Robby spun around. “Notjoking.”
“Why can’t I have my own room,downstairs?”
“Like I said, the workmen will be in and out of every room but these two. But if you’re uncomfortable in anyway—”
“I’m not afraid to be alone with him, if that’s what you mean. Why don’t you and Jagger share asuite?”
Robby barked out a snort. “If you haven’t noticed, I’m a talker. He’d go berserk. Plus, I blare my music non-stop. No headphones. My insomnia keeps me up half the night, so I gab with my friends or play video games. As much as I’d love to have you as my roomie, you’d never get any sleep with me. You’re better off stayinghere.”
“Somehow, I doubt that,” she mumbled as they proceeded into thehallway.
According to the uber-chatty assistant, Jagger had lured the chef away from a trendy LA restaurant with a hefty starting bonus. Eager to set up his kitchen and prepare the menu, Charles Delateau had been working there for a fewdays.
The beefy man greeted them with a boisterous hello and a friendly smile before ordering them to sit at the chef’s table in the kitchen, where two bottles of wine—a Pinot Blanc and a Sémillon—awaited. Taylor envied his speed and grace as he moved about theworkspace.
“Tonight, you’ll sample petite portions of several entrées,” Charles explained. “I’m incorporating favorites dishes with a few new ones that pair well with the season.” Pausing at the table, he wiped his hands on his apron. “Tell me about allergies and food restrictions, like gluten or redmeat.”
“No allergies, but I won’t eat rice pudding,” Taylor said with a playfulgrin.
Charles laughed. “Okay. Fair enough.Robby?”
“I’m allergic to peanuts andshellfish.”
“Hmm. Stay clear of my fish appetizers. Often times, I’ll mix in lobster with mysalmon.”
“What happens to you?” Taylorasked.
“I blow up like a puffer fish.” Robby demonstrated by pushing air into his cheeks. “Seriously, though, I’ve had some bad reactions and carry an EpiPen.” He shrugged. “It’supstairs.”
“Tonight’s meats are chicken and salmon.” Charles returned to his station. “I’ll forgo theshrimp.”
After a delicious meal, Taylor acknowledged that jet lag had won and excused herself. She hoped she’d find Jagger in the suite. Though wrong, she wanted to see him in the absolute worstway.
But the suite was quiet, and loneliness settled overher.
The constant pull to be near him made her heart ache. She’d left the French doors open, and though the room was chilly, the ocean breeze felt balmy when compared with the freezing DCtemps.
She stood on the balcony, salty air filling her lungs. The crescent moon cast little light on the ocean, but the rolling waves soothed her anxious soul. She closed her eyes and breathed. Seconds later, Jagger crashed into her thoughts, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. Her soft groan startled her and she opened her eyes. But she remained alone on the quiet balcony, the constant yearning her solecompanion.
Even if she hadn’t met him at the auction, she’d be crazy attracted to him. Beyond his striking looks, he carried himself with a worldly sophistication she could only dream about. He was confident without being cocky, and simmering with a sexy, unassumingcharm.
But she’d never slept with a client or a coworker, and she wasn’t about to start now, no matter how strong the pull. In the four years she’d worked at Mitus, she’d never dated anyone on Colton’s staff. No man had moved past the “friend” stage. But Jagger was different, and she struggled to reconcile herfeelings.
Ten o’clock West Coast time was no match for her tired eyes and aching muscles. Her East Coast brain screamed one in the morning. After a relaxing shower, she peeked into the shopping bags before lining them up on the floor next to the mirrored wall. Everything Robby had purchased was both stunning andelegant.
She slipped under the linens, turned out the bedside lamp, and dropped her head on the fluffy pillow. Burrowing beneath the cozy sheets, she closed her eyes. She’d survived day one of Jagger Loving and his kink-free resort.Hopefully, tomorrow I’ll have betterresults.
Exhaustion set in. As she drifted to sleep, she imagined her absentee suitemate holding her tightly and loving her all nightlong.
SHE WOKE WITH A START,confused.Who’s running the disposal? The bed vibrated and the room swayed. The alarm clock danced on the nightstand.Earthquake!
On a screech, she bolted out of bed and charged into the living area. The table lamp flickered as the door to Jagger’s bedroom flew open and he strode out. Crashing into him, she threw her arms around him. Trembling, she eked out, “Er-er-er-earthquake?”
“Yes. I’ve got you.” His steady voice calmed her as he whisked them into his room and positioned them in the doorway of his bathroom, quickly flipping on thelight.
Just as suddenly as the rumbling had started, it stopped. Silence, save for her erratic breathing, thundered in herears.
Taylor startled when Jagger’s cell phone and the cordless wall phone in the bathroom began ringing. With one arm anchored around her waist, he snatched the receiver with his other hand. “Loving.”
