Always & Forever Read Free

cheek. “I’ll come back soon, okay?”
    “You’re leaving?” She clutched his hand. “But Lilly will be back from the library soon. Why don’t you stay a few more minutes? I really want you to meet her. Such a cute little thing. I know you’re going to like her.”
    Zach sighed. “You never give up, do you?”
    “Woodbridges aren’t quitters.”
    He grinned. “It’s a long drive back to Seattle. I’ll meet her next time.”
    A light knock sounded on the door to the suite and it cracked open. “Mrs. Woodbridge? I’m sorry to bother you. I stopped by the nurses’ station before coming up. It’s time for your medication.”
    Margaret shot a triumphant look at Zach and released his hand. “Come on in, Lilly. You’re no bother at all. I want you to meet my grandson.”
    A redheaded young woman opened the door the rest of the way and entered the room slowly. She limped across the plush carpet and balanced a tray laden with sparkling water and a plastic cup full of pills. A book rested on the corner of the tray; some sort of romance novel, Grandma’s favorite.
    He watched Lilly make her way toward them. What happened to her leg? He wanted to offer to take the tray from her, but that might sound as though he didn’t think she could handle carrying it.
    She smiled at him, meeting his eyes directly in a manner that spoke nothing of servitude. Her attitude wasn’t that of a normal staff member faced with the boss. A tingle of excitement passed through him as he returned her smile.
    “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Woodbridge. Your grandmother has talked about you,” merriment sparkled in her deep blue eyes, “extensively.”
    He laughed. “That doesn’t surprise me. I’ve been hearing all about you this afternoon.”
    Lilly lowered her eyes and turned a charming shade of red.
    Grandma was right. This woman aroused Zach’s curiosity, and her beauty would turn any man’s head. Her silk blouse outlined her slim body, hugging her small breasts in a way that drew his eye. She walked past him, and the top of her head barely reached his chin. He’d never been with such a petite woman—the thought intrigued him.
    She bent down to hand Margaret her pills and water. Zach’s eyes focused on Lilly’s rounded derriere. Perfectly shaped, just like the rest of her. It had been a full eleven months since his last relationship, a long time to be on his own.
    Zach tore his gaze away from her rear. Maybe his family had a point. He did need a woman. He was here with his grandmother for crying out loud. Definitely not the time to dwell on Lilly’s finer qualities, though he knew he’d think about them on the drive home.
    His grandmother caught his gaze and raised her eyebrows in silent inquiry.
    “You’re always right, aren’t you, Grandma?”
    Margaret smiled. “Of course I am.”
    Lilly straightened and turned to face him while Margaret downed the pills. “I get the feeling I interrupted a private conversation.”
    Stray strands of red hair fluttered around Lilly’s face, escaping the bun behind her head and drawing attention to her high cheekbones. What would that hair look like, loose around her slim shoulders? He could plunge his hands into it and—
    Damn it, man. Stop right there.
    He took a steadying breath. “You’re fine, Ms. Price, no interruption at all. In fact, I need to head home now. It’s getting late.”
    “It was nice to meet you, Mr. Woodbridge.” Lilly stretched out her hand.
    For a second, a ridiculous urge gripped him to take the proffered hand and kiss it. He gently grasped it in a soft shake instead.
    “Please, call me Zach,” he managed to say, “and the pleasure was all mine.”
    Margaret grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. “Can I assume we’ll be seeing you soon?”
    “Very soon, Grandma,” he agreed, “maybe even next weekend.”
    Margaret’s hoot of laughter reached the hallway as Zach closed the door.

Chapter Three
    Lilly smoothed down the front of her white summer dress