Free Love Script by Tiffany Ashley Page B

asked.
    She shook her head. She walked up to him and tugged on the ends of his tie. Her hands worked quickly yet were light in touch. As she coaxed the tie into perfection, Nick breathed in her clean scent.
    She was the gentle blend of soap and something else he couldn’t quite put his finger on. It was so light, he had to lean close to capture its scent; when he did, he smiled despite himself. Roses. She smel ed of roses in bloom. The scent was intoxicating. He had the heady sense of being drawn to her. She was so close he had only to lean an inch forward to brush his chest against hers.
    “There,” she said, her long lashes fluttering up at him. “That looks better.”
    He stepped away to survey her work in the bathroom mirror. Impressed, he asked, “How do you know how to do that?”
    She shrugged. “I’ve had a lot of practice.” She picked up her purse. “Now I’m ready.”

    ❧ ❧ ❧

    Nick and Laney entered the huge bal room just as people were finding their seats. An orchestra played a soothing Caribbean melody that brought smiles to the faces of everyone in the room. Nick spotted Wil iam Zelman and his wife at a table across the room. With Laney’s hand tucked securely on his arm, he guided her to their table, where Cooper Wright and his wife were already seated.
    Both Wil iam and Cooper stood out of respect to Laney. Nick smiled as he made introductions.
    “Mr. Zelman, it’s great to see you again. Cooper.” The men shook hands. “Please al ow me to introduce my wife, Mrs. Laney Sinclair. Laney, sweetheart, this is Wil iam Zelman and his wife, Mrs.
    Zelman.”
    Zelman clasped Laney’s hand and squeezed it.
    “So you are the famous Mrs. Sinclair? It's a pleasure to meet you.”
    She smiled, put a little at ease by his warm welcome. “Please cal me Laney.”
    Zelman grinned down at her. “Then I insist you cal me Wil . And this is my lovely wife, Vivian.” Nick was surprised to see Laney bend down and openly hug the older woman, before brushing her lips against her cheek.
    “It’s an honor to meet you, Vivian. I rarely get to meet any of Nick’s business associates, so this is a double treat for me.” Laney looked up at Cooper.
    “And you are?”
    Cooper picked up her hint immediately. “I’m Cooper Wright, Mrs. Sinclair. This is my wife, Heidi.” Laney hugged Heidi and shook Cooper’s hand.
    Nick inwardly commended her for not offering a hint of recognition that she’d met Cooper earlier. She was playing her role wel . This might just turn out wel for him. He guided her to her seat. She offered her shoulders to Nick, and he wordlessly slipped her shawl off, dropping a light kiss on her shoulder as he whispered words of encouragement. She visibly flinched the instant his lips touched her skin, but she recovered quickly by giving him a nervous giggle and mumbling something about his lips being cold.
    Vivian Zelman gasped. “Oh, I remember when Wil used to treat me like that.” She patted her husband’s knee. “We were sil y kids back then but deeply in love.” In agreement, her husband lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Vivian smiled. “Enjoy every minute of it, Laney. Oh, my!
    What an interesting dress.”
    Nick turned just in time to see what had caught Vivian Zelman’s attention. He hadn’t looked at Laney since removing her shawl. That had been a mistake.
    He was nearly blinded by golden skin. Her dress was simple enough, stopping just above the knee, but her top was held up by thin spaghetti straps. Her cleavage was wel -covered, but the dress pressed against her chest, forcing her breasts to offer a delicate swel . His eyes feasted on her flesh. How soft her skin looked. He was beginning to wonder if he could get through this charade. He would have to have another talk with her. If Laney didn’t stop wearing such revealing clothing, she would soon have him pawing at her every time he so much as looked in her direction. And that could make things very