Chapter Five
Taylor
After a painfully long, drawn-out lunch with Chandler and donors who he wanted to schmooze with, we part ways with him reminding me to wear his earrings Saturday night.
I’m not about to forget, which is why I’m now standing in line at the front desk of the hotel waiting to talk to someone about their lost and found items.
“Taylor!” Surprised to hear my name, I turn in time to see Jack walking toward me.
My stomach flips at the sight of him, looking sexy in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, the hair that I ran my fingers through now freshly washed and still damp.
“Jack! I didn’t expect to run into you.” Though I knew it was possible with him staying at the hotel, the rational part of me hoped to slip in and out before having to face him after leaving early this morning.
“I’m glad you did.” He stops beside me, a grin on his handsome face. “You look beautiful,” he says, his gaze taking in the outfit I chose to keep Chandler happy.
I hate it. “Thank you. I was at a luncheon earlier,” I explain.
Specific memories of last night wash over me—him taking me against the wall, then again in his bed, and everything in between. I shift from foot to foot, my panties suddenly wet.
“Are you looking for this?” He slides his hand into the front of his jeans pocket and pulls out my earring. “I found it on the floor this morning.”
“Oh, thank goodness.” I didn’t think there was much hope of housekeeping finding them, but now I don’t have to hunt them down in a store and charge a small fortune to my credit card to replace them.
He drops it into my hand, his fingers brushing over my palm, and an accompanying zing zips through my veins. I swallow hard. “They were a … gift and I’d have been so disappointed if I lost one,” I lie. I’m just glad it gave me a chance to see him again.
“At least the earring brought you back here. So, what are you doing this afternoon? Want to show me around the city?” he asks in a gruff voice.
More than anything, I want to say yes, but the fact is, I can’t risk anyone seeing me with him. Last night was a close call, one I don’t care to repeat.
“I wish I could,” I tell him, hearing the disappointment in my voice.
“Unfortunately, I have to work. I have a meeting this afternoon,” I lie.
“In fact, I need to go now,” I add before I change my mind.
Rising to my tiptoes, I press a kiss to his cheek.
“Thanks for everything,” I tell him and turn to go.
“Taylor, wait.”
But I ignore him and keep walking straight to the revolving door, past the doorman and into a waiting cab. “Bye, Jack,” I whisper, the ache in my chest real and painful.