ALEX CURLED INTO Tenley’s naked body, pulling her against him and tucking her backside into his lap. He usually didn’t spend a lot of time outdoors during the winter. But since he’d come to Door County, he’d realized just how delicious it felt to spend the day outside in the cold and the evening getting warm in bed.
Though this had begun as a business trip, it was slowly transforming into one of the best vacations he’d ever had. Previous vacations had always been solitary escapes, a time to get away from his social life and focus on himself. But his time with Tenley was making him question why he hadn’t enjoyed those holidays in the company of a woman.
Perhaps because he didn’t really know any women who shared his interests. The girls he dated weren’t really interested in hiking the mountains or rafting river rapids. But Tenley had probably experienced more of those things than he had. “Are you awake?” he whispered.
“Umm. Just barely.”
“What do you think of rock climbing?”
“Right now?” she asked.
“No, in general.”
“It’s difficult to do in the winter,” she said. “Cold hands, slippery rocks, big boots. But there are some nice spots around here if you come back in the summer. We could go.” She rolled over to face him. Her hands smoothed over his chest and she placed a kiss at the base of his neck. “You should try kayaking. And hiking at Rock Island is fun. But that’s all summer stuff. We could snowshoe. Have you ever been snowshoeing? I’ll take you tomorrow if you’d like.”
“Interesting,” he said.
“It is.” She sighed, then rolled on top of him, stretching her naked body along the length of his. “And then there’s sex. Sex is a year-round thing in Door County.” Her lips found his and she gave him a sweet kiss.
Was it possible she was the perfect woman? He’d always imagined his ideal mate to be tall and blonde and eager to please. And though Tenley did excel in the bedroom, she did it on her own terms. There was no question about who was in control. Maybe he’d been looking for the wrong perfect woman.
“Is there anything you wouldn’t try?” he asked.
“Scuba diving,” she said. “Being underwater scares me. It would be like drowning alive.”
Well, there it was. She wasn’t perfect. Alex loved scuba diving. “Interesting,” he said.
“You know what would be really interesting? If you’d get up and make dinner for us.”
“Don’t you think you’re taking this slave-boy thing a bit too far? Just because I want that contract, doesn’t mean you can take advantage of me.”
She sat up and clapped her hands, her face lighting up with amusement. “Oh, a slave boy. I’ve always wanted one of those. I think that’s a wonderful idea.” Tenley crawled over the covers until she was stretched out alongside him, her head at his feet. She wiggled her toes. “Rub my feet, slave boy.”
Alex let his gaze drift along her naked body. Would he ever get enough of her? Though he’d only known her for a few days, he’d come to think of her body as his, as if he were the only one smart enough to see what an incredible woman she was.
Grabbing her foot, he rubbed his thumbs against her arch. “How’s that?”
“Oh, that feels so nice.”
He pressed his lips to a spot beneath her ankle. “How about that?”
“That’s nice, too. But don’t stop rubbing.”
“So, let me tell you about what we can do for your novel.”
“Please don’t. I just want to relax. Talking about business makes me nervous.”
“Do you plan to fight me on this every step of the way? If this is some plan to drive me crazy so I’ll leave, it’s not going to work.”
“Would sex work?” she asked.
“Sex?”
“Yes. If I seduced you right now, would you be satisfied?”
“I’m always satisfied when you seduce me.” Alex picked up her other foot. “What are you afraid of, Tenley? Most artists would jump at the chance to sell their work.”
“I don’t really know what I’m doing,” she said. “I didn’t go to art school. I haven’t studied writing. I have no technique, no style. I’m afraid if I have to produce something, I’ll just…freak out.”
“You don’t seem like the type to freak out. Besides, some of the greatest writers and artists never went to college. So that excuse doesn’t fly. What else?”
“That story was personal. What if I only have one story in me? And now that it’s out, there’s nothing left.”
“No problem. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, we’ll focus on the novel you have written. Anything else?”
