unless you’ve changed your mind about having me tag along.”
“Not a chance,” he said, guiding her through the doorway. “You’re not backing out, are you?”
She shot him a sideways glance. “Not a chance. It’s not as if I’m ever going to see these people again.”
“You never know,” he said, escorting her to the luxury sedan parked out front. He opened the car door for her. “You may enjoy yourself.”
“I just hope the food is good. If it’s not, we can always stop for a cheeseburger with everything on the way home.”
He just grinned and got into the car. Adjusting the sound system to play an operatic aria, he noticed Lilli began to fidget after a few minutes. “Problem?” he asked.
“No, no, not really,” she said, pushing her hair behind her shoulder as she moved her foot in a staccato beat at odds with the aria. He heard the soft jangle of her anklet with every movement. It was difficult to keep his gaze from straying to her sexy legs.
“Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?” he asked.
“Do you know what she’s saying?” she asked, pointing toward the CD player.
“It’s from a German opera by Mozart called The Magic Flute. I didn’t study much German, but if I remember correctly, she’s saying something along the lines of ‘The vengeance of hell boils in my heart. Death and despair flame about me.’”
“Cheerful little ditty, huh,” she said. “That’s why I’m not crazy about opera. Someone is usually pissed off, plotting to kill someone or getting killed.”
“True. But some are more upbeat than others. I’ll have to take you sometime,” he said, amused at the image of sharing such an experience with Lilli. “Have you thought about what kind of music is good for the baby’s development?”
She nodded vigorously. “I want him to enjoy a variety of music, so I play instrumental Mozart for him. Based on what you just told me about the translation to that aria, I think I’ll skip most opera for a while. I’ve also already started him on the Baby Einstein series.”
“You’ve done some research,” he said and felt the weight of her gaze on him.
“You sound surprised.”
“Maybe I was,” he admitted. “Since this pregnancy was unplanned—”
“Doesn’t mean I’m not going to be informed. I’ve signed up to take an infant care class in a couple of weeks, and I’ve been researching pediatricians. Since I’ve changed where I’m living, I may need to do some additional research.”
“I can get you the best pediatrician in Las Vegas anytime you want,” he said finally, determined that Lilli and his nephew would have no less. “What kind of preschool you want him to attend?”
“I’m leaning toward a Montessori school but they can be expensive, so I’ll have to see.”
“Money won’t be an issue—”
“As long as I sign your agreement, which I won’t,” she said.
“Yet,” he corrected, feeling a twist of impatience. He’d made sure he didn’t do anything that would cause his character to be called into question. Not after his father. “You can change your mind after you know me better.”
“Maybe,” she conceded. “But I still don’t like the idea of signing my butter bean over to anyone.”
“It’s the job of a parent to make sure the child is taken care of in the event of the parent’s death.”
“I know.”
A swollen silence followed, and he sensed she was thinking about things that made her sad. His gut twisted. He couldn’t explain it, but he didn’t want Lilli sad, so he changed the subject. “You didn’t say anything about sports. The De Lucas are naturally athletic, good with any competitive sports. I could teach him soccer, tennis, basketball.”
“That’s nice, but the important question is can you play peekaboo?”
Max blinked and glanced at her. From the glow of the dashboard, her eyes gleamed with a combination of innocence and sensuality. “Peekaboo?”
She nodded. “Yes, and how good are you at giving hugs and pats on the back? A kid needs hugs and pats on the back more than soccer.”
Max digested her comments for a long moment. “You think I may not be affectionate enough.”
“I didn’t actually say that.”
“But you thought it.”
She opened her mouth then closed it. “I think a child needs someone who means safety and security, home. That person will love you whether you make the goal or not. That person will teach you how to take a bad day and make it better. I think a child needs compassion.”
He pulled in front of the resort where the event was being hosted. “We’ll continue this discussion later.”
“Okay,” she said and lifted her mouth in a sexy smile. “Are you ready for your grand entrance?”
He looked at her for a long moment, unable to tear his gaze away from her. With her sunbeam hair and eyes full of life, she literally sparkled. She took his breath away. “Sweetheart, they’re not going to be looking at me,” he said, and gave his keys to the valet.
Six
Lilli felt curious gazes fastened on her as she sat next to Max at the dinner table. Chandeliers lit the luxurious ballroom, warming the red carpet and creating a glow on faces belonging to the who’s who of the Las Vegas elite. Walls lined with elegant mirrors reflected women outfitted in designer gowns swishing alongside men dressed in expertly tailored suits. Servers refilled her glass of water before she had an opportunity to make a request.
It was by far the most luxurious event she’d ever attended and she constantly reminded herself not to put her elbows on the table. She noticed many people made a point of stopping to speak to Max. Even the mistress of ceremonies introduced him and thanked him for donating the resort’s grand ballroom for the night’s festivities.
Just as Max picked up his fork to take a bite of coq au vin, a man stopped and touched his shoulder. “Good to see you here, Max. And congrats on the success of your latest refurbishment project in your Luxotic resorts in the Caribbean. I understand they’re often booked over a year in advance.”
“Thank you,” Max said. “It takes a team. Good to see you too, Robert.”
The man walked away and Lilli leaned toward Max and whispered, “Would you like me to put a sign on the back of your chair telling people not to talk to you until you finish eating?”
His lips twitched. “There are only three words appropriate for that question.”
“What?”
“I told you,” he said and took a bite.
“True,”
