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“Why would you think that’s sad? Wouldn’t you be glad to dodge those judgmental confrontations with your mom?”
As much as her mother frustrated her, even hurt her sometimes, she couldn’t imagine cutting her mom completely out of her life. What had driven such a wedge between Jason and his family?
“She’s still my mother.” Although she had to admit the extra distance between them California provided eased some of the pressure.
“You’re mighty forgiving—except when it comes to me, of course.”
Thinking back to her scene in his office, she winced. “I thought you said you hadn’t done anything wrong with Celia.”
“I was talking about the way I handled the whole after-sex issue four months ago.” He shoved aside the cooking gear and moved closer to her. “I should have missed the damn flight and stayed to talk to you.”
“I told you to leave.”
He stroked back her hair, his knuckles leaving a tingling path on her cheek. “And I should have asked if you meant it.”
“At the time, yes.” She’d been terrified of how out of control she’d felt in his arms, so much so she’d shown him the door as fast as she could. She’d thought at the time he felt the same way.
How they’d both only been able to let down barriers with each other when they had the assurance he would be leaving.
“What about now, Lauren?”
No chance of booting him out of her life again. “We’re connected forever through the baby.”
The air between them grew thick, the scent of him and the fire, the intimacy of the conversation all too much. She craved air. Now.
Arching back, she reached into the pocket of her robe and pulled out a copy of the ultrasound image. “I brought something to show you.”
His eyes went wide, awe wide, as he glanced back up at her, then down at the picture again. “That’s our baby?”
She nodded, determined not to let tears clog her throat. She could win this one battle over her damn hormones. The miracle of seeing the ultrasound for the first time washed over her again.
His thumb worked along the edge. “Do you know if it’s a boy or girl?”
“They couldn’t tell. The baby played shy, but the doctor said if they do an ultrasound later, they can look again. Do you want to know?”
“I’m fine either way.” He looked her in the eye, his full attention a heady aphrodisiac. “I just need to know that you’re both healthy.”
His hand slid along her waist, rubbing the small of her back, soothing the ever-present ache, his touch and thoughtfulness stirring another ache altogether. Fire kindling inside her, spreading, she rocked forward. Everything he said and did tonight made her question her decision to stay in New York, made her want to throw away all she’d worked for just for a chance with him….
She snapped upright again and scavenged for the tattered remnants of her control. “The baby and I are both fine. There’s nothing for you to worry about.” Snatching up her s’more, she shot to her feet. “Thanks again for the dessert and the picnic, but I need to go to sleep.”
He let her go with a low laugh that followed her all the way up the stairs. Damn him for being absolutely perfect tonight, enticing her with visions of what they could have together if she stayed in San Francisco. She stomped up the last two steps, not that it helped release the tension coiled inside her.
There was only one way to work that out of her system. She just didn’t know if she was brave enough to risk taking it—taking Jason.
Eight (#ulink_3d6e980c-b169-51d6-a6f8-87736eb13854)
Rosa Lounge wasn’t at all what she anticipated.
She’d known ahead of time it was a martini bar, but she’d expected something along the line of New York high brow. Instead, she’d walked into San Francisco retro funk.
Loud music reverberated.
Pink lighting cast a hazy glow.
Black and white accents added a crisp edge.
The artist in her lapped up the visual contrasts.
And the food was to die for. She dipped an oozing grilled-cheese triangle into a cup of tomato soup. Her nausea a thing of the past, it seemed her appetite was making up for lost time. She nibbled a bite. Ah-mazing. Still, nothing beat Godiva s’mores with Jason.
Nothing about this time in San Francisco was turn-ing out the way she expected. Did she dare risk more surprises by launching into an affair with Jason? The thought felt big and scary, so damn silly, really, when she already carried his baby. But there it was and she didn’t know how to get past the hurdle to take what she wanted.
A light hand on her shoulder pulled her out of her reverie. Lauren turned quickly. “Yes?”
“Hello, we didn’t get to speak earlier.” A slim woman with dark brown hair clamped back unpretentiously thrust out her hand. “I’m Elle Linton, Brock’s assistant.”
“Lauren Presley… uh, Reagert. I’m still getting used to the new name.”
“Of course.” Elle smiled with understanding. “Elopements give you a little less time to get used to the changes coming up.”
An elopement that came about in a very public and embarrassing fashion, thanks to her anger. Lauren looked across the bar and sure enough, Celia still stayed well clear of her on the other side at one of the tall tables.
