“Yeah.” Michael slapped his thighs and smiled at her. “Another good day, Em. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Right. Tomorrow. Have a good night, guys.”
“Good grief.” Eli walked away, talking over his shoulder. “Don’t put on a show for my benefit. Everyone knows you guys are an item. We’ve been putting bets on it since day one of the shoot.Sayonara, love birds.” He disappeared around the side of the house.
Michael pretended to pout. “And to think I was so discreet.”
Emily tackled him and began kissing the length of his neck. “The soul of discretion.” Her tongue flicked his earlobe. “Would it be wrong of me to beg you to take me in the house that used to belong to my grandmother?”
He ran his hands over her backside and ground against her, letting her feel his painful erection. “No, I think Nonna likes me. She just whispered in my ear. She’s okay with it.”
She hopped into his arms and he carried her toward the side entrance of the house. He snatched a couple of pecks but couldn’t kiss her properly, at least not while he was watching where he was walking. Once he got her inside the house, though, all bets were off.
Someone appeared at one of the windows. Lacey looked at them and raised an eyebrow. Her mouth fell open, as if she wanted to say something through the glass, but she turned and hurried away.
Michael stopped walking and put Emily down.
“Aren’t we going inside? Or would you rather do it out here? Naughty. We might need to go into the tool shed so the neighbors don’t hose us down.”
“We’ve been spotted, Em. Lacey saw us just now.”
“I see.” She searched his gaze. “If you want to call it a night…”
“I do.” He reached for her hand and kissed it. “But I want to call it a night with you. Come home with me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. Your car can stay here overnight. I’ll drive you back to your place for some clothes and we can drive in tomorrow…together.”
She nodded but he could see the Lacey sighting had spoiled the mood. It was up to him to restore it.
He pulled her close and nuzzled her neck. “I know the timing is crappy but I don’t care who sees us together. We know the truth and we know you remained faithful to Trent until the end. I want to be seen with you. I would be proud to have you on my arm.”
Her smile made him feel light and free.
“There’s only one problem,” he teased.
“That being?”
“With all the yard work, you got very dirty today. I think someone needs to scrub you down.”
“Hmm.” She slid her hands into his jeans back pockets and squeezed his tush. “I don’t suppose you have any soap at your fancy house in The Kingsway.”
“I do have a bar of soap. If you play your cards right, I might drop it.”
“And here I had you pegged as a nice boy. You’re evil, Michael Zorn.”
Grinning from ear to ear, already determined to show her just how evil he could be, he led her out of the backyard.
***
As Michael drove up his driveway, Emily’s eye was automatically led upward. She had to look up in order to take in the whole house. She’d always known some of the houses in The Kingsway were grand. After all, it was one of Toronto’s wealthiest neighborhoods. The meticulous lawns and faux-Tudor exteriors reeked of old money and privilege. In high school, she had had a couple of friends who lived in the area, but none of them boasted a house like Michael’s.
For one thing, it sat back from the road, so it appeared even bigger. With a grey stone exterior, it featured leaded pane windows, a winding walkway, and a striking red door. The paving stones in front looked brand new, with not a single chip. Eli’s handiwork, no doubt. From her vantage point in the driveway, Emily spotted the tip of one of Nick’s showstopper decks in the backyard.
Michael parked the car and turned off the ignition. He turned to her, his mouth curled in a shy smile. “We’re here.”
“Michael, you live in a mansion. Does it come with a butler?”
