Time seemed suspended as their gazes met, his reflecting the same flare of heat that burned in her veins.

“I want to walk you to your room,” he said.

Lauren drew a steadying breath and shook her head. “You’re way too—”

“Irresistible?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of persistent.” The elevator door opened on her floor and she moved forward onto the plush carpet.

Alex stepped off the elevator and the door closed behind him. He picked up her hand and drew a lazy pattern on her palm with his index finger. “I’d give up if you told me to get lost and meant it.”

His touch made it difficult for Lauren to breathe. “I’m not sure.”

“Maybe this will help you decide.”

He tugged her toward him, and covered her mouth with his own.

Dear Reader,

What are your favorite memories of summer? Even though I spend my days reading manuscripts, I love nothing better than basking in the sun’s warm glow as I sit immersed in a great book. If you share this pleasure with me, rest assured that I can make packing your beach bag really easy this month!

Certainly, you’ll want to make room in your bag for Patricia Thayer’s A Taste of Paradise (SR #1770), part of the author’s new LOVE AT THE GOODTIME CAFÉ miniseries. Thayer proves that romance is the order of the day when a sexy sheriff determined to buy back his family’s ranch crosses paths with a beautiful blond socialite who is on the run from an arranged marriage. Watch the sparks fly in Rich, Rugged…Royal by Cynthia Rutledge (SR #1771) in which an ordinary woman discovers that the man whom she had a one-night affair with is not only her roommate but also a royal! International bestselling author Lilian Darcy offers an emotional tale about an estranged couple who are reunited when the hero is named bachelor of the year, in The Millionaire’s Cinderella Wife (SR #1772). Finally, I’m delighted to introduce you to debut author Karen Potter whose Daddy in Waiting (SR #1773) shows how a mix-up at a fertility clinic leads to happily ever after.

And be sure to leave some room in your bag next month when Judy Duarte kicks off a summer-themed continuity set at a county fair!

Happy reading,

Ann Leslie Tuttle

Associate Senior Editor

Rich, Rugged…Royal
Cynthia Rutledge

www.millsandboon.co.uk

To Lee Cades, my favorite aunt

Books by Cynthia Rutledge

Silhouette Romance

Trish’s Not-So-Little Secret #1581

Kiss Me, Kaitlyn #1651

Rich, Rugged…Royal #1771

Love Inspired

Unforgettable Faith #102

Undercover Angel #123

The Marrying Kind #135

Redeeming Claire #151

Judging Sara #157

Wedding Bell Blues #178

A Love to Keep #208

The Harvest/“Loving Grace” #223

Two Hearts #264

Love Enough for Two #264

For Love’s Sake #281

CYNTHIA RUTLEDGE

is a lifelong Nebraska resident. She graduated from the University of Nebraska with a liberal arts degree, then returned several years later to earn a degree in nursing. A registered nurse, Cynthia now works full-time for a large insurance company and writes in the evenings and on weekends. She loves writing romance because a happy ending is guaranteed!

Cynthia loves to hear from readers and encourages you to visit her Web site at: http://www.cynthiarutledge.com.

Lauren’s To-Do List:

* Develop pictures from friend’s wedding.

* Remember fondly how I spent the wedding reception dancing with a handsome stranger…who is now my roommate.

* Eat a hot fudge sundae to forget that your roommate is a hunk and that you are “just friends.”

* Go to Neiman Marcus and find a sexy dress on the off chance hot roommate will ask me out for a spontaneous dinner.

* Buy stamps so that I can pay overdue bills.

* Eat another hot fudge sundae to forget overdue bills.

* Go to Neiman Marcus to buy shoes I can’t afford to match dress on off chance my princely roommate will find me irresistible.

* Eat third hot fudge sundae to numb the fact that I am in love with my roommate!

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Epilogue

Chapter One

“Were there any men at the wedding?” Clarice Carlyle took a tiny bite of dessert and tilted her head expectantly, an avaricious gleam in her eye.

Lauren resisted the urge to sigh. Why couldn’t her mother realize that not everything in life revolved around men? The fact that she was almost thirty and still unmarried drove her mother crazy. But she wasn’t going to settle for just anyone. Or marry for money, as her mother hoped.

Lauren wanted the fairy tale. She wanted a man to sweep her off her feet, to love her with a passion that defied logic. Quite simply, she wanted to live happily ever after.

“They didn’t invite any men,” Lauren said flatly when the silence lengthened and she realized her mother actually expected an answer to the ridiculous question.

Clarice looked askance for a second before she chuckled. “Of course there were men there. Chicago is full of men. What I was asking was if you’d met anyone interesting?”

“I danced with several different men.” Lauren skirted the question, her answer honest as far as it went. Most of the evening had been spent either talking or dancing with old college friends.

“Didn’t anyone in particular catch your eye?”

Lauren sipped the Guatemalan coffee blend and hoped the heat stealing its way up her neck didn’t give her away. One particular man had done a lot more than catch her eye.

“What’s his name?”

“Who?” Lauren took a bite of cheesecake, desperately wishing she’d left right after dinner.

“The man who is making you blush,” Clarice said. “I assume he was good-looking?”

Good-looking?

