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Lola vowed to herself not to rattle Alex’s cage while staying with him Not too much, anyway It was sort of a natural compulsion Everyone should have a little excitement in their lives A feists and turns

Regardless, she tidied up the breakfast bar, relegating herself to her room so Alex would have the space he needed to adjust to her being there He deserved that from her

She slipped off the stool just as he caood intentions

“Thought you were having beers at Pete’s,” she casually said

“A beer” He gave her a once-over, shoved his hands into the pockets of his dress pants, and shook his head “What are you wearing?”

“Huh?” She glanced down at her short, red-lace nightie “I wasn’t expecting you back so soon, and I was just looking at o to bed”

“You do own a robe, right?”

“Actually, no”

His jaw tightened

“Jeez, Alex It’s just a nightie” She set aside her papers and wine “What’s the big deal?”

“Nothing” He disappeared into his roo a plush, navy-colored robe with a gold emblem on the chest from a fancy New York hotel where he’d attended this year’s insurance convention Or maybe it’d been last year She couldn’t keep track

Thrusting it at her, he said, “Do me a favor and cover up while you’re here”

Lola eyed him curiously “Alex, women wear less than this on the beach On TV, even”

He stared unwaveringly, his eyes locking with hers As though he didn’t dare look anywhere else but her face

“Yes, I have breasts,” she announced “Newsflash! Not”