“Are you going to work on this book with me?”
“Yes. You’ll also have an editor to work with once the contract is signed. But if you want me to stay involved, I will. This imprint is my idea, so I am going to have my fingers in it until it gets up and running.”
“So, you and I will be…business associates? And we’ll pretend that we’ve never seen each other naked. And that we’ve never touched each other in intimate ways.”
He chuckled. “That’s going to be very difficult to forget.”
She sat up, crossing her legs in front of her and resting her arms on her knees. “But how will it work, when I see you? Don’t you think it will be strange?”
Alex saw the confusion in her eyes. “Because we’ve been lovers? I don’t know. I guess we’re just going to have to make it up as we go along.”
To be honest with himself, Alex hadn’t really thought about the end of their affair. He wasn’t sure why it had to end. The passion they’d shared was real and intense, not something that could be tossed aside without a second thought.
Was Tenley worried she was about to become another notch on his bedpost? Like all those other women who’d registered their complaints on that silly Web site? Sure, he didn’t have the best reputation, but where was it written that a guy couldn’t change?
“Tenley, I want to get to know you better. I don’t want to think this will be over when I go back to Chicago.”
A tiny smile twitched at her lips. “Me neither.”
“Then let’s do it. Let’s get to know each other. You start. Ask me any question and I’ll answer it. Go ahead.”
She regarded him shrewdly. “All right. Do you want to have sex with me all the time, or are there times when you’re thinking about something else?”
Alex laughed. This was one instance when he wasn’t afraid to be honest. “When you’re in the room, I’m pretty much thinking about the next time I’ll see you naked. And when you’re not close by, I’m thinking about the next time I’ll be with you—so I can take off your clothes and see you naked.”
“Men think about sex a lot, don’t they? Women aren’t supposed to think about it.”
“Do you?”
“Yes,” she said, her voice filled with astonishment. “All the time. When I see you dressed, the first thing I want to do is take your clothes off. I like the way you look. I like your skin and your muscles and your eyes and your hair.”
“My turn. Tell me about your favorite fantasy.”
Her face softened and her expression grew wistful. “That one is easy. I’m at work and I’m sitting at my desk and the bell above the door rings and there he is. All grown up. He still looks the same, but he’s bigger. And it’s like it never happened, like he was just gone for a few hours, running errands or having lunch.”
He’d expected a sexual fantasy, at least that was what he thought they were talking about. But from the look on her face, he could see the emotional toll the confession was taking. He wanted to stop her, to tell her she misunderstood, yet he was curious to know the truth.
“Your brother?”
She nodded. “I used to have that dream all the time. It would be the only thing that kept the nightmares from becoming unbearable. I’d wake up and I’d be so happy. Sometimes, it was different. I’d be somewhere and I’d see him on the street and I’d run after him. Or I’d be hiking and find him sitting in the woods, all alone.”
“What happened, Tenley? How did he die?”
She bit her bottom lip. Her voice wavered when she spoke. “Tommy drowned. In a boating accident,” she said. “I’m getting hungry. I think you should fetch us some dinner.”
He kissed her gently, satisfied that she’d told him enough for now. “I’m not much of a cook.”
“There’s a bar in town that makes the best pizza. We can order one and you can go pick it up. And while you’re gone, I’ll feed the horses and make a fire. Then after supper, we’ll take a walk down to the bay.”
“That sounds good to me,” he said, dropping a kiss on her lips. “And then we’ll talk about your book.”
“What if I just say ‘yes’ right now? Then do we have to talk about it tonight?”
“Are you saying yes?” Alex asked.
Tenley nodded. “Yes. Yes, you may publish my silly book, Alex. Yes, I’ll sign your contract. As long as we don’t have to talk about it for the rest of the night.”
Alex held out his hand. “Deal.” He paused. “Don’t shake unless you mean it. A verbal agreement is legal and binding.”
