Thetime came for good-byes, and Woody pulled her aside, cocooning her hand in bothof his. He fixed her with a blue gaze filled with emotion. “I’m so happy you’rein my son’s life, Andie. I don’t know how much he’s told you, but he and hismom were peas in a pod, and when Elayne died … well, she took a big chunk ofhim with her. The money and fame came to him at such a young age and only madethings worse, and I thought we’d lost him.” His voice cracked, and he pausedfor breath. “But seeing him with you, I know my boy will be all right.” Hekissed her hand.
Paigecould only nod for the logjam wedged in her throat—a logjam comprised of onehalf gratitude and one half abject terror.
.~ * * * ~.
Beckett lay on his side, Andie’s bare back snugged againsthim, her head tucked under his chin. They’d made love, and she was driftingoff. He could tell by her breathing, by the way her body softened in his arms.He’d been studying her, her signals, and hoped to graduate at the top of hisclass someday. Andie 101. Andie 201. Andie 1001?
Gatheringher in a little closer, he kissed her shoulder. “Andie?”
“Mmm?”She shifted and tugged his hand to her heart.
“I’mnot waking you up before I leave tomorrow. It’s too early.”
“Mm-hmm.”
“It’llbe a helluva long few weeks without you, pixie.”
“Ithought it was only ten days,” she mumbled.
“Yeah. Afew weeks.” He kissed her shoulder again. “I wish you could fly out, even forjust a night. I’m going to miss you,” he whispered.
Shelooked at him over her shoulder with a sleepy smile and reached her hand backto run her fingers through his hair. “I’ll miss you too, Beck, but absencemakes the fond grow harder.”
“What?”
Hersmile turned impish. “You heard me. It’ll spice up our sex life.”
Hebelted out a laugh. “I don’t think my heart can take any more spice.”
“Toomuch for the All-Nighter? I figured I’d be too vanilla for you.”
“Howcan you be too vanilla? Besides, vanilla’s my favorite flavor.”
Cooper’svoice ghosted through his head. I was ready to marry her after a week. Ididn’t want her to get away. Beckett got it now.
“When Iget back,” he said, “I want to talk about making this more permanent.”
Alittle flinch, then she rolled over, facing him, and batted her eyes. “You wantto rent my guest room?”
Hetouched her nose. “Funny, pixie.”
Herarms circled his neck, resting carelessly, as if they’d always done it, as ifthey belonged there. He splayed his hands over her sides, then slid them to herback. She was so small, and she felt so damn good. Her gaze dropped to hismouth and stayed there, and her generous lips curved a little higher. Hehovered his mouth over hers, torturing himself, extending the moment.
“I’mserious,” he breathed.
Shenever said a word. Just kissed him stupid all over again, making his heart rateclimb, driving most everything from his mind. Ten days would be forever.
.~ * * * ~.
Days later, Paige was reclining on her couch staring at theTV, feet resting on the coffee table, a glass of wine in hand, missing Beckettfiercely. Never knew I could be so lonely without the big lug. Her phonevibrated. She glanced at the screen and swiped the green icon.
“Gwenn!What’s happening, girlfriend?”
“Henryjust got a last-minute assignment to Denver, and I’m coming with him! My folksare watching the kids.”
Theysquealed in perfect time. Some things never changed, thank goodness.
“Hisfirm’s putting us up,” Gwenn continued, “but my time’s free while he works,so—”
“Yes!I’ll clear my calendar for girl time.”
“Yay! Ican’t wait to see you. Will Beckett be around?”
“No,he’s been in Chicago on business and just got settled in Vegas. He was supposedto start his photo shoot tomorrow morning, but a model no-showed, so they’rebringing in a new one. The schedule’s delayed a day.”
“Uh-oh.Beckett in Las Vegas with nothing to do?”
Paigebarked out a laugh. “I know. Beckett and lots of scantily clad women. Adangerous combo. But he’ll be busy working on an offer to buy his company, sohe’s hunkering down in his room. Er, suite.”
“Whoa!Didn’t know he was selling.”
“It’s asweet deal he can’t pass up. He couldn’t share details, but he’ll get a solidseven figures for his half.”
“Wow.Back to the big time.” Gwenn paused. “Does that worry you?”
“I’d belying if I said no. How will he act if the world becomes his oyster again? Whatif something more exciting comes along? Something exotic with long legs? It’sbad enough having women ogling him all the time. What happens when his gorgeousface is plastered across magazines and he has oodles of money? If he reverts tohis bad-boy self, he’ll drop me like a broken hockey stick. Assuming I don’trun first.”
“Youdon’t really think he’d do that, do you, Paige? Besides, if the payoff’s in thelow seven figures, the oyster might be kinda small compared to what he used tomake.”
Paigesighed. “True. But that number might climb. His ex-manager, Jackie? The FBI’srunning the investigation because she fled across state lines. Beck says thelead agent told him they found a bunch of bank accounts scattered around thecountry, and there’s a chance he’ll get back some of the stack she stole.Eventually.”
Gwennwhistled softly. “Well, it’s about time he was on karma’s winning side. Ofcourse, having you should be more than enough good karma.”
“Thanks,Gwenn.” Paige’s chuckle was hollow. “I am dealing with Mr. Charming, though.Sometimes I hold my breath, thinking this can’t be real, it can’t be this good,and it’s going to burst into flames and turn to ash.”
“You’rehaving fun, Paige, so go with it. Just take it easy with eyes wide open. Whoknows where it’ll lead?”
“That’sfunny coming from you, Gwenn. You’re the one who told me to guard my heart.”
“Sweetie,we both know that train left the station a long time ago.”
CHAPTER 27
Super Massive Black Hole
Beckett ran a hand over his three-day-old beard and checked
