Taylor spottedhim the second he entered the room. Her heart took off like a thoroughbred when the gate opens. She’d been concerned he’d dine there, and her instincts had been right. She peeked over the top of the Washington Post as Jagger followed the hostess to a table by thewindow.
A pretty woman rose to greet him. A brief peck on the lips before he held out her chair. Taylor’s blood boiled, but she had no business feeling anything toward this man. They’d had an agreement; one that she’d imposed. Still, as he sat facing her, she couldn’t help but feel used.What aplayer.
The woman slid a small box across the table. He shot her one of his sexy grins and opened it. Taylor strained to see what looked like sparklingcufflinks.
She should have waited in the lobby, but she couldn’t tear herself away. He laughed with ease. His breakfast companion reached across the table to touch his arm.Why don’t you sit on his lap while you’re atit?
The server approached her table. “Ma’am, the police are here. If you’re ready, I can escortyou.”
As Taylor followed the staffer out, she shielded her face with the folded newspaper, but she doubted Jagger would have noticed her anyway.I told him no strings. I skulked out in the predawn hour. Let it go. I had the best time ever. If anything, Jagger showed me there are men out there who are great in bed. Be happy. Move on.Though her pep talk helped, her heart ached for that connection. It might have only been one night, but it’d been special enough to question whether walking out on him had been amistake.
After speaking with the officer, her hope of ever seeing her vehicle again, fizzled. With her stomach in knots, she jumped into a waiting taxi and instructed the driver to take her to Arlington, Virginia. She could have bummed a ride from Melissa, but sticking around was temptingfate.
As expected, the small office space forWalk a Milewas dark. She turned on lights, set down her bags, and brewed a pot of coffee in the kitchenette. With a piping hot mug of joe in hand, she powered on the two computers, then called her insurance agency to report the theft. Melissa wasn’t due for an hour, so after texting her, she pulled her work laptop from her bag, and got busy. There were always ongoing events to coordinate and manage atMitus.
Her mind soon wandered back to the auction. She’d overcome a panic attack. Hadn’t passed out or fallen flat on her face, either. Those were colossal wins. And then, there was Jagger. His handsome face, that sexy tuft of hair cresting over his brow, and his strong, sculpted physique. She loved the firm way he’d held her, the intensity behind his kisses, and how attentive he was to her needs. She’d never been with a man who cared more about her physical pleasure than hisown.
Arousal coursed through her and her cheeks heated. She scurried into the tiny kitchen and yanked a bottle of water from the fridge. Before twisting the lid, she pressed the cold plastic to her forehead. Relief. She was burning withdesire.
“Morning!” Melissaexclaimed.
Squealing, Taylor spunaround.
“Good God, you’ll give me a heart attack. Why are you sojumpy?”
“Not much sleep. My car wasstolen.”
Melissa’s eyes grew wide. “Didn’t you park in the hotelgarage?”
After Taylor explained what had happened, Melissa offered to pay for the rental car until she could purchase a replacement. “I feel responsible since it happened during the charityevent.”
“Thank you, but I’d never takeWalk a Milefunds, plus, my insurance company will cover the cost of a rental. I’m bummed, but it would have been way worse if I’d beencarjacked.”
“Don’t even say those words! I’m so sorry that happened.” Melissa smelled the milk before dumping some into hermug.
They left the kitchen and sat at the two desks facing each other in the smallworkspace.
“So, how was Jagger?” Melissa waggled her brows. “And don’t leave out the goodstuff.”
Taylor leaned over, though no one else was there. “Please don’t breathe a word of what I’m about to tellyou.”
“Of course not. You know I don’tgossip.”
“He had this sexy tattoo of a phoenix on his back. He was sweet andgreatin bed. My one-night stand wasamazing.”
Melissa’s brows pinched together. “What do you mean, one-night stand? How was he thismorning?”
“I left before he woke up. I couldn’t bear his disappointment at having to face me after…well, you know. And I didn’t want to continue lying tohim.”
“I’m definitely missing something here.” She sipped her coffee. “Why couldn’t you just tell him thetruth?”
“Absolutely not.” Taylor paused to nibble her fingernail. “Being Raven gave me courage to emcee that event, to go upstairs to his suite, to stay there with him, to have sex with a stranger. You know me. I’m terrified of trying anything new. I’m the picture of risk-averse. Raven, on the other hand, was the total opposite, and I never felt so free. I was totally upfront with him and we agreed to a no-stringsevening.”
“And if he contacts me for your number? Let’s keep in mind that he paid for a date with you. For twenty thousand, he deserves an entireweek.”
They cracked uplaughing.
“He lives in California and, from what I could tell, he’s super busy. Plus, he’s probably forgotten all about me. Those player-types move from one woman to thenext.”