An image of Alex’s face flashed before Lauren. Good-looking would be an understatement. She’d always liked men with dark hair. And Alex’s hazel eyes held flecks of gold and green in their depths. At just over six feet, he was tall enough without being too tall, with a lean, muscular body and broad shoulders. In his arms, a woman could feel soft and feminine and utterly desirable.

“He was handsome,” Lauren said into the expectant silence. “But it doesn’t matter. I’ll never see him again.”

Having a one-night stand was one thing. Lauren wasn’t going to compound the error by pretending the interlude had been about anything more than sex.

Clarice made a tsk-tsking sound. “You always were such a pessimist.”

“Realist,” Lauren said.

“If your father and I taught you anything,” Clarice said. “It should be that where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

“He’s in Chicago, Mother,” Lauren said, wondering why she continued to take part in this awkward discussion. It wasn’t as if the cheesecake was that good. “Even if I wanted to get in touch with him, I wouldn’t have a clue how to do it.”

Clarice leaned forward. “Surely some of his friends were at the wedding?”

“He was an old college roommate of Tom Alvarez.” Lauren shrugged. “That’s all I know.”

It wasn’t, of course, all she knew, just all she was willing to share. Her mother didn’t need to know what Alex looked like naked or that he spoke French when he made love.

“Tom Alvarez.” Clarice’s brows drew together. “Why does that name sound familiar?”

Lauren sighed. Tom had lived in St. Louis for several years and Clarice had met him on more than one occasion. Apparently he hadn’t been high enough on the social ladder to warrant remembering. “He’s Christy Warner’s publicist.”

“Of course.” Clarice smiled. She certainly remembered the popular motivational speaker and her husband. “You should call Christy. Or David. I’m sure they’d help you track him down.”

“No way.” On this, Lauren would brook no argument.

Four years ago David Warner had been the man Lauren had planned to marry. Then, on a weekend trip to Las Vegas, he’d married his old high-school girlfriend on a whim. Lauren had long since forgiven them both and they were now all friends, but the last thing she wanted was for Christy or David to think she was so desperate she’d chase after a man who hadn’t cared enough to ask for her number.

No, she may have behaved foolishly this weekend, but she was no fool.

“What does this mystery man do for a living?” her mother asked.

Lauren took a bite of dessert, getting an odd sense of satisfaction from knowing she was about to burst her mother’s bubble. “He’s unemployed.”

The excitement in her mother’s eyes dimmed but a flicker of hope remained. “Independently wealthy?”

Alex had driven her to the airport in a late-eighties Buick. Lauren smiled wryly and shook her head.

“Deadbeats.” Clarice shook her head in disgust. “They’re everywhere. Well, I wouldn’t lose any sleep over the guy. He was probably married, anyway.”

“He’s not married,” Lauren said. She’d always believed marriage vows were sacred. That’s why she’d checked out his ring finger when he’d asked her to dance. And when he’d accompanied her up to her room, she’d asked him point blank.

“Don’t get in a huff.” Her mother took a sip of her coffee. “Most good-looking men are married. It’s a fact of life.”

“He’s not married.” Lauren’s self-control snapped. “I would never have been with him if he was.”

“Been with him?” Clarice stopped stirring the cream into her coffee and lifted a perfectly arched brow. “You were intimate with this man?”

Lauren’s cheeks burned under her mother’s suddenly curious gaze but she did her best to act nonchalant. “Goodness, no. We danced a couple of times. Had a few drinks and talked.”

Though Lauren had never been much of an actress, she must have been successful because disappointment skittered across her mother’s face. “That’s all?”

“What?” Lauren’s voice rose. “You think I should have slept with the guy?”

“I wouldn’t have faulted you if you had.” Her mother lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. “I wanted you to have a nice weekend. If that included a little fling with a handsome man, I wouldn’t have a problem with it.”

If that included a little fling, I wouldn’t have a problem with it.

Lauren pressed her lips together and pulled into the driveway to her town house. She’d beaten herself up for behaving recklessly while her mother obviously saw nothing wrong with it.

Of course, that should have come as no surprise. Her mother had always been into living for the moment and doing what felt good. Though Lauren had always abhorred that philosophy, last weekend she’d embraced it with a passion that still made her blush.

And it had been surprisingly easy.

All it had taken was one look across a crowded ballroom….

Lauren’s lips lifted in a slight smile and she raised her glass in a mock salute. She’d noticed the man earlier on the dance floor. The first time, he’d been chatting with a perky blonde with an irritating laugh. The second with Joni Alvarez, who’d smiled a greeting at Lauren as she’d whirled past in his arms.

Lauren had been intrigued but didn’t think he’d even noticed her. Until her gaze had scanned the ballroom later in the evening and she’d found him staring. A shiver traveled up her spine as he handed his empty glass to a waiter and started across the room.

In a matter of seconds he was at her side.

“Care to dance?” His husky voice kicked her heart into high gear.

Lauren lifted one shoulder in a slight shrug and set her drink on a table. “Why not?”

The minute he took her hand and pulled her close she realized her mistake. Just being in his arms made Lauren’s blood run hot and her body ache with longing. And judging from the desire flickering in his eyes, he wasn’t immune to their close proximity, either.

