“Oh my God! Did I put them in your bag?”
He shook his head, looking as pleased as a cat that had captured a mouse.
“How do you have them then? Don’t tell me it was in my bag and I didn’t even notice.”
He continued to shake his head. “Wrong again.”
“Well?”
“I brought it for you.”
“You did?” she said, her jaw going slack.
He nodded. “It’s your Achilles’ heel when you travel. You sometimes forget to bring your shampoo. And you’re kind of obsessed with your hair.”
“That’s putting it mildly.”
“So I brought some along just in case you forgot,” he said, handing her the bag.
It was only shampoo. But it was so much more than shampoo. Her heart started a stampede again, galloping closer to him. To this man she was having some kind of strange, friendly, temporary affair with. A man who knew so much about her, and who seemed to embrace all her quirks, her habits, her needs, and in the last few weeks, her desires.
Her lips parted, and she was about to say all these things, but the clock was ticking. She tipped her forehead to the shower. “Thank you,” she said, and then stripped to her birthday clothes, and stepped under the spray.
When she finished her shower, he handed her a towel, and as she started to dry off she knocked playfully on the shower door.
“Knock, knock.”
“Who’s there?” he asked.
“Dewey.”
“Dewey who?”
“Do we really have to use a condom?”
He blinked once, like she’d caught him off guard. “I’m clean. I was tested before you,” he said.
“Me too. And I’m on the pill,” she said, trying to keep the conversation casual as she toweled off water droplets on her legs. But standing naked before him, having just showered, discussing the sex they planned to have, and sharing a room with him? It hardly seemed that what had started as casual could be classified that way anymore.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
London, afternoon . . .
Sofia showed Casey the new display at the signature retail location in Hyde Park, gesturing proudly to the shelf of white boxes emblazoned with the silver J for Joy Delivered.
“Look at all my babies,” Casey said, pretending to grab at the boxes.
The tall and statuesque British woman flashed a bright smile. “And they’ve probably helped make a lot of babies too,” she said with a wink.
“Good one.”
“In any case, I wanted you to see our gorgeous new display. It’s increased our foot traffic too, and boosted word of mouth. We’re so excited to carry your products at the locations we’re opening soon. Can you just imagine how smashing it will be to have the LolaRing join all her friends here?” Sofia said, clasping her hand over her heart, as if she truly was enthralled about the addition of a new vibrator to the crew of high-end pleasure devices the fancy pharmacy sold.
“I’m sure Lola will be delighted to keep such good company,” Casey said, continuing the banter now that they’d finished the business details. The I’s had been dotted and the T’s had been crossed upstairs in Sofia’s office, and the boutique was on board as another one of the exclusive launch partners for Joy Delivered’s newest toy.
Sofia exuded class and sophistication from her understated black pumps, to her sleek navy dress, to her brown hair, twisted in a chignon. She was the head of the company named after her, and Casey wondered briefly if Sofia was a so-called alpha female too, and if she’d ever struggled in her social life because of it. Her gaze drifted briefly to Sofia’s left hand—no ring. But then, the presence or absence of rings proved nothing. Sofia could still be in a committed relationship. Perhaps someday, the two women would chat about love and the challenges of its pursuit as women in business. For now, the focus remained on the products they peddled.
Sofia’s voice turned more earnest. “I’m truly delighted to add the LolaRing to the lineup. I know you’re choosy with your retail partners when rolling out new products, and I’m glad to be on the short list.”
Casey bowed her head slightly. “I assure you, the honor is all mine. I couldn’t be more thrilled to continue our partnership. It also looks like,” she said, crossing her fingers, “we’ll have a hotel chain on board too. I’ll share names when it’s finalized.”
Sofia gave an approving nod. “Excellent. I’m sure I’ll be wowed, since already it’s an impressive short list,” she said, lowering her voice as if they were discussing state secrets. “I hear Grant Abbot is on it. I only wish I had a reason to be in business with him.” Sofia pretended to fan herself. “My, he’s a handsome devil, isn’t he?”