Tyler leans across me and grabs the hotel phone from the nightstand. “I’ll see if the hotel has a conference room we can use.” He glances at his watch. “Tell him ten. It’s seven now. In light of this new development, we need plenty of time to grab a bite and talk through our strategy.”
“Agreed,” I say and he makes the call, securing a conference room. With location and time in mind, I text the studio head, who confirms and agrees with the plan almost instantly. I set my phone down on the nightstand. “We’re all set.”
“I need to go grab my suitcases. Can you order us a carafe of coffee?”
“Of course,” I say, but when he would move away, I catch his arm, halting his departure. “Tyler, I think we can go home tonight.”
“We’re going home Monday, baby. Unless you object, I’m keeping you for me this weekend.”
Yes, please, I think, but I’m also not thinking logically. I’m fairly ready to admit most things I do with Tyler are a combination of hormones and emotions. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Hell, yes, I do,” he assures me. “I want to stay the weekend. Do you?”
“I do, I just—”
He leans over and kisses me. “Then we’re staying.”
“But we fly home commercial,” I counter. “When we head home, I need to just slip back into boss and employee mode. I just…I do.”
“Okay. If I get you for the weekend, we’ll keep our commercial flights home. Coffee, woman. I need coffee to get my bad cop juices flowing. Be a good cop and order.”
I laugh and watch him pull on his shirt and shoes, and then head for the door. I order the coffee and breathe out. I’m really, really deeply invested emotionally in Tyler.
I am going to hurt when we get home. I’m going to hurt when I see the show with his new fiancée. I might have to leave the company. I don’t know if I’ll have a choice.
Chapter Forty-Five
Bella
Tyler and I shower together, and I finish what I started last night on my knees, with him against the wall and his fingers twined in my hair. When it’s over, he returns the favor, and leaves me trembling, my knees weak.
“You are better than any fantasy, baby,” he tells me, kissing me all slow and sultry before we slip out of the now-cold water.
Fantasy.
I plant that word in my mind with a purpose. All of this is between me and him, is that and nothing more. I vow to spend the weekend enjoying the fantasy, and living in the moment, not my dread of what happens when we go home. Once we’ve dried off, our meeting time is creeping up on us and we quickly dress. In LA, business attire is on the casual side, and I opt for a sleeveless, emerald, form-fitting dress, with black heels.
Tyler dresses in a fitted, expensive gray suit that fits every defined muscle of his body to perfection. I don’t miss that he has an extra edge of arrogance this morning, and I wonder if he packs a bit in a pocket to pull out when meeting with a possible opponent, as is the studio head. But I like this no-nonsense, make money and success, and take no names, Tyler. But he reminds me of all that awaits back home, just by existing. A realization I shake off. Right now is about Dash and his deal and nothing more.
Tyler’s cellphone rings and he grabs it from the bathroom counter, where he’s been tending his tie. “It’s the hotel,” he announces and then answers, “Tyler Hawk,” and listens a moment, before he says, “We’re on our way.” He disconnects. “The conference room is ready. They’ll bring him to us when he arrives. Ready, baby?”
The endearment does funny things to my insides and feels weird while we’re in business mode, but I still like it. How can I not like it? “Let’s go make this happen for my brother,” I say.
He steps in front of me and kisses me. “Yes,” he agrees. “Let’s make it happen, Bella.” His voice is a soft, sultry tone, and it’s almost as if he’s talking about us, not the meeting.
But then, I have fantasies of my own.
Chapter Forty-Six
Bella
We close the deal for Dash with a huge payday and everything my brother told me he wants in the contract.
The minute the studio head walks out of the conference room Tyler and I break out in a shared smile. “Call Dash,” he says. “Then we’re going to open a bottle of champagne. You just made all of us a huge payday, and turned your brother into one of the few writers who are as big as he’s about to become.”
“I know,” I say, excitement bubbling inside me. “We closed the deal, Tyler. We did it.”
“No, baby,” he corrects. “You did this. I did nothing but come along for the ride because you knew when to use me.”
Like we’re using each other, I think, but firmly chide myself for going there.
“Call Dash, woman. He has to be on pins and needles.”
“If I call Dash, he’s going to want to celebrate. And I’ll have to tell him I’m not coming home until Monday. He’ll know I’m here with you.”
“Tell him you have another deal you’re working on.”
“I’m with you. He’s not stupid. He’ll put two and two together.”
“You’re a grown adult, Bella. And he only knows what either of us tells him.”
“And what will you say when he asks about us? Because I can tell from my conversations with him, he will.”
“That you kicked ass and took names.” He grabs the hotel phone. “I’m ordering us champagne.”
I exhale and I dial Dash. I have to tell him the good news. That’s just a must. “It’s done,” I say when he answers. “All of it. You got everything you wanted and a whole lot more money. Twenty-five percent more upfront and on the back end.”
He whistles. “Damn, little sis. You are such a badass.”
“You’re the badass. You’re the only reason any of this is happening. I’m so happy for you, Dash. And also, plan your wedding!”
“We’re already talking about October in Aspen, right when the leaves change. What do you think?
“I think it’s perfect.”
“Waffle day to celebrate? I’ll get the champagne.”
“I’m not coming back until Monday after a meeting,” I say, promising myself I’ll try to find a meeting so I’m not lying. I add a real truth to make myself feel better. “I prefer to wrap up more than one thing when I’m here, so I don’t have to come often.”
He’s silent a moment. “Is Tyler with you?”
“He is,” I confess quickly, trying not to make a big deal out of it. “He was a big help in the meeting. You should probably call him when you get a chance.”
“Is he there now?”
“Yes. We’re still in the hotel conference room. I couldn’t wait to call you.”
“Let me talk to him, Bella.”
“Okay,” I say, but it’s not okay. Dash is going to say something personal, something about me. Tyler is now sitting on the table beside me. Lips pressed together, I offer the phone to him, a warning in my eyes.
He touches my face and mouths, “I got this,” and places the phone to his ear. “Congrats, man. You are the man. The Hollywood man, now. This is solid. It’s not going to fall apart like last time.”