They danced together for three songs, before Lauren made her excuses and said goodbye. The way she was feeling, staying any longer would be dangerous.

Lauren exited the Grand Ballroom, crossed the hotel lobby and headed for the elevators. She decided it had to be the wedding that had stirred up all these disturbing feelings of…well…lust.

Sara Michaels, one of her friends from St. Louis, had sung at the wedding and the songs of love had stirred up feelings Lauren normally kept deeply buried. It hadn’t helped that at the reception everybody seemed to have someone. Everybody except her.

She sighed and reached for the elevator button.

“Let me get that,” a familiar deep voice murmured.

Lauren glanced up and her eyes widened in surprise. The last she’d seen Alex, he’d been surrounded by several young women who seemed to be hanging on his every word. “Are you calling it a night, too?”

“I’m not staying at the hotel,” he said.

The elevator door opened and he waved his hand for her to precede him, then followed. “I just thought it’d be a good idea if I walked you to your room.”

Lauren frowned. She may have laughed a lot when they were dancing, but she’d only had a couple of glasses of wine and was totally sober. “I can make it to my room on my own just fine. I don’t need an escort.”

“I didn’t say you did.” He shot her a wink. “This is solely for my pleasure.”

Though she liked being with him, liked talking to him, Lauren wasn’t sure having him walk her to her room was a good idea.

“You know, if it makes any difference, I don’t bite.”

His grin was so infectious that Lauren couldn’t help but play along. The door slid shut and Lauren punched her floor. “How can I be certain of that?”

“Because—” he took a step closer “—if I did bite, I would have taken a nibble or two out of you on the dance floor.”

Without a word of warning, he moved closer and his fingers delved through the warm, silky mass at the nape of her neck and his thumbs grazed the soft skin beneath her jaw.

Her breath caught in her throat. Time seemed suspended as their gazes met, his reflecting the same flare of heat that burned in her veins.

“I want to walk you to your room,” he said again.

Lauren drew a steadying breath and shook her head. She wasn’t sure she trusted him. Or was it herself? “You’re way too—”

“Irresistible?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of persistent.” The elevator door opened on her floor and she moved forward onto the plush carpet.

Alex stepped off the elevator and the door closed behind him. “Everyone has a few faults.”

“Being impulsive has never been one of mine,” she said.

He picked up her hand and drew a lazy pattern on her palm with his index finger. “I’d give up if you told me to get lost.”

His touch made it difficult for Lauren to breathe, much less think clearly. “I’m not sure—”

“Maybe this will help you decide.”

He tugged her toward him, reached with his right hand to pull her chin up and covered her mouth with his own.

His lips were warm and sensual, the scent of him musky and all male. The late evening stubble on his cheeks lightly chafed her skin, eliciting a stirring of desire in her blood. Her heart beat hard and fast in her chest. He lifted his head and met her gaze, his eyes dark and intense.

Lauren exhaled a slow breath as they stared at each other. She wanted this man in a way that defied logic. All she knew for certain was that the feeling was honest and true.

Now, all she had to do was decide whether to trust her instincts….

The ring of her cell phone jarred Lauren back to the present. For a second she felt cheated, as if the unexpected phone call had interrupted something important. Until she remembered, that night in her hotel room she and Alex hadn’t been interrupted…by a phone call or anything else. It had just been the two of them, undisturbed, all night long.

Chapter Two

Lauren glanced around the trendy St. Louis coffee shop and wondered if any of the other patron’s lives were in such a mess.

“My life is spiraling out of control,” Lauren said with a sigh to her friend, Sara Michaels.

Sara sipped her Italian soda and focused her gaze on Lauren, her blue eyes curious but not alarmed. She lifted a perfectly shaped brow. “Don’t tell me Nordstrom decided to not put their coats on sale this week?”

“I wish that’s all it was,” Lauren said with a sigh. “Unfortunately it’s way more serious.”

Surprise flitted across Sara’s face. “What’s going on, Lauren?”

Lauren hesitated. Now that the moment was at hand, the words wouldn’t come. The Christian singer was her best friend and Lauren’s moral compass. Though she had no doubt her friend would be shocked and disappointed, Lauren knew Sara would be just the one to help her sort through her tangled emotions.

Goodness knows Lauren couldn’t count on her parents for that kind of help. If only she could follow her mother’s suggestion and simply forget the guy. But the problem was Lauren couldn’t forget him. The memory of their time together was as vivid now as it had been when he’d dropped her off at the airport and they’d said their goodbyes.

“Lauren?” Sara flashed an encouraging smile.

Lauren traced a crack on the tabletop with one finger and forced a casual tone. “Have you ever done something you knew at the time was wrong, but you went ahead and did it anyway?”

A strange expression crossed Sara’s face. Instead of answering immediately, she took a sip of her soda and her eyes took on a faraway look. After a long moment, she nodded.

“I don’t need specifics.” Lauren leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table. “But whatever it was, if you had it to do all over again, would you?”

“At the time I thought it was justified,” Sara said. “But I was young. In retrospect it was definitely the wrong thing to do.”

Lauren wasn’t sure what Sara’s sin had been, but knowing her friend’s propensity for doing the right thing, whatever it was couldn’t have been all that bad. Nothing on the order of a one-night stand. Still, it was good to know that Sara could understand how a person could stray from the straight and narrow.

