Free A Perfect Husband by Fiona Brand

not seen together.
    As he released her hand, she couldn’t help but notice that he had a pale strip across the third finger of his left hand, which seemed to indicate that Howard had been recently married.
    The evening progressed at a snail’s pace.

    Burningly aware of Zane just a short distance away with Gemma clinging on his arm, Lilah found it hard to focus on Howard and his accounting business.
    Howard placed his empty mineral water on a nearby side table and beckoned a passing waiter. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like some champagne?”
    “No. Thank you.” Lilah was beginning to get a little annoyed at the pressure Howard was applying with regard to alcohol, especial y when he had not touched anything alcoholic himself.
    “Very sensible.” He put his wal et away.
    She tried to think of something else to say, but the conversation had staggered to a halt.
    Howard jerked at his col ar as if it was too tight. “My—uh, mother doesn’t agree with alcohol, especial y not for women.”
    Lilah dragged her gaze from Zane’s profile. She had barely paid Howard any attention, but al of her Cole instincts were on high alert. She had received the strong impression that Howard had been about to say “wife.” “Your mother ?”
    Howard’s gaze shifted to the auctioneer, who was just setting up. He dragged at his tie as if he was having trouble breathing. “I live with my, uh, mother. She’s a fine woman.”
    Feeling suddenly wary of Howard, Lilah excused herself on the grounds that she needed some fresh air before the auction started.
    She stepped outside onto a smal paved terrace dotted with modern sculpture. A footfal sounded behind her. Zane.

    Light slanted across his cheekbones, making him look even tougher and edgier.
    She had been aware that he had been keeping an eye on her the entire time and had hoped he would fol ow her.
    He jerked his head in the direction of the crowded room.
    “When did you meet him?”
    “Tonight.”
    His expression was incredulous. “A blind date?”
    She stared at the soaring, shadowy shape of a concrete obelisk, as if the outline was riveting. “More or less.”
    It was none of Zane’s business that Howard had contacted her through her online dating service. His application was very recent. It had appeared in her in-box just before she had gone to Medinos. She had felt raw enough on her return that she had agreed to her first actual date.
    “I don’t like him, and you’re not leaving with him.” There was a vibrating pause. “He’s old enough to be your father.”
    There was an oddly accusing note to Zane’s voice. Lilah stared hard at a tortured arrangement of pipes at the center of the smal courtyard, a piece of art that, according to a plaque, had something to do with the inner-city “vibe.” “He is older than I thought.”
    She rubbed her bare arms against the coolness of the night, suddenly desperate to change the subject. “Where’s Gemma?”
    “Gemma won’t miss me for a few minutes. Is that why you dated Lucas, because he was older?”
    Her gaze connected with Zane’s. She didn’t know why he was so stuck on the issue of age. “I don’t see what this has to do with anything.”
    “I’ve read your personnel file. I know how old you are, I also know that you seem to date older men. Is that a requirement for your future husband?“
    Despite the chil y air it was suddenly way too hot. She tried to whip up some outrage that Zane had accessed her personal information, but the implications of his prying were riveting. She couldn’t think of any reason for Zane to focus on the age of her dates unless it affected him personal y.
    The thought that Zane was comparing himself with her dates and that he was actual y worried that he was too young, was dizzying. “No.”
    Something like relief flickered in his gaze. “Good.”
    His fingers linked with hers, drew her close.
    Lilah swal owed against the sudden dryness in her mouth. After the disaster on Medinos