She shook his hand. “Deal. Green olives, green peppers, sausage and mushrooms. And get the eighteen-inch. With extra cheese. And hot peppers on the side.”
“Can I get dressed first?” he asked.
Tenley rolled over onto her stomach, her legs crossed at the ankles. “As long as I can watch. But do it really slowly.”
He got up and began to retrieve his clothes from where they were scattered on the floor. Tenley followed his movements, a brazen grin on her face. “Stop staring at me,” he teased, repeating the words she’d said to him their first night together.
“In the summer, I live without clothes.”
“Really?”
“I walk down to the bay and climb down the cliffs and take off all my clothes and lie on the rocks in the sun. Sometimes sailboats go by and see me, but I don’t care.”
Alex could picture her, walking through the forest like a wood nymph, her long, pale limbs moving gracefully through the lush undergrowth. He’d be back in the summer to see that, making a silent promise to himself.
“Why don’t you come with me to this bar? We’ll eat there. Maybe have a few drinks. Then we’ll come back and I’ll help you feed the horses.”
“Would this be a date?” Tenley asked.
“Yes,” Alex said. “This would be a date.”
“Then I accept,” she said. She jumped up and ran from the bedroom to the bathroom. “I’ll have to make myself pretty.”
“No,” he said. “I like you just the way you are.” There was nothing at all he’d want to change about Tenley. And Alex found that fact quite amazing.
TENLEY GRABBED the pitcher of beer from the bar and walked over to the table she and Alex had chosen. He followed behind her with two empty glasses and a basket of popcorn. Before she sat down, he pulled her chair out for her and Tenley sent him a playful smile.
“Your mother taught you well,” she said.
“My great-grandmother,” he corrected. “She was from the old country. She learned English by reading Emily Post and she somehow got the idea that all Americans had to act that way. Usually Greek families are loud and boisterous. We’re loud, but unfailingly polite. You should hear our conversation around the table at Easter.”
“My parents didn’t believe in social conventions. They let us run wild. We were allowed to say and do anything we wanted. As I look back on it, I’m not sure that was good. It’s cute in children, but people think it’s weird in adults.”
“I think you turned out just fine,” Alex said.
Tenley loved the little compliments he paid her. She’d often thought a good boyfriend would work hard to make her happy. And Alex seemed to do that naturally, as if his only thought was to please her. “Do you have a girlfriend?” she asked.
The words just popped out of her mouth and an instant later, she wanted to take the question back. Yet her curiosity overwhelmed her. How could a guy like Alex be single? He was smart and funny and gorgeous. And there were a lot of women in Chicago who would consider him a great catch.
“No,” he replied. “I don’t really get into long-term relationships. I date a lot of different women, but no one seriously.”
“I see,” Tenley said. Though it was exactly what she wanted to hear—he was unattached—she wasn’t sure she liked the fact that he dated “a lot” of women. Was she just the latest of many? “But do you sleep with them?”
“On occasion,” he said in a measured tone. “What about you?”
“I don’t sleep with women, especially women who’ve dated you. Although there was a rumor going around town that I preferred girls.”
“Do you?” Alex asked.
“I started the rumor. I got tired of every single man in town asking me out. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with liking girls. You love who you love. I guess if you’re lucky enough to find that, it shouldn’t make a difference.”
“I guess not,” Alex said. “I’ve been thinking that I might be missing out. Maybe I should try the whole relationship thing. See how it goes.”
“I wouldn’t be any good at that,” Tenley said. “I have too much baggage. Everyone says so. They say my last name should be Samsonite.”
Alex laughed, but Tenley had never found the comment particularly funny. She couldn’t help how she felt. Putting on a sunny face and pretending she was happy seemed like a waste of energy.
But this was the first time she’d been out in ages, and she was with a man she found endlessly intriguing. And tonight, they’d go home and crawl into her bed and make love. Tenley had to admit, for the first time in a long time, she was genuinely happy.