Lauren turned back to Brock’s assistant. “Jason and I have known each other for over a year.”
“I’m sorry if my comments came out wrong. I didn’t mean to sound nosy or imply anything.” Her blue eyes lit with sincerity—and curiosity. This woman had a knack for getting people to spill their guts. “We’re all just wondering about the lady who managed to land Jason Reagert.”
Anger pulsed anew in time with the thrum of the music. “You mean since Celia Taylor was hitting on him just a few days ago?”
“Wow, Lauren—” Elle’s eyes blinked wide “—you really know how to lay it all out there.”
“Unless I’m mistaken, you all had a front-row seat to the scene in the office. I was a bit histrionic, I know.” She winced at even describing herself that way, but God, she wanted out of this with her pride intact. And while creating a plausible cover story for Jason, damn his handsome ass. “I guess I just go a little catty when it comes to my man.”
Ick. Had she really said that? And even worse, it was true. Her eyes gravitated to Celia again. The too-gorgeous redhead smiled tightly at the guy hitting on her, then eyed the door. She clearly didn’t want to be here but couldn’t seem to figure out how to leave. She had an outward confidence, but her agitation didn’t quite match the way Elle had portrayed her.
“Lauren—” Elle rested her hand on her arm, angling sideways to let a waiter pass with a tray balanced on one hand “—nobody blames you for getting pissed. Celia’s gorgeous and more than one person around here has wondered if she tried to sleep her way to the top.”
Lauren hated the twinge of sympathy she felt for Celia. She knew how tough it was to get ahead in the business world without those sorts of rumors flying around. “That’s pretty harsh.”
Elle sipped her martini, eyeing her over the rim. “Unless it’s true. I’m only saying, this is a very competitive crowd. Be careful.”
Lauren watched Elle and found the woman’s gaze skipped over to her boss, lingering. Could the assistant have some jealousy issues of her own? Regardless, Elle had a point. Lauren needed to step warily, especially around Brock’s right-hand person.
And especially when she had a big fat secret of her own to hide in the form of a fake marriage. “Thank you for the heads-up, Elle. I appreciate your looking out for me and I’m sure Jason will, too.”
“No problem. Just call me the troubleshooter.”
Jason slid up behind her. “Hello, ladies. Can I get you refills?”
Lauren could smell his warm aftershave mixed with something distinctively him before he even announced himself. “I’m good, thank you.”
“Me, too.” Elle lifted her green martini in toast.
His arms slid around her as he stood against her back. “Everyone having fun?”
Lauren glanced up at him. “Just getting the lowdown on everyone at MC from the lady in the know.”
Jason smiled. “That would be Elle.”
Brock’s assistant laughed dismissively, then eyed Lauren’s sandwich. “I’m going to order one of those for myself. Nice talking with you.”
Once the woman left, Lauren turned in Jason’s arms, careful to balance her plate of food. “I think this is going well.”
“Beyond well. You’ve more than done your bit for the evening. How about we relax?” He plucked her plate from her hands and set it on a nearby table. “Want to sit and eat, or dance?”
She almost blurted out a vote for her food, but then the heat of Jason’s hands on her waist stirred a deeper hunger. More than anything, she wanted to be in his arms. What better way to test the waters on whether or not to pursue her sensual longings than to take to the public safety of the dance floor?
After all, what could happen there?
Three gyrating songs later, Jason pulled Lauren into his arms as a slow song came over the loudspeaker. She stiffened almost imperceptibly before sighing against him, a light sheen of perspiration adding an extra glow to her skin. The musky scent reminded him too quickly of sex. Of course, that tended to be a common thought for him whenever he saw Lauren, much less pulled her close.
She was temptation personified.
The dance made for the perfect chance to move forward with his plan to persuade her while holding back a while longer. He wanted her in his bed with no regrets this time.
He rested his forehead against hers. “Thank you for being so great this evening.”
“Just holding up my end of the bargain.” Her legs brushed lightly against his, her breasts pressed to his chest.
Okay, so maybe this hadn’t been the brightest of ideas, after all. But hey, in for a penny—
“You really are amazing, and not just in a work setting. Do you know that?” He angled to skim his mouth against hers. Holding. Not so long as to make a sideshow event of things, but long enough for her to soften against him as he grew hard against her. Her lips tasted like a sweet ripe cheese and the lime from her water. And he didn’t want to stop.
A couple jostled them and he eased his head away with more than a little regret.
