Libby pulled her hand out from under his. "I'll see you tomorrow." She tried to smile but it felt as though her face was cracking. He regretted what had happened, that much was certain.
Hurrying down the corridor, she didn't look back.
Safe in her own room, she sank down on the bed and put her fingers to her mouth. Her lips were warm and swollen from his kisses. He had instigated the kiss but she hadn't held back.
She'd never felt such a rush of tenderness before. It had flowed through her whole body until she felt she must be glowing and then it had ramped up to sparking.
If Kate hadn't been there …
Libby refused to think of what might have happened.
How was she going to face him tomorrow?
Chapter 11
Adrian hurried to Kate's room, refusing to think about what he had just done. "What's up, kiddo?"
"What took you so long?" She was lying curled up on her side.
"I, ah, was walking Libby to the door."
The light from the living room shone into the room and Kate grinned. "Did you kiss her goodnight?"
Adrian took a step back. He checked over his shoulder to see if Kate could have seen them from her bed. No, he didn't think so. He turned back as Kate grinned triumphantly.
"You did! You did kiss her!" She sat up straight in bed and hugged her knees. "I knew you liked her as much as she likes you."
He started to deny it but then realized what Kate had said. "Libby said she likes me?"
Kate clapped her hand over her mouth.
He sat on the edge of the bed. "Spill it, Kate."
Kate played with a loose thread on her bedspread before she looked up. "The other day when I was mad, it was because I thought Libby was only looking after me because she liked you. We had a talk and she said the reason she almost refused the job was because she thought you were cute." Her eyes were earnest. "'Cause you know it's not nice when you like someone and they don't like you back."
"That's right," Adrian agreed. He didn't know if it was Kent Libby liked or Adrian. Though he'd been himself when he kissed her, so maybe he had a chance. "Is that something you know about?" he asked to turn the conversation back to Kate.
She shrugged. "There was a boy once, but he turned out to be a jerk." She squinted at him. "So are you going to kiss her again?"
Damn, she was tenacious. "That's none of your business," he said. "You need to go back to sleep."
"But if you kiss her again and fall in love, then you'll get married and Libby will be my aunt and she can help me finish my book and live with us forever."
Adrian's chest tightened like he'd slammed on the brakes in his car and been thrown hard against his seatbelt. "Hold on, kiddo. There's a whole long way between kissing someone and getting married."
"But you like each other. And you both like playing board games and cards. And hot chocolate." She was looking at him so hopefully.
This was worse than he'd suspected. Kate had attached herself to Libby and it was going to break her heart when they had to leave in a few weeks' time. "Libby lives in Australia, sweetheart. When we leave, she's going to stay here. I don't want you to get your hopes up. A month isn't long enough for two people to fall in love."
"But Mama and Dad did."
They had. It had been love at first sight for his brother and sister-in-law, but perhaps somehow they'd known they wouldn't have long in this life. "That doesn't happen very often. What your parents had was special."
Kate scowled.
"You need to go back to sleep," he repeated. "It's late." Waiting until Kate snuggled back under the covers, he tucked her in and kissed her forehead. "See you in the morning."
"Good night, Uncle Ade."
He knew from her expression she hadn't given up hope. What the heck was he going to do now?
His mind flew back to the kiss. He didn't know what had possessed him. He'd been planning to thank Libby for being with him while he spoke to Kate about the boy. It was so comforting to have someone to support him and make sure he didn't go wrong. But then she'd got so flustered and he'd never had anyone get flustered around him – around Kent, yes, but not when he was himself. It was just so appealing, he'd wanted to see what would happen if he'd stepped closer. Then she'd parted her lips slightly and he'd reacted before he considered the consequences.
He refused to dwell on how soft Libby's lips were and how she'd reacted. How for that moment, everything seemed right. If it hadn't been for Kate calling out, he wasn't sure where it would have ended.
And that in itself was a problem. He couldn't allow his hormones to run wild when his niece was in the next room.
Tomorrow when he got back from the concert and Kate was safely asleep, he'd tell Libby it had been a mistake.
He rubbed his chest at the stab of disappointment.
He had to put Kate's welfare before anything else. Could he convince Kate there was nothing between him and Libby? Maybe if they kept their – interactions – to when Kate was asleep, she would never know about it.
He was being ridiculous. The best thing for all concerned was to pretend nothing had happened.
The coffee Libby had made him was still sitting on the table. He picked it up and tipped it down the sink.
He'd lost his desire for it.
***
After the concert the next night, Adrian and George rode in the elevator up to their floor. Adrian couldn't wait to tell Libby about his night. They'd sit down and chat while he drank his coffee.
"What are you so cheerful about?" George asked, breaking through his thoughts.
Adrian turned to his friend and then froze. Déjà vu. Heck. He'd been looking forward to seeing Libby.
"It's Libby, isn't it?" George asked.
The elevator dinged and they got out.
"I don't think I've ever seen you so happy and relaxed," George commented.
That was a surprise. Was George encouraging him?
Adrian shook his head. "It would never work. She's my employee. I said I'd never get involved with one of Kate's nannies."
"As much as I agree with you, I have to say I've never seen you this comfortable around someone you barely know."
"It's no good. Kate's already too attached to Libby and it's going to break her heart when we have to leave Australia." He had to think about this rationally and not let his feelings get in the way.
"Kate's going to miss Libby no matter what your relationship with Libby."
George was right, but there was more to it. "Kate is hoping Libby will become her aunt," Adrian told him.
George raised an eyebrow. "Have you set her straight?"
"Tried to. I'm not sure she listened."
George hummed. "Do you want me to have a word to her, see if she'll listen to me?"
It couldn't hurt. Kate needed to realize Libby was staying behind when they left Australia. "That'd be great." It still didn't mean he was going to take things further with Libby.
"Kate's old enough to understand and you deserve to have a little bit of fun."
Adrian had never been tempted by any of the other nannies. What would Susan say if she found out? "Susan would have a field day."
"What goes on tour, stays on tour," George answered. "Do something for yourself for a change." He grinned at Adrian. "I'm going to bed. 'Night." He walked off in the other direction.
Adrian turned to head to his suite. Was George right? Should he allow himself to explore what he felt for Libby? Assuming she was interested. Maybe Libby regretted what had happened.
He entered the suite and went straight into the bathroom to clean off Kent. He'd left some clothes in there earlier, so he showered and washed off the sweat of the concert.
As he dressed he realized he was stalling. He was nervous about facing Libby again. It had been fine earlier in the day, before he'd left for the concert, because then Kate had been there as a buffer, but now it would be just the two of them.
Annoyed at himself, he finished dressing and left the bathroom before he thought any further about it.
Libby had her back to him and was fussing with something in her bag. She was wearing fitted blue jeans, a red woolen sweater and sensible sneakers. Her straight brown hair was tied back in a plait. He'd not seen any evidence of the skin-tight, skinny-leg jeans and high heels since that night in Melbourne.
"Good evening, ma'am," he said and enjoyed the way she gave a little start before turning to face him.
Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes and her hands knotted together. Was it perverse that he got such pleasure from knowing she was nervous around him?
"How was the concert?"
"Real good." He couldn't explain it to someone who hadn't experienced it – the atmosphere as he stood on stage and had thousands of people screaming his name. They hung on his every word, they were there to see him, and for that single moment in time they were in the palm of his hand. He was the driver – he took them where he wanted to go. He was in control.