Even after that mind-blowing spectacle and the subsequent parties she’d booked, Taylor had remained somewhat of aprude.
Until I—well, Raven—mauled Jagger in his hotelsuite.
After typing “Loving Malibu” in the search field, she clicked on the hotel link. Grand opening events included a daylong cocktail party and the Valentine’s Day masquerade party that same evening.That’sit?
She found a brief reference to the club’s policy on nudity. Guests could shed their clothing on a secluded section of the private California beach, but that sexy tidbit had been buried several clicks into the site. Taylor chewed the inside of her lip. The Loving sizzle was missing.Where’s the promise of a sensually indulgent vacation?And this hotel had plenty of available suites, with some of the more expensive rooms being offered at a discounted rate.Wow, that’s notgood.
While Taylor didn’t want to discussanythingerotic with Jagger, she wouldn’t be able to dance her way around the problem. She wiped her clammy palms on the napkin and glanced out the window.Why is he veering away from his signaturebranding?
Armed with enough information to have an intelligent conversation with her new client, she refocused her search onhim. The first article highlighted his early career. Within three years, he’d fast-tracked his way to the top of a small hotel chain, jumped to a larger one, and then secured an executive position. From what she could find, he wanted to spice up the hospitality landscape. With the help of several investors—one of them being Mitus—he opened his first LovingResort.
The article read like the typical go-getter workaholic who loved what he did and strove to be top dog. He was well regarded and well respected in the industry, and was an active member of the Hospitality and LodgingAssociation.
Then, eighteen months ago, when Loving Mexico opened its doors, the articles shifted from Jagger’s career to his sociallife.
Jagger Loving has done it all, seen it all, and pretty much nailed them all. Some women want him for his bucks, others for that rockin’ hot bod, but all the ladies can agree about one thing. Loving makes them purr. Eager for a piece of the action, they come from miles around. And from what we’ve gathered, Loving isn’t turning themaway.
Her stomach dropped. No strings, no regrets rang hollow in her ears.He did playme.
She continued reading.A year ago, Jagger’s life as an international playboy came to a screeching halt when he got caught frolicking with hotelguests.
Not only had he been blackmailed, but a visit from an ax-wielding husband had forced him to hire a bodyguard. A few months later, the situation had been resolved to everyone’s apparent satisfaction and Jagger Loving stopped being front-page fodder for the tabloids. In fact, Jagger Loving disappeared altogether. Until this week, when the press snapped a photo of him talking with a homeless man inDC.
As the plane made its final approach into Los Angeles International Airport, Taylor glanced out the window. Nothing but bright blue sky and a trail of cottony clouds in every direction. But all she saw wasred.
Even carefree Raven had been an easy mark for the skilled womanizer.And I felt badly for walking out onhim!
For the next several days, she’d separate her personal feelings from the job at hand. For all she knew, he’d slept with ten women since beddingher.
Armed with knowledge, she exited the aircraft and, with her head held high, made her way toward baggage claim. Several drivers dressed in black suits and white dress shirts stood in a row, their tablets displaying their clients’ names. She spied hers on the tablet of a jittery blond dressed in a light pink shirt, khaki’s, and flip-flops. If she wanted, she could breeze right past him, catch a return flight, and tell Colton she wasn’t up to thetask.
What would Raven do?She wouldn’t have thought twice about Jagger after their hookup.Melissa’s advice,make bold choices,struck a chord. Squaring her shoulders, Taylor set her sights on the slender man, and forgedforward.
If Jagger Loving needed an event director, that’s exactly what he’d get. Nothing more. Nothing less. Save for the heart palpitations, the sweaty palms, and the churning in her guts, Taylor would bring her A-game.
“I’m Taylor Hathaway. Are you with LovingResorts?”
“Whew! The angel has arrived to save us from an opening flop! I’m Robby. Robby Sutton, Mr. Loving’s assistant.” The grinning man pumped the hell out of her hand. She smiled. How could she not? Someone associated with Loving was happy to seeher.
“I’ve got to grab my bag.” Taylor plowed toward the luggage carousel with the otherpassengers.
Robby sent a text. “Letting my boss know I’ve got you. He’s cleared his schedule to spend the afternoon with you.” The assistant prattled on and on as suitcases tumbled from the conveyor. Eager passengers grabbed their bags andleft.
They waited and waited and waited. The area grew deserted. Two suitcases remained and neither were Taylor’s. The nausea she’d been fighting returned with a vengeance. “I’ll have to file aclaim.”
Robby followed her into the small office. The clerk apologized, took her information, and told her they’d call once they’d tracked her suitcase. Besides her carry-on bag filled with bathroom necessities, she had nothing but the clothes on her back. A simple black pants suit and white blouse. Taylor exited the airport with the chatty assistant, and a splittingheadache.
Over an hour later, they pulled into Loving Malibu and Taylor’s mouth dropped open. Website photos didn’t do justice to the magnificent property. Gawking, she hopped out of Robby’s vehicle. A seven-story building proudly boasted LOVING on the front. The earth-colored structure reminded her of beautiful adobe-style architecture so prevalent in the southwest. Manicured gardens, with perfectly placed palm trees, dotted thelandscape.
She followed Robby inside, but slowed to a stop in the pristine lobby. Everything about Loving catered to the senses. Soothing clay-colored walls created a perfect backdrop against the stark-white furniture. Lush, green foliage in ornate potted planters adorned every available corner, and several vibrant bouquets added bursts of color throughout the elegant space. She had to admit, Jagger had great taste. A crew of workmen lugged paint cans while others carried carpeting or pushed supplycarts.
“Right this way.” Robby gained speed as he flitted down a hallway. “These are the executive offices.” He opened the door at the hallway’s end. “Please.”
As Taylor crossed the threshold, her fingers tingled with pins and needles while her heart hammered in her chest. Angst replaced confidence. She was about to face the only man she’d hooked up with, and believed she’d never seeagain.
With his back to her, Jagger sat at his desk, staring out ocean-facing windows. That deep, smooth-as-silk voice rumbled through her. “My event director arrives today.” Silence. “Of course I won’t talk to the media until you get here.” More silence. “I understand your concern, Kate.” Phone to ear, he swiveled in the chair, and his cool glance slid from Robby toher.
Recognition flashed across his handsome face. Subtle, yes, but there nonetheless. When a shadow darkened his eyes, a shiver swept through her. She tried to smile, but her lips wouldn’tbudge.