“Who is that guy over there?” Alex asked, pointing toward the bar. “He’s giving me the evil eye.”
Tenley glanced over her shoulder, then moaned. “Oh, that’s Randy. He’s in love with me.”
“Really?” Alex’s eyebrow shot up. “He doesn’t seem like your type.”
“He thinks he’s in love with me,” Tenley corrected. “He’s had a crush on me since high school and every year about this time, he asks me out to the Valentine’s Day dance at the firehouse. And every year, I say no.”
“You’d think he’d get the message,” Alex said.
“He’s kind of thick-headed,” Tenley explained. She looked at Randy again, then quickly turned around. “He’s coming over here. Maybe we should leave.”
“No!” Alex said. “We have just as much right to be here as he does. Besides, I’m hungry and they haven’t brought our pizza yet.”
“Hello, Tenley.”
She forced a smile as she looked up. He really wasn’t such a bad guy. Except for the fact that he was in love with her. “Hello, Randy.”
He shifted nervously, back and forth on his feet. “How have you been doing? I haven’t seen you in a while. I heard you had breakfast at the Bean this morning. I thought you didn’t like that place.”
“News travels fast.” Randy had probably heard about the kiss as well, but Tenley wasn’t going to get into that. “Randy, this is Alex Stamos. Alex, Randy Schmitt.”
Alex got to his feet and held out his hand, but Randy refused to take it, turning his attention back to Tenley. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
“Randy, I’m not sure that—”
“Just for a second. Over there.” He pointed to the far end of the bar.
Tenley looked at Alex and he shrugged. “All right.” She pushed back in her chair and stood. “Just for a second.”
Randy held on to her elbow as they wove through the patrons at the restaurant. Tenley was aware of the gazes that followed them and she knew what they were thinking. It was the opinion of most of the folks in town that Randy was just about the only man who’d be interested in marrying Tenley Marshall. Though Tenley had never given him any encouragement, he persisted with his belief that they were destined to be together.
In truth, Tenley felt a bit sorry for Randy. It must be horrible to love someone who couldn’t love you back. She’d made sure to harden her heart against love, but Randy wore his on his sleeve.
“What are you doing with that guy?”
“It’s not what you think,” she said. “He’s just a friend.”
“A friend you kiss at the breakfast table. And rumor has it that he spent the night out at your place. Jesse said he pulled the guy’s car out of the ditch after you took him home. Now, I can understand that a girl like you might be attracted to a big-city guy like him, but he’s all wrong for you, Tenley. He won’t make you happy the way I will.”
“Randy, you have to give this up. I don’t love you. I’m not going to suddenly change my mind one day and marry you. You need to find someone else.”
“I know those flatlanders,” he said. “They flash around their money and think they can take whatever they want.”
His attitude wasn’t uncommon. Though the locals appreciated the money that tourists brought in, they didn’t like them encroaching on their territory—especially their women.
“Randy, I’m going to go back and sit down. I suggest you finish your beer and go home.”
“Hell, no! I’ve been waiting around for you all these years, thinking that sooner or later, you’d get your act together and see what’s standing right in front of you. I’m the one who loves you, not him. He’ll go back to Chicago and I’ll be here. You’ll see.”
“But I don’t love you,” Tenley insisted. “I’m sorry.” Frustrated, she turned to walk away. But Randy grabbed her arm and wouldn’t let go.
“If you’d just give us a chance, I know I could—”
“Hey, buddy, let her go.”
Tenley closed her eyes at the sound of Alex’s voice. One moment, he’d been watching them from the table and the next, he was behind her. “I knew we should have had pizza at home,” she muttered.
Alex grabbed Randy’s wrist. “I mean it. Let her go.”
“Get the hell out of here,” Randy snarled. “You can’t tell me what to do. I’m not your goddamned buddy, buddy.”
“I will tell you what to do when you’re making an ass out of yourself. She’s not interested. Didn’t you hear her?”
