What Happened After Vegas? (Unexpected Love #2) by Sharon Cummin Page A

said. "I work so much. I have the landscaping done for me."
    "I
miss gardening," she said. "I used to do so much. It was
like therapy. I don't have anywhere to plant at the apartment. The
feel of the dirt in my hands was always soothing to me. Watching what
I planted grow into a beautiful garden always made me feel so good."
    Cliff
walked around to open her door for her. She stopped him from taking
her bags.
    "You
need to rest your hand," she said. "I can carry them."
    "I
hope you're not disappointed," he said, as he opened the door to
his house. "It's just me here. I can't see having ten bedrooms
for one person. Then I'd have to have more staff to take care of it.
This way I only have one housekeeper. She cooks too."
    "You
said she lives here," Rachel said.
    "She
does," he answered. "On the other side of the house is a
small apartment. She lives there. Her name is Rose. She's only in the
main house from nine until six. If I need something after that, I
call her and she comes over."
    Cliff
gave Rachel a tour of the house. It was large compared to what she
was used to. She was kind of relieved that it wasn't ridiculously
huge. They stopped in his room to put her bags away. She was
impressed with his king size bed. It looked so comfortable.
    "Do
you mind if we order dinner? I told Rose I was going out for the
night. She didn't cook anything and went out with some friends. I
really don't want either of us cooking tonight."
    "That
sounds perfect."
    He
pulled her into his master bathroom, turned on the water in his
jacuzzi tub, and poured in something that smelled fresh and summery.
    "Why
don't you take a bath while I order food. I think you'll feel better
after you wash the evening away. Are you in the mood for anything in
particular?" he asked.
    Rachel
couldn't help the smile that crossed her face as she thought about
what she was in the mood for. Cliff closed his eyes and laughed.
    "Believe
me," he began. "You are so getting that, but not until
after you've eaten and I've taken something for this hand. I'm not as
young as I used to be."
    "I'm
so sorry about that."
    Her
smile left just as quickly as it came.
    "Don't
be," he said. "I'd do again in a second. Take your bath.
Food won't be here for a bit. I'll see you downstairs."
    Cliff
walked out of the room. Rachel looked at herself in the mirror and
fought back the tears that threatened to fall. Her hair was a mess
and she looked exhausted. She quickly removed her clothes and slid
down into the warm, relaxing water. With her head back against the
tub, she closed her eyes and soaked up her surroundings, as she
thought about the amazing man that saved the day. Rachel couldn't
understand how someone that supposedly loved her at one point could
be so mean. She had never seen Jake act anything like he had earlier.
If Cliff wouldn't have shown up, she wasn't sure what would have
happened.
    Rachel
opened her eyes to cliff standing above her with a smile on his face.
He had lost the suit and was wearing sweats and no shirt. Damn was he
hot, she thought.
    "I'm
sorry," she whispered. "I must have fallen asleep."
    "Don't
apologize for relaxing and enjoying the water. I could get used to
seeing you like this. I came to tell you dinner was here. I'll get
our plates ready while you get dressed."
    "No,"
she said. "Let me do it. Quit using your hand. I'll be out in
two minutes."
    Cliff
closed the door behind him to give her privacy. Rachel quickly dried
off and walked into his bedroom. She didn't feel like unpacking her
bag while the food he ordered got cold. He needed to eat hot food
after everything he had just went through for her. She opened his
dresser and found one of his t-shirts. Quickly, she slipped it over
her head and headed downstairs to the kitchen.
    The
plates and silverware were out on the counter. She opened the bag and
scooped food out onto the dishes. When she turned around to grab some
napkins, she jumped when she saw him standing behind her.
    "I'm
sorry," he laughed. "I was