Robby barreled into the room wheeling Taylor’s lost suitcase. “Ta-da! Look what just gotdelivered.”
“That’s great,” Taylorexclaimed.
“Good to see you, Kate,” Robby said. “You’re fab, asalways.”
When Kate beamed, Taylor glimpsed her porcelain veneers. “I do mybest.”
“The media are congregating in the lobby,” Robby said. “What should I tellthem?”
Kate rose. “Say nothing. I’ll handlethis.”
“Taylor, do you want me to run your suitcase up to your suite?” Robbyasked.
“I can do it,” shereplied.
“I’ll go with you.” Jagger pushed out of the chair. “I want to change into asuit.”
“Are you two on the same floor?” Kateasked.
“We’re sharing one of the Presidential suites,” Jagger replied. “Separatebedrooms.”
As Kate glared at Jagger, her jaw ticked. “Ohmygod, Jagger. Please tell me you aren’t…” Grunting, she folded her arms. “I worked my ass off cleaning up your reputation. Why doesn’t Taylor have her ownsuite?”
“Relax, Kate. You’re making something out ofnothing.”
“Am I?” Kate shot him the death stare. “Robby, where are youstaying?”
“In the suite nextdoor.”
“Robby, you move in with Jagger. Taylor and I will share. That will give us some girl-time to catchup.”
“Kate—” Jaggersaid.
She dismissed him with a wave of her hand. “I’ll be in the lobby. Robby, do you have the podium and mic set up?” She left before he could answer, and he zoomed out afterher.
Sharing a suite with Kate was the last thing Taylor wanted todo.
Across the table, Jagger regarded her with a glint in his eyes. The atmosphere turned electric, and thoughts of having to work with Kate faded. Frustration morphed intodesire.
“I’ll sneak you into my room in the middle of the night.” His playful grin made hersmile.
Inasmuch as she liked that idea, she had to put a stop to their hooking up. “We can’t. Kathy…Katehas a point. I don’t want to do anything to hurt your reputation.” She stood and, gripping her suitcase handle, she headedout.
He was by her side, his hand on her shoulder, pulling her to a stop. His possessive touch both soothed and arousedher.
“Don’t let what she said drive a wedge between us.” He edged closer, but she stepped away, leaving a respectable distance between them. “I’m making an announcement and I want you by my side when I tell themedia.”
* * *
For the firsttime in a long while, Jagger felt solid and whole. The risk he was about to take was the right one. For the past nine months, he’d been playing things safe. Laying low and letting the press chew on other stories. His rehab had gone well. He didn’t miss the booze, and he’d stopped the self-loathing for doing drugs. Though he’d known better, one bad decision had snowballed into a hellish nightmare from which he could barelyescape.
He didn’t miss the whoring around, either. But he had missed the warmth of a woman. Not just the sexual heat, but the connection between two people who thoroughly enjoyed each other’scompany.
Then, in walked Raven. Sexy, dynamic, carefree. But the sweet, surprisingly determined, Taylor Hathaway had stolen hisheart.
He’d woken up in the middle of the night and watched her sleep. Beyond the obvious beauty, her unassuming nature had touched him. He didn’t understand why she disliked her body, but he wouldn’t dismiss her feelings simply becausehefound her sexy. If she were willing to step outside her comfort zone and trust him sexually, he would step outside his and trust herprofessionally.
After changing into a charcoal suit, crisp white shirt, and power-red tie, he returned to the lobby alone, on purpose. When he finished shaking the hands of the business leaders and government officials, along with greeting the journalists, he made his way to thepodium.
