This time, he kissed her on the mouth, his arms tightening around her.
Unable to worry about anyone from the hotel seeing them because, at this minute, she didn’t really care, she wriggled on his lap, earning a smack on the ass that energized all of her nerve endings.
“Keep that for tonight. Right now I’ve got to deal with a depressed canine and a pissed-off fire marshal. Then I’ve got a read-through with Neal and Daisy and a meeting with the crew.”
“So what you really want to do tonight is sleep.”
He leaned closer, rubbing his nose against hers in an affectionate way that made her melt inside. “After I get inside you. I thought I said that. Shit.” His coat vibrated beneath her hands and she realized his phone was ringing.
With a rough sigh, he kissed her again. “Gotta go, babe. See you tonight.”
Seconds later, he was gone.
And she was sitting on the marble bench again, the cold seeping through her jeans. While her internal temperature continued to hover right below boiling.
She blinked and caught sight of him grabbing for the front door and holding it open for Kate and Annabelle to walk through. They stopped for a second, Greg giving Annabelle’s shoulder a squeeze as he bent to kiss Kate on the cheek. Then he nodded in Sabrina’s direction before continuing into the hotel as Kate and Annabelle made a beeline for her.
Kate’s raised eyebrows and Annabelle’s smile made her want to groan.
Standing, she walked to meet the other women, who flanked her as soon as she got close to them. Each took an arm and they started walking in the direction of the Reading Terminal Market.
“So.” Kate gave her a wicked smile. “I guess we have something more than Annabelle’s dress to discuss.”
* *
Trudeau met him just inside the door, tablet in hand, stylus tapping away.
“I have several forms you need to sign, two phone calls you need to return, a budget to approve, and I sent the emails you need to handle personally to your private account. And you’ve got to decide on a composer because I need to get started on those contracts.”
Falling into step beside him as he headed for the elevator, his assistant barely came up to his shoulder. This morning, she wore blue pants, a white blouse, and had her hair pulled back in a high ponytail that bounced in a perfect curl.
“I’ve managed to put off most of the local press for the moment,” she continued as they crossed the lobby, “but they’re not going to leave you alone for much longer. We’ve got requests for interviews from every TV station, cable access show, daily local, weekly tabloid, regional magazine, and merchandiser in a three-hundred-mile radius. By the way, what is a merchandiser?”
The elevator doors opened seconds after he punched the button and he stepped aside to let the older couple inside exit.
He’d been listening with half an ear to Trudeau, knowing she wouldn’t let him forget anything. The rest of his brain was back with Sabrina.
Stepping into the elevator, he leaned against the back wall, willing away the stiffness in his cock and the clench in his jaw.
He shouldn’t have followed her out of the hotel but, like a fucking teenager, he’d let his cock dictate his actions. Now he was going to pay for it the rest of the fucking day.
He was going to be beyond busy for the next thirty days. He’d barely have time to eat and catch a few hours of sleep.
He needed all of his concentration on his film, but thoughts of her managed to sneak into his head every few minutes. Through no fault of hers, she was fucking with his head.
That was going to be a major problem if he couldn’t keep a lid on it. A problem he’d never encountered before. Which just pissed him off.
Maybe if he fucked her at least once a day, he could keep his focus where it had to be. On the film.
As the elevator began to rise, Trudeau went silent.
“Greg? Are you okay? Do you need something?”
Turning, Greg realized she looked worried. “Like what?”
Trudeau shrugged, the action so uncommon, his attention focused more fully on her. “I’m not sure. You seem distracted. It’s a bit . . . alarming.”
He laughed, a short bark she’d surprised out of him. “Alarming, huh? I thought nothing could rattle you.”
Her lips pursed in a way his mother would be proud of. “I work hard at cultivating that image. Keeps the jackals at bay.”
“And by jackals you mean . . .”
“Anyone who wants something. And they all want something, don’t they?”
His eyebrows raised. “Well, damn. So jaded already. Something happen I didn’t get a memo on?”
She shrugged, her gaze never wavering. “Nothing you need to concern yourself about.”
And that’s what he paid her for. To make sure the little shit didn’t get to him. He’d never stopped to think how much of a toll it might be taking on Trudeau.
Hollywood assistants burned out faster than social workers. Trudeau had been with him for almost three years. She’d never asked for a raise, although he gave her one annually. And her workload had increased exponentially the second he’d decided to direct this film. He’d already told her she was getting an associate producer credit and she deserved it.
“Is it a guy?”
She didn’t even blink. “When would I have time for a relationship?”
Good question. Hell, he didn’t have time for one and it pissed him off that he couldn’t spend the time with Sabrina he wanted.
“So it is a guy.”
“Do you really want to know or are you looking for an opening to talk about the woman you’re seeing?”
He shouldn’t be surprised. Trudeau probably knew him better than anyone except Tyler and his sister.
As the elevator slid to a stop and the doors opened on Daisy’s floor, he put a hand on the elevator to stop the doors from closing but stayed inside the cage. “What do you already know?”