“I did something recently.” Lauren waved a hand in the air, being deliberately vague. “Even at the time I knew it was wrong. But I went ahead and did it anyway.”

“And now you’re sorry.” Sara’s voice softened with understanding. She leaned forward and gave Lauren’s hand a squeeze. “At one time or another we all do things like that, things we’re not proud of, things we regret.”

Lauren stifled a groan. Sara had missed the point. It wasn’t regret that haunted her thoughts, but the absence of regret.

“The thing is, I don’t feel bad,” Lauren said. “I know I should, but I don’t. And, worst of all, given the chance I’m sure I’d do it again.”

A frown furrowed Sara’s brow. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s my mother,” Lauren said. “I’m starting to think I’m just like her.”

Sara’s gaze shifted to the bulging sacks of clothes next to Lauren’s chair. When Lauren got wound up, nothing soothed her like walking down the aisles of a department store perusing the merchandise, trying on clothes, mixing and matching. Sara, like the rest of Lauren’s friends, understood that shopping was her way of dealing with stress.

Lauren nudged at the sacks with the toe of one shoe. The only thing she regretted about the clothes was that she’d have to take most of them back. The high rent she paid on her luxury town house took most of her paycheck and her credit card couldn’t handle much more.

“Lauren.” Sara’s voice was low and filled with compassion. “You haven’t been yourself since you got back from Chicago. Did something happen there?”

“Chicago was fun,” Lauren said, avoiding the question. “It was great seeing everyone again.”

Still, the event had been bittersweet. Lauren had been happy for her last unmarried girlfriend. And she’d been equally happy for her other college friends with babies on their hips. But she couldn’t help but wonder when it would be her turn. When would she have a man of her own? And a child to hold in her arms?

“Tell me why you think you’re just like your mother,” Sara said when Lauren didn’t elaborate.

Lauren stared down into her cup then lifted her gaze to Sara. “She sees what she wants and she goes for it, regardless if it’s a wise course of action or not. Lately I’ve been doing the same thing.”

“That’s not true.” Sara’s response said more about her loyalty than her ability to be realistic when it came to her friends.

“It is true. I’ve leased a town house I can’t afford.” Lauren decided that sounded better than saying she’d had a one-night stand with a man she’d never see again. “And I’m constantly buying clothes I don’t need just because I want them.”

Her gaze dropped back to the sacks at her feet.

“If this is about money,” Sara began, “I have some extra and I’d be happy to—”

“Absolutely not,” Lauren said firmly. Taking money from friends was her father’s specialty. She’d sleep on a park bench before she’d accept a dime from Sara. “But I do have to get a roommate. So, if you know anyone who might be interested, send them my way.”

Sara leaned back in her chair, her expression thoughtful. “I might know someone. The only problem is, he’s a guy.”

Lauren resisted the urge to smile. Who, but Sara, would worry about such a thing? “That doesn’t bother me. I lived in a coed dorm in college.”

“I’m not sure how long he’ll stay in St. Louis but he is looking.” Sara raised a finger to her lips. “And I think the two of you would get along.”

Lauren raised a brow, her curiosity piqued. “Do I know this guy?”

“He’s not from here,” Sara said. “I’ve just hired him to handle the arrangements for my upcoming European tour.”

“Is he cute?” The question popped out of Lauren’s mouth before she could stop it.

“I think he’s attractive,” Sara said. “But then I’ve always been partial to guys with dark hair and hazel eyes.”

Lauren smiled. Sara’s husband, Sal, a hunky excop, fit that description to a T. So did Alex.

An image of Alex flashed before Lauren. Though it had been almost a week since their time together, she still found herself waking up at night and thinking about him. Even now, just the thought of him rekindled her desire.

Lauren shoved the memories aside. If she did get a male roommate, part of the ground rules would be that there would be nothing personal between them. Otherwise it would never work.

“How well do you know this guy?” Lauren asked. “I mean, I don’t want to worry about living under the same roof with Jack the Ripper.”

Sara chuckled. “This guy is definitely no Jack the Ripper. Both Tom Alvarez and his previous employer couldn’t say enough nice things about him. That was the reason I decided to interview him in the first place. I have to say I was impressed. And he passed muster with Sal.”

Sara’s eyes softened, the way they always did when she mentioned her husband. She’d been married for almost three years to the former undercover cop and Sal guarded his wife and baby daughter’s privacy with the zeal he’d once reserved for his police work. If he approved of this new guy, the man must be okay.

“Is he even looking for a roommate?” Lauren asked. “Maybe he wants a place of his own?”

Sara lifted the cup to her lips and paused. “I think he’d prefer a roommate. Money seems to be an issue.”

“Not paying him enough?” Lauren teased.

“According to my manager, I’m paying him too much,” Sara said with a laugh. “But he had great qualifications.”

“So why would money be an issue?”

“I don’t know.” Sara gave a shrug. “We didn’t get into his personal life. But a few things he said led me to believe he’s watching his pennies. It struck me as odd at the time because the clothes he wore were very stylish and definitely not off the rack.”

“Sounds like my kind of guy,” Lauren mused. Though the man would only be living under her roof and they wouldn’t necessarily have to be friends, it was reassuring to know they shared a love of nice clothes. “When do you think I could meet him?”

