Free Semiautomatic Marriage by Leona Karr Page B

Buddy said something like that?”
    “Probably because he knows that his mother is a possessive dragon when it comes to anything connected with Horizon. Della doesn’t want you—or me—invading her territory. Because Jasper’s interest and attention is centered in the laboratory, your grandfather gradually put the business end of the company in Della’s capable hands. It’s obvious Della feels very ‘mine’ about the whole thing.”
    “Then how are you going to get by her to do any investigating?”
    “My wife is going to override her objections.” Sitting so close to her, Adam was aware of every breath she drew. His reaction to the tantalizing scent of her perfume and the teasing softness of her fair hair, surprised him.
    Wife. Carolyn stiffened. She knew that the term meant nothing to him, but it made her uncomfortable. “And how is your wife to do that?”
    “She’s going to exercise her authority.”
    “I don’t know if I can do it. I need time. Time to adjust, to learn, get my bearings.”
    “Time is what we don’t have,” he answeredfirmly. “Not if we want to stop illegal shipments as quickly as possible.”
    She sighed, and he fought the urge to draw her close and have her nestle her head against his chest. He’d shut down his feelings after he’d lost Marietta, and the stirring of sensual desire startled him. He feared that at any moment, he might ruin everything, betray her confidence in him, by a simple word or gesture.
    “Why do you suppose Della invited people over to meet us on our very first night?” She searched his face for reassurance that it made some kind of sense.
    “Who knows?” Probably to throw you off balance.
    “I’m scared,” she admitted. “What if I make a bunch of mistakes and blow everything?”
    Adam knew that what he was asking of her would have challenged a tough, experienced agent. She was not totally unaware of the danger in the situation, but he had hesitated to dwell on the risks because he didn’t want her living in fear.
    He’d purposefully avoided talking about her grandfather’s death. Until he knew whether the hit-and-run was deliberate or otherwise, he’d keep his own counsel. Increasing her fears and apprehension would be counterproductive. Handling the curious staff from the company that Della would parade through the house that evening was a challenge he knew she could handle.
    “Maybe it’s better to face them all as soon as possible,” he said, trying to put a positive spin on the evening. He knew that the meeting with her uncle had not gone as Carolyn hoped. She’d beenready to receive Jasper with love and affection, and he’d only focused on the disappointment he’d felt over his sister’s behavior. Resentment simmered behind almost everything her uncle had said to her. Obviously her inheritance was a red flag to Della, and Adam didn’t doubt for a minute that the war had just begun.
    “I don’t have anything suitable to wear,” Carolyn startled him by saying.
    This sudden shift in perspective caused Adam to impulsively put his arm around her shoulders and give her a squeeze. “Whatever you decide to wear, you’ll look ten times sexier than any woman there.”
    She stiffened slightly, and he knew he’d used the wrong adjective. Carolyn obviously didn’t think of herself as sexy. But maybe she should. Had she ever enjoyed her sexuality? Been in love? Even as he asked the questions in his mind, something deep within him didn’t really want to know.
    As it turned out, he found out the answers a lot sooner than he’d expected.
     
    C AROLYN STOOD WITH A DAM in the main drawing room as a dozen guests circulated, smiling, laughing and speaking in low tones as they sent surreptitious glances at the couple. Seika and her sister, Lotuse, circulated with drinks, while a sober-faced Morna kept her eye on the lavish buffet.
    Carolyn hated being on display as much as she’d expected. Even Adam’s admiring eyes as he nodded approvingly