The next few seconds passed in a blur. Randy slapped at Alex’s hand and accidentally hit Tenley in the head. Alex shoved Randy, Randy took a swing at Alex, and Tenley reacted. Without thinking, she drew back her fist and hit Randy squarely in the nose.
Blood erupted from his left nostril as he stumbled back and knocked down a waitress with a tray full of drinks. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Tenley cried. “I didn’t mean to do that.” She held on to Alex to keep him from jumping on top of Randy, yet at the same time tried to help Randy to his feet.
“Tenley Marshall, I’m going to have to take you in.” Harvey Willis stepped into the middle of the fight, his considerable girth creating a wall between Alex and Randy. The police chief’s napkin was still stuffed in his collar and he was holding his fork in his right hand.
“This was not her fault,” Alex protested. “She was just defending herself.”
“You pipe down or I’ll take you in, too. She wasn’t defending herself, she was defending you. Now, I can understand how that might piss Randy off, seeing as how you’re not from around here. But punching a guy in the face is assault. And doing it in a restaurant full of people is just bad manners.”
“I don’t want to press charges,” Randy said, holding his flannel shirt up to his nose.
“Well, we’ll sort that out down at the station. Tenley, you’ll come with me. Your flatlander friend can follow us. Randy, you can walk off the pitcher of beer you drank. The exercise will do you good. Let’s go.” He nodded to the bartender. “They’ll be back later to settle up, Bert. And pack up my pizza for me. I’ll send Leroy back to get it.”
Tenley struggled into her jacket as she walked out the front door. Harvey’s cruiser was parked out front in a No Parking zone. “You can get in front,” he said. “I don’t think you’re going to try any funny business, are you?”
“No,” Tenley said. “I don’t know why you’re blaming me for this. You saw Randy start it. He just won’t give up.”
When they were both in the car, Harvey turned to her and shook his finger. “Tenley Marshall, you know how that man feels about you. Still, you decide to parade your out-of-state boyfriend in front of him and the whole town. How do you think he’s supposed to react?”
“Alex Stamos is not my boyfriend. And I’ve made it perfectly clear to Randy that I don’t have feelings for him. And, this is the big one, I didn’t realize Randy was there. Had I known, we would have gone somewhere else.”
“Well, since this Alex fella has come to town, people have been worried for you. You’re not acting the way you usually do.”
Tenley’s temper flared. “Maybe if everyone would just mind their own business, I could get on with my life.”
“Is that what you’ve been doing? I just think it’s a little funny you’ve been hiding away like a hermit for years and then he rolls into town and you’re suddenly a social butterfly. He seems to be the slick sort and you’re falling for his tricks.”
“Let’s go,” she muttered. “I’d really like to take care of this before it causes any more gossip.”
“Oh, well, I think that horse is out of the barn already,” Harvey replied.
They drove the three short blocks to the police station and by the time Tenley got out of the car, Alex was standing at the door, waiting for her, pacing back and forth. “Is she going to need a lawyer?” he asked. “Because if you’re going to charge her with anything, then I want to get her a lawyer.”
“Oh, just pipe down,” Harvey said. “We’re going to fill out a report, she’s going to pay a fine and then you’ll be on your way. We don’t tolerate physical violence here, unlike what goes on in the big cities.”
“He’s the one who grabbed her first. She was trying to get away when I stepped in. And then he took a swing at me.”
“I know. I saw the whole thing. So did half the town. But Tenley drew blood, so she’s going to have to pay the fine.”
As they walked into the lobby, Tenley turned to Alex. “Wait here. I’ll be out in a few minutes. And don’t start things up again with Randy. He’s drunk and he has at least fifty pounds on you. Besides, Harvey treats outsiders a lot more harshly than townies.”
True to Harvey’s word, the matter was dispatched by filling out a short report and paying a small fine. Since Tenley didn’t have fifty dollars in her wallet, Harvey agreed to let her come in the following morning with the money.