Sara’s eyes widened and she lifted a hand in a gesture of greeting. “How about right now?”

“Now?”

“He just walked through the front door.”

Lauren swiveled in her chair. Her heart stopped at the sight of the tall, broad-shouldered man making his way to their table.

“Alex,” she breathed the word, feeling suddenly light-headed.

Chapter Three

Lauren saw the flash of recognition in Alex’s eyes and the watchful look that replaced the smile he’d bestowed on Sara.

“What a surprise.” Sara’s smile widened as he drew close and she gestured to the empty chair at their table. “Won’t you join us?”

“I’d love to.” Casting Lauren a questioning glance, Alex pulled out a chair and took a seat.

He was absolutely gorgeous. The cream-colored button-up shirt accentuated his tan and made his eyes look even darker. His brown dress pants were definitely hand-tailored and, if she wasn’t mistaken, the belt encircling his waist cost more than all the clothes in her sack combined.

As she’d relived their night together in her memory, Lauren had convinced herself that he couldn’t have been as handsome as she’d remembered. She’d decided that the late hour, the wine and the stress had clouded her recollection. But she’d been wrong. His features were chiseled, his nose long and aristocratic. His chin was strong and his lips perfectly sculpted.

His sun-streaked brown hair gleamed in the coffee shop’s subdued lighting. He wore it conservatively short but it was thick and wavy and almost begged for her fingers to run through the strands again.

“Alex, this is my good friend, Lauren Carlyle,” Sara said. “Lauren, Alexander Gabrielle. Alex is coordinating my European tour.”

Lauren met Alex’s gaze. From the watchful look in his eyes, she knew that he was willing to take his lead from her. It didn’t take even a second for her to decide how to handle the situation.

“You look familiar.” Lauren extended her hand. “Didn’t we dance together a couple of times at Melanie’s wedding?”

“I think you’re right.” He grasped her hand and brought it to his lips. “Enchanté.”

She shivered as he placed a kiss on the back of her hand, feeling her cheeks redden.

“I should have warned you, Lauren.” Sara laughed, a silvery tinkle that reminded Lauren of tiny bells. “Alex is very European.”

Lauren widened her gaze, truly surprised. “You’re not American?”

He smiled and gestured for the waiter, ordering an espresso before turning his attention back to her. “Actually I have dual citizenship. My father is American while my mother is a citizen of Carpegnia.”

“Carpegnia?” Though Lauren knew the location of practically every Nordstrom store in the United States, geography had never been her strong point. “Is that in the Mediterranean?”

Alex nodded. “Off the southern coast of France.”

“But you don’t have an accent,” Lauren said.

He smiled. “Sometimes I do.”

Ma chérie.

When they’d made love, he’d whispered the words over and over. Lauren took a deep breath. “So you speak English and French?”

“Along with several other languages,” he said as if it were no big deal.

“When I interviewed Alex, I knew he was just what I was looking for,” Sara said. “Not only is he fluent in all those languages, he’s very familiar with Europe.”

“I know it intimately,” Alex said. Was it only her imagination or had his deep, sensual voice lingered on the last word?

Lauren’s heart skipped a beat but she cast him a warning glance. Sara was smart and if he wasn’t careful, she’d catch on that her new employee and her old friend knew each other better than they were letting on.

“Your espresso, sir.” The waiter placed the cup before Alex, smiled and turned on his heel.

“Lauren is in the market for a roommate,” Sara said as soon as the waiter left. “She asked if I knew anyone who might be interested and I mentioned you were looking.”

“Roommate?” That cute little dimple she remembered so well flashed in Alex’s cheek, and Lauren decided she’d be safer with Jack the Ripper under her roof.

“It’s very small,” Lauren said.

“Your town house is spacious,” Sara protested. “And quite lovely.”

“We’d be tripping all over each other,” Lauren added.

“I don’t mind being close.” Alex took another sip of his espresso but mischief gleamed in his eye. “Not at all.”

Sara’s brows pulled together in puzzlement and Lauren kicked Alex under the table.

“The extra bedroom and bathroom are in the basement,” Lauren said.

Actually, the downstairs area was light and airy with huge daylight windows. But there was no need for Alex to know that.

“Sounds cozy.” Alex didn’t appear the least bit dissuaded. “I like cozy.”

He winced as the pointed toe of her shoe connected with his shin once again.

“I’m sorry, but I just noticed the time.” Sara pushed back her chair and rose to her feet. “I have to pick up the baby.”

Alex rose to his feet. “Are we still on for seven?”

Sara hesitated a fraction of a second. “Absolutely.”

Lauren hid a smile. It was obvious that her friend had completely forgotten the plans. Since her baby had been born, Sara’s already hectic schedule had kicked into overdrive and she’d confided in Lauren that half the time she didn’t know whether she was coming or going.

Sara shifted her gaze. “Lauren, I’d love to have you join us. Sal’s mother sent over some lasagna this morning and I’ll probably just throw together a salad. You haven’t been over in forever. Please say you’ll come.”

Lauren squirmed in her chair. She couldn’t imagine being in the same room with Alex all evening. Even now the electricity between them was almost palpable. “I’m not sure tonight will work.”

