In Too Deep & One Enchanted Moment by Lori Foster

Author:Lori Foster
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

ALEC STARED AT his mother in appalled silence. “You— What? Mum, Skylar and I aren’t a couple.”

Not for a moment had it occurred to him that his family might misinterpret his relationship with Sky.

“You don’t have to pretend, dear. Liv is old enough now. Half her class seem to be sleeping with their boyfriends, although frankly I don’t—”

“Mum!” Alec’s tone was sharp as he cut across her. “Skylar and I aren’t together. Not like that. Why would you think that?”

“Well, because Maggie Poynter called me last night.” His mother wiped her hands on her apron, a puzzled look on her face. “Michael phoned her the moment he left your hotel suite. He thought we’d want to know. He was being reassuring. We’ve all been worried about you since—since—” Her voice trailed off as she caught her husband’s eye and she cleared her throat and mumbled something indistinct. “Sorry. I know I’m not supposed to mention it.”

Alec closed his eyes.

He should have known Michael would call. Their families were close.

“What did he say, exactly?”

“That we could all finally relax because you were with the most stunning woman he’d ever met—” she beamed at Sky “—and that you were gentle and caring toward her and that you seemed more like yourself than you’ve been for a while, since—well, you know.”

Torn between exasperation and irritation, Alec pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose and then heard a choking sound from the end of the table. He let his hand drop and saw Skylar laughing behind her hand.

“Sorry.” She sent him a look of mute apology. “It’s just that the thought of Alec and I being together in that way is beyond hilarious. Most of the time he and I—” She broke off and he suspected she’d been about to say can’t stand each other but instead she gave a limp smile. “We don’t agree on much. We drive each other a little crazy.” If she’d thought that admission would support her denial she was wrong.

Alec saw his mother’s expression brighten.

“And that’s exactly what he needs! Someone to stimulate his mind. Alec is very clever. His professor at Cambridge said that he was the brightest student he’d ever taught. But I say he needs to be challenged and not have life all his own way.”

“You’re embarrassing him, Mum—” Liv bit into a crumbling pastry “—which is totally brilliant by the way. Time to get out the naked baby photos.”

Knowing that Sky had a more updated image of him naked, Alec breathed deeply. “Enough.” He spoke through his teeth. “The subject is closed.”

“Of course it is, if that’s what you want. But Sky, you’re the first woman he has brought home since the divorce, and you are so, so welcome, dear.”

It was information he would never have chosen to share. “Sky and I are friends. That’s the end of it.”

“Of course you are. Now sit down by Skylar, Alec, and Liv can sit on your right.” Sending Alec a soothing look, his mother removed her apron and started placing plates of food on the table.

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