By the time they finished, Randy had arrived and was sitting glumly in the reception area across from Alex, staring at him with a sulky expression. Harvey motioned to him and he approached Tenley with a contrite smile. “I don’t want to press charges,” he insisted.
“Randy, my boy, you need to move on with your life,” Harvey said. “Tenley’s not interested. There’s nothing more pathetic than a guy who won’t take no for an answer. You bother her again and I’ll toss your ass in jail. By the way, Linda Purnell has been in love with you for going on three years. If I were you, I’d give her a second look.” He paused, then directed his gaze at Alex. “As for you, I’m going to be watching you. You keep your nose clean and you and me won’t have any problems.”
Alex stood and held out his hand to Tenley. “Thank you. We’ll just be going now.”
When they got outside, Alex dragged her toward his rented SUV. “What the hell was that?”
Tenley laughed. “Next time, when I suggest pizza at home, maybe we should just stay home and forget all this dating stuff.”
“No,” Alex said stubbornly. “Tomorrow night, we’re going on a damn date. And you’re going to wear a pretty dress and I’m going to take you to a nice restaurant, and we’re going to have a pleasant evening that doesn’t involve jealous ex-boyfriends and bloody noses.”
“He was not my boyfriend,” Tenley insisted.
Alex yanked open the passenger-side door. “Well, I am your boyfriend, and if we have to drive to Green Bay to get some privacy, we will.”
ALEX STARED OUT the window of the tower studio, taking in the view of the bay beyond the trees. Tenley was seated at the drawing table, a pad of paper in front of her. “All right,” she said. “I’m ready. Fire away.”
“This isn’t supposed to be painful,” Alex said. “We’re working together on this. To make your novel better.”
“Why don’t you just give me the list and I’ll look it over and we can discuss it later.”
“Because I want you to understand what we need before you sign the contract. So there are no misunderstandings.”
“Take off your shirt,” she said.
Alex cursed beneath his breath. “I’m not going to let you change the subject again, Tenley. Whenever you don’t want to do something, you try to seduce me.”
“I’m not going to seduce you, I want to try drawing you. So take off your shirt. And the rest of your clothes while you’re at it.”
“Tenley, this isn’t going to get you—”
“Slave boy, you’re not listening. I feel the need to draw you and you’re supposed to do everything in your power to please me.”
This was getting to be a pattern with the two of them, although Alex really couldn’t be too upset. What man would grow impatient with a woman who wanted sex as much as he did? They did have the entire day to work on her novel. He could give her an hour or two of forced nudity as long as it was followed by more pleasurable activities.
“First of all, we need to have an understanding,” he said. “This can’t end up like one of those sex videos that everyone gets to see. This is for your own private viewing pleasure. Agreed? This will not end up on the Internet.”
Hell, he’d had enough trouble from scorned girlfriends. Adding naked drawings to the mix would probably send his mother right over the edge.
“I won’t even give you a face. Unless people recognize other parts of you, you’ll be completely anonymous.”
Reluctantly, Alex stripped out of his clothes, then stood and waited while Tenley gathered the things she needed. When she was ready, she took a deep breath. “All right. Turn around and brace your hands against that post. And lean into it.”
He did as she ordered. With his back to her, all he could hear was the occasional rustle of paper and a few soft curses from Tenley. His arms were beginning to grow stiff and his shoulders tight when she finally spoke again.
“There. I think I’m done.”
He turned around and she held up the sketchpad. Though Alex didn’t know a lot about art, he knew the drawing was beautifully rendered, every muscle perfectly shaded. “Wow.”
“You’re hot,” she said. “I’m not sure I got your butt right. But it’s a decent first attempt.”
“Tenley, it’s better than decent. It’s very good.”
“You really think so?” She stared at the sketch. “You know, I’ve been thinking maybe I should take some classes. The university in Green Bay has an art program.”
