“Really? Why Ireland?”
“When I was about twelve I read a book about Ireland and a little girl who lived in a castle. I used to pretend I was that little girl and instead of Glendale with my pole dance mother, we lived in Ireland and my mother was the lady of the castle and I was the princess.” I suddenly realized that was the first time I’d ever told anyone about that. I felt my face go hot and Alex reached over under the table and rested his hand on my leg.
“Why are you blushing?”
“I was babbling about a fantasy I had when I was twelve. It was kind of embarrassing.”
“You don’t have to be embarrassed to tell me anything. I thought it was cute. I would love to take you to Ireland. We can even stay in a castle if you’d like to.”
“Really?”
He laughed. “Really.”
“Can Michael come too?”
“Michael always gets an invitation.”
We finished our huge meal and then Alex tried to talk me into dessert. I quite literally could not eat another bite. When we stepped outside, my breath was taken away by the sky. The moonlight was like a diffuse ocean above us. The colors of it lessened the inky blackness of the night, but it was still subdued enough not to dull the magnificent stars that glittered across the dark expanse.
“Oh Alex! Look at it. It’s incredible!”
He wasn’t looking at the sky, he was looking at me. “You’re incredible. I see things so differently when I’m with you. Do you have any idea how long it’s been since I’ve even looked at the sky other than to check the weather?”
“I don’t, but it’s sad. I’m amazed by the sky… it’s just an endless palate of glorious colors.”
He cut my words off with his lips. After another breathtaking kiss he said, “I’m amazed by you.”
CHAPTER FIVE
ALEXANDER
For a few blessed weeks, Victoria, Michael and I enjoyed our lives together as a family without any lurid news stories, ex-wives or vindictive ex-boyfriends showing up to shatter the peace. Just when I thought things had settled into a comfortable, normal state however, life once again came along to prove to me that it was in charge.
Vicki had been more than right about the nanny. Mrs. Yost was wonderful with Michael. I’d installed a nanny cam in the nursery, not for her specifically, but the thought of my son being abused or mistreated was almost more than I could bear. I’d watched it after each time the nanny had come to stay with Michael and I’d seen her be nothing but sweet and gentle and kind to the baby which did both mine and Vicki’s hearts good.
She had also been right about the other girl Tracy, which was what was bothering me today. I had gone into work in the morning after having breakfast on the terrace with Vicki. After I left for work, she and the baby went to do some shopping and have lunch with Liz. My morning meeting was cancelled so I didn’t have to stay in the city as long as I’d expected. When I got home, Tracy was in the office with Karen. I said hello to them both and then I headed down to the basement. I was just planning on maybe shooting a little pool or playing a video game or two. It wasn’t often that I had a free afternoon all to myself. I bent over the pool table and I was about halfway through my first solo game when I heard, “Nice view.”
I turned and Tracy was standing in the doorway. “Oh, hi Tracy. I’m sorry, were you not finished cleaning down here?”
She walked over close to me and smiled. “I’m finished. I finished this morning. I just came down to say hello.”
“Oh… um, okay. Hi.”
She giggled and said, “Why don’t we have a drink?”
I looked over at the clock above the bar. It was eleven-fifteen. “Aren’t you working?”
She stepped even closer, so close that if the pool table hadn’t been right behind me, I would have taken a step back. As it were, she had me semi-trapped. “I’ve pretty much got everything done… besides, you can’t get fired for having a drink with the boss.”
That triggered a memory and suddenly she had my attention. “Where did you hear that?”
She put her fingers on my chest, in between two buttons that were undone near my neck and said, “Just a little recording that Cassie let me listen to.” Damn it! I stepped sideways and when she reached out for me again, I caught her wrist in my hand.
“Don’t touch me.”
She raised an eyebrow and smiled. “It’s okay, Cassie picked up the tapes last time she was here… she didn’t leave a blank one. Nobody has to know.”
“What are you doing, Tracy? What is this about?”
“I want you, Alex. I’d be willing to walk into a court of law and tell the judge that Cassandra paid me… a lot, to get inside this house… and close to that baby.”
I was suddenly nauseated. I’d hired someone who was interested in bringing my family harm. Vicki had a feeling about her and I’d just blown it off and hired her anyways. “Why does she want you close to my baby?”
She reached up with her free hand and let her fingernails lightly scrape down the side of my face. “Huh uh, lover. First you and me try out that bed over there, then I’ll tell you everything I know. By that time I don’t know how interested you’ll be. You’ll want seconds, I promise.”
“You’re insane. You need to get out of my house before I call security and have you removed.” I let go of her wrist.
She smiled even broader and shrugged, “If that’s the way you want this to play out, but it’s definitely your loss.” Before I could say anything else she literally jumped on me. She threw her arms around my neck and pulled herself up and pressed her lips to mine. Just before I saw Vicki’s face in the doorway behind us I thought, this is what I get for bragging about how good life was going. Damn it!