Trudeau’s expression didn’t change. “Only that you followed a woman out of the hotel this morning. And you’ve been more stressed than normal and I’ve never really seen you like this so I made an educated guess. I’m not digging for dirt. I only need to know enough to be prepared for any fallout when the press gets wind of it.”
“I don’t want the press getting wind of it.”
“So what do you need me to do? Are you going to need a decoy?”
Greg started to laugh. “I like you, Truly. If you ever decide to use your powers for evil, I’m going to make sure I’m not on your bad side.
A smile twitched at the corners of her mouth. “Who says I don’t?”
It was always the quiet ones you had to watch out for, wasn’t it?
“I’ll talk to Sabrina and let you know what I’ll need. Now,” he said with a sigh, “let’s go figure out how to deal with our Neal-Daisy dilemma.”
* *
“So.” Kate drew the word out to at least five syllables. “Greg talked to Tyler on Wednesday morning.”
Kate had been remarkably not-pushy as the three of them walked to the market. Kate and Annabelle had discussed the dress while the cold air allowed Sabrina to regain most of her senses.
Then they’d gotten their crepes and managed to find a small table near the back of the overflowing seating area. But now Sabrina’s reprieve had come to an end.
Trying not to blush five shades of red, she nodded, deliberately cutting her crepe into bite-size pieces.
Maybe if she ate it slowly, her body wouldn’t immediately add five pounds to her hips. She’d managed to keep her weight steady since she’d started working at Haven, but that wouldn’t last long if she kept taking Dominique the pastry chef’s advice to try her dessert every night. Or made too many trips to the market for crepes.
Of course, the stress of dealing with this relationship migh
t burn some calories.
“Hellooo, Sabrina. I said—”
“I heard you. You’re not exactly subtle, you know.”
“I wasn’t going for subtle,” Kate said. “I was attempting nonchalant.”
“Well, you missed that by about a mile.” She sighed as Kate continued to stare at her with raised brows. “He told me he was going to.”
Kate and Annabelle exchanged a glance.
“And . . . ?” they said in unison.
Sabrina put down her fork. “And you already know what he told Tyler, so why are you giving me the third degree?”
Kate’s eyes widened as if she’d attacked her, and Sabrina wanted to take the words back right away. “Sorry. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that to come out so . . . mean.”
Annabelle smacked Kate on the shoulder. “You’re not being mean. Kate’s being Kate. What she meant to say is, we’re here if you want to talk. About anything.”
Kate huffed. “Or specifically about Greg.” She stared at her, gaze boring into hers with laser-like intensity. “I’ve noticed the past few days you’ve seemed kind of on edge. Did he do something?”
Sabrina’s fork paused on its way to her mouth. “What do you mean?”
“Did he say something to hurt you?”
She frowned. “No. Why would you think that?”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Please. He’s a guy. So he gave you a key to the fourth floor and his room. Have you stayed with him?”
Sabrina deliberately took a bite of her crepe and chewed. Slowly.
Kate rolled her eyes and groaned. “Come on, Sabrina. I know you want to talk. No one can hear us over the noise. Are you sure you don’t have anything you want to talk about?”
Sabrina had an entire army of nosy minions at home. She knew how to deal with one beloved friend. “You want to talk, let’s talk. You first. There’s something going on that I don’t know about, so spill it.”
Kate couldn’t quite conceal the flash of something in her eyes that looked a lot like guilt.
Again, Sabrina wondered exactly what sort of relationship she and Tyler had with Greg.
And then Kate and Annabelle exchanged the look. The one that meant they were telepathically communicating. Or at least reading each other’s minds.
“Oh, now that’s just not fair.” Sabrina barely managed not to throw her fork at them. “Spill it. You two want to know what’s going on in my life but you’re allowed to keep secrets? So not fair.”
Annabelle grimaced. “You’re absolutely right. It’s not fair and I’m sorry.”
Kate and Annabelle exchanged another look, apparently coming to some conclusion. Then both stared straight at her.
“We’re breaching about five different legal contracts here so you have to swear that what we talk about here stays here. And when I have you sign a contract later that says basically the same thing, you need to sign it.”
Sabrina started to laugh at what sounded like the plot to a film but Kate looked totally sincere. Her laughter cut off and her smile turned into a frown.
“Seriously? That sounds ominous.”
Annabelle smiled and reached for her hand to squeeze it. “Just agree.”
Sabrina pulled a face. “Okay, fine, I promise I won’t say a word and I promise to sign whatever you want. Now spit it out.”
“Has he shown you the Salon yet?” Kate asked.
She shook her head. “No. And there would have been no time because I haven’t seen him since Thursday morning.”
“Really?” Kate looked shocked. “I thought— Oh, hell, never mind. I thought . . . Shit.”
She and Annabelle glanced at each other again.
“You thought there was something more going on than there is.”
Obviously she didn’t hide the hurt in her voice well enough because Annabelle shook her head. “Oh, there’s definitely something going on. You can’t help but notice how much he wants you when he looks at you. I’m sure he’s just busy right now.”
“He is. I get it. The guy’s a world-famous producer directing his first feature in years. What was I thinking? Of course he’s not going to have time for me.”
