Chapter Eleven
Taylor
I wake up nauseous. The morning sickness hasn’t lessened but then again, I’m still in my first trimester and from all I’ve read, it may stick around another month. More, if I’m one of the unlucky ones, but that isn’t something I want to think about.
I close my eyes and lie in bed, willing the queasy feeling to go away. I haven’t thrown up so far today, and I consider that a win.
I must have fallen back to sleep because next thing I know, my phone wakes me up. I lift it from the nightstand and see Jack’s name. I’d programmed it in after he called himself the night I saw him at his club. I answer the call.
“Hello?” I sound like I have a frog in my throat.
“Taylor? Did I wake you?” Jack’s sexy voice pulls me completely out of my drowsy state. That’s another pregnancy gift. I’m tired all the time.
“Yes, hi. Sorry, I fell back to sleep. Morning sickness is rough.”
His groan tells me he sympathizes with me. “I’m not sure if you’re going to want to answer my question now, then.”
I push myself up in bed to find the nausea is still there but a little better. “Why? What do you mean?”
“I was going to ask if you wanted to go for Cuban food tonight for dinner, then we can stop by the club so my partners don’t think I’m not working.” He laughs, which tells me he’s joking. “We don’t have to stay long.”
I run my fingers through my tangled hair. “Well, as long as I don’t have to think about the specifics of food right now, then yes. Tonight sounds fun.”
“Great. What hotel are you staying at? I never asked.”
“The Delano.”
“Nice choice.”
“I agree, though the white and neutral colors scare me. What if I spill something?” Which was the first thought I had when I walked in. But I have to admit the minimalist décor is nice.
“What’s your room number?” he asks.
“415, why?” I bend my knees to my chest to get more comfortable.
“So suspicious.” He chuckles. “Because I want to bring you breakfast, and I can’t do that if I don’t know where to find you.”
My stomach does a flip at the thought of seeing him. “You don’t need to do that. I’m a mess and haven’t even gotten out of bed yet.”
“You have time. It’ll take me an hour to wrap up what I’m doing and pick something up. Are you allowed to drink coffee?” he asks.
Thoughtful man. “I’m drinking decaf tea these days.” And it took me a while to adjust to the lack of caffeine.
“Got it.”
I realize something about the hotel. “Jack, you can’t come up to my floor without a key card for the elevator.”
“Damn, I forgot about that. I’ll text you. Come down and get me?” he asks.
“Sure.” He’s too charming to argue with. Besides, I want to see him. “I have a small sitting room where we can eat.” I could suggest we eat downstairs in the hotel restaurant or outside by the pool, but I don’t mind being alone with him, so I leave things as he planned.
“Any special requests?” he asks.
I give it some thought. “Carbs,” I tell him. “Lots of carbs.”
His deep laughter makes my belly twist with desire. The man hasn’t said the least thing sexual, yet hearing his low chuckle does something to me.
“Carbs. On it. I’ll see you soon.” He disconnects the call, and I immediately swing my feet over the side of the bed so I can shower and make myself presentable before he arrives.
I just finish a touch-up on my lipstick when my phone buzzes with a text message. He’s here. I pause in front of the full-length mirror, taking in my beige gauzy palazzo-style pants with an elastic waist and light blue camisole top that’s loose at the bottom and meets the pants at the waistband.
Do I want to make a good impression? I really do.
I like so much about Jack Dare. He’s charismatic, which I’ve already learned not to rely on as a judgment of character thanks to Chandler, but Jack is also sweet and kind. Much more genuine than any man I’ve ever met.
Just the fact that he’s bringing the pregnant mother of his baby breakfast shows me a lot about the man.
He’s not treating me like arm candy but like a person he wants to know better.
I’m not stupid. I’m aware my current blackmail situation makes anything real with Jack impossible, but I have to believe there’s an off-ramp when it comes to Chandler and his threats.
I slip my feet into sandals with a chunky heel, grab my phone with the key card in the back cardholder, and hurry down to meet him.
I step off the elevator that faces a mirrored wall and turn left to find Jack waiting for me, looking hot in a pair of tan cargo shorts, a white T-shirt, and a pair of slip-on loafers.
His skin is tan and his sunglasses are hooked into the round neck of his shirt. In one hand he’s carrying a shopping bag which must have our breakfast. I sigh inwardly at the sight of him.
I don’t miss that another woman in the lobby is thirstily drinking him in. I have no time to dwell on it because he steps forward and wraps an arm around me, my body softening as he pulls me close for a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
He releases me and I meet his gaze.
“Hi,” he says, those navy eyes focused on me.
