“As long as you’re happy.”
“I am.” Wasn’t I? I mean, of course I wasn’t thrilled with the pace Celeste demanded or the tasks she always assigned me. And, yes, maybe she was a little codependent. But I owed her, and I knew she could take my career to places I couldn’t on my own.
“Olivia?” Lachlan’s voice sounded sleepy and deep, another caress to my overactive imagination. “I’m glad you were with me tonight.”
I smiled in the dark. “Me too.” I reached for his hand and held it for a brave moment. “I was proud to be by your side.”
Then Lachlan leaned over me.
This was it. He was going to take me in his arms and kiss me senseless. His mouth would slant over mine and brand me his for the night.
But just as I reached for my burly, stout husband, Lachlan pressed his lips to my forehead, a lingering sigh of breath and gentle pressure. Goodnight, wife.” Then he oh-so slowly lifted his head. “Are you shivering?”
“Ignore that.”
He sat up. “I can’t. You’re shaking.”
I was still stuck on the fact that my fake husband apparently had no intention of ravishing me tonight. “Maybe a little.”
“It’s not that cold, Olivia.”
“An Antarctic avalanche could only be colder.”
“Here then.” Lying back down, Lachlan threw an arm around my trembling body and gathered me to his front. Warmth radiated from his body, and I couldn’t help but snuggle closer. I also couldn’t help but notice I fit against him as if he were my missing piece.
“Thank you,” I said, feeling my limbs begin to thaw.
“Can’t have hypothermia set in.” Lachlan kissed the top of my head, his breathing low and steady above me.
“Lachlan?” I spoke directly to his shirt-covered chest.
“Yes?”
“Are we getting complicated?”
“We’re not tonight.”
Drat. “Lachlan?”
“Olivia, you’re playing with fire here.” He stilled one of my roaming cold hands and clasped it in his large one. “Go to sleep.”
“But Lachlan—”
“Seriously, do not move one more muscle.”
“Lachlan, my gown’s stuck beneath your leg.”
With an exasperated sigh, he pulled the fabric free. “I’m sleeping with a Golden Girl.” Then my husband tucked the comforter back over us, curved his arm around my waist, and held me like I was someone he might not want to let go of.
I smiled into my pillow and closed my eyes. Warm at last.
ChapterThirty-Four
LACHLAN
Saturday morningI’d awakened in the hotel with my wife in my arms.
That was nothing of consequence for most married dudes, but most married dudes didn’t acquire their beloveds by way of roofied drinks and a scheming, deceptive cover-up.
