And he was right; it was time to tell Dad.
I just feared what that would look like and how Jenner would react to whatever transpired, so avoiding the situation was easier.
“I can’t convince you to talk about your dad?” he asked.
I shook my head. “Not tonight.”
“Then, let’s talk about tomorrow.”
I reached for my wine again. “Yes, tomorrow. What’s on your mind?”
He finished the last piece of kimchi and said, “We can take our time waking up and go for a run at Runyon Canyon. Stop somewhere for brunch and come back to my place to get the massages I’ve scheduled for us. When those are done, I see a long nap before we get ready for dinner.” He wiped his mouth with his napkin. “We have a reservation at Nobu.”
I sighed, reaching across the table until my fingers landed on his. “I love you.”
“Anything you want to add or change?”
“It all sounds dreamy.”
Craig came back to our table, adding more wine to our glasses and removing our plates. “Are you ready for the main course, or do you want me to hold off for a bit?”
The sooner we finished this heavenly meal, the sooner Jenner’s hands would be on my body.
“I’m ready,” I told him.
Jenner agreed.
Once we were alone again, I said, “How about tonight? What’s on the agenda?”
He glanced toward the Hills, where the sun was starting to set, an orange sky lighting up the space above our heads. “We’re going to finish eating and have dessert.” He turned back in my direction, smiling. “There’s a shipment from Gloria waiting for us in my kitchen.”
My eyes widened. “You didn’t?”
He chuckled. “I fucking did.” He leaned forward, getting closer. “It arrived this morning, and there’s a shitload of blueberry cake and blueberry fudge in the box.”
“Did I already tell you I love you? Because I need to tell you again.”
“I love you too, baby.” He moved his elbows to the table, getting even closer than before. “Once we’re done, I’m going to strip off your clothes, and we’re getting in the hot tub.” He rolled his neck to each side. “I think we could both use it after a long week.”
“You’re talking porn to me right now.”
He laughed again. “And then I’m carrying you into my shower, where I’ll set you on the bench inside and spread your legs over the granite, and I’m going to get on my knees to eat your fucking pussy.”
I took a breath, but I wasn’t sure how.
I was positive there wasn’t any air left in my body.
“If you don’t stop,” I warned, “I’m going to drag you into your bedroom right now and spoil this whole dinner.”
He rubbed the back side of my hand, a sly expression crossing his face. “You liked tomorrow’s plan. Is there anything you want to add to tonight? Anything you want to negotiate?”
My body was pulsing.
My pussy clenching.
“Let me guess, Jo … you’re fucking wet again.”
Twenty-Nine
Jenner
“Good morning, baby,” I whispered, running my hand over the back of Jo’s head, my fingers lost in her locks.
She tilted her face to glance up at me, eyes still heavy with sleep, hair wild from the way I had ravaged her last night.
Another Saturday, and I got this one all to myself.
“Mmm,” she yawned.
For the last two months that she’d been waking up in my bed, I’d learned that mornings were her least favorite time of day. She needed time to rise, time before she was ready for conversation. But seeing her face fresh without makeup, feeling her skin extra warm, having her completely naked in my arms—this was my favorite time of the day.
I couldn’t get enough of her.
And I had no problem holding her just like this for the next several hours, but I was positive there was something she was craving, especially as the sun came in through my windows, casting its rays across her cheeks.
“Coffee?”
“Mmm,” she groaned again. “Please.”
I kissed the top of her head. “Be right back.”
I slid out from underneath her, grabbing my phone from the nightstand before I made my way into the kitchen. As I placed the first cup under the brewing machine, I scrolled through all the messages that had come in overnight. Aside from a multitude of emails, there was a group text that caught my attention.
Walter: I just received the digital rendering from our architect. I need the both of you in my office at 10 tomorrow morning.
The time on the microwave told me that was in two hours.
On a Saturday.
I sent a quick reply, telling him I would be there, and I made a second coffee, carrying them both into my bedroom, where Jo hadn’t moved.
“Thank you,” she grumbled, holding out her hand, gently sitting up to sip. Once she had a few swallows down her throat, she eyed me as I climbed into bed. “The most irresistible body and makes the best cup of coffee—my God, I’m lucky.”
I laughed, pulling the blanket back over me, positioning her so she was close, carefully so she wouldn’t spill. “Not to kill the mood, but you might want to check your phone.” Her head tilted, and I added, “Your dad needs us to come in. The rendering is done.”
She held her finger in the air, burying her face in the cup, downing what looked like half the coffee. “There, that’s a little better. Now, say that again. Us? Going into the office? Today?”
I nodded. “In two hours.”
“When he sees the design, this is either going to turn into the best day ever or he’s going to wish he never hired me.”
I brushed my fingers across her cheek. “It’s not going to be the latter.”
She shrugged. “But it could be.”
I knew what would make this day better.
If I could walk into the office, holding Jo’s hand. If I could sit next to her in the meeting with my fingers on her thigh. If I could look at her the same way I was right now without worrying that her father would know what was on my mind.
But I couldn’t.
Because Walter still didn’t know about us.
And every time I brought that up, Jo didn’t want to talk about it.
“I wish I weren’t able to read your thoughts.” She grabbed a pillow and tucked it against her chest, resting her mug on top of it. “I’m sorry …”
I set my coffee down and wrapped my arm around the back of her. “For what?”
“Everything. This. Us.” She was staring at the top of her cup and slowly looked at me. “He needs you. Spade Hotels needs you. Every time I go into the office, I’m reminded of how integral you are to our brand and …” Her voice faded out while she pressed her hand against her chest. “I’m worried I’ve ruined that. That’s why I’m afraid to tell him, Jenner.”
My fingers moved to her face, holding her so she wouldn’t look away.
I didn’t know if I believed this, but I still had to say, “It’ll be all right.”