“C’mon, Lauren.” Sara put a hand on her hip and her lips came together in a pout. “You told me earlier you didn’t have anything going on this evening.”

Lauren glanced at Alex and found him grinning.

“We’ll eat at seven,” Sara said as if the matter were already decided. “Sal will probably want to go over some of the tour’s security requirements with Alex after dinner. That’ll give us the opportunity to continue our talk.”

Lauren offered a noncommittal smile. Alex’s appearance had effectively ensured that her night of passion in Chicago would remain her secret.

Unless Alex decided to talk….

Lauren waited until her friend was out the door before she turned back to Alex. “What is going on here?”

Alex stared unblinkingly, the anger in her voice taking him by surprise. He’d gotten the impression she’d been glad to see him. Now he wasn’t sure. “What do you mean?”

“You told me you were unemployed.”

“I also told you I was interviewing for jobs,” he said.

“You could have told me you knew Sara.”

“I had no idea you two were friends,” he said. “I was as shocked as you when I walked in and saw the two of you together.”

Actually, shocked didn’t begin to describe how he’d felt when he’d glanced across the crowded coffee shop and saw Lauren sitting at the table with his new boss. For one crazy second, he’d wondered if his job was over before it had begun. Sara was a devout Christian and even though Alex believed he had in no way taken advantage of Lauren, he knew Sara might not see it that way.

“I take it you didn’t tell her about us?” Though Sara’s comments had led him to believe that was the case, Alex had to know for sure.

For a second she hesitated. His heart dropped until she rolled her eyes.

“Get real. What was I going to say? Hey, Sara, I know how you feel about sex before marriage. Want to hear about the one-night stand I had last weekend?”

He chuckled but quickly sobered at the warning look in her eyes.

“No one knows about that night,” Lauren said. “I want it to stay that way.”

“I understand,” Alex said.

“I don’t think you do.” Lauren leaned forward and lowered her voice, resting her elbows on the table. “My friends have high moral standards. The school where I teach is very conservative. This can’t get out.”

“You’re right. Teachers don’t have sex.” Alex tried not to smile, but he couldn’t quite pull it off.

Her lips pressed together. “Be serious.”

She looked so cute with her emerald eyes blazing and a rush of pink staining her cheeks that he was tempted to tease her some more. But the lines of worry edging her eyes stopped him.

He met her gaze. “No one will hear about it from me.”

“Thank you.” Her sigh was clearly audible.

“But if your friends are as conservative as you say,” Alex said. “What are they going to think about us living together?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Lauren said. “I’ve decided it’s not a good idea for us to be under the same roof.”

The same thought had crossed his mind. Alex needed this job and he couldn’t afford to get on Sara’s bad side. Living in the same house with her friend would be just asking for trouble.

A sensible man would drop the subject and go back to reading the want ads. But Alex had never been particularly sensible and he’d never liked the idea of living with a stranger.

Lauren wouldn’t be a stranger….

She’d remained in his thoughts since that night in the hotel. Alex had cursed himself for failing to get a phone number or address. He’d thought it would be so easy. When he arrived in St. Louis he’d look up her name in the phone book and give her a call. The only problem was there had been no listing for a Lauren Carlyle. Just when he’d reconciled himself to the fact that he’d never see her again, their paths had crossed. It seemed like fate.

“I don’t see the problem,” Alex said in his most conciliatory tone. “It will be strictly a business arrangement. You need the money. I need a place to live.”

“I know this may be hard for you to believe—especially after how I behaved the other night but I usually don’t have trouble keeping men at arm’s length,” she said. “It’s different with you.”

He could sense her cryptic comment was significant, so he pondered the words for a moment before speaking. “So you’re saying you think you could be under the same roof with another man and it’d be okay? But not with me?”

Her blush deepened. “We’ve been intimate.”

“I realize that.” Alex met her gaze. “But we’re also adults with free will.”

Lauren leaned back in the chair. “It happened once. I don’t want it to happen again.”

Actually, he wanted to remind her, it had happened twice, not once. And the problem seemed to be that she did want it to happen again.

He smiled reassuringly. “I’ve already promised that when I move in, I’ll keep my distance.”

Though Alex truly meant the words, he wondered how long he’d be able to keep that promise. Even now, keeping his distance wasn’t that easy. She was so pretty with her dark hair brushing her shoulders and her large almond-shaped green eyes. Her ivory skin was smooth and clear and if she had any flaw at all, it was her charming tendency to blush at the slightest provocation.

Spending the next six months with her would be a pleasure. Even though he’d have to pay for the privilege, Alex thought with a wry smile.

“Why don’t you give me the grand tour?” Alex asked. “If it’s acceptable, we’ll talk money.”

Up until this year he’d never had to give a thought to what things cost. Now he did nothing but think about it. It seemed so gauche; such bad form to talk dollars and cents. But he had no choice.

“That’s not going to work,” Lauren said.

Alex frowned. “What’s not going to work? Giving the tour today? Or waiting to discuss money?”

“Both,” Lauren said. “I’m telling you for the last time. There’s no way you’re moving in.”

