Free Rent a Millionaire Groom by Judy Christenberry Page B

Bill.”
    James had never thought of Trivial Pursuit as a sexy game, but he and Elise sat close together on the floor around the coffee table. Every time they had a question, he slid his arm around her and whispered in her ear.
    Sometimes, if he was lucky, she’d turn to face him and he’d snatch a quick kiss. She protested, trying not to be obvious to the others who pretended not to watch them, but James shushed her. He told her she was holding up the game.
    By the time the game ended several hours later, he was in such a constant state of arousal, it was becoming painful. He only hoped it wasn’t obvious to everyone.
    Jeff, as if reluctant to have the afternoon end, suggested they all go to The Prickly Pear, since he was on duty that night. James was afraid he couldn’t bear much more togetherness with Elise without doing something about how much he wanted her.
    “I think I’d better go, Jeff, but thanks for the invite. And for the day. It’s been a lot of fun.” He stood up and crossed to Helen. “Mrs. Madison, that was an incredible meal. Thank you so much for inviting me.”
    “Anytime, James, dear. Elise’s friends are always welcome. And please, call me Helen.”
    He thanked her again, calling her Helen. Then he shook Bill’s and Rolland’s hands, said goodbye to all the women. Elise was standing by the door, and he grabbed her hand and tugged her after him. “I need a word with Elise, but thanks again.”
    He closed the door behind them.
    “What did you need to say?”
    “This—” He pulled her against him and kissed her deeply, pressing her to his body. He didn’t know how long they kissed, but it wasn’t long enough. However, the sound of the door opening broke them apart. Elise stared at him, her green eyes wide. He dropped another kiss on her lips and hurried away, just as her friends came out of the Madisons’ condo.
     
    W HEN J AMES CAME DOWN to breakfast the next morning, MaryBelle was again at the table.
    “Made muffins yesterday. That’s all you get for breakfast this morning, except for the sausage I just cooked. And juice and coffee, of course.”
    He smiled. “Who could complain about that?”
    “You, on some days. But since you found this woman, you’ve quit complaining. I assume that’s where you disappeared to, yesterday. Have a nice day?”
    “How do you know I wasn’t at work all day?”
    “Because they called looking for you.”
    He frowned. “But you didn’t leave me a message.”
    “They said not to. Figured if you were having a good time, you wouldn’t want to be bothered.”
    He shrugged his shoulders. Before, he might have worried until he found out what the problem was. This morning, he decided it could wait.
    “Looks like your brother found a girlfriend, too.”
    “Bobby? You mean because he borrowed my car last night?” He picked up the cup of coffee MaryBelle had given him while they chatted.
    She carried over a plate of muffins and sausage and set it in front of him. “Nope. Because his picture is in the paper.”
    The implications of that occurrence took a minute to sift through James’s contentment. Then he set his coffee down with a thud, spilling some over the side.
    “What? Where?”
    MaryBelle tisked as she got up to get a cloth to wipe the table.
    “MaryBelle, where’s the picture?” he demanded.
    “I folded it and left it there by your plate,” she said calmly, before sitting down again. “She’s pretty.”
    James grabbed the paper and opened it. The society column was filled with photos of couples posing for pictures. Several of them were couples dancing, one at a private birthday party for a local politician. But there were several pictures taken at the dinner honoring the president of a local bank. Next to the photo of the man and his wife and daughter was a photo of that same daughter—quite pretty, as MaryBelle had said—dancing with his brother.
    James groaned. The only good thing about the picture was that the woman’s head