Page 32 of Craig

"You were involved with this man, and I happen to know he's gorgeous. You had a mutual attraction for each other in the past and I do believe you mentioned that he wanted more than you were prepared to offer. Saying it's strictly business is one thing; keeping it that way is a completely different matter altogether."

"I cannot give him anything else."

Kelly pounced on that. "So, he wants more."

"That's not his decision to make," Regina said firmly.

"It's strictly business. I'll get the money for my project and he'll inherit his fortune. It's just for three months and as much as the old man is starting to grow on me, as soon as he closes his eyes for the last time, I'm gone. It's that simple."

Kelly shook her head, expression somber.

"You don't believe that. You're smart and intelligent enough to realize that two very attractive people cannot spend time together without something happening, especially if they had a history."

"I don't want anything more." She felt the flutter of panic inside her chest and drank some water to try and ease the tightness.

Hadn't she spent most of last night thinking the exact same thing? And reliving the way his mouth had felt on hers?

"You know how I feel about marriage," she muttered.

Reaching over, Kelly placed a hand over hers and squeezed.

"I love my husband. I went looking for him and when I found him, I knew almost immediately that he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. We have two sons and an incredibly busy schedule. You know this. Yet, we find the time to be with each other. Our love has simply evolved."

Her eyes turned moist. Blinking at the tears, she smiled and shook her head.

"The bloody man can still make me weak." She focused on Regina.

"I want the same thing for you. No." She lifted a hand when her friend would have spoken.

"I know you had a lousy childhood, and that man who planted a seed to bring you into the world is not worth discussing. But darling, there are good men out there. I'm married to one. So are several of my friends."

"Be that as it may, I'm not looking for anything long-term. I have a project that I'm very passionate about and I want to see it through. This arrangement will make it possible."

Picking up her wine, Kelly stared at her over the rim. "All right."

Secretly, she was seeing something else. She wanted happiness for the younger woman.

Beneath the bluntness, the toughness she exhibited, Kelly knew that underneath, she was sweet and wonderful. She wanted some very fortunate man to peel away the angry layers and get to that core.

She was hoping that this was going to be it.

She knew more than anyone else that once a course is set, especially when it comes to matters of the heart, nothing can change it. Regina might think she could remain immune, but Kelly knew better.

She had set her sights on Kane, and the man hadn't stood a chance.

"When is the wedding?"

"The last Saturday in August. Why?"

"I want to be there, of course. Have you picked out a dress yet?"

"It's not that kind of wedding. I'm sure I can throw something together in my closet."

Kelly stared at her in horror.

"Darling, it might be a fake wedding, but even so, you deserve to look your best. Besides, you surely do not want his grandfather becoming suspicious, do you?"

"No." She shook her head thoughtfully.