Tempting the CEO(15)
“I said I was sorry about canceling your room. And if paying your client a premium so we could get out of that meeting has you mad, well then, you better go back to business basics. A premium is never a bad thing.”
“No matter how you get there?”
“As long as it’s legal.”
“Thanks, then. Where are my things?”
He nodded to the front hallway and with as much dignity as I could muster—and ignoring the fact that my nipples were hard and I was certainly already wet; in other words, my body wasn’t exactly on board with the current plan—I threw the leggings and tee I’d brought to travel in into my oversize tote so I could change at the airport, and then threw everything else into my collapsible garment bag.
“You’re a funny girl, Suzy,” he finally muttered.
“I’m not a Suzy. That’s what I’m saying here.”
“This is ridiculous. Just because you’re the lawyer on this deal, that means we can’t see each other?”
“Well, yeah. But that aside—”
“What?”
Yeah, what?
I shrugged. Maybe it was because I was the lawyer on the deal and he didn’t really even care about that fact—about who I was. Although it was kind of Fatal Attraction of me to expect him to after one night in the sack.
But I ignored that thought. He only knew he wanted to buy me. Nope. No incredibly hot, handsome guy with loads of money was going to reel me in, try to make me some panting, hair-flipping, well, ah, girl.
I was so not my mother!
“This was just a hookup,” I said. “You know, to let the steam out.”
“Don’t tell me you were using me for my body.”
“That and the premium you gave my client,” I couldn’t resist cracking, and at his thunderous look added, “I’m kidding.”
And then, because I wanted to know and it might be my only chance, I asked, “The kid you mentioned last night? He has a drug problem? I heard you say rehab when you were on the phone.”
Jed cocked his head. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“Is he your kid?” The math probably didn’t make sense given Jed’s age, but I wanted to know.
“No, but he was somebody’s kid.”
I nodded.
I would have left without touching him again. Without tasting those incredible lips. Without feeling how he leaned into me.
But I guess he wanted to torture me a little more.
He put a palm on the door to keep it closed as I reached for the handle. “At least I deserve a kiss good-bye.”
Knowing that it was the last time made it feel as if he took my breath with him when he was done and stood back.
“You’re a little bit more Suzy than you want to be,” he said.
Then he pretty much shut the door in my face.
At this point, I wanted nothing more than to get to the airport and fly out of this crappy city. But there was one thing I had to do before I did. I waited until I got down to the lobby, but then I dialed my mother on my cell phone. She answered, sleepy. “Ang? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, Mom. I just wanted to let you know that I finished my business a lot earlier than I expected. So I’m not going to be able to see you while I’m in town after all.”
“What?” She sounded a little more awake. “Oh, honey, you promised.”
“I know. I’m sorry. I’ll get you next time. I will. Or you could come see me.”
Like that was going to happen.
“You sound down. Did something go wrong with your, er, whatever?”
“No. Everything was fine. Very successful for my client. Fine,” I reiterated. “But I’ve checked out of my hotel.” Sort of. “And I’m about to leave for the airport.”
“Well, can’t I come over there and we can have a quick breakfast?”
Forget I’d been up for hours, although I actually hadn’t eaten anything. “No. I have to go, Mom, okay?”
She was silent on the other end, an effective tactic for most mothers probably, but mine was a master at it.
“I’m sorry. I am,” I said. “I wanted to see you.” It had been a few months. And since mother years were longer than dog years even, that was very long indeed.
“I’m a five-minute cab ride away.” My luck, I had mentioned what hotel I was going to be in. “I can get dressed in five minutes—”
I laughed. “As if!”
She laughed too. “Well, I will. I promise. Just give me ten minutes and I’ll meet you there.”
I relented. “Okay. But hurry! I’ll meet you in the lobby and we can have coffee at least. But I’m booking a flight for this afternoon.”