She giggled—in a most un-Andi-like way—and tossed her head, which sent her hair tumbling over her shoulders in a shimmering cascade. She twirled again, and the soft dress draped her form, allowing him a tantalizing view of her figure. He’d certainly never seen her in this dress before. Floor-length and daringly see-through, it was far dressier and more festive than her usual attire.
“Happiness is glorious joy,” she sang, as she turned to face him again.
“Huh?” Jake frowned.
“Mysterious moonlight and wonderful wishes.” Another silver peal of laughter left her lips—which looked quite different than he remembered, bare of their usual apricot lipstick and kissed to ruby fullness.
Unless she’d suddenly turned to poetry—very bad poetry at that—she must be intoxicated. He didn’t smell anything on her breath, though. And didn’t she always insist she was allergic to alcohol? He couldn’t remember ever seeing her with a real drink.
Drugs?
He peered at her eyes. Yes, her pupils were dilated. Still, Andi experimenting with illegal substances? It seemed impossible.
“Did you take something?”
“Steal? I’d never steal from you. You’re my true love.” She gazed at him as she spoke the words, eyes clear and blue as a summer sky.
Jake groped for words. “I meant, did you take any pills?”
You’re my true love? She was obviously tripping on something. He’d better get her inside before she tried to fly from the parapets or walk on the water in the moat. “Let’s go inside.”
He wrapped his arm around her, and she squeezed against him and giggled again. This was not the Andi he knew. Perhaps the stress of threatening to leave had encouraged her to take some kind of tranquilizer. He had no idea how those things worked, but couldn’t come up with any other explanation for her odd behavior.
“You smell good.” She pressed her face against him, almost tripping him.
Jake’s eyes widened, but he managed to keep walking. Her body bumping against his was not helping his own sanity. Now she’d slid an arm around his waist and her fingers fondled him as they walked. His blood was heating in a most uncomfortable way.
Maybe he could bring both of them back down to earth.
“It was cold of you to seat me between Maxi and Alia.”
“Who?” She marched gaily along over the lawn, still clinging to him. No reaction to the names.
“Maxi and Alia. Both of them fighting over me was a bit much to take on top of the cook’s roulade.”
“Pretty names. We haven’t met. You must introduce me sometime.” She pulled her arm from his waist and took off skipping across the damp lawn.
Jake paused and stared for a moment, then strode after her.
Since he didn’t particularly want any of the other staff to see Andi in this compromising state, Jake hustled her into his private chambers and locked the door. That was the accepted signal that he was off duty for the night and not to be disturbed.
Andi made herself quite at home, curling up on one of the sofas, with a languid arm draping along the back. “Happiness is as happiness does,” she said dreamily.
Jake resisted the urge to pour himself a whisky. “Listen, what you said about leaving. I saw your bags—”
“Leave? I would never leave you, my love.” Her face rested in a peaceful smile.
Jake swallowed. “So you’re staying.”
“Of course. Forever and ever and ever.” Her eyes sparkled.
“Ah. That’s settled then.” He moved to the liquor cabinet, deciding to have that whisky after all. “I am relieved. The thought of managing without you was quite frightening.”
Andi had risen from the sofa and was now waltzing around the room by herself, singing, “Someday my prince will come.” She twirled, sweeping her pale evening dress about her like smoke. “Some day I’ll love someone.” Her radiant smile was almost infectious.
Almost. Jake took a swig of his drink. Did she really think they were having some kind of relationship outside their well-established professional one? As much as the idea appealed right this second, he knew it would really mess things up once she snapped out of whatever chemical induced trance she was in.
He’d better remind her of that. “We’ve worked together a long time.”
She stopped twirling for a moment, and frowned. “I don’t think I do work.”
“You’re a lady of leisure?”
She glanced down at her evening gown. “Yes.” She frowned; then her expression brightened. “I must be. Otherwise why would I be dressed like this?”
Had she temporarily forgotten that she was his assistant? “Why are you dressed like that?” She’d certainly never worn anything so festive before.
“It’s pretty, isn’t it?” She looked up at him. “Do you like it?”
“Very much.” He allowed his eyes to soak up the vision of it draped over her gorgeous body. Desire licked through him in tiny, tormenting flames.
Andi reached out and tugged at his shirt. Even that made his synapses flash and his groin tighten.
“Why don’t you come sit with me.” She stroked the sofa cushion next to her.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” His voice came out gruff.
“Why not?”
“It’s late. We should get to bed.” The image of her in his bed flooded his brain, especially as it was right there in the next room. But caution tightened his muscles.
“Oh, don’t be silly—” She frowned. “How odd.” She glanced up at him. “I can’t think of your name right now.”
Jake was about to tell her, but something made him stop. “You don’t know my name?”
She looked up for a few moments, as if searching her brain. “No, I don’t seem to know it.”
Panic tightened his chest. “What’s your name?”
She looked toward the ceiling, scrunched up her brow and clenched her fists. When she finally looked back at him, her expression had changed from glee to confusion. “I’m not sure.”
“I think we should call for a doctor.” He pulled his phone out.
“A doctor? What for? I feel fine.”
He hesitated. “Let me look at you. Did you bump your head?”
She shrugged. “I don’t think so.”
He put his phone back in his pocket and touched her temples with his thumbs. Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him and her scent was a torment. He worked his fingers gently back into her hair—which was soft and luxurious to touch. “Hey, I feel a lump.”
“Ouch!”
“You have a bruise.” He touched it gently. A big goose egg. That explained a whole lot. “We’re definitely calling the doctor. You could have a concussion.” He dialed the number. “Listen, sorry it’s so late, Gustav, but Andi’s taken a fall and bumped her head. She’s not talking too much sense and I think you should look at her.”
Gustav replied that he’d be there in the ten minutes it took to drive from the town, and to keep her awake until he got there.
After letting the staff know to expect Gustav, Jake sat down on the sofa opposite her. It made sense to find out just how much of her memory had vanished. “How old are you?” Odd that he didn’t know that.
“Over