What kind of a nanny knew how to fix computer hardware? And why was he fighting a very male, very base urge to lean close and suck on that shoulder?
He took a deep, dragging breath and looked at Melissa, who was still crying. Im sorry I yelled.
Eyes full, she blinked at him. A hiccup racked her belly.
Im really sorry, he added.
She studied him, then lifted her arms. Hug.
Melissa- But she was already crawling up his body, forcing him to do as shed demanded and hug her. In his arms, she felt little and defenseless. Sweet.
And hed scared her.
He felt about two inches tall.
Love you, Uncle Sean, she whispered, yawning widely, setting her head on his shoulder.
Seans throat tightened. Love you, too. Make that one inch tall.
But then Melissa lifted her head, clutched her stomach, turned a distinct shade of green and said, Uh-oh.
Uh-oh?
I dont feel good.
Oh, dear. Carly looked over at them. How many chocolates did you eat?
All of them. And then threw up all over him.
4
THAT NIGHT, Carlyne locked her bedroom door and sank to her bed with a grateful whimper before so much as removing her shoes.
She needed to take off the heavy, itchy wig, remove her colored contacts and strip down before she fell asleep, but she could hardly move.
Despite her utter failure today, despite her exhaustion, she felthappy. The work was harder than anything shed ever done, yet it exhilarated her to be stretching herself. Trying at something.
Baffled at that, and more than a little confused about why she wanted to work like this when she didnt have to, she rolled over and dove through her bag for her cell phone, which shed turned off when Sean had hired her. She turned it on. It was late, but that was her fault. Shed let Melissa sample the homemade play dough that morning and then a million or so chocolate kisses at Seans office. Was it any wonder the poor child had gotten sick all over him?
Then again in his car on the way home?
And once more in the living room?
Sean had been pretty gracious about the whole thing, really. He hadnt yelled again, though she could tell hed wanted to. Instead, hed scooped up Melissa-careful to hold her at arms length-and had assured her she was okay.
Melissa had taken one look at him and had listened. Shed calmed down. Shed even wanted to hug him again, but Sean had managed to avoid that without hurting her feelings.
Just watching the two of them, Carly had felt that strange tightening in her throat. They didnt seem to know the particulars of what their relationship entailed, especially Sean. But hed never walk away.
Had she really compared him to the men in her family?
Shed been wrong, very wrong. Her parents had rarely been around, certainly not when shed been sick. It was something shed always ached for when shed been hurting-warm, secure, loving arms. Shed rarely gotten them.
Melissa had no idea how lucky she was.
Poor little rich girl, Carlyne berated herself, pushing away the melancholy memories. No one in their right mind would spare a moment of pity for her.
On her cell phone, she punched in the numbers she knew by heart. Francesca, she said the moment her assistant answered groggily. How are you? she asked in their native French.
On her cell phone, she punched in the numbers she knew by heart. Francesca, she said the moment her assistant answered groggily. How are you? she asked in their native French.
How am I? Terrific. You, on the other hand, you have problems. Francesca never held back to spare Carlynes feelings, which was the biggest reason they were so close. In fact, let me list them for you. Youve run away from home
I did not. Carlyne glanced at her still-shut door and lowered her voice. Wouldnt do to get caught speaking French. Look, we discussed this when I called you yesterday. Im all grown up, Francine, so its entirely different when I go away. Imon vacation, she said, unwilling to try to explain the mission she was on.
Uh-huh. Vacation. Without any money, without a car, without-
Look, I didnt call for a lecture. I could have called home for that.
Speaking of which, you might want to actually try that. Your parents have called looking for you. So has your cousin.
Yeah, only because they need me for something or another. Its not as if they miss me.
Francesca went quiet for a moment, and Carlyne winced at how pathetic shed sounded. Im sorry. That didnt come out right.
Whats the matter? You sound different.
She was different. She was Carly here, not Carlyne.
Carlyne? Your mother is worried about that banquet youre putting on for the international press.
Heaven forbid her mother would call just to say hello. Tell her everything is done. Ill earn her thousands for all those charities. And she would. It was Carlynes specialty, coaxing rich people to part with their money.
And your grandfather-
Needs something, too, no doubt. Francesca. Help.
What do you need? A way to get home? I can come myself, or send-
No, I dont want to leave. Not yet. Shed wanted a break from her life. A glimpse at how everyone else lived. Well, shed had more than a glimpse. No one knew her. No one treated her like glass. No one expected cool sophistication and smooth elegance. No one expected her to be anything or anyone other than Carly.
