Jolted by the realization that she’d heard too much, Claire got to her feet and moved like a ghost from the room. Heart pounding, she stood in the kitchen, an empty wine glass in her hand, her thoughts reeling. She poured herself a second glass and sat at the breakfast bar to ponder what she’d overheard.
You might not be sleeping with Claire, but you want to.
Was that true? It seemed impossible. Especially after she’d glimpsed the beautiful, socially connected women who’d come to his party. Surely he’d be more likely to settle on one of them. Each one was sophisticated and, if not wealthy, they sure dressed and shopped as if the words on sale and discounted were not in their vocabulary. They had grace and manners. Or if they didn’t, at least they’d been raised knowing how to behave in Charleston society. Claire thought back over some of the conversations she’d heard Linc have with his sister and Knox.
One thing about being a housekeeper, she was often taken for granted. Like the furniture. People rarely guarded their conversations around her, speaking of anything and everything without fear of the information going anywhere. And why not? She was good at keeping secrets. Her own and those of others.
Besides, what did she have to gain by taking gossip to the media? Nothing. Why risk her job? And Linc had been good to her and Honey. She’d never do anything to harm him.
She’s beautiful, sweet, and we get along great. What’s not to like?
Like being the operative word. He liked her. She liked him. They’d become friends. To misinterpret something he said during a private conversation was foolish. Men talked about women and sex all the time. No need for her to go all stupid over it. She’d bet that every single one of Linc’s friends had considered hitting on her at one point or another. Part of the reason she’d put on a wedding band and let everyone believe she was a widow was to avoid such awkwardness. If a man showed any interest in her, Claire merely whipped out her grief over her late husband and it shut down any advances.
Her status as a military widow had also lulled London’s objections. Claire doubted that Linc would’ve been allowed to hire an attractive single mom as his live-in housekeeper, but a wife who was mourning the love of her life could be expected to keep her thoughts and hands off her employer.
When she heard the sound of a car door closing and an engine starting, Claire noticed the goblet was empty in her hand and was surprised how much time had passed. As the knob on the back door began to turn, she sat frozen at the breakfast bar, her cheeks heating as she realized she would have to face Linc after what he’d said about her. Why hadn’t she gone upstairs?
“You’re still up,” Linc said, entering the kitchen.
“I came down to put everything away before morning.” She gestured at the tidy, organized space with her glass. “And have some wine.”
“You deserve to relax after such a long day.”
“Just part of what I signed up for when I became your housekeeper.” With her body moving of its own accord, leaning into the space between them, suddenly Claire recognized the importance of maintaining her distance. What better way than by bringing up her role in his house.
“Maybe, but you’re more than just my housekeeper.”
You might not be sleeping with Claire, but you want to.
Heat flared as Knox’s words came back to haunt her. “You did hire me for my cooking skills.”
“They are pretty spectacular.”
Claire sneaked several glances in his direction and decided the conversation she’d overheard earlier hadn’t meant anything. Nothing about his expression gave any indication that he was attracted to her. Was she doing as good a job concealing her own feelings? Claire hoped so.
The last thing she needed was for Linc to pick up on her impossible longing for him. The best she could hope for was that he’d be flattered by her interest. The worst thing that could happen would be they’d cross a line, and then everything would blow up in her face. She couldn’t risk having that happen. What if he kicked Honey and her out and she had to scramble to find a new place to live and work?
“You could’ve left everything until morning.” His gaze drifted from her eyes to her lips and then over her sleepwear. “Looks like you’re ready for bed.”
Claire cursed herself for trembling in reaction to his lazy smile. “I wouldn’t be able to sleep, imagining the mess. You know how I am about the kitchen.”
“Clutter is definitely your Achilles’ heel.” Linc set two crystal tumblers in the sink. “I challenge you to leave those unwashed until tomorrow.”
“Ha ha. Very funny.” But her fingers twitched as she regarded the dirty glasses.
“It’s making you crazy, isn’t it?”
“A little.”
Bantering like this with Linc made it easier for her to ignore the drumbeat of her heart at his nearness. Did the man have any idea of the power of his sex appeal? How could he not with all the advertisers clamoring for him to represent their product, the Armani cologne being the latest?
He turned on the faucet and ran water into the glasses. “I’m happy to wash them. It’s the least I can do after how hard you worked to make the dinner party a success.” He gestured toward her empty crystal goblet. “If you’re done with that, I can do it as well.”
“I was just having a glass of wine,” she replied, unsure why she felt compelled to explain herself. “Some of the leftover Soave.”
“Which one was that?”
“The one I paired with the scallops.”
Linc nodded. “That was nice. Dry with a note of peach.” He arched an eyebrow at her. “What? You’re surprised I remember it?”
“I did throw a lot of different wines at you.”
“Showing off?”
“A little. I thought your first
