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“Oh!” I start to pull it away, but two larger ones I recognize at once cover it. “Logan…”
He doesn’t speak. He only lifts my hand, pressing his lips against the back of my fingers just below my knuckles. My stomach tightens. His scent of clean ocean breezes, warm fires, and him is all around me. I recognized it in my room earlier, only now I can’t remember if that was before or after Ava entered. Of course, he would be with her. I want to say more. I want to say anything to make him stay, but he releases me, heading down the stairs after his royal charge.
I’m still at my door, and I lean my head against the jamb. The downstairs door closes with a metallic slam, and my eyes close with it. My dream floods my memory, and I can’t wait for tonight.
* * *
The day passes quickly with me spending the entire time searching for jobs I might be able to perform. Most of the hotels are seeking maids and housekeepers, but that’s no good.
“I can’t see dirt,” I mutter.
The Boulangerie down the block needs an experienced seller, and I wonder how well I can trust my fingers to differentiate between a cinnamon twist and a marble rye… or a donut versus a bagel.
“I can at least smell the difference,” I say to my computer screen, which is practically touching my nose, the text blown up to a zillion points. “Then again, I’m sure customers don’t want my nose on their pastries.”
Clicking toenails sound on the landing outside, and I hear a throaty little bark. Picking up my glass of water, I walk to the door and open it.
“You might as well come in and view the damage,” I sigh, returning to my seat. Henri hops up in my lap and greets me with his usual tongue-kiss. “I’m going to catch you before you get me one of these days.”
Letitia Rousseau (whoever she is) seeks a trilingual personal assistant. “Must speak French, Italian, and English,” I read aloud to the dog, who immediately begins wagging his body. “Will manage the daily demands of the family trips, various reservations, administration…”
Henri hops down, and I rock back in my chair trying to imagine organizing a family. “I wonder how many little monsters Letitia has,” I muse. Henri barks twice. “Well, if that’s the case and it’s mostly phone calls and logistics, I have all the necessary experience.”
My phone starts to buzz, and I pick it up, holding it to my face to read the screen. It’s my brother finally responding to my earlier text.
Royal command performance? He teases. The place is crawling with security.
I see you’re keeping rock star hours. I tease right back. What time?
I’m at the café now if you’d like to come on over.
Dropping in my chair I pull up my clock. “Shit,” I whisper, hopping out of the chair. “Time flies when you’re having fun.”
See you soon, I text back to Cam then scoot Henri out the door so I can shower and change.
It’s dark and the streets are already filling with the usual, nightly revelers when I step out to meet my car. I’m wearing grey jeans and a black silk cami under my burgundy leather bomber. My glasses are back on my nose, even though they don’t help much at night.
I texted Cameron on the way to the café, and the minute I step out, I’m surrounded by toned, lanky arms. “Where have you been?” he cries, lifting me off the ground slightly with his hug. I can’t help a smile.
“I kind of got tied up,” I say, not really wanting to give him the whole story. “It was a job.”
“I was worried.” His arm is around my neck, and he escorts me into the bar. The doorman says something, and I feel him wave. “I don’t like it when you disappear without a word.”
“Sorry.” I give him a nudge in the ribs. “From what I understand, you were pretty occupied the whole time anyway.”
“Only briefly. Here,” he stops at a high table. “I reserved this one for you and your disruptive guest. Half the crowd is undercover guards.”
“I’m expanding your audience.”
“So you’re saying I’ll get new fans out of this?”
“Only if you’re good.”
“I’m always good.” A kiss to my cheek and he takes off in the direction of the stage.
I press my lips into a smile, thinking how I can’t regret a thing when it comes to him. I’ll do whatever it takes to shield him from my bad choices.
“Can I get you a drink?” A female is at the table, and I try to decide if I’ll risk alcohol tonight.
