Feels Like Home

“She hired you,” he said flatly, “because she thinks if we work together, you’ll get back in my life. She hired you because she wants us to get together again.”

PANIC FLARED IN Yvonne’s dark eyes. But she remained steady on those pencil-thin high heels of hers. “I’m sorry,” she said, as if they were discussing whether to have salmon or chicken for dinner, “I don’t under stand.”

His curled fists hidden from view under his desk, Aidan studied her. As if she didn’t have a care in the world, was above everything he said.

If that was true, why did her fingers tremble when she swept her hair off her shoulder?

He wasn’t the only one out of sorts. Good.

“Seeing as how you’re not stupid or hard of hearing,” he said mildly, “you understand perfectly.”

Her mouth turned down. “Diane wants us back together?”

Aidan held her gaze as he straightened in his chair. “Or maybe you already knew that.”

“Excuse me?” she asked, sounding as snobby and cold as her mother had when Aidan and Yvonne went to Savannah and announced their engagement to her parents.

But he’d been so sure Yvonne was different from her mom. That underneath that cool demeanor was a real, live woman. And all he had to do was help warm her up.

“Have you missed me, Yvonne? Are you looking for a reconciliation?”

She didn’t blush or appear guilty. She just looked…scared. As if the idea of getting back together with him was worse than having her fingernails ripped off. His mouth twisted. Right. Because living with him had been such pure hell. It’d been so bad she’d walked off without so much as giving him a chance to convince her to stay.

“I assure you,” she said, no longer sounding in control, “I had no idea. I…” She pressed her lips together. “I thought Diane hired me because I’m a good wedding planner.”

She seemed sincere. Hell, he probably would have believed her if he hadn’t already learned not to trust anything she said.

I love you. Till death do us part, she’d vowed at their wedding.

She could claim the earth was round and he’d want a second opinion.

He picked up his mechanical pencil and tapped it against the top of his desk, causing Lily to raise her head. “Now that you’re aware of Mom’s real agenda, I’m sure you’ll agree that backing out of your contract is the only option.”

Yvonne frowned and shifted, the movement causing her breasts to sway slightly under the ruffle of her top, drawing his attention to the way that damn skirt hugged her hips. In stark black and white, the severe lines of the skirt contrasting with the soft femininity of her top, highlighted her sexy elegance. As if nothing and no one could touch her.

Good thing he didn’t want to try.

“I can’t do that,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry. I truly am, and I realize this situation is…uncomfortable…for both of us, but I’m staying.”

“Did you get fired?”

Her lips twitched. “No, I’m gainfully employed.”

“Then there’s no reason you can’t return to Charleston.”

“None at all. And I will when I’ve met my obligation here. Until then, can’t we figure out a way to make this work?” She began to lift her laptop case. “If we could get past—”

She broke off when Lily, excited that the new person in the room was moving, got up and walked over to sniff at Yvonne’s backside. Yvonne froze, her face white.

Damn it. He didn’t want to see her afraid. Didn’t like the tug of sympathy that caused in him. How it made him feel…protective of her.

“Lily, sit,” he ordered, more gruffly than necessary.

Lily lowered her head and crept back to her spot by the window. He rubbed the nape of his neck. Great. Now he was taking his irritation out on his dog.

“Since you insist on sticking around,” he said tightly, “you’ll have to get used to Lily. She has free run of the Diamond Dust. And I’m not about to keep her locked up because you don’t like animals.”

“No. Of course not. I would never ask you to keep it…her…” Yvonne paused long enough to take a deep breath and regain her composure. “I’m sorry. I…I don’t have much experience with animals…with pets. Mother never allowed them.”

No doubt Elaine Delisle thought pets were too messy. “Luckily, my family doesn’t share your mother’s opinion. There have always been dogs at the vineyard.”

“There weren’t any…”

Before. When they’d first moved to Jewell after his father became sick. When they were still married. Before she’d walked out on their marriage.

“Mom hadn’t wanted to get another dog after their last one died.” He tossed his pencil aside and got to his feet, unable to remain seated. “Too painful.”

Yvonne nodded as if she completely understood, playing the part of concerned, sympathetic ex for all she was worth. She was excellent at all her roles, whatever they may be. Obedient daughter. Beauty queen.

Aidan had thought he’d known her better than anyone else ever would. Ever could. Until she’d left and he’d realized he hadn’t known her at all.

She cleared her throat, glancing at Lily with clear trepidation. “As you can see, I’m a bit…nervous around dogs.”

Not his problem. It wasn’t up to him to make her feel safe. Happy.

But as much as he didn’t want her here, he couldn’t let her think that every time she stepped outside her door, she was risking being torn apart by his good-natured dog. He wasn’t that big of an ass. No matter what his brothers said about him.

He snapped his fingers and Lily padded over and sat next to his leg. “Lily’s a good dog. Sweet as they come and well-trained—”

“I didn’t mean to imply—”

“I know,” he said, “that you didn’t mean to imply I didn’t train my dog. I’m saying that she won’t hurt you. You have my word on that.”

Yvonne smiled, relieved. She trusted him.

It nearly undid him.

He scowled and her smile faded. She switched the laptop case to her other hand. “I appreciate that. Especially as I know you’re a man who always keeps his word.”

“Funny thing about that…once I make a promise, I keep it.” He searched her face, her beautiful, treacherous face.

Her flinch was slight, but noticeable, letting him know his dig had hit home. He didn’t find much satisfaction in it.

Then she tipped her head. “Not everyone has your conviction, or your sense of responsibility and right and wrong,” she said, so sweetly, he didn’t believe she meant a word of it. “And sometimes, keeping a promise means giving up something a person isn’t willing to lose.”

He narrowed his eyes. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Was she talking about their marriage, as he had been, and her choice to break her vows? He concentrated on keeping his breathing slow and even, pretended his chest wasn’t tight, his muscles not tensed.

He’d never asked her to give up anything for him—except living in Savannah. But she’d been all for moving to Jewell to help his parents during his father’s illness. She’d even suggested they buy a house, to make the move more permanent. She’d wanted their own place, she’d told him. Their own home. A place where they belonged.