"No, she''s just been in her room, calling friends and rtives, bragging about how beautiful her great-granddaughter is and inviting them over to visit."


    Jarrod strode over and stood behind Elodie, gently unwrapping the towel from her hair. He began to pat her hair dry, careful and methodical.


    Elodie adored her hair. She pampered it obsessively, refusing to use a hairdryer because she believed it damaged the strands. Instead, she always took the time to carefully towel it off and let it air-dry, no matter how troublesome.


    The memory of the olddy''s gleeful face made Elodie smile to herself.


    By now, she was used to Jarrod helping her dry her hair. Back when they''d first gotten married, he''d done it often-she hardly had to lift a finger.


    So she let him continue, turning her attention to the assortment of creams and serums she was applying to her face.


    "My vacation''s only a few days," Jarrod said, voice gentle but steady. "The board''s assigned me a project and I have to see it through, so in a few days I''ll need to fly out again, tie up the loose ends. But this time, it''ll be less than a month before I''m home."


    That was what he said.


    Still, Elodie nced at the sleeping Nadia, her heart aching.


    She hated the thought of leaving Nadia behind. But her work was her duty-and more than that, it mattered. She was building a vital bridge between two countries; she had to hold it steady.


    Home would have to wait.


    Jarrod understood the heavy weight of her responsibility.


    He admired her passion for her career, and of course he supported her.


    Once her hair was mostly dry, he tossed the towel aside. The chair she was sitting in could spin, so he turned her to face him. Leaning down, hands braced on the armrests, he studied her up close. "You''ll miss Nadia, won''t you?"


    He was so close that Elodie had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. She


    sighed, ufortable. "Of course I''ll miss her. But I can''t let personal feelings get in the way of what''s important."


    He tapped his fingers on the armrest, thinking. "And what about me?"


    "What?"


    "Will you miss me?"


    He watched her, eyes steady, expression dignified yet with a hint of mischief. Trying to stay serious.


    Elodie reached up and stroked his chin. "You''ll survive. I doubt it''ll affect you much."


    Jarrod gave her a look of exaggerated wounded pride.


    Elodie blinked innocently at him. "What? We''re an old married couple, Jarrod. It''s not like we''re newlyweds anymore."


    He could see the teasing sparkle in her eyes. With a sly grin, he slipped his arm around the back of her neck and pulled her closer. "Ms. Thorne, you know I''ll do anything you ask the moment you say something sweet. Why do you have to y hard to get?"  s


    Elodie pressed her hand against his chest, feigningposure. “Mr. Silverstein, I think you need to calm down."


    She nodded toward the sleeping Nadia on the bed.


    Jarrod wouldn''t look away from her face. "Elodie."


    "Yes?"


    "How about we book a hotel tonight?"


    She shot him a re.


    Was he crazy?


    But that look only made Jarrod chuckle. He found her feistiness oddly charming.


    Unable to resist, he leaned down to kiss her-once, then again, lingering a little longer the second time.


    Just a touch, but it carried a dangerous momentum.


    He''d underestimated how much he wanted her-and overestimated his own self- control.


    His gaze darkened and he moved in for another kiss-


    "Waaah..."


    A sudden wail shattered the moment.


    Jarrod turned, meeting Nadia''s watery eyes; the little one had kicked off her


    nket and was now crying, searching for their faces.


    Before Elodie could say a word, Jarrod gave her earlobe a quick squeeze stood up, and strode to the crib Princess Nadia, you sure know how to pick your timing."  s


    Despite his words, he was already rolling up his sleeves, checking to see if she needed changing.


    Finding nothing wrong, he went to the side table to prepare a bottle of form.


    His movements were practiced and efficient.


    Completely at ease.


    Elodie watched the whole routine, a deep warmth blooming in her chest.


    Jarrod scooped Nadia up, held the bottle to her lips; instantly, the crying stopped


    and Nadia began to drink hungrily.


    As he gently patted Nadia''s back,<fnf498> The source of th?s content is find?novel</fnf498>


    Jarrod looked over at Elodie, a sudden thought flickering in his eyes. “Let''s have a wedding. Wha do you say?"  s