Suddenly, he steps back, snatching his phone off the counter, leaving my head spinning and my core pulsing as he asks nonchalantly, “Pizza okay?”
“Yoo, hoo!”
Startled out of my daze, my eyebrows shoot to my hairline when I see two older women waltzing in with three younger men in tow.
My jaw drops. Both women are dressed impeccably. One is wearing a sleek black jumpsuit, knotted at the waist, wearing chunky silver jewelry; the other, flowing cream-colored linen pants and a white silk blouse. Each carrying themselves with a confident authority, which no doubt stems from years of working with celebrities.
“Darling!” the woman in black exclaims, arms outstretched as she approaches Rowan. “It’s been ages!”
“Ava,” he greets her warmly, bending down to accept her air kisses. “Thank you for coming on such short notice.”
“Anything for you, love,” she replies before her sharp eyes swing to me, assessing from head to toe. “And this…” she says. “This must be Lizzy.”
I resist the urge to cross my arms over my chest as she circles me like a vulture would its prey.
“Mmm, gorgeous bone structure,” she murmurs. “Your cheekbones are to die for.”
When my gaze flicks to Rowan, he just gives me a small smirk and shrugs.
Jerkface.
The other woman steps forward with a genuine smile. “Don’t mind Ava. She treats everyone like a mannequin at first.” She extends her hand. “I’m Leeza. I’ll be doing your makeup and hair.”
I shake her hand, grateful for her warmth. “Nice to meet you.”
Ava snaps her fingers, and two of the young men behind her spring into action. Scurrying out of the room, they return a couple of minutes later loaded down with garment bags and equipment cases.
“Those are my assistants, Trey and Marco,” Ava explains. “They’ll be setting up in the guest room.”
But it’s the third man who grabs my attention. Tall with wavy dark hair and an easy smile, he’s carrying what looks like a portable massage table. When he catches me staring, he flashes a dimpled grin.
“And this,” Leeza says with a wave of her hand, “is Javier. He’s here to make sure you’re completely relaxed before westart getting you ready.” She leans in. “You’re going to love him. His massages are freaking life changing.”
“Massage?” I squeak as I take in Javier’s athletic build and charming smile.
A hand lands possessively at the small of my back. “Don’t get any ideas,” Rowan whispers, lips brushing my ear. “You’re not anywhere close to his type.”
Heat flushing my cheeks, I jerk my head back to glare at him. The audacity! As if I was planning to throw myself at a guy just because he’s super hot, has magic hands and a nice smile.
“Seriously?” I hiss back, narrowing my eyes at his stupid, sexy face.
Rowan just smirks his full lips—looking far too pleased with himself, I might add—distracting me for a moment before Ava claps her hands once, startling me out of my trance.
“So! Let’s get started, shall we? We’ve got a lot to do before tonight’s event.”
“I’ll get to ordering that pizza,” Rowan says.
As he heads back into the kitchen, I whisper-yell. “Thin crust! And don’t forget the hot wings and stuffed cheesy bread!”
“I got you, Sunshine. Don’t worry.”
His words make me huff as Javier approaches me with a friendly smile. “Where would you like me to set up? I usually need about thirty minutes for a proper relaxation massage.”
“Um...” I glance over at Rowan, who looks up from typing on his phone.
He points across the room. “Library.”
“Perfect,” Leeza grins. “Trey and Marco can finish setting up while you get your massage.”
