.”

---