With any other woman, he might have turned on the charm and lavished compliments to soothe her insecurities. But as he grew to care about Tenley, Alex realized that they needed to have honesty between them.
“There are great art schools in Chicago, too,” he said. “And you’re good enough to get into a top-notch program, Tenley. Sure, you haven’t had a lot of experience, but you do have talent.”
“I couldn’t move,” she said distractedly, her attention still focused on her sketch. “My grandfather is here. He needs my help. Besides, I have my cabin and my animals. I couldn’t bring them to Chicago.”
Though Alex had considered what the future might hold for them, he’d never really appreciated her ties to this place. She was living in a paradise and he couldn’t blame her for not wanting to leave. He’d only spent a few days here and he didn’t want to leave either. What was Chicago compared to the beauty of this place?
“They have seminars at the Art Institute. You could come for a few days. Meet everyone at the office. Maybe do some publicity shots. You could stay with me.”
“I want to try another pose,” she said, changing the subject. “Turn to the side and lean back against the post.” She stared at him for a long moment. “Put your right leg forward a bit and then hold on to the post with your left hand.”
For the next hour, she sketched, posing him in different positions and then quickly completing the drawing. She tossed aside the pencil for charcoal and then switched to pastels.
“All right,” she finally said. “You can get dressed.”
“You’re finished?”
Tenley stared at the drawings scattered across her table. “I think I can do this,” she said breathlessly. “I’m not as bad as I thought I was.”
“You’re sure you want me to get dressed?”
Tenley grinned. “Yes. Well, only if you want to. If you prefer to work like that, then you can stay naked.”
“We’re going to work now?”
“Yes,” she said in a gloomy voice. “You’re going to tell me what’s wrong with my novel and I’m going to try to fix it.” She jumped up. “You do need to get dressed. It’s too distracting having you sitting around here naked.” She walked over to him and smoothed her hand from his belly to his cock.
Alex groaned as he closed his eyes, waiting for the involuntary reaction that came from her touch. Though he wanted nothing more than to make love to her, he had a choice to make. She was willing to talk business now. So sex would have to wait until later.
Turning away from her touch, Alex pulled on his boxers and jeans and then slipped into his shirt, not bothering to button it. “All right. The first thing, and this is going to be big—we’re going to have to redraw everything. Your friend has the original, but even that is a little too rough. We’re going to print at a high resolution, so everything has to be very clean.”
“That’s going to take a long time. I’d have to draw it oversized in order to get it just perfect.”
“No, we’ll scan it into a computer and have our graphic artist clean it up. But there are some parts that will need additional drawings and changes to the story.”
Tenley took a deep breath. “Why don’t we start with those changes first?”
Alex pulled up a stool and sat down next to her. He grabbed her hand. He pressed a kiss to the back of her wrist. This was actually going to happen. Tenley was going to sell her book to him and he was going to make her famous. He was also going to make her a lot of money. But it wasn’t that thought that thrilled him. It was the fact that he and Tenley would always have a connection.
Over the next two hours, they worked together, going over the editor’s notes, discussing the production process, arguing about the plot and drawings needed to flesh out the story.
For the first time since Alex arrived, he saw Tenley excited about the possibility of her novel being published. And he was grateful he was the one to make it happen. It was so easy to make her happy. It didn’t require a huge bank account or a fancy apartment or the promise of a comfortable life or social status, things the other women he knew were always searching for.
Tenley responded to kindness and encouragement. Something terrible must have happened to make her so unsure of herself, Alex mused. Though he only knew the barest details of her brother’s death, he was determined to learn more.
He wanted to know every tiny detail of her life, everything that made her the woman she was. He wanted to be the man who understood her the best. He wanted to be the man she turned to when she felt frightened or overwhelmed or lonely.
Making himself indispensable to Tenley Marshall was a huge task. But Alex was afraid of the consequences if he didn’t. For it was becoming more and more evident that Tenley needed to be a permanent part of his life.