No Stranger to Scandal - By Rachel Bailey Page 0,48
thing. Josh is,” Hayden said. There was nothing he was more certain about in his life. “I know I’m not a perfect father. I’m still learning as I go, but I have a clear vision of what I want for him, and I won’t compromise. Even for someone I loved.”
“Aunt Judith,” Lucy said, “I was thinking I might show Hayden your garden before dessert. Even at night, it’s gorgeous. Besides, I think Hayden’s put up with enough of the Royall inquisition for one night.”
The others laughed, including Judith. “Go ahead,” she said, waving an arm in the direction of the door.
“C’mon,” Lucy whispered.
Hayden followed her down a hallway into a small room full of boots, coats and paraphernalia, glad for the chance to be alone with her for a few minutes. Her family seemed nice enough, but he’d choose time with Lucy outside in the dark without question.
She took two coats down from hooks and handed him one. “It’s quite cool at night.”
He held her coat for her to thread her arms through, then pulled the larger one on before following her outside. The landscaped side yard was terraced and bursting full of spring flowers, most of which had closed their buds for the night, yet still looked magical in the moonlight.
“I’m sorry about Judith’s questioning,” Lucy said as they walked along a winding paved pathway. “She means well, but she’s used to being the matriarch and pretty much being able to do and say as she pleases.”
He found her hand and intertwined their fingers, loving the slide of her skin against his. “I didn’t mind. She reminds me of my mother. A bit nosy, but good people.”
They walked farther along, then Lucy stopped and pointed up to the sky. “There’s the moon. I wonder if it’s waxing or waning—living in the city I lose track.”
“It’s nice,” he whispered. “But it’s not the prettiest thing out here.” Cupping her cheek in his palm, he brushed a thumb over her lip. She was so beautiful. Incandescent. And when she looked at him with those hazel eyes filled with rich desire for him, he was lost. He dipped his head and found her mouth, waiting and ready for him. With excruciating patience—he couldn’t afford to get carried away in her aunt’s garden—he kissed her, just lightly, a gentle sweep across that landed at the corner of her mouth, a hint of teeth as he nibbled on her lush bottom lip. She shuddered and moved in closer. Her lips were beguilingly soft as they moved beneath his, but still he held himself in check. Then she sighed and her tongue slid against his and suddenly the kiss was carnal and he was helpless to pull it back. He tightened his hold on her and she pushed her hands under his coat, to move across his chest.
They were seconds away from being completely undone, so he wrenched his mouth away but stood, chest heaving, for long minutes before he could get his throat to work.
“Lucy,” he finally said. “Unless you’re ready to go back to the chalet right now, we need to stop doing that.”
“You’re right.” She squeezed her eyes shut, but didn’t let her hold on him loosen.
“And if we go inside now, with the way you look, all rosy cheeks and puffed lips, they’ll have no trouble guessing what we’ve been doing.” He said the words calmly enough, but he hated the need for secrecy. If he could walk back into that room and have everyone know he’d kissed Lucy senseless out in the moonlight, he’d be the proudest man in the state. She was the sort of woman a man was proud to have by his side. Instead, they had this mess of rules and secrets that sat more uncomfortably inside him each day. He rubbed a hand through his hair. “How about we talk for a couple of minutes? Till we lose that just-kissed look.”
She dug her hands deep in the pockets of the coat and looked up at him. “You really believe what you said to Judith about not sharing Josh again? That you’ll always be a single father to him?”
“I do.” He’d given it a lot of thought over the past three months. It was the best arrangement for everyone, no question.
“That’s kinda sad,” she said softly. “I don’t want to think about you being alone for the rest of your life.”
Her sympathy didn’t sit well. This was his choice and he was happy with it. “It’s not