“I see my name has rung a bell.” Smugness reflected in his captivating eyes. “Perhaps my aunt mentioned me.”
The fact he’d been holding that ace up his sleeve the whole time instead of introducing himself up front annoyed her. She wasn’t about to fold her hand so quickly—even if she had been beaten already.
She conjured up her best poker face. “Actually, Connie went to great pains not to mention you. She merely said the owner was out of town for an extended period. In fact, when I saw the condition of this place, I didn’t think anyone had lived here in years.”
A muscle twitched in his cheek as his gaze moved away. “I only need a couple of the rooms. Even when I’m in town, I’m not here much.”
“I see.” What else could she say? That it was a bit strange to live in a mansion filled with cobwebs and covered in a blanket of dust? But who was she to judge? She was living out of a suitcase, and by the end of the month, she would be technically homeless. The thought of being adrift with no place to call home sent her stomach plummeting. But she could only deal with one problem at a time.
Lucas shifted uncomfortably. “Why do you keep looking at me strangely?”
“I’m trying to decide whether I should believe you. I mean, I wouldn’t expect such a wealthy man to wear...umm, that.” She pointed at his tattered jeans.
Even though she knew that he was in fact Lucas Carrington, she didn’t want to let on just yet. After all, he hadn’t readily taken her word that she wasn’t a squatter. Why not let him see what it was like not to be believed?
He shrugged. “So they’re old jeans. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“I don’t know. This could all be an act. How am I to know that you aren’t pretending to be the owner? Maybe I should call the police and let them sort this out.”
Instead of the angry response she’d been anticipating, the corners of his mouth lifted. Was that a smile? Her stomach somersaulted.
“I guess I deserve that. Wait here.” He set off in the same direction he’d gone to grab his clothes and the robe he’d loaned her.
The scorching hot image of him in those boxer shorts flashed in her mind. Her pulse kicked up a notch or two. If Lucas wasn’t already wealthy, he could make a fortune as an underwear model. She’d be first in line to buy the magazine.
Still a bit chilled, she snuggled up in the robe, noticing the fresh scent of aftershave. She lifted the plush material to her nose, unable to resist inhaling even deeper. Mmm...
“Is the robe okay?” His smooth, deep voice filled the room.
“Umm...yes.” She smoothed the lapel. “I was just admiring its...its softness.”
He nodded, but she wondered if he’d caught her getting high off his very masculine scent. No man had a right to smell that good or look that hot with his clothes on...or off.
He skirted around the kitchen island and headed for her. Kate held her ground, all the while wondering what he was up to.
“Here.” He flipped open a black wallet. “This should clear things up.”
Her fingers slid across the worn smooth leather. She really didn’t need to see his driver’s license, but she had started this, so she might as well follow through.
She glanced at the photo of a neatly groomed man in a suit and tie. Definitely Lucas, but the spiffed-up version. The funny thing was she liked him in his worn-out jeans and sloppy T-shirt as much if not more than his business persona.
“So now do you believe me?” he asked with a tone of smug satisfaction, as if he’d just one-upped her.
She didn’t like him thinking that he’d gotten the best of her.
“I don’t know.” She held the ID up beside his face, hmm-ing and hah-ing, as though trying to make up her mind. “There’s definitely a resemblance, but I’m not sure.”
He yanked the card from her hand and stared at it. “Of course it’s me! And that’s my address...this address.”
At last he’d fallen off his cool, confident edge. A smile pulled at her lips. The action felt so foreign to her after the past few stressful months, but the lightness grew, erupting into laughter. The more she laughed, the deeper Lucas frowned. It had been so long since she’d had an occasion to laugh that she didn’t want it to end. It felt so good. So liberating. So freeing.
His brow arched. “Have I amused you enough?”
Her cheeks started to ache and she forced herself to calm down. After dabbing both eyes, she gazed up at him. “Sorry about that. But you don’t know how much I needed that laugh.”
His brows rose higher, but he didn’t ask why and it was just as well. She wasn’t about to spill her sorrowful tale to this stranger. In fact, she suddenly felt guilty for her outburst. Not because it was at Lucas’s expense. He was a big boy who could take a little ribbing. It was the thought of her little girl in the hospital that sobered her mood. Under the circumstances, Kate had no right to smile, much less laugh.
If the hospital staff hadn’t invoked their stupid policy, she’d still be there—sitting by Molly’s bed or haunting the halls. But the nurses had insisted she needed some rest so she didn’t wear herself out.
“Hey, what’s the matter?” Lucas stepped closer. His hand reached out as though to touch Kate’s shoulder, but then he hesitated.
She blinked back the rush of emotions. “I’m fine. I’ll just get my things and get out of your way.”
His hand lowered to his side as he glanced around the room. “Where exactly are your things?”
“Upstairs.”
“But those rooms aren’t fit for anyone. I dismissed the maid service as soon as... It doesn’t matter. The only important thing is keeping you out of that mess.”
“It isn’t so dirty now.” At the shocked look on Lucas’s face, she continued. “Or at least the room that I’m staying in is mostly clean.”
“What room?” His face creased with worry lines.
A crack of thunder sounded, followed by the lights flickering. Kate wrapped her arms around herself. “The one at the end of the hall.”
His shoulders drew back in a rigid line as his brows gathered in a dark, intimidating line. “Which end?”
Kate pointed straight overhead.
His shoulders drooped as he let out a sigh. “What in the world was my aunt thinking to send you here?”
Kate had wondered the exact same thing, but she’d come to the conclusion that Connie had only the best intentions...even if they were a little misguided. Now it was time to move on.
* * *
Lucas watched as Kate snuggled deeper in his robe. A resigned look etched across her weary features as the dark circles made her eyes appear much too large for her face. She reminded him of a puppy who’d been kicked to the curb and forgotten.
His thoughts rolled back in time to the day when he’d found a stray pup and brought it home. Everyone but his aunt had told him to get rid of the filthy beast. Aunt Connie had been different. She could see what the others couldn’t be bothered to look at—the puppy’s need to be loved and cared for. More than that she recognized Lucas’s need for something calming in the upheaval that was his life.
Lucas brought his thoughts up short. Kate wasn’t a stray puppy. She was a grown woman who could care for herself. He had enough problems. He didn’t need to be embroiled in someone else’s. He should