The Billionaire's Best Friend(27)

With her coffee mug in hand, she moved toward the window. Outside, he removed the snow as if it weighed nothing at all. When she shoveled, she always ended up sore and tired. Shoveling snow used muscles in ways that dancing did not. But Nate made it look effortless.

He’d always been strong, but thanks to her visit to his room last night, she knew firsthand just how much muscle he’d put on. Warmth spread through her limbs at the memory of him half-naked in bed. No, no, no. I’m with Kevin. Think of him instead. She squeezed her eyes closed. Instead of an image of Kevin, however, another memory of Nate formed.

She hadn’t seen his kiss coming. One minute he told her he worked for the FBI and the next she found herself wrapped in his arms, his lips against hers. In the deepest recess of her mind, she’d known it was wrong the minute he made contact. Even so, she’d let herself enjoy the moment. No one other than Nate had ever been able to kick-start her desire with a simple kiss. And once again the night before he had done just that. For the tiniest of moments she’d considered forgetting about the past for one night and experiencing the magic she’d only ever known with him. Just as quickly, though, she remembered all the reasons she could not let that happen. And when he acted as if a simple kiss could fix fifteen years of separation, her blood pressure had skyrocketed. Last night she’d told him that the only thing that could ever exist between them was friendship. But could they even have that? Every time she saw him, her heart ached. For her own sanity, it would be better if they stayed away from each other altogether. But after last night, the thought of not seeing him made her want to cry.

Nate’s eyes locked with hers from the other side of the window. She held his gaze as long as she dared and then turned away. Great way to show you’re not interested. If she had any hope of convincing Nate, she’d better start convincing herself first.





Chapter 5



Lauren double-checked her reflection in the full-length mirror. The gown Callie gave her as a birthday present fit her as if it had been custom made for her. Taking a step back, she smoothed out any visible wrinkles, the fabric sleek and rich between her fingers. Never in a million years had she pictured herself owning a Dolce & Gabbana gown. And if not for Callie, she wouldn’t. Part of her felt a little guilty. While Callie and her husband could afford such extravagant gifts without even batting an eyelash, Lauren knew there was no way she could ever give Callie anything even remotely as expensive. The gown, as beautiful as it was, was just another reminder of how much her life and Callie’s were different now.

“Well, JoJo, tonight’s the night. Finally, I get to meet the elusive parents.” Lauren stepped away from the mirror as she talked to the dog lounging on the bed. Her stomach did a somersault at the thought. Kevin had invited her to a dinner party at his parents’ estate in Weston. Since he rarely spoke about them when together, she knew very little about his parents. She knew his dad had been the CEO of the family’s company, Walsh and Miles Construction, the largest construction company on the East Coast, until Kevin took his place. Thanks to the Internet, she knew Kevin’s grandfather had started Walsh Construction right around the end of World War II. She also knew Kevin’s father had expanded the business when he married Kevin’s mother, Sherry Miles, and acquired Miles Construction. Hopefully, tonight she’d learn more than what she could find on the web.

On the bed, JoJo remained still, only coming to life when the doorbell rang. Then she took off for the front door like a Kentucky Derby racehorse with Lauren trailing behind.

“Wow! You look gorgeous,” Kevin said before dropping a kiss on her cheek.

Lauren smiled as she closed the front door and did a quick once over of Kevin. As always he was dressed impeccably. Tonight he wore a dark navy blue tailor-made suit and looked just as handsome as ever. Despite all that, Lauren felt only a minor pull of attraction when he smiled at her. Not even a tiny thread of excitement ran through her body. We’re still getting to know each other. Once again, Lauren reminded herself it was still early in their relationship. Give it time.

“If you’re ready, we should go.” He moved closer to Lauren but stopped when JoJo inserted her body between them, all the while barking. Immediately, Kevin backed away. “Your dog really doesn’t like people, does she?” he asked, brushing a few dog hairs from his pants.

Lauren grabbed onto JoJo’s collar and tugged her toward the kitchen. “I’ve never seen her act like this before.” Since the day she’d brought the dog home, JoJo had been friendly, the type of animal who loved attention and who liked cuddling up next to you on the couch. Sure, she barked when a stranger came to the door, but once Lauren made it clear the stranger was welcome, she backed off. Yet so far, the dog hadn’t warmed up to Kevin at all. Lauren assumed it was because he all but ignored her whenever he came to the house. Still, she had never carried on like she did tonight. “I’ll put her in the kitchen and we can go.”