Honor-Bound Groom by Yvonne Lindsay Page B

overseas celebrities at the resort and Alex likes us to keep a personal touch with those special guests.”
    Giselle’s casually possessive use of the words we and us struck Loren as more than accidental. Was she hinting that she had acted at Alex’s side in a role as something more than merely his employee? They’d certainly have made a striking couple—he with his dark good looks and she with her golden beauty. Loren silently chastised herself for the pang of envy she felt. Giselle was Alex’s right-hand person—of course she’d have escorted him on company business.
    She took a steadying breath before replying, “Yes, we pride ourselves on that level of care at the station, too. You’d be surprised at the caliber of guests we have entertained there. But that was nothing new to me. As you know, I grew up here and my father was also a prominent member of Sagradan society. I’m well used to moving among royalty and celebrity and I look forward to accompanying Alex in the same regard. Now, with the shops, I think we should start from the skin out, don’t you? I love lingerie shopping.”
    â€œGood choice. I know just the right shop to start at and Alex already has an account there.”
    Loren stiffened. There was no avoiding it. Alex kept an account at a lingerie store, which meant he was well accustomed to purchasing women’s lace and finery—from the skin out. Taking a deep breath, Loren reminded herself that there could be an innocent reason for whyhe kept such an account—perhaps for those special guests that Giselle had already alluded to. Luggage went missing, or was delayed, every day around the world, and things were occasionally lost or damaged in hotel laundries. It would make perfect sense for him to hold an account, Loren rationalized silently.
    But in spite of the logic of that explanation, a bitter taste settled in her mouth. Yes, Alex probably used the account for business reasons—but she was a fool if she thought that was the extent of it. Of course he was a man of the world and had no doubt had multiple lovers. Even as a teenager, she’d noticed the way women flocked to him. At the time, she’d dealt with it by trying to scare them all off, but she hadn’t been naive enough to believe that she’d succeeded. And now she had proof. She didn’t have to like it but she was going to have to learn to live with it, one way or another.
    Unconsciously she twisted the heavy ruby ring on her finger. She hadn’t expected any words of love from him when he’d given it to her, even though she’d expressed them herself. How could he have learned to love the person she was now, anyway? She’d changed so much from the sometimes petulant and demanding child he remembered. But they had plenty of time for him to learn to love her. They were to be married and she was going to do everything in her power to make it a long and loving marriage.
    At the lingerie store Loren was overwhelmed by the multiple arrays of delicate fabrics and colors on offer. She fingered a satin-and-lace nightgown of the sheerest oyster pink. There was a matching wrap that had an exquisitely detailed lace panel in the back. She knew she had to have it.
    â€œOh, that’s pretty,” Giselle commented over hershoulder. “But I wouldn’t waste too much money on things like that. Alex isn’t keen on night wear.”
    Loren stiffened again. And she’d know that snippet of information how? Okay, so maybe the other woman’s earlier comments could have been misconstrued but there was no doubt that Giselle had ceased to be subtle about her allusions to things about which she appeared to have a very personal knowledge.
    A needle of pain worked deep into Loren’s chest. So, Alex had indulged in an affair with his beautiful assistant. May indeed still be doing so, for all she knew. Did he plan for it to continue even after their