CHAPTER TEN

LATER, THEY LAY beneath the Christmas tree, Stella resting on top of him, Linus’s robe draped over her back like a blanket. She kissed the hollow of his throat, the taste of salt coming away on her lips. When she was in his arms, her parents, their expectations, the shadow of her insecurity, all faded away. In these moments she felt competent.

No, she felt special. Lucky.

Was this how his other lovers felt? Did he make the world disappear for them as well? The power he possessed frightened and amazed her.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Linus’s voice vibrated in his chest.

“I’m thinking every Christmas should end this way.”

“Naked and under a tree?”

“Mmm...” With limbs too boneless to move.

“I’ll make a note for the future.”

Only Stella wouldn’t be here. She’d be in New York while he lay with someone else. She pushed the thought away. Thoughts of the future made her chest squeeze.

“I should go back soon,” she said instead. “My parents will expect me in the apartment when they wake up.”

“We still have time. There’s no rush.”

“If I stay here too long, I’ll fall asleep.”

“So?”

“So...” She lifted her head. “Your floor isn’t as comfortable as a bed.”

“Then we’ll switch to my bed.”

“Then I’ll never leave.”

“Damn, you’ve discovered my evil plan.”

Stella yelped as he suddenly flipped their positions. Their bodies aligned naturally, her legs parting as he settled between them.

“I guess a few more minutes won’t hurt,” she managed to say, just before his mouth claimed hers. As always happened, she lost herself in the kiss.

Linus was in the process of kissing his way down her sternum when a flash of red caught her eye. Largely because her back was arched. It was enough, however, to bring her back to the present. “Your present. I forgot all about it.”

“I thought I already opened my present. In fact, I was thinking of opening it again.” He tried to resume his kissing.

Stella gave him a playful shove. “Your real present, silly. I dropped the box by the chair when we were otherwise occupied. I want you to open it before I leave.”

Ignoring his exaggerated sigh, she scrambled out of his arms to retrieve the package. As she turned around, she caught him staring at her. “What?”

“You’re beautiful,” he said.

“I’m a mess.” Her hair was tussled. Her makeup had to be smudged. And, she was kneeling bare-ass naked, her skin bathed in red Christmas lights.

“I happen to love messes,” he said.

She looked at the box in her hands. A figure of speech. He didn’t actually mean the words. They weren’t... Well, they just weren’t.

“Here.” She held the box. “I know we didn’t discuss getting presents, but...”

“Wouldn’t feel right not to exchange gifts on Christmas,” he finished.

“Precisely. Go ahead. Open it.” She held her breath as he peeled off the paper. It had taken hours of web surfing and inner debate before she found what she hoped was an appropriate gift. Something of substance. Not too personal. Not too impersonal.

“A Swiss watch.”

“A scientist’s watch. At least that’s what the ad said. It’s antimagnetic. Durable, too. We’ll have to see, since I dropped the box on the carpet.”

Linus took the watch from the box and ran his fingers across the face. The shadows made his face unreadable.

“Do you like it?” she asked.

“It’s...lovely.”

“I’m glad.” Her shoulders relaxed. “There’s a note, too. At the bottom of the box.”

Writing the note had been more agonizing than picking out the gift. She’d wanted to write something poignant like “certain memories last forever” or “you are timeless,” but everything she came up with sounded too intimate or trite. She’d finally settled on simple.

“‘To the best friend and neighbor a girl could have. Merry Christmas, Stella and Toffee.’” Linus looked up.

“Figured it was only appropriate her name be included.”

“Of course. Wouldn’t be right to exclude the cause of our friendship.”

Stella got an uneasy feeling. Linus was saying all the right words. His response, though, felt off. Like she’d messed up somehow.

She’d spent too much time with her parents. They always exacerbated her insecurity.

“I believe I promised you a present, too.” Linus set the watch aside and reached under the tree, the light dancing off his skin. And he thought her beautiful? He took her breath away.

She watched as he picked up a narrow gold box only to pause and set it aside in favor of a brightly wrapped square. “I hope you like it.”

It was a silver bracelet with a tiny silver cat charm. Stella held up the charm so she could watch it sparkle. “Was Toffee involved in this gift, too?” she teased.

“I thought it the appropriate choice.”

“I love it.”

“I’m glad.”

Again, he said the right words, but she swore his eyes weren’t sparkling as brightly as before. There was a serious edge to his expression as he searched her face. Before she could ask why however, his hands were cradling her face. Her eyes fluttered shut, and once more, she lost herself in his kiss.

