Page 32 of Hidden Dane
He followed her to the vanity and lifted his toothbrush from a small bag as he said, “You always seemed close to your family.”
She poured the water inside and then started the machine. In a few minutes she’d have her delicious wake-up brew and then head out later to get a proper cup ofcafe au laitsince they were in France. While waiting for her coffee, she got ready in the bathroom. “My dad left my mom and when my mom died, he didn’t want to take me in. My sister is the only constant—though when we met, I was giving her a hard time.”
“I get that.” For a while they were both silent as they readied themselves for the day. After they finished and he walked out in a white terry cloth bathrobe, he said, “My mother was the only one to ever love me. My stepfather… he… he clearly never cared—he didn’t know how. You are the only one who could understand that—we were both damaged.”
Dane understood exactly. She poured two cups of coffee. “Dane, I’m glad you discovered archeology.” It allowed him to be honorable. He wasn’t anything like Edmond.
“History has much to teach us.” He took the offered cup, blowing on it to cool it before taking a swallow. “When we were in Cairo, working in the Valley of the Kings, we uncovered a hidden tomb. Of course we shared that information with the authorities. I have a rock of that dig embedded in my watch as a way to remember that not every artifact or dig has been discovered. There is a lot to still find and do.”
“Agreed.” She sipped her coffee. “Books offer different views on history and put together a puzzle based on findings.”
He put his cup on the cabinet and then went around her hotel room, picking up his suit from the floor. He straightened and stared at her with his legs braced. “I mean it, Em, when this is over, move to Boston with me.”
“I’m scared.” She lowered her head, heat rising in her cheeks.
In an instant he stood before her. “I get that.”
She traced the open neck of his bathrobe and sucked in her breath. Maybe she could live happily-ever-after with Dane. He hadn’t run out and he knew the real her. She met his gaze and said, “If you’re going to be there, I’ll try.”
“Good.” He put his arm around her. “Glad we settled that.” His lips claimed hers for a fast kiss and she sighed, wishing to freeze this moment, forever. He ended the kiss and then tugged on her bra and the hidden pocket. “Let’s get dressed so we can head to the bank before Ted.”
Emily pulled on a pair of navy slacks she’d ordered yesterday. “Do you think the royal family will see us when we go to London, to return the family jewels?”
He slung his suit over his forearm. She checked that her jewels were still in the hidden pocket, then adjusted the bra under her blouse and eyed her image in the mirror to make sure she looked fine as he asked, “Do you want to meet them?”
Was he joking? “I’d love to be invited to the palace.”
He walked beside her to the door. “Why would that be important?”
“It’s the closest I’ll ever be to being a princess.” She tapped the muscles at his waist and laughed.
He smoothed his hand down her silk blouse. “Sweetheart, you live and breathe like you are a princess already.”
It was true that she liked nice things. “I do like having money, but that’s not the reason.”
“Why, then?” They headed into the hallway and toward his room.
As he opened the door she said, “Because I’m proud of the man you became. I’d like to see that goodness formally recognized, though I understand that you don’t want fame and don’t need a fortune.”
“I never want to disappoint.” He pulled her into his room, with him.
“You better not.” Her eyes fluttered closed as the door slammed behind her.
Dane took her lips in a bruising kiss that showed his passion. Emily refused to let her old doubts come between her and Dane.
Chapter 11
Dane stood in the lobby, dressed in his black t-shirt and dark jeans, and glanced out the glass door of the hotel, toward the limo that would take them to Paris.
Henry was talking to Brady over his headset and Emily returned to the group with threecafe au laitsfrom the lobby’s cafe and handed them out, first to Henry.
His heart skipped a beat from her brief touch as she handed him his cup. He held it firmly. “Emily, this would be better if you just stayed at the hotel.”
She shook her head, sipped her latte and said, “I’m coming. End of story.”
“I want you safe.” He patted her arm.
Here, no one know their names or their identities. She was safe from whatever might happen at the bank, but only if she didn’t join him.
