Page 40 of Playing Mr. Perfect

I bite my lip.

“Do you call that a happy dance? Because it looked like pure and total elation to me.”

“Shut up.” I bury my face in his neck.

He lifts up just enough that I can’t hide my face and grins down at me. “Stay with me.”

“We’re in my room, remember?”

“No. I mean stay with me in Paris. I’m here for three more days. Stay. Your family will be gone, and it’ll be just us.”

My heart seems to have turned giddy, too, because it screams yes! But my head speaks louder. “I have to get back to work. I’m starting a new project at the end of the week, and we have a kickoff meeting on Wednesday.”

“Then give me one more day. One day of just us.”

I consider the project preparations I have planned for the beginning of the week. I’ve already done most of my own, but I wanted to look over my team’s preparations to make sure they’re ready to go, too.

“Don’t overthink it, Pep. I know you haven’t taken a real vacation in years, and you own the company. Isn’t flexibility one of the perks? Surely you can spare an extra day. Just call your assistant and tell them to cover for you.”

“I don’t have an assistant. We lost our front-desk person two weeks ago. Even if I want to stay, I can’t just change an international flight at the last minute.”

“Leave it to me. I’ll make the arrangements.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“It is for me. Come on, beautiful. Be reckless with me. We’ll have a great time. When else will you be in Paris with a handsome quarterback who thinks you’re the coolest woman he’s ever hung out with? Wait. You’re not into athletes. When else will you be in Paris with a regular guy who adores you?”

I laugh, my head spinning with the things he said. Cool? Beautiful? Adores me?

“What do you say? I guarantee you’ll have an unforgettable time.”

“You’re serious,” I say incredulously. “What if you can’t get me a flight?”

“My cousin owns a private jet. If his pilot is busy, I’ll hire another one. I’ll buy a fucking plane if I have to. I won’t let you down. I know how important your work is.”

Excitement bubbles up inside me. “You really want me to stay that badly?”

“Yes. More than anything. I like being with you.”

“You like sex,” I tease.

“True, but that’s not why I want you to stay. I’ve been into you since we first met, and this time together has been incredible. I’m not ready for it to end, and I don’t think you are, either.”

“I’m not, but this is crazy. It’s like something out of a movie. I want to do it, but can you promise me I’ll be home in time to prepare for my meeting?”

“I’ll do you one better. Don’t move.” He presses his lips to mine, then gets up and grabs his phone from the pocket of his jeans.

He paces as he makes a call, unfazed by his own nakedness, while I’m mesmerized by it, by him. He stops at the foot of the bed, his eyes dancing with delight. I gather the sheet around me and sit up, anticipation building with every passing second.

“Treat?” He pauses, listening. “It wasn’t my best moment, but I’m good. Thanks for asking. How are you and Max and the kids?” He’s quiet. He smiles, laughs. “That’s great. I can’t wait to see everyone again. Listen, I’m in Paris with a very special lady, and I need to secure a flight to Charlottesville, Virginia, for her early Tuesday morning. Any chance I can hire your pilot?” He rubs the crook of his neck and shoulder as he listens. “Great. Okay. I’ll text you her information. Thanks, man. This means a lot to me.” He listens again. “Really? I didn’t know Noah was there. Give him a hard time for me, and please give my love to your family and Uncle Hal. Thanks, Treat. Have a good night.” He ends the call and sets his phone on the nightstand. “Looks like you’re all mine until Tuesday morning. We’ve got the plane.”

“Seriously? That was a real call? You booked a private plane that easily?” Holy cow. Am I really doing this?

He puts one knee on the bed. “I did, and you can’t back out now.”

“I’ve never done anything like this before.”

“Aren’t we lucky? It’s a night full of firsts.” He waggles his brows.