TWELVE
“CAN THEY DO THAT? SHUT down the job for as long as they want?” Claire asked Mason when they were outside the precinct.
“I’m afraid so. We’ll stay on top of it and push as hard as we can, but until they declare the site open, there isn’t much we can do.”
Claire felt Luke strung tight beside her. She was worried about getting her draw in time. If they didn’t finish the rough-in, they didn’t get paid, and she wasn’t sitting on a buffer of capital. Until the flip sold, she was running with very narrow margins. But her concerns were nothing compared to Luke’s. She couldn’t imagine how much all of this must be costing him. Equipment, interest and now on top of everything significant legal fees.
She’d liked Mason as much as she probably could a lawyer. It had been reassuring to have him with her, especially when the ATF agent showed up. Even though she hadn’t done anything wrong, she couldn’t help but feel guilty with the lawyer sitting next to her.
“Keep me posted,” said Luke.
“Of course,” said Mason. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Ms. English.”
Claire thanked him and shook his offered hand. Luke held the door for her and she climbed inside, trying to shake off the unease she’d been feeling since she found Sparks in the storage container with the detective. When she glanced over at Luke, his jaw was clenched so tight she worried he might crack his molars. She reached for his hand, letting her fingers curl over his on the gear shift, but she was too fried to think of anything reassuring to say.
Luke started the car but he didn’t shift out of park. “Well fuck,” he said.
“That about covers it.”
“Are you okay?” He turned to face her, his expression softening slightly.
“Yes.” And she was; she was just feeling a little overwhelmed. Without knowing how long the job would be shut down, she had no idea how to plan for her crew or her payroll. The flip was on hold until the cabinets showed up. She was used to moving forward as fast as she could all the time. The ATF brought everything to a forced stop. Everything but her mind. It was spinning at faster than its normal pace. “I want to stop thinking about it. I hate running in circles after things I can’t change.”
“Let’s go away.”
“We can’t do that.” But as she said it something in her heart sprang to life.
“Why not? Did the police tell you not to go anywhere?”
“No, but I can’t just run out on my crew.”
“We can be home tomorrow if you want.” He glanced at his watch. “It’s after three. Most of your crew is probably home already. The rest of them are being interviewed by the ATF agents. You can’t be around for that anyway. Come on, Claire. Where do you want to go?”
Why couldn’t they go? He was right. She couldn’t do anything at Ashton Court or the flip. “You pick,” she said with a grin. “Someplace that will make me forget everything but you.”
“I know the perfect place,” he said, his smile matching hers.
THREE HOURS LATER Luke handed his keys to an obviously excited valet and helped Claire out of the car and through the doorway of one of the most beautiful hotels she’d ever seen. She hadn’t meant to, but she’d dozed off on the drive so she hadn’t had much time to think about where they were going. When she pointed out to Luke that she didn’t have any clothes or luggage, he said not to worry he’d take care of it. He’d already proved that he could, but standing in the elegant lobby wearing her grubby work clothes had her rethinking everything.
It was bad enough standing between Luke and Mason earlier when they were impeccably dressed in their tailored suits and she was wearing her jeans and T-shirt. Walking into the lobby on Luke’s arm and seeing all the elegantly dressed woman give them the once over made her want to shrink into the Aubusson. So she did what she always did when she was uncomfortable. She threw her shoulders back, stood up as tall as her five feet four inches would allow and walked through the lobby like she owned the place.
“It’s such an unexpected pleasure to see you, Mr. Masters,” said a man she assumed was the concierge or a manager. He met them partway across the lobby and led them to a smaller elevator. He swiped a key card and the doors slid open. “After you.”
Claire got on the elevator, trying hard to ignore the reflection of the construction worker standing next to the incredibly sexy billionaire developer. Luke caught her gaze and laughed out loud. The really funny thing was that part of her knew on some instinctive level that he was laughing at her for worrying and not for what she looked like. He caught her hand, twining his fingers with her before bringing her hand to his lips. The warm pressure of his lips on her hand sent desire unfurling deep in her stomach. She still couldn’t believe the effect he had on her body with just a simple touch.
The elevator doors slid open and the concierge got out sliding the key card through another lock and opening the door to a gorgeous penthouse suite with a spectacular view of the city below. Claire walked to the window and gazed down on the city starting to get ready for the night. The sun was sinking and lights were coming on in the buildings below.
“The items you requested are in the other room,” said the concierge handing Luke an envelope with a key card. “Please don’t hesitate to let me know if there’s anything else you need.”
“Can you arrange a car for us in about forty-five minutes?”
“Of course,” he said and Claire stifled a giggle.
She’d gotten so used to people jumping to do what Luke needed she’d almost forgotten theyour wish is my commandtone some people used. The concierge had it in spades. She could almost hear the words even though he never actually said them. Luke caught her eye and winked. She loved how in tune they were. She didn’t have to say things to know he understood what she was thinking. The concierge bowed his way out of the room. When he was gone, Claire wrapped her arms around Luke’s waist.
“So why don’t you show me the items you requested,” she said mimicking the other man’s words.
“Your wish is my command.” He smacked her ass, sending her toward the bedroom with a squeal.