Chapter Four

After leaving Alex at the coffee shop, Lauren returned home to find a stack of bills in her mailbox. For a moment she was tempted to subscribe to her mother’s out-of-sight, out-of-mind philosophy and toss ’em into the trash. Instead she put them on the desk, where they joined all the other statements waiting to be paid.

A sick feeling washed over her. Broadview Academy only paid their teachers monthly and the check she’d just gotten was already gone.

If she let Alex move in, she’d have all sorts of money. Maybe even enough left after paying bills for that cashmere sweater at Nordstrom…

She shoved the crazy thought aside and reminded herself that Alex wasn’t her only option. St. Louis was a big city. There had to be any number of respectable men and women looking for a place to live. All she had to do was find one.

Two hours later, Lauren was less optimistic but not dissuaded. She’d called every person she could think of asking if they knew of a potential roommate for her. Her gaze drifted back to the stack of bills. The problem was she couldn’t really afford to wait around hoping one of the “possibilities” that had been mentioned would pan out.

The shrill ring of the phone kicked her heart into overdrive and renewed her hope. She snatched the phone from the cradle and prayed it was one of her friends calling back to say they’d found someone who was interested in the room.

The credit-card companies would be happy and she could almost feel soft cashmere against her skin. “Hello.”

“Lauren.” Surprise echoed in her mother’s voice. “I didn’t think I’d catch you at home.”

Lauren stifled a groan. She’d have preferred a telemarketer.

“I was prepared to leave a message.”

“I could hang up and let it go to voice mail,” Lauren offered.

Her mother laughed, apparently not realizing Lauren was serious. “Your father and I want you to come to the house for dinner tonight.”

Lauren paused, instantly suspicious. Her parents always entertained their friends on the weekend. Not to mention she’d just been there for dinner.

“It’s Saturday,” Lauren said finally. “I assumed you’d be having people over.”

“We are,” her mother said pleasantly. “But there’s no rule that says our daughter can’t be one of the guests.”

“Thanks for the invitation,” Lauren said. “But I already have plans.”

“A date?” her mother asked, surprise evident in her tone.

“Actually I’m going over to Sara’s for dinner.”

“Tell her you’ll come another time,” her mother said as if that settled the matter. “Did I mention that your father met the nicest man at the Club the other day? He thinks the two of you would be perfect for each other.”

Suddenly all the pieces fell into place.

“Let me guess,” Lauren said. “This nice man just happens to be coming to dinner tonight?”

“As a matter of fact, he is,” her mother said with obvious satisfaction. “He’s a great catch—thirty-three, moderately attractive and runs his own business. A business, I might add, that has been very successful. Best of all, he’s unattached.”

“Unattached?” Lauren couldn’t keep the suspicion from her voice.

“He soon will be,” her mother said. “He’s in the process of filing for divorce.”

“He’s married?” Despite Lauren’s intention to keep emotion out of the conversation, her voice rose.

“You weren’t listening,” her mother said in a lighthearted tone. “He’s already met with an attorney. The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Did I mention he’s an entrepreneur?”

“Yes, you did.” Lauren congratulated herself on keeping her tone even, though she was seething inside. “But as I said, I’m not able to make it tonight. And, even if I were available, I’m not interested in married men.”

“He’s not married,” her mother protested. “He’s—”

“I know,” Lauren interjected. “He’s filing for divorce. I’m not interested in dating those kind of men either.”

Her mother sighed. “You’re never going to find anyone decent with that attitude.”

Silence filled the phone line.

“Lauren, honey.” This time her mother’s tone was conciliatory. “You can have dinner with Sara anytime. I know you’d like Chad if you’d just give him a chance. But timing is crucial. You need to snatch him up while he’s available.”

Lauren thought about reminding her mother the guy really wasn’t available, but knew her comment would fall on deaf ears.

“I’m not changing my plans.” Lauren wondered for the hundredth time how she’d ended up with such parents. They were basically nice people but they had a strange way of looking at the world.

Opportunistic was the word she’d settled on back in high school when her father had almost gone to prison for investment fraud. She’d decided it sounded better than amoral or criminal.

“And I’m not interested in your latest prospect.” Lauren added in case her mother still hadn’t gotten the message.

“He’ll be here at seven,” her mother said as if Lauren hadn’t spoken. “Wear something pretty. And low cut. Might as well show off your assets.”

“I’m not comin—”

“See you at seven.”

The dial tone sounded and Lauren resisted the urge to strangle the phone. Why couldn’t she have had a normal mother? Marion Cunningham of Happy Days would never have tried to fix Joanie up with a married man. Olivia Walton would have never tried—

Lauren forced the comparisons from her mind and reminded herself she had more important things to worry about than her mother and her ridiculous matchmaking.

She had bills to pay.

And a roommate to find.

Living out of a hotel room had never been a problem for Alex. In fact, he’d spent six weeks at the Ritz in Boston just last year while he visited his youngest brother.

But his seven days at the Inn-and-Out Motel had been seven days too many. The place reeked of garlic from the restaurant next door and the paper-thin walls made sleep impossible. If it wasn’t the baby down the hall crying for hours on end, it was the couple in the next room making loud passionate love.

Not only had the moans kept him awake, they’d brought back memories of the night he and Lauren had shared.

