They got what they wanted out of the relationship, and so did he, and no one got hurt.
Except Faith was different. She wasn’t going to go away. And apparently wasn’t going to leave his thoughts either, despite his efforts to direct his mind to business instead of imagining what she wore under her wedding dress.
Why now? She’d been with him for five years, day in and day out.
He’d hired her because she came recommended right out of college, graduating at the top of her class from the University of Las Vegas. She was sharp, unassuming and didn’t show interest in him at all. In fact, she avoided even incidental personal contact like the plague.
Just what he needed in an executive assistant. Business only.
But underneath her capable exterior was an innocence he’d been unaware of. And that intrigued him.
Why was Faith still a virgin? And why did the thought of sex terrify her?
That, he definitely wanted to change.
They stopped at the elevator and Faith turned to him, her blue eyes staring expectantly.
“Are we going to your home now?” she asked in that soft voice that poured over him like a well-aged brandy.
“Yes.”
She swallowed and turned away to wait for the elevator. Without further discussion on the ride down in the elevator, they headed through the hotel and outside into the cool April air.
Faith inhaled deeply, savoring the crisp oxygen and willed her hands to stop shaking. Involuntary shivers began as soon as they’d walked outside. The wind had kicked up and her sleeveless dress did nothing to avert the chill.
“Cold?” Ryan asked.
“A little.”
“Here. Put this on.” He removed his tux jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Faith felt his body heat radiating from the silk lining and instinctively pulled the jacket tighter around her to get closer to his warmth. It carried his scent, a combination of musky cologne and something purely Ryan.
The sleek black limousine pulled up and Ryan helped her inside.
“These things always remind me of hotel rooms, minus the bed,” Faith said as she settled in and surveyed the expansive interior of the limo.
She’d been in plenty of them before, but always as Ryan’s assistant.
She’d never paid much attention to what they looked like. Would she be riding in them more often now?
The seats were soft, cushiony leather that she sank into. Her voluminous gown billowed around her until she was surrounded by tulle.
It was a full service limo, with a television, wet bar and telephone within reach.
“It has its luxuries,” Ryan replied dryly.
“Why didn’t we take your car?”
“I thought you’d be more comfortable riding in the limo, considering your dress, rather than trying to stuff you into the BMW.”
“Oh. That makes sense.” He’d put her comfort first. He’d actually thought about her. Amazing. Just like the entire evening—simply unbelievable.
Faith focused outside the tinted windows, watching as passenger cars pulled alongside. She smiled as people in the other cars squinted as if trying to guess what celebrity lurked inside. She’d done the same thing before, wondering what life was like on the other side of the mirrored glass. Funny, she still felt like one of those people on the outside.
“Would you like some music?”
She nodded and Ryan hit one of the many buttons located on the door console of the limo. Soft classical poured from the speakers. She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax by closing her eyes and listening to the lulling sounds. She tried not to think about where she was going, or what kind of life she was heading into for the next year.
They traveled well outside the city limits and into the residential areas of the county. The limo slowed at the gated community where the McKay mansion was located. It was very high security, complete with electronic surveillance cameras and a fierce-looking guard at the entrance.
Ryan rolled down the back window, and the guard approached. He smiled when he saw Ryan.
“Evening, Mr. McKay,” the guard said. “Go right on through.”
“Thanks, Tom,” Ryan said and rolled the window back up.
Once through the gate, Faith peered through the darkened windows to better see the enormous homes they passed as they wound their way through the streets of the community. It was dark, but the houses were all well lit. She’d been this way several times, but had never paid attention to her surroundings. Back then, this neighborhood didn’t signify her home. Now it did.
The limo stopped in front of a familiar imposing structure—the McKay mansion. Like something out of a movie, the brick facade and towers made it look more a castle than a house.
Ryan exited the vehicle and held out his hand for Faith, which she gratefully grasped for assistance out of the limo. It wasn’t easy maneuvering in this big, poofy dress.
The heavy wood door loomed before her. She tried to swallow but her throat had gone dry.
When they approached the door it opened automatically. He directed her inside and Leland Banks, Ryan’s butler, greeted them.
“Good evening, Mister McKay,” the man said formally in his very proper British accent.
“Evening, Leland,” Ryan answered.
“And a very good evening to you, Mrs. McKay. May I offer my congratulations to you both?”
Ryan must have notified Leland of their marriage. Whatever thoughts the butler had about it were masked completely by his stoic demeanor.
“Thanks, Leland. Could you show Mrs. McKay to the second bedroom? It’s late and I still have some things to catch up on.”
“But I thought the contract said…” Faith clamped her lips shut and looked to Ryan, not knowing how much he had revealed to Leland about the terms of the will.
“I know the contract states we sleep in the same bedroom,” Ryan explained, “but Stan and James won’t arrive until tomorrow and I don’t want to keep you up all night. I have work to do.”
Which meant he really didn’t want her in his bedroom. Faith pushed aside the feeling of being dumped. After all, this two month waiting period had been her idea. But still, they would have to sleep together, so why not tonight?
She was being silly. Instead of feeling rejected, she should be glad for the one-night reprieve.
Ryan disappeared down the hall and Leland led Faith to the staircase beyond the huge marble foyer. “If you’ll come this way, ma’am.”