The day after New Year’s, Teddy showed for what had become his monthly oversight meeting. Having officially challenged the will, he was now mandating them. Stella made a point of staying out of the matter. As she told Linus, while she loved Toffee and her job, she considered the inheritance battle a family matter. On the plus side, the situation served as a good reminder that the apartment and her position were only temporary. There were times when she felt entirely too at home.

“I understand there was an auction planned. That the estate was planning to liquidate some of Aunt Agnes’s belongings,” Teddy said when Mrs. Churchill answered the door. Since the incident in Berkshire, he’d dispensed with congenialities.

“Happy New Year to you as well,” Stella replied. “How was your holiday?”

Teddy shed his overcoat and handed it over to the housekeeper, along with a request for tea. “My holiday was fine. I see you embraced the Christmas spirit,” he said, taking in the greenery.

“Toffee and I did indeed. We had a wonderful holiday.” If you called four days of trying to impress her parents and failing wonderful. She was beginning to wonder if she’d ever win their approval. There were bright spots, though. Like Christmas night. She fingered the silver charm dangling from her wrist. That weird moment under the tree, she’d decided, was simply leftover neuroses from being with her parents.

Teddy helped himself to a seat on the sofa, his arms stretched along the back as far as they could reach.

“I want to know about this auction. What were you planning to sell?”

Nothing anymore, thanks to his lawsuit. “The plan was to liquidate some unnecessary assets such as the wine collection and the art and furniture Agnes had in storage. The proceeds would have been reinvested and the interest added to the funds for Toffee’s care. Obviously, the plan has been put on hold.” Along with every other major financial decision.

“I should hope so,” Teddy said. “That you would even consider selling assets without consulting me is appalling.”

Stella settled in the chair across from him and dug her nails into the ends of the armrest. “It’s the trust’s job to decide what assets are sold. The only reason you are being given courtesy now is because of the lawsuit.”

Apparently, she’d given up congenialities as well. “But if it makes you feel better, I can assure you we weren’t selecting items willy-nilly.”

“Now you aren’t selecting items at all, are you?” Teddy replied.

“No. We are not.” In football, they would call that a blocked kick.

Satisfied he’d gotten the last word on the subject, Teddy smiled. “Peter also tells me there’s to be a museum exhibit. A retrospective of my aunt’s career.”

Peter had been chatty. “Yes. I’ve been talking to the V&A about it. Dame Agnes was an English institution. I have a meeting with the museum director next week.”

“I would like to attend as well,” Teddy told her.

“You would?” She didn’t know why she was surprised, what with Teddy’s increased scrutiny.

“My aunt had a lot of idiosyncrasies. As her only living relative, it’s my duty to ensure that the narrative surrounding her life is told in a manner equating to her stature.”

Bull. This was another ploy for control. Stella suppressed an eye roll. If only Linus were here. She could picture him giving Teddy the side eye. He had this way of arching his brow just so. Never failed to make her giggle. The man made everything more enjoyable.

Even something like New Year’s dinner with his sister and her fiancé. A smile threatened as she recalled the mischief they’d gotten into hiding in the coatroom. Happy New Year indeed.

She’d hated sending him to work this morning. Forty-eight straight hours together and there she was practically begging for him to come back tonight.

She was definitely getting too comfortable.

“What is that?” Teddy interrupted her thoughts by pointing to the dining room table behind her where stacks of paper littered the surface. A disorganized outline of her novel. The past week had found her working on the novel more and more. Something about the project called to her. Jotting down notes and cross-referencing anecdotes with history reminded her of when she was young. She was ten years old and daydreaming again.

She doubted Teddy would approve, though. He’d want to review the narrative. No way.

“Here’s your tea, Mr. Moreland.” With exquisite timing, Mrs. Churchill came down the hall carrying a cup and saucer. “Black rooibos, two sugars, no milk. Just the way you like it,” she said. “Oh, and I found this in the kitchen.”

Using her free hand, she held up a gold-and-silver egg. “Looks like someone’s been poking around the library desk again,” Mrs. Churchill said.

Stella sighed. “Put it on the mantel, please. She hasn’t been able to get up there since I moved the chairs.”

“Is that Aunt Agnes’s kaleidoscope?” Teddy snatched the egg from the housekeeper’s hand, teacup rattling from the motion. “Are you telling me you let the cat bat this around like a common cat toy?”

“I didn’t let Toffee do anything. She’s was being a cat. They get into things and cause mischief.”

“Not if they’re being properly watched.”

This time she did roll her eyes. “Clearly you’ve never owned a pet.”

“If I did, I wouldn’t let it crawl all over the furniture messing with valuable items. I’d pay closer attention.”