Lauren looked up at him through thick eyelashes. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
Her voice came out husky and sexy, her chest rising and falling faster against him.
He slid his hands low along her waist, his finger aching for a more thorough exploration. “I only kissed you.”
“You call that only a kiss?”
Her words revved the adrenaline zinging through him. “I do believe you complimented me.”
She swatted his chest lightly, her cheeks a pretty pink. “You know full well what you were doing, what that was doing to me.”
“You liked the kiss.” He nestled her closer.
“Again, obvious.” She swayed against him. “My body turns traitor when it comes to you. So are you trying to seduce me?”
Too obvious would lose the day here. He needed a more subtle, more romantic approach. “Who said a kiss has to lead to bed?”
She blinked back at him, surprise stunning her quiet.
“What?” He tucked her away from the crowded floor toward the outer edges, away from the speakers. “You disagree?”
Lauren shook her head quickly. “I don’t disagree at all. I just didn’t expect to hear something like that from you. From a man.”
“I can assure you I am most definitely a man.”
“I know.” She rocked her hips lightly against his erection pressed undeniably against her soft stomach.
“Kissing you—” he brushed his mouth against hers lightly with promise “—brings me much pleasure.”
And torment. But he didn’t want to lose precious ground here by mentioning that.
MC’s CFO—Ash—strode past on his way to dance with his longtime girlfriend, a local law student. Did Ash remember that not more than three weeks ago right here at Rosa Lounge, they’d both declared themselves confirmed bachelors? Of course, Ash already had a failed marriage behind him.
Jason thumbed his wedding ring, reminding himself of the importance of patience. Keeping Lauren here in San Francisco required finesse. They’d already gone the route of jumping each other’s bones at warp speed and that had not ended well for him.
He did not repeat mistakes.
The band cranked up the pace and Jason linked fingers with Lauren, leading her away from the increasingly packed space. He ducked closer to her ear. “Want to drive up to Twin Peaks for a romantic view of the city, perfect place to make out? I promise not to take advantage of you on our first date.”
She snorted a laugh. “It may have escaped your notice, but we’ve already had sex.”
“Believe me, I noticed.” And remembered. And wanted more. Which meant sticking to his plan. “I take it that’s a no to making out. Damn shame.”
Her eyebrows pinched together in confusion. “Jason, I don’t understand you tonight. I’m not sure what you expect or want—”
“Shh.” He pressed a finger to her lips. “And by the way, nobody asked you for sex tonight. I’m an ad man, remember?You need to pay close attention to my words.”
He stepped back and kissed her hand before letting go. “Thank you for a most enjoyable dance, Mrs. Reagert. I’ll think about you all night long… while I’m sleeping in my chair.”
Two restless nights later, Lauren mingled at the MC dinner party. As unsettled as she was in her personal life, this business party did remind her of all the things she enjoyed about her job, the wheeling and dealing, the exchange of ideas with the best in the industry. She thrived on it.
Of course, that provided a whole new layer to her frustration.
Because this party also reminded her of all the reasons she wanted and needed to go back to her business in New York City, especially when her body screamed even more loudly for satisfaction with Jason. He was tormenting the hell out of her with his “accidental touches” and surprise kisses at every turn. Her skin felt on fire.
The live band segued from the swing music they’d played during dinner to classic rock. She wasn’t sure she could hold out through another dance with Jason. Except it wasn’t just on the dance floor where they were so in synch. In the upheaval of the past few months, she’d almost forgotten what an awesome team she and Jason made professionally. Tonight’s gathering brought that all back to her.
Swaying to the beat, she nodded her thanks to the congratulations zinging from all sides as she made her way to the bar for a refill on her water. For the first time this evening, she and Jason worked opposite sides of the room, dinner finished, the mingling and dancing just beginning to crank into full swing. She felt his eyes following her, though. Her copper satin dress swished around her legs, each brush teasing her already overloaded senses, the beaded top suddenly itchy and un-comfortable against her breasts. God, she so needed to get her mind in the moment and off the way Jason made her feel with just a look.
The dinner party—catered by Wolfgang Puck’s local Postrio—was being held in an exclusive yacht club that sported a fabulous view of San Francisco Bay. Through the wall of windows, she could see the Golden Gate Bridge through the mist.
It was one hell of an impressive party, from the five-star dinner to the A-list guests, everything running smoothly, thanks to Brock’s ever-efficient assistant zipping to and fro.
