No way. She couldn't be a day over twenty-five. She hadn't appeared in any of his research. She held out her hand. “Elise Savade.” Instead of shaking her hand, he lifted it to his lips and brushed a kiss across her sweet-smelling skin. “Braxton Hughes,” he said but didn't let her hand go. Instead, he rubbed his kiss into her skin with his thumb. “So, Mr. Hughes.... Would you like a tour?” The way she spoke sounded as if she was asking if he'd like a tour of a much more personal sort. Heaven help him, he couldn't deny that he very much wanted an intimate tour. Of her. And with Claire otherwise engaged.... This would be the perfect opportunity to snoop around the house. And now that he knew who she was, and who she was related to, he could get the grand tour without drawing attention to himself. “Absolutely.” Elise led him through the throng of people, past the quartet, and into a long central hallway. She spoke softly, telling him about this and that. He found himself watching her speak instead of paying attention to the layout of the house.