How dare he? The man comes in and starts throwing his weight around, doesn’t bother to ask about Toffee—doesn’t even say her name—and now suggests she wasn’t keeping a close enough eye on her cat? “I keep a very close eye on Toffee, thank you very much.” Rising from her seat, she crossed the room and snatched the kaleidoscope from Teddy’s hand. “I know everything there is to know about that cat. Where she sleeps, what cat food flavors she likes best. I even know what kind of brush she prefers. Don’t tell me I’m not paying attention.” She ended by gently setting the egg on the mantel, beneath Agnes’s portrait. The gold’s shine looked brighter behind the evergreen needles.

“Obviously you weren’t paying attention when she decided to play with the kaleidoscope.”

“In Miss Russo’s defense,” Mrs. Churchill said, “the creature causes most of her trouble in the middle of the night. Hard to watch her at two in the mornin’.”

“Then she should be crated overnight,” Teddy replied. “I’m not going to see a valuable object broken because of a cat’s curiosity.”

Stella’s eyes widened. “Did you seriously suggest I put my cat in a crate? No wonder Agnes didn’t make you Toffee’s guardian.”

“She’s not your cat,” Teddy replied. “You are the cat’s caretaker, and to be honest, I’m not sure you’re doing as good a job as you should be.”

He joined her at the mantel. Picking up the kaleidoscope, he turned the egg back and forth in his fingers. “First you left her unattended in Berkshire, and now this.”

“I left her with you.”

Teddy ignored her. “Who knows what’s been broken or lost on your watch.”

“Nothing,” she replied, snatching the kaleidoscope back.

“All the same, I would like to see that inventory you were working on. To ascertain for myself.”

Stella’s stomach dropped. There were still a large number of items unaccounted for. The trust had hired an investigator to look into the situation, but so far, no luck. While the disappearances predated her arrival, Teddy would still take issue.

“Of course,” she said. “I’ll need a few days to pull together all the information. There are a number of files to be merged.” She also needed to talk with the trust advisers before handing over anything.

“Next week will be fine. I’m nothing if not flexible. Although I’m warning you. If I detect any kind of subterfuge or an attempt to delay hoping I’ll forget the request, I’ll have your job. Do I make myself clear?”

The threat came on a cloud of tea and peppermint so strong it made her want to gag.

“Crystal,” she replied.

And to think, when she first met the man, she’d thought him a pompous buffoon. The thought that he could ruin her reputation—and being sacked for mismanaging the estate would definitely ruin her reputation—made her stomach churn more.

She needed to call Linus. She needed his levelheaded way of telling her everything would be all right.

She needed him.

“It’s going to be fine, you know,” Linus said when they went to bed that night. “You have done an amazing job of taking care of Toffee.”

“I think you’re a wee bit biased, but thank you anyway.” She kissed his cheek. Just as she knew he would, he spoke to her common sense. The missing items weren’t her fault. In fact, talking with Teddy might actually answer some of her questions.

The man beside her yawned. “Sorry,” he said. “I’m getting old. Can’t stay up the way I used to.”

“Then go to sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”

“Mmm... Sounds perfect.” Rolling onto his side, he pulled her close. Big spoon to her little one. “G’night, love,” he slurred.

“Good night, old man.” She smiled to herself before scooting backward until the space between them disappeared completely. His arms were the perfect cocoons. She closed her eyes and listened to Linus’s breathing. He made her feel so safe and secure. Special.

What would she do without him?

You’d better learn. You’re out of here in six months.

Stella’s eyes flew open, her heart suddenly racing. The antsy sensation she’d felt at Christmas returned, only tenfold. She understood why now. She was getting way too attached. Her casual affair was playing much too large a role in her life. Everything she did, everything she thought revolved around this man.

At least a half dozen times a day she had to stop herself from texting about some random idea or occurrence, and when he texted her? It was like sunshine wrapped in the ding of her phone. And on the few nights he didn’t sleep over, she would toss and turn all night for the emptiness in her bed and wonder if the separation caused his chest to ache, too.

No wonder her heart was racing. She was digging herself a hole she did not need.

There was only one solution—expand her world beyond Linus. Of course he played a central role in her life. How often did she see anyone else? Maybe if she saw other people, Linus’s presence wouldn’t have such a pull.

There was a man at the auction house with whom she’d had several meetings. Niles Brown. He’d invited her to dinner at their last meeting, but she’d said no because she had to get home to feed Toffee. Tomorrow, she would give Niles a call, see if he wanted to grab coffee.

She tamped down the guilt in her stomach. It was just coffee. She was increasing her circle of friends. And even if it was more than coffee, she and Linus weren’t in a committed relationship. What they had was casual, fun and noncommittal. Linus knew that, same as he knew he was free to go out for coffee with a friend, too. It was no big deal.

