The Secret Affair(55)
“Think whatever you like,” she said, walking away.
“Hey, where’re you going? The Madrid Room is this way.”
She stopped and turned. “I’ll order room service.”
Jillian continued walking, feeling the heat of his gaze on her back.
* * *
Aidan watched her walk away, appreciating the sway of her hips. He drew in a deep breath. He loved the woman. If there was any doubt in her mind of that—which there seemed to be—he would wipe it out.
Turning, he headed toward his own cabin, thinking room service sounded pretty good. Besides, he had shocked Jillian’s senses enough for today. Tomorrow he planned to lay it on even thicker. She had warned him not to be a nuisance. He smiled at the thought. He wouldn’t be a nuisance, just totally effective.
Tonight they had talked, although he seemed to annoy her and he’d found her somewhat infuriating. But at least they knew where they both stood. She knew he was aware of the real reason she’d ended things between them. He had to convince her that his life as a womanizer was definitely behind him, that he had no desire to return to that life again.
He would admit getting rid of the lap dancer that night hadn’t been easy. Somehow she’d figured it would be okay to hang around after the party was over. She’d been quick to let him know there wouldn’t be an overtime charge. He had countered, letting her know he wasn’t interested.
When Aidan reached his suite, he saw the elephant made of hand towels on his bed. Cute. But not as cute as the woman he intended to have back in his arms.
* * *
Jillian checked the time as she made a call to Paige. It was around ten in the morning in L.A., so there was no reason her sister shouldn’t answer the phone. Paige was definitely going to get an earful from her.
“Why are you calling me? Aren’t rates higher on the high seas?” Paige asked, answering on the fourth ring.
Jillian frowned. “Don’t worry about the cost of the rates. Why didn’t you tell me you knew about me and Aidan?”
“Why hadn’t you told me so I wouldn’t have to tell you? And don’t say because it was supposed to be a secret.”
“Well, it was. How did you figure it out?”
“Wasn’t hard to do. Both of you started getting sloppy with it. Aidan slipped and called you Jilly a couple of times, and I caught you almost drooling whenever he walked into the room.”
“I did not.”
“You did, too. Besides, I knew you had a crush on him that first time we met the Westmoreland family at Pam’s engagement party. You kept me up all night asking, ‘Isn’t Aidan cute, Paige? Isn’t he cute?’”
Jillian smiled as she remembered. She had been so taken with Aidan. Although he and Adrian were identical twins it had been Aidan who pushed her buttons. “Well, no thanks to you he’s here and he wants me back.”
“Do you want him to get you back?”
“No. You didn’t see that lap dance. I did.”
“Didn’t have to see it because I’ve seen one before. I know they can get rather raunchy. But it was a birthday party. His. Thrown by his friends and the lap dancer and the strippers were entertainment.”