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Saffron turns back from the window to look over at us. Her gaze flicks down to our entwined hands as a small smile plays across her lips.
“It’ll be fun. Even if it isn’t, it’s not like we have to stay very long.” She jerks her thumb back toward the window. “The jury is still out on the fresh air, though. All I can see from here is a lot of smog.”
The smog isn’t noticeable once we make it to the hotel, thankfully. The air is warm and a heck of a lot fresher than a lot of places back in Manhattan. The hotel manager meets us at the curb and escorts the three of us right through to a private elevator while someone else follows behind with our luggage.
Traveling with Keir has given me a glimpse into fancy suites and luxurious penthouses all over the world, but our hotel in Beverly Hills radiates the kind of old Hollywood glitz and glamour that can’t be found anywhere else on the planet.
I love it even before we make it to the suite on the top floor that has a view of downtown Los Angeles on one side and the mountains on the other.
“This is exactly what I was hoping it would be.” My jaw is starting to ache from smiling so much as I walk to the center of the room and turn around in a full circle, just taking it all in. “There’s just breathtaking, overwhelming beauty everywhere I look.”
He grins and takes me into his arms, slowly spinning around with me one more time before stopping and kissing me. “I’m enjoying the breathtaking, overwhelming beauty right now.”
Goodness, he knows how to melt a girl’s heart. And a girl’s panties.
“If that’s your way of getting me into bed,” I whisper, smoothing my hands across his broad chest and wishing we had enough time to strip down right here, right now. “I have to tell you… it’s working.”
“I’ll have to remember that when I have you all to myself later tonight. If Deacon wasn’t already on his way over, I’d—”
A knock on the door interrupts what was probably going to be a dirty, sexy promise. “Speak of the devil.” Keir flashes a wry smile and gives me one more quick kiss before pulling back from our embrace to go answer the door.
Deacon Masters is tan and toned and has a blindingly white, million dollar smile that makes him look like he stepped right out of one of the old classic movie posters we passed in the lobby. Even Saffron looks starstruck as she comes out of her room to meet him.
“Damn, man,” he pulls Keir into a quick hug, then moves to greet me with a peck on the cheek. “I would’ve invited you months ago if I’d known you were bringing these beautiful women with you.”
“Just try to keep your hands to yourself,” Keir says, shooting him a sideways glance. “You’ve met my sister, Saffron.”
“Of course. How could I forget?” He says. He flashes a smile at Saffron. “You’re still studying at the University of Glasgow?”
Her cheeks grow pink. “I am. Trying to decide between being a lawyer or an artist.”
“I’ll just bet.” He snorts. “Let me tell you what you should do. You should just graduate with whatever concentration you feel good about. Get top marks, then go to business school. I’m telling you, with an MBA and your famous last name, you can go literally anywhere and do whatever you want.”
“Umm.” She pushes out her cheek with her tongue, her gaze sliding to me. “Thanks, I guess.”
Keir clears his throat. “This is Ella. My… uh, nanny.”
“Ella. So nice to meet you, darling,” he purrs.
I don’t miss the fact that he looks at me like I'm the most delicious steak and he’s a starving man. Keir doesn’t miss it either and his gaze narrows dangerously. As I shake hands with Deacon, his frank gaze makes my cheeks warm.
“You too,” I find myself murmuring.
He winks and then releases me. Deacon starts walking over to greet Saffron, but slows and turns to give me a curious look. “Is Isla here, too?”
“She’s back in Scotland with her grandparents,” I answer, hoping I’m not speaking out of turn.
“But the nanny is here in L.A.” Deacon quirks a brow. “Interesting.”
Keir doesn’t look amused and I’m not sure what to say. What can I say? I’m here in Beverly Hills and Isla is on the other side of the world. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what’s going on between me and my so-called boss.
Luckily, Deacon doesn’t press the issue. He’s too busy kissing Saffron’s hand and whispering something that instantly makes her blush a shade of red that I didn’t think was possible for someone as outgoing and outspoken as she is.
Keir comes over to stand next to me while Deacon and Saffron keep talking. “Don’t worry,” he leans in close so I’m the only one who can hear. “He was just busting my balls about that nanny stuff. He knew I wasn’t coming here alone.”
“He doesn’t seem to be too worried about us, anyway,” I smirk. I’m watching Saffron blush and giggle and playfully smack Deacon’s arm as he laughs and gives her one more quick kiss on the cheek.
With a sigh, Deacon finally turns back to us. “I should let you get unpacked. I’m sending my stylist up with a rack of designer gowns that’ll look good on the red carpet.” He gives Keir a knowing look. “You won’t let me convince you to try something stylish tonight, will you?”