She wanted more of that.
The help I need is different, Carlyne said. Francesca, if your sister had a kid, and she went off and left you with that kid for a couple of weeks because she had a job, would you watch after it?
Of course, Francesca said immediately.
Of course. That simple. Unconditional love. No question, no hesitation. I wouldnt have said of course, Carlyne admitted quietly. A few days ago I would have spent however much money it took and shipped the kid off for full-time care. And I probably wouldnt have given it another thought.
Well, youre not exactly experienced in matters of the heart, Francesca said gently. But while were on that, I think maybe its time for you to come clean.
Clean?
With Sean. Carlyne, we talked about this already, remember? When you had me get your references. We agreed Sean should know who you really are.
No, you agreed and I yessed you.
Carlyne.
Okay, yes, he should know. She sighed, lay back and stared at the ceiling of her perfect, cozy little bedroom. Im just not ready to tell him yet. She looked out the window into the night, saw the flash of someone swimming in the pool. A strong arm. A long, powerful leg. A smooth, muscled back.
Her stomach tightened. Not quite yet, she said softly.
Beneath the shimmering moon, Sean executed a somersault turn at one end of the pool and continued swimming with even, powerful strokes. Ive got to go, she whispered.
But-
Ill call you again.
See that you do. Im worried about you. Across the miles Francesca let out a sigh. Think about it, Carlyne. Think about how hell feel when he does find out, on his own.
Seans arms propelled his body through the water. He wont.
Why? Because youre unrecognizable? Francesca laughed. Youve been dodging the paparazzi since you could walk, Carlyne. Its only a matter of time before you mess up or he gets a clue. Then hell know your little secret, and I dont see him being happy at being made a fool, no matter what your intentions.
It wont matter to him.
It wont matter that he has a princess baby-sitting for him?
That title is nothing but froth.
But it is your title.
In the water, Sean slowed slightly, his only sign of tiring. Hed finish soon and haul that leanly muscled body out of the water.
Carlyne wanted to watch. She wanted to be front and center. She didnt want to think about what would happen if he discovered her true identity. Ive got to go, Francesca.
Just think about it, okay?
I will.
Call me every day.
I will. Bye. Instead of pulling off her disguise, as shed been waiting all day to do, Carlyne opened her door and let in the cool, California night air.
Then she walked toward the pool.
When she was on the edge, she sat, careful to tuck her skirt beneath her this time so Sean couldnt reach for a leg and pull her in. But the memory of him doing just that the night before, of his large, still damp hand sliding up her ankle to grip her calf, altered her breathing.
He stopped swimming. Treading water in the middle of the pool, he looked at her with an intense but unreadable expression.
Hey, she said softly.
Wheres your bathing suit?
No greeting. No recriminations for destroying his office. Just wheres your bathing suit. Her breathing quickened all the more because she could only imagine what would happen beneath the starless night sky if shed put it on.
If she was really Carly.
But if she followed through with this crazy attraction, hed discover the truth about her. Never again would he look at her the same. She knew this for a fact, because in her life, it had happened over and over again.
She had two kinds of acquaintances. The people who wanted to know her simply because of who she was and the kind who, once they found out, were too full of awe and disbelief to maintain any honest relationship at all.
That would happen here, too, and at the thought, her heart ached.
Caught by her own trap. Her own doing.
How had this happened?
This was supposed to be an escape. A little interlude in her life.
Only now she realized how others would be affected. Melissa.
Sean.
Carly?
God, that name. It represented all she wanted to be, open and free to do as she pleased. The opposite of Princess Carlyne Fortier, a woman tied by the bonds of responsibility and duty. I didnt bring a bathing suit.
An odd mix of disappointment and relief crossed his face. We could buy you one. He put two hands on the edge of the pool and with a flex of muscles that stole her breath, effortlessly pulled himself out of the water. Wet skin glimmered in the pale moonlight, and from the erotic position of sitting at his feet, she watched drop after drop run down the length of his body.
And what a body it was.
Carly?
She realized hed said her name at least twice, and that he held out a hand.
Slipping hers in his, she let him pull her to her feet.
About today, he said quietly, not letting go of her hand, his intense gaze holding hers prisoner. You seemed to be having a little trouble handling Melissa.
About today, he said quietly, not letting go of her hand, his intense gaze holding hers prisoner. You seemed to be having a little trouble handling Melissa.