“Yeah, the timing really does suck, doesn’t it?” Kate shook her head. “But that doesn’t mean you should give up.”
“Who said I’m giving up? But it’s not like we’re planning to spend the rest of our lives together. We’re just having some fun.”
Kate paused then her smile returned. “Well, I am glad to hear that. So, what’s your plan?”
“Plan? Why do I need a plan?”
“Please.” Kate rolled her eyes. “You don’t do anything without a five-point plan.”
That arrow hit the mark and Sabrina wrinkled her nose. “You make me sound like I’m an evil genius plotting world domination. Greg and I are just—”
“Just what?”
She wished she knew. “Having a good time while it lasts?”
Kate narrowed her gaze. “And that’s it?”
“Well, it’s not like we’re going to fall in love and live happily ever after.”
Even as she said the words, she felt a little pang in her chest. Which was stupid. Seriously stupid to even say the words out loud.
“So you’re just in it for the sex.” Annabelle looked like she totally understood. And approved. “Good choice.”
Sabrina shoved another two bites of crepe in her mouth. Well, she didn’t have to be that agreeable.
“Hmm, I guess Annabelle’s right.” Kate started to dig into her crepe. “Greg is pretty much married to his company. He doesn’t really have time to care about anything else.”
“He’s much too intense and too focused on business. So, what do you think about ivory for my dress instead of white? Or maybe pink. I wasn’t so sure about the ivory at first but, as much as I hate to admit it, I think Kate’s right. The ivory looks better against my skin.”
Sabrina’s fork stopped midway to her mouth before she forced it to continue, shoving it in her mouth and starting to chew, barely tasting the Nutella, strawberry, and banana crepe she usually loved.
“I think ivory will look amazing.”
Annabelle and Kate exchanged a glance then both turned their full attention back to her.
“Alright.” Kate stabbed her fork into her crepe and let it stand there. “Who are you and what have you done with the real Sabrina? The one who would never let a guy treat her like nothing more than a fuck buddy.”
Wincing at the volume of Kate’s voice, even though no one would be able to hear their conversation above the noise from the rest of the market, Sabrina’s heart started to pound. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Greg and I both know the relationship isn’t going anywhere. We’re having fun. I like him. He seems to like me. When he’s finished with his film, he’ll go back to Hollywood and I’ll be here. Doing the dream job I’ve been lucky enough to fall into.”
Kate’s gaze narrowed. “So this is about your job? You think Tyler’s going to have a problem with you seeing Greg? Seriously, the only problem he’s going to have is with Greg if he hurts you. Tyler thinks of you as a friend, not just an employee.”
“And that’s a huge potential problem. Don’t you see? Greg’s his best friend. I don’t want to be a wrench in their relationship. And I love my job. I don’t want to lose it.”
Kate looked shocked. “You think Tyler would fire you because of Greg?”
Sabrina immediately shook her head. “No, no. I know he wouldn’t do that. But . . . what if I can’t stand to see him. What if—”
“You fall in love and you’re forced to see him whenever he comes to the hotel to see Tyler.” Annabelle’s tone was kind, sympathetic. “Yeah, that would suck.”
“So then don’t let it come to that.” Kate’s voice held a strong note of determination.
>
It was Sabrina’s turn to give Kate the lifted eyebrows. “It will.”
“Why are you so ready to talk yourself down?” Kate stabbed at her crepe again. “You’re not giving yourself enough credit. The man’s been half in love with you since that night he took the pictures for my portfolio.”
Sabrina refused to blush. “No, he’s in lust.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “If it was just lust, he wouldn’t be telling Tyler not to give you a hassle about him.”
“Why would Tyler do that?”
Kate gave her a nod. “He wouldn’t. So that demonstrates Greg’s totally unusual response to you.”
Little sparks of hope that she tried to crush continued to flare. “But it’s still not going to develop into anything. In a few months, he’ll be back in Hollywood and I’ll be here and there’ll be three thousand miles between us.”
And she’d be left with a broken heart.
Isn’t that what you wanted? For him to break your heart so you could move on with your life?
“Sometimes things work out.” Kate’s determination showed in the set of her chin and the gleam in her eyes.
“Sure, sometimes.”
She dug up a smile that tried to be sincere but probably just looked pathetic. Things had worked out great for Kate and Tyler. Even though Kate had turned down her dream job in New York, she was going to open her own boutique at the retreat and she’d found a man who loved her with an intensity that was palpable when they were in the same room.
Even Annabelle’s messy, tragic life had gotten a happy ending. She’d recently revealed she was the daughter of a famous painter and his wife, who, along with their lover, had been murdered by a psycho, and she had subsequently seen her private life splashed over the tabloid pages.
Jesus, the things those rags said about her, the lies they printed about her family were horrendous. Annabelle had done a couple of interviews with a very few select magazines, the ones that had allowed her to talk about her parents’ artistic passions more than their bedroom habits. Jared had already set his legal team on several magazines that had dared to print some of the most objectionable stories.
Annabelle had handled most of it with grace, although there’d been quite a few bottles of wine downed while she cursed a few so-called journalists.
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