stepdad, so I said, "Did you see the article about me in the Tattler?"
"Well, yeah. I think everyone in Dallas saw it."
"They called me an alien. I should sue."
He uttered a short, booming laugh. "On what grounds?"
"I'm sure my attorney could think of something." My head lolled back on the pillow rest. "I'm surprised no one was waiting outside my apartment, snapping pictures of us as we walked out."
"They were."
I jerked upright and stared wide-eyed at him. "What!"
"There was a woman behind the bushes. She had a camera aimed right at us."
"And you didn't say anything? Argh. I can't believe this." I slapped his thigh. "You better do something. Pay her to give you the film or threaten to get her fired. Just do something. Anything! I do not need another hideous picture of me circulating. The last one nearly killed my mother."
Royce wrapped his fingers around mine and leaned toward me, bringing with him that delicious sandalwood scent. "I'll take care of it, okay?" He kissed my temple before settling back in his seat. "No worries." He didn't release my hand.
That single kiss affected me deeply and unequivocally, but the fact that he kept our fingers linked meant more. I yearned to melt into him, to absorb his strength, his complete ease with our being together. But I remained where I was. I would not rely on a man for anything. Especially not comfort. That's where dependency began. I didn't allow myself to consider the fact that I was relying on him to fix the little unwanted photographer problem.
"Thank you," I said stiffly.
"You're very welcome," he replied, using the same rigid tone. "Now, why don't you tell me why you want to look around this salon."
I shrugged. "I want to see what type of services they offer." It was the truth. I didn't tell him that I also wanted to speak with the employees and find out if Nora had visited.
"Why?" he persisted.
Ignoring his question, I shifted and faced the opposite window. Trees and cars whizzed past. The people in those cars strained, trying to see inside the limo, but the darkened windows blocked us from view. "Do you think you could get me a list of their employees?" If Nora wasn't the other woman, that employee list would give me somewhere else to look.
"Absolutely," Royce said. "Just tell me why you want it."
"Well," I said, turning to him, a lie forming in my mind, "my mother is a twin, and they were separated at birth. She's been searching for her sister all her life and I suspect one of the employees is that twin. And now, with my mother dying of cancer-" I pretended to wipe away a tear "-I want to give her this gift."
"How tragic," Royce said dryly. "Did you know your voice creeps higher when you're lying?"
Damn it, my mom had warned me about that betraying fact. I crossed my arms over my chest and frowned.
"Maybe a better gift for your dying mother would be grandchildren," he suggested.
My lashes sprang up and I was given a full-on view of his amusement. "You are so not funny." But I was covered in a cold sweat by the time the limo stopped in front of a white stucco building.
"We're here." Royce didn't wait for the driver, but opened the door himself and emerged. He held out a hand for me.
The dry heat clamped tight fists around me as I stepped out.
"Do we need to be incognito here?" he asked. When my brow crinkled in confusion, he added, "Before we left your apartment, you asked me if I knew how to be sneaky."
Oh, yeah. "I don't want them to know my name, but they can know yours."
He nodded. "Let me do the talking."
We entered side by side. A long desk loomed in front, manned by several young, attractive women. Too young for Johnnie, that was for sure. While he might be willing to destroy his marriage, I didn't think he'd be willing to destroy his practice for an underage hottie.
But what did I truly know about men?
"How can we help you?" the only blonde asked.
"I'm Royce Powell, and I need to speak with the owner." He voice reeked of suave authority. "My fiancee isn't sure which salon she wants to use the day of our wedding. I'm here to see what type of services can be provided so my little sugar bottoms feels extra special that day."
My stomach dropped at the word fiancee-then twisted at sugar bottoms. Sugar