His executive team stood behind the speaker’s stand. One by one, he shook each of their hands while the media documented his everyaction.
When he stopped in front of Taylor, her sapphire blue eyes bore into his. Though she shook his hand like a consummate pro, her loving touch reaffirmed his decision. She wasn’t just his event director—she was his angel. As he peered into her eyes, he said, “Thank you for believing inme.”
Her sweet smile empowered him. He was making the absolute rightchoice.
He walked to the podium, adjusted the mic, and smiled at the crowd. Though Kate had advised him to avoid the topic that had been his downfall, he would address it, starting rightnow.
“Welcome to Loving Malibu,” Jagger began. “I’m extremely proud of our first American-based property and we are honored that the beautiful, majestic state of California has welcomed mehome.”
After introducing his team, Jagger paused.Confront the past. Embrace thefuture.
He cleared his throat. “The past year has been a sobering one for me.” The audience chuckled politely. “I regret my choices in Mexico, but learned a great deal from them. What you don’t know is that I’m a recovering drugaddict.”
The clicking of cameras stopped. Scribbling reporters stilled theirpens.
“My habit started with recreational cocaine. A snort or two to clear the cobwebs from the previous night’s hangover. Things progressed until life revolved around my addiction and spiraled out ofcontrol.”
He inhaled a soberingbreath.
“After hitting rock bottom, I dropped off the grid. Then, I checked into a fantastic facility to begin the slow climb out. Today, I’m proud to be clean and sober. I don’t miss the burn of whiskey or the full-bodied taste of a 2000 Latour Bordeaux, and I sure as hell don’t miss the drugs. I’m grateful for my sobriety, one day at atime.”
Damn, speaking the truth feelsgreat.
“Enough said. Let’s moveon.”
He highlighted several activities designed to indulge and pamper his guests. Reporters resumed note taking, while others held up their phones to record hisspeech.
“I’m sure you’ve noticed the erotic element so prevalent at my other properties is missing from this one. That was a calculated move as a gesture that I’d cleaned up my act.” Jagger grinned. “My act is so clean, itsqueaks.”
Several in the audiencechuckled.
“My previous event director didn’t work out, but one of my investors, Colton Mitus of Mitus Conglomerate, asked his event planner to step in and bail me out.” He turned toward Taylor. “Taylor Hathaway, please joinme.”
Her cheeks flushed. She didn’t move. He addressed the audience. “Let’s give Taylor someencouragement.”
As Taylor took her place beside him, the room filled with light applause. Though she smiled, her body stiffened. He wanted to place a reassuring hand on her shoulder, but any physical contact would give himaway.
“Loving Resorts book out months in advance. As much as it pains me to admit, Loving Malibu is nowhere near full capacity. The loss of potential business doesn’t just affect my hotel, it’s bad for local businesses, too. Under Taylor’s advisement, I’m spicing things up by adding kink back onto themenu.”
Again, the room quieted and the flash of camerasstopped.
“Taylor, please share some of thedetails.”
Kate bolted to the podium and yanked the built-in mic toward her. “Hello, everyone. Kate Faraday, Mr. Loving’s publicist. I’m afraid we’re out of time. Mr. Loving and I will be conducting interviews after lunch. Please, head on over to the restaurant and we’ll see you shortly.” She snapped off the mic and, though she smiled at Jagger, her pulse throbbed in hertemples.
“We need to talk,” she said through clenched teeth. “Now.” She shot Taylor a passing glance. “Alone.”
“There’s nothing to discuss,Kate.”
“We had an agreement,” Kate replied. “I deserve to be brought into the loop on a major decision like this.” She marched toward Jagger’soffice.
“Join us,” Jagger said toTaylor.
Once the three were secluded in his office, he closed thedoor.
“What the hell was that?” Kate demanded, hand onhip.
“That was me returning to my core brand,” Jagger replied. “And I’ve got to tell you, it feelsfantastic!”
