Rich, Rugged...Royal

“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.”