“Excuse me, Ms. Hayes?” The AV technician approaches with his clipboard. “We're all packed up. Want to do a final check on the equipment inventory?”
I scan his list quickly, confirming that all the microphones, speakers, and lighting equipment are accounted for. “Looks good. Thanks for making everything run so smoothly tonight.”
“Easy gig when the planner knows what she's doing.”
I smile, grateful for the compliment. “Thanks, that means a lot.”
I find my team clustered in the middle of the room. “How are you guys feeling about tonight?”
“Amazing!” Amber gushes, her eyes sparkling with joy.
James grins. “And did you see how smoothly the dinner service went? Not a single delay, even with five hundred guests.”
“You guys were incredible tonight. I couldn't have done any of this without you.”
“So what's next?” Jessica asks. “Besides sleeping for twelve hours straight.”
“Follow-up calls to all the vendors tomorrow, thank you notes to the major sponsors, and a full debrief report for Jennifer by Monday morning.” I divide up the tasks among the three of them.
As they pack up their supplies, I take a moment to walk through the empty ballroom one more time. I make notes on my phone about the things that worked perfectly and a few small adjustments for next time.
Two vendors I've never worked with before were impressed enough to offer preferred pricing for future events.
By the time I gather all my planning materials, it's nearly one AM. Everyone has left, including my team. The venue is finally quiet except for the overnight cleaning crew.
I should feel triumphant. Jennifer's praise, the sponsor feedback, and the media interest. It's everything I've worked toward.
Instead, all I can think about is Cole. He’s taken over my mind and my body.
By the time I slump into the back of a cab, the adrenaline has finally, completely drained away, leaving me hollowed out and exhausted. But my skin still feels hypersensitive, every nerve ending alive with a want I can’t suppress.
I want to collapse into my bed and sleep for a year, but the thought of my bed makes me think of Cole’s bedroom down the hall, and a fresh wave of longing hits me so hard that it steals my breath.
Cole is probably asleep by now. I can slip in quietly, take a cold shower, and take a much-needed rest.
I kick off my beautiful but torturous heels right inside the door and pad barefoot across the cool hardwood. I’m about to creep up past the living room when a light from the living room catches my eye.
Cole is not asleep.
He’s sitting on the couch in sweatpants and a t-shirt, and when he looks up at me, my breath hitches.God, he’s so hot.
My heart jackhammers against my ribs. All I can do is stare. I eye-fuck him mercilessly, from the messy dark hair he’s been running his hands through, down the corded muscles of his forearms, to the way his powerful thighs strain against the dark fabric of his pants.
The memory of being pressed against those thighs on the balcony threatens to buckle my knees.
He stands up and closes the distance between us. His eyes are dark, serious, and full of a turmoil I don’t understand.
“Harper,” he says in a low, gravelly voice. “I owe you an apology.”
“Oh, what for?” I ask, mentally going through how he might have wronged me. I come up with nothing.
“I came on too strong on the balcony. You were exhausted, you had just finished the biggest night of your career, and I ambushed you. I was an asshole. I crossed a line.” He runs a hand through his hair.
I stare at him open-mouthed.This man is so clueless.
“You’re my guest, and I made you uncomfortable. It won’t happen again. I’m going to figure out how to be better about this.”
He’s so sweet and so respectful, and it makes all my resistance evaporate.
