At least the local judge had been able to connect with a Columbia judge and they'd worked out an agreement granting temporary custody to Kyle and Phoebe Landis. Even thinking of her new last name made her shiver. She'd been Phoebe Slater since she'd married Roger. She'd kept his name even after he'd died. Before that, she'd been Phoebe Campbell. Phoebe Campbell wouldn't have been able to make things move so quickly, either, and right now she couldn't bring herself to resent the Landises for their privileged ways when it kept Nina secure.
The rest of the day had been a blur after leaving the courthouse. Ginger had had a meal ready back at the house, and neither Kyle nor Phoebe had asked to be alone.
It shouldn't matter that Kyle was a flirt with a vast dating history. She didn't intend to stay married to him. She only cared because of Nina, damn it, and didn't want a constant parade of countless women marching in and out of Kyle's life. Phoebe swung her feet off the edge of the bed and padded across the hardwood floor to Nina's new nursery, so much nicer than the little dressing-room nook back at Phoebe's apartment and more personal than the luxurious green nursery down the hall for visiting Landis and Renshaw grandkids.
Nina wasn't a visitor anymore.
Did she miss her tiny space back in the apartment? Phoebe had poured her heart into creating the little garden haven, complete with painted puckish fairies that reminded her of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
This space was tastefully decorated in pinks and browns to coordinate with the already rose-colored walls. Little ballet-shoe accents rounded out the decor. Without a doubt, the Landises had more to offer Nina financially. But what about love?
Her fingers tensed along the cherrywood crib railing. Losing her husband had taught Phoebe too well how priceless and precious-and fragile-love could be. All this money wouldn't mean anything to Nina if she wasn't wrapped in affection, as well.
Ginger Landis Renshaw might be a loving grandmother, but she'd given no indication she intended to be anything other than a grandparent. And Kyle? Phoebe had definite questions and concerns about his ability to take care of Nina, if he even wanted to beyond some sense of appearances. She took her responsibility to Nina seriously.
The room darkened and she glanced up to find Kyle standing in the opening as if conjured from her thoughts. He'd changed from his suit into well-fitting jeans and a white button-down shirt with a South Carolina palmetto tree stitched on the pocket. His rolled-up sleeves exposed tanned forearms sprinkled with dark hair. Masculine arms. Even out of uniform, he made her mouth dry right up with want.
She tore her gaze away from him and gestured around the transformed sitting area. "This is lovely. The little ballet shoes are precious. Your mother and Marianna went to a lot of trouble to create this space just for Nina, when there's already a nursery here in the house."
"Marianna's an interior decorator. In fact, she decorated the whole house."
"She obviously knows her way around little-girl fashions." She trailed a finger along the tiny pink-satin slippers hanging from the wall over a mirror. "Did you need something?"
"I noticed you didn't eat much at supper. I've brought you food."
She thought of earlier, when they'd planned a picnic on the beach and considered a polite no thanks, but she was hungry. She simply needed to keep her guard in place. "Thank you. That's very thoughtful."
"I promised you a meal and I keep my promises." He nodded his head for her to follow him. "Let's step out onto the porch off of your room. The food is set up there so you can hear Nina if she needs you, but we won't wake her by talking."
He turned without waiting for her to answer, a man used to people following his orders, damn his broad shoulders and perfect butt. Need crackled to life inside her again with a reminder of just how much he'd moved her with one quick kiss. And she had gone so long without more than just kisses.
Stay strong. She needed to keep things simple between the two of them. Complications could spell big trouble down the line when it came time to say their farewells.
He swung the double French doors wide, out onto the veranda. "Prepare to feast."
Phoebe blinked in surprise, stopping short of the wrought iron table set with linen, silver, roses and the warm glow of a candle protected from the ocean wind by a hurricane globe. A wooden rail surrounded the balcony, the waves rolling hypnotically only a staircase away. Her dress from the wedding swirled around her legs in sensual swipes.
"This is so much more than I expected." She peeked under a polished cover and found a steak and lobster dinner, the scent of warm melted butter steaming lightly upward. "Much more."
The table was set so beautifully she'd expected some dainty, tiny offerings, and while the food was still decoratively presented, she was surprised at the hearty portions.
Kyle held out her chair. "I thought you might be hungry."
She edged past him to take her seat, her shoulder brushing him briefly before she settled into the chair. His forearms skimmed her side as he tucked her under the table, the crisp tanginess of his cologne drifting on the breeze and more enticing than any finely cooked fare.
She had to fight off the sudden urge to tip her head back against his shoulder, to revisit the taste of his mouth on hers …
"I am hungry." Ravenously so, suddenly.
Well, if she couldn't feed her senses the way her body craved, at least she could enjoy this meal. She draped a linen napkin across her lap, eyeing the cup of creamy crab soup.
Kyle motioned toward two wine bottles in silver ice buckets. "Would you prefer chardonnay or merlot?" He smiled. "Don't worry, I'm not planning to get you soused and press for my marital 'rights.' The cook just wasn't sure which kind of wine we would prefer with a surf-and-turf meal."
Marital rights.
The words brought to mind an image of the two of them tangled in Kyle's sheets, taking the attraction to a heated conclusion. Blinking back the thought, she spooned up a taste of the creamy soup instead-and held back her moan of appreciation. Then again, maybe she'd just needed an excuse to release the tension inside her at the thought of a physical relationship with the man seated across from her.
Her senses sang to life begging for more of this, of everything. "I really should keep my head clear to listen for Nina."
And to be sure she didn't get soused and claim her marital rights.
"One glass then?"
She couldn't resist everything. "Chardonnay, then, please."
He filled her wineglass halfway, then poured the merlot into his. He held her eyes with his while she tasted. Damn. There was a difference in the good stuff. How much of this would it take to ruin her for cheap wine for the rest of her life?
He set his glass back on the table. "I'm sorry about the mix-up with Lucy at the courthouse."
Phoebe tucked her tongue against her cheek while she considered what to say. She was upset, but probably not for the reason he thought. And she couldn't change anything. Better to take the high road. "You have nothing to apologize for. It's not like you were seeing some other woman while we were engaged for all of twenty-four hours."
She tried a smile, hoping the conversation would veer away from the woman.
"You're being very reasonable." He watched her through narrowed eyes.
"Did you expect me to throw a jealous fit? I seem to recall you already warned me against falling in love with you." She leaned forward on her elbows. "I'm a very good listener."
He threw his head back and laughed, that sexy sound of pure Kyle winding around her with the wind. "Just so you know, the wedding ring on your finger put an end to my friendship with Lucy."
"I noticed how fast she ran out of the elevator."
"I meant that as long as you're wearing my ring, I won't be seeing anyone else."
Now, that surprised her … If she could even believe him. "Bianca warned me you were a charmer."