“I noticed all right.” I smiled and sat down on the edge of the bed next to him while he put on his shoes. “I just don’t want to cause trouble for you.”
“People are going to be interested in us no matter what. That’s not going to change whether we’re together or not.” He looked at me seriously. “And there is no reason I would get in trouble over us.”
“Is there an us?” It sure felt like there was an us after last night. And this morning. And the shower.
“You told me you don’t do one-night stands.” He brushed some of the wet hair away from my face. “And while the sex is awesome, that’s not all I’m looking for either.”
“So, us.” I shook my head. “Alex, I—”
“Don’t make this complicated.” He frowned. “We can keep it quiet, see how it works.”
“Someone already knows.”
“There’s no getting around that. People are going to know; some people have to know.” He didn’t look happy about this plan and I felt guilty.
“Alex, it’s not that I don’t want people to know—it’s that I don’t want people to put pressure on us. I’ve been famous for a week and I already know that we would never get a break.” I grabbed his hand.
“I understand.” He stood up and pulled me with him. “Let’s go get some breakfast, I’m starved.”
We went downstairs and were met with the sound of voices in the kitchen. Alex laced his fingers through mine before lifting our hands to his mouth and kissing my knuckles. Whoever had picked up the clothes by the door had to know what had happened. Or at least had a good idea. There was no reason to try to hide it.
Chadwick was sitting at the island, a plate full of food in front of him while Margie moved about the kitchen. Margie was the first to spot us and smiled.
“Good morning, Samantha. Sir.” She dipped a quick curtsy. “I wasn’t sure what you like for breakfast so made a little of everything.”
Chadwick looked over his shoulder at us and smiled. “Good morning.”
I grabbed a plate off the island and picked out some food. “Thank you, Margie. You didn’t have to make breakfast.”
“I like to cook and I love that I have new people to cook for.” She smiled as she cut up some fruit. “Chadwick did tell me you enjoy fresh fruit for breakfast.”
“Thank you.” I sat next to Chadwick and he pushed a cup of coffee in my direction.
“Where’s the normally grumpy Samantha this morning? Is there a coffeepot in your room?” He took a bite of his toast and looked at me with innocent eyes.
“It’s a pretty morning.” I shrugged and sipped my coffee.
“A very pretty morning.” Alex sat across from me and smirked. I glared at him over my cup, but that just seemed to amuse him.
“Spring is definitely on its way,” Margie said. Her back was turned to us, so she didn’t notice the looks that were being passed around.
“I believe I heard some birds this morning,” Alex said as he ate his pancakes.
“I wonder when the bees will make an appearance,” Chadwick said thoughtfully. “Pollinate a few flowers and such.”
“Really?” I shot them both looks.
“Ignore them, Samantha.” Margie looked over her shoulder at us. “Do you think you’re the first people to fall into bed together? Or the first people that had a lot on the line?”
I closed my mouth and set down my cup. Alex cleared his throat and turned to look at the older woman. “I’m sorry if we’ve put you in an uncomfortable position, but this is something we would like to keep to ourselves if possible. The less people who know about us, the better.”
“Oh, I understand. That’s why I folded up your clothes and set them next to your room.”
“You had clothes all over the house?” Chadwick chuckled. “Jess would be very proud.”
“How did you know Alex was here?” I asked. He hadn’t seemed surprised in the least.
“His Land Rover is out front.” He shook his head and looked at Alex. “And Ned called me. I told him that I thought you had come over early to make sure Samantha was settled.”
“Thank you.” Alex nodded his head.
“Of course, I didn’t tell him that you were the one doing all the settling.”
“I’ve created a monster.” I groaned. Chadwick winked at me.
“I should have turned my phone on this morning, but didn’t