She continued arguing the point with herself for the rest of the sleepless night.

“You’re going out to dinner,” Linus said. “With another man.”

“You say it like I’m planning to commit murder,” Stella replied. “We were originally going to have coffee, but Niles’s schedule got messed up, so we decided to do dinner instead.”

“I see.”

He looked her up and down. She was dressed in a black dress and pointy heels. Pretty fancy.

Oh, but what did he know? They were only friends and neighbors, right?

The phrase had been eating at him since Christmas night. And now she was going out with some bloke from an auction house he’d never heard her mention before.

The worst part was he couldn’t say anything, not really, because he’d arrived at the same time as Teddy Moreland. The older man was standing by the fireplace waiting on Stella’s inventory report.

He leaned against a sideboard, attempting a casual veneer. “I didn’t realize you’d become friends with anyone at the auction house.”

“Yes, well...” She smoothed her beaded necklace against her throat. “I thought it a good idea to expand my social circle. I mean, I’ve been monopolizing your time since I arrived.”

“Did I say I minded?”

“No, but that doesn’t mean it’s fair. Especially since we’re not, well, you know.”

In a real relationship. “So you’re doing this for my benefit? Is that what you’re saying?”

“Yes. I mean, no.” She began fiddling with her necklace again. “I just think it would be a good idea if I spent time with more people than just you and your family.”

“Right. Where is he taking you?”

“A restaurant in Soho. He didn’t say.” That explained the dress.

“Soho has some lovely places.” He’d been planning to take her to one of his favorites for Valentine’s Day.

“You’re okay with my going, then?”

No, he wasn’t okay, but what good would saying so do? “Are you asking my permission?”

“Of course not. I... Never mind.”

“Excuse me for interrupting such an important conversation.” His expression anything but sorry, Teddy strolled toward them, hands stuffed in the pockets of his overcoat. “I don’t have all evening. You called and said the inventory list was ready?”

“On the dining room table,” Stella said. “Hold on.”

While Stella went to retrieve the paperwork, the old man smirked at Linus. “Trouble in paradise, Collier?”

Linus would be damned before admitting anything to Moreland. “How are things, Teddy? Still fighting to prove you’re better than a cat?”

“I don’t have to prove anything. I’m confident things will work out in my favor.”

“You know what they say about overconfidence, Teddy. It often clashes with reality.”

“We’ll have to wait and see about that, won’t we,” Teddy replied, his smirk widening. His cocksureness set the hair on the back of Linus’s neck on edge. The man was up to something.

“Here you go, Teddy.” Stella returned carrying a thick manila envelope. “If you have any questions, call.”

“Don’t worry, I will,” Teddy replied. “Have questions, that is. Nice to see you again, Collier.”

“Still upset about what happened in Berkshire, isn’t he?” Linus remarked, once Teddy closed the door. “Man knows how to hold a grudge.”

“I’m still not one hundred percent certain he was telling the truth about what happened that night,” Stella said. “You can’t tell me he wouldn’t have been happy if Toffee disappeared into those woods.”

Linus was prone to agree. While he figured Agnes had her reasons for disinheriting Teddy, he largely thought the man was a harmless, drunken blowhard. Then again, eleven million could turn even a harmless blowhard nasty.

“I still don’t think you have anything to worry about as far as your job is concerned. Teddy’s interested in the money, not being a guardian.”

“Maybe, but a guardian controls the money and Toffee’s life span.” She looked over to the terrace door, where Toffee lay on her side. Seeing the worry in Stella’s profile, the lines that deepened by her mouth, the forlornness that clouded her eyes, Linus’s first instinct was to wrap her in his arms. He couldn’t, though. If he did, he would end up kissing her senseless, and he was no longer sure that’s what she wanted. From him, anyway.

“I should be leaving,” he said. “Your company will be here soon.”

“You don’t have to leave,” Stella said.

“Don’t you think having your FWB around might make things awkward for your date?”

FWB. Friend with benefits. The term sounded sour on his tongue.

“Will I see you tomorrow?”

He had his hand on the doorknob when she asked. “I don’t know,” he said, keeping his eyes on the brass knob. “Thomas wants to start discussing our summer product line. There’s a good chance I’ll be tied up all week.”

“Oh.”

She sounded disappointed. “These things happen.”

“I know. I... It’ll be strange not seeing you, is all.”

“I’m sure if you get bored, your friend Niles can entertain you.” Immediately, he regretted the childish remark. To make amends, he turned and offered her a half smile. “Have a nice time at dinner.”