Though he’d be lying if he said he didn’t want her in his bed, what Alex really wanted was to get to know her better. He wanted to hear her laugh. He wanted to see her cheeks turn a becoming shade of pink. He wanted to be her roommate.

She might have made her home sound less than appealing but Alex knew she’d just been exaggerating in an attempt to dissuade him. The place had to be a step up from the motel room and whatever she charged him in rent would be a whole lot cheaper than what he was paying for this dump.

Being without a job for four weeks had been enough to deplete most of the money Alex had managed to save the past five months. Of course, he still had ten thousand dollars set aside in a Chicago bank, but he’d starve before he’d touch a dime of those funds.

Alex’s gaze drifted to the clock he’d placed on the room’s rickety desk. His eyes widened. There was no time to waste. He needed to be at Sara’s house in Brentwood in less than an hour and he still had to pack.

Tonight was his chance.

He had to convince Lauren she’d made a mistake.

And more importantly, he had to convince her to take him home.

On her way to Sara’s house Lauren decided she was sick of winter. Though her friend never complained about the weather, Lauren knew the snow and cold had to be wearing on her, too. That’s why stopping at a florist’s shop made perfect sense. Fresh flowers would be just the thing to add a breath of spring to the evening’s festivities.

Thankfully, the Stem Gallery had in-store credit so Lauren was able to give her charge card a much needed rest and walk away with a bigger bouquet in the bargain.

The sweet scent of flowers filled the tiny interior of Lauren’s car and brought a smile to her face. A smile that turned thoughtful when she pulled up in front of Sara’s house and saw Alex’s car parked in the driveway.

Though every self-preserving bone in Lauren’s body told her to keep her distance from the man, she couldn’t stop the anticipation that coursed up her spine at the thought of seeing him again.

And the fact that she’d just checked her makeup before leaving home didn’t stop Lauren from flipping down the vanity mirror. But she told herself the fact that Alex was waiting inside didn’t have a thing to do with her desire to do a last minute touch-up. She always tried to look her best, no matter what the occasion or who was in attendance.

She applied more color to her lips, grabbed the flowers and headed up the walk.

Sara’s husband opened the door before the bell rang twice, a warm smile of welcome on his lips. Sal quickly ushered her inside, taking the flowers and her coat.

Alex must have just arrived because he still stood in the foyer chatting with Sara as if she were an old friend instead of his new employer.

Sara’s hand rested lightly on his arm and she gazed up at him in rapt attention. Despite being dressed in basic black, the singer resembled an angel, with her silvery blond hair and big blue eyes. A fact that hadn’t escaped Alex’s notice. Even from a distance, Lauren could see the admiration in his eyes.

A swift stab of jealousy took her by surprise.

“Look what Lauren brought me.” Sal shot his wife a teasing grin and held out the bouquet.

Sara shifted her gaze and her smile widened. She moved quickly across the foyer and gave Lauren a hug.

“It doesn’t surprise me.” Sara’s blue eyes sparkled with good humor. “I always knew she had a thing for you.”

Lauren watched the playful interplay, wishing her mother were standing here to see the happiness the two exuded. Maybe then she’d understand that this was the kind of relationship Lauren wanted, one with true love driving the commitment, not money.

“They’re beautiful.” Sara took the flowers from her husband and nimbly darted out of reach when he attempted to pull her close. “I’m going to put these in a vase. Sal, would you hang up their coats and then help me get the salads on the table?”

Lauren resisted the urge to look at Alex. The moment her gaze had settled on him, a curious longing filled her. She couldn’t deny she found his quiet confidence and classic good looks appealing. But the last thing she wanted was for him to know it.

“Where’s Anna?” Lauren looked around, finding the house strangely silent.

“Miriam is feeding her upstairs,” Sara said. “She’s cutting teeth and has been a little fussy.”

Miriam Wilkins was a retired woman from Sara’s church who helped out with household duties and childcare on a part-time basis. The fact that she was busy with the baby explained why Sara was on her own with dinner preparations.

“I hope Miriam doesn’t keep her up there all evening,” Lauren said. “I don’t care if she’s fussy.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” Sal said with a long-suffering sigh. “But fussy doesn’t begin to describe how she’s been the last few days.”

“I’d be glad to take her off your hands,” Lauren bantered back, knowing there was no chance of that happening. Anna Tucci was the apple of her father’s eye. “Just say the word.”

“The word is no.” Sal took Alex’s coat and draped it over the one Lauren had given him. “If you want a baby, Ms. Carlyle, you’re going to have to get your own.”

Lauren gave him a playful shove. “I think I should find myself a husband first, don’t you?”

Sal just laughed and waved her and Alex off in the direction of the dining room before heading to help his wife in the kitchen.

Lauren walked down the hall next to Alex, feeling as unsure as a teenager on her first date. The awkwardness took her by surprise. After all, they’d parted on good terms and they hadn’t had any trouble communicating last weekend.

The memory of how she’d fallen into his arms so easily still made her blush. That’s why she kept her gaze focused straight ahead and did her best to act cool. Unfortunately his close proximity and the familiar scent of his cologne wafted about her, stirring her senses, taking her back to that morning in the hotel room….

The knock at the door roused Lauren from a deep slumber. She opened her eyes.

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