“Hi, yourself.” I smile up at him. “Ready to go to my room?”
He nods. “Lead the way.” Hand on my back, he escorts me the short way back to the elevators.
A few minutes later, we walk into the small foyer area. I’d made the bed and opened the curtains so the ocean view is visible. “Welcome to my hotel room.” I gesture to the window revealing a glorious day, the water rippling in the distance, a beautiful shade of blue.
“Great view,” he says, but he’s not looking at the window, he’s staring at me. His gaze is hot as he takes me in.
I blush because that’s what he does to me.
Hands in his pockets, he looks around at the décor. “You’re right. It’s very … clean-looking.”
I laugh, though he’s right. “We can eat in here.” I gesture to the seating and cocktail table.
We sit down on the beige sofa in front of a cream coffee table, side by side. Jack unpacks breakfast from the bag, handing me a venti-size cup of tea from Starbucks.
“Thanks.” I don’t have the heart to tell him if I drink all this, I’ll be peeing all day. Another pregnancy delight.
While he’s pulling out muffins, croissants, and yes, cake pops, I add sugar and milk to my drink.
“Carbs, carbs, and more carbs! Never say you don’t listen.” Grinning, I take the croissant, which is my favorite, but I intend to have a few bites of everything he’s brought. “Thank you. This is very sweet.”
“In more ways than one,” he says, laughing.
I laugh. “I do have to say, I don’t just love baked goods, I love sweet things, too.” I pick up the cake pop. “You did good.”
He grins and I swoon. The man exudes sex appeal, and I’d like nothing more than to climb into his lap and take advantage of all that sensuality that naturally surrounds him.
We eat and talk, and soon I’m laughing at some of his nightclub bouncer stories about people who’ve been thrown out for doing outrageous things.
“There was one drunk guy who approached the bouncer and when he was asked for ID, he shoved his hand into his front pocket, and his pants fell around his ankles. The best part? He wasn’t wearing underwear.
” He grins then laughs. He’s got a great, deep laugh.
“The bouncer was in a shit mood and tossed him, but the outside cameras caught the whole thing.”
I nearly choke on the muffin I’m now chewing. “That’s crazy,” I finally manage to say.
“That’s bar life.”
I like this lighter side of him. He’s funny, warm, and easy to be around. “I love your stories. I don’t have any like that from my fundraising and charity work.” I finish the muffin and move on to the cake pop I saved for last, telling myself I’m eating for two so stuffing my face is okay.
Jack watches me, silent but amused. “Question,” he says.
“Go for it.” I eye him, waiting to hear what he has to say.
He turns toward me, his knee brushing my leg, causing a tingle between my thighs. The sexual attraction has been on simmer all morning, but I’ve managed to keep it under control. Just the merest brush of his knee, even through my clothes, and electric sparks shoot through me.
“How do you feel about boats? Yachts, specifically?” he asks, unaware of my reaction.
I clear my throat. “I can’t say I’ve been on one, why?”
He braces his arms on his knees and meets my gaze. “My partner, Tristan, has a friend that rents out his yacht. Captain, chef and all. My partners and I want to make a day of it. Tristan and his fiancée, Kaylee, Lucas and my sister, Rainey. And you and me. Are you game?”
I bite down on my lower lip. This is a big decision for more than the obvious reason. “There’s my nausea to think about.” Not to mention he wants me to hang out with his friends. His sister. “Do they know?” I ask. “About the pregnancy?”
He sits up and shakes his head. “Not yet. I wanted to give the news some time to settle. In here.” He taps his head.
“As for the boat, we’ll only go on a sunny day when there’s not supposed to be rough ocean.
And if you get seasick, I promise we’ll turn around and head back to shore.
But no pressure. If you don’t want to go—”
“I do. I’m nervous about the waves and the morning sickness, but I want to go.” I want to meet his friends and his sister, but I refuse to consider why. “A yacht trip sounds fun.”
My phone buzzes from its place on the table. Jack and I both glance down, and I see Chandler’s name on the screen. Jack’s gaze shifts from mine.
Shit. I’ve been in Miami for a few days, including the one before I stopped by Jack’s club, and I haven’t checked in with anyone except my sister since I arrived.
Especially not Chandler. That’s not to say he hasn’t tried to reach me.
I’ve ignored his texts, needing space, but he doesn’t seem to understand the concept.
I glance at Jack, feeling my cheeks flush. “I … need to take this. Excuse me.” Grabbing my phone, I walk to the bedroom, shut the door, and answer the call.
“Hello?” I grip the phone tightly in my hand.