Spellbound by Adrienne Staff

Author:Adrienne Staff [Staff, Adrienne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-79910-4
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2011-08-24T00:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

Edward pulled up in front of Jamie’s building and killed the engine. “Shall I wait here or come up while you change?” he asked, one arm hooked over the back of the seat.

“Why don’t you go on to your place, get ready, and then come back and pick me up?”

He shook his head slowly, the corners of his mouth pulled down in a knowing grin. “Oh no, not a chance. If I let you out of my sight, you’ll disappear on me.”

“That’s crazy,” she objected hotly.

“Oh. Right. Tell me the thought never crossed your mind, Ms. Payton, not once on this long, silent ride home.”

“Never mind.” She slid out of the passenger seat and headed up the front steps.

Edward caught up and held the door for her, then followed her up the six flights of stairs. In the loft, he leaned back against the door and crossed his arms over his chest to wait.

Jamie glowered at him, then grabbed a black silk dress from the closet along with a handful of other things and marched into the bathroom.

While she was gone Edward walked over to the easel and looked at her painting of his home. He stood there, staring at it, mesmerized. How was it possible? How could it be?

But then … was it any stranger than the fact that he was standing here, waiting for the woman he loved, missing her even for these few moments apart? How was that possible? It was unbelievable, incomprehensible.

“You!” he said, tapping the painting roughly, “It’s all your fault. All part and parcel of the same magic. I don’t understand, I may never understand, but there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. The die is cast. C’est un fait accompli.”

“Who are you talking to?” Jamie asked, emerging from the bathroom.

“No one,” Edward answered quickly.

“And in French, no less?”

“Never mind. Let’s talk about you,” he said, smiling as he walked toward her. “You look beautiful.”

“Do I?” she asked, looking down at herself in her little black dress, her black sheer stockings and heels. “You’re sure?”

“Oh, my darling, you look very beautiful. And very sexy.” He leaned over and kissed her neck. “Alluring. Captivating.” He punctuated each word with a kiss until she pushed him away, laughing.

“Okay, okay. You’ve made your point, thank you,” she retorted, and then her eyes met his. She smiled softly, a real smile, the first in hours, then said it again. “Thank you, Edward.”

“You’re welcome, Jamie. It’s only the truth.”

Holding out his arm like some Victorian gentleman, he waited for her to loop her hand through and then led her to the door. “It will be a lovely evening, you’ll see.”

An hour later, at dusk, they pulled up in front of one of Washington’s elegant small hotels in the embassy district. The doorman helped her out of the car; the valet whisked the car away. There wasn’t anything to do but take Edward’s hand and walk at his side into the ballroom.

There were crystal chandeliers, ice sculptures, diamonds.

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