Before We Kiss (Fool's Gold #14)

Jody followed them inside. “The rooms are all similar to this,” she said. “We have enough adjoining rooms for the parents who have older children. For those with smaller kids, we can provide a rollaway.” She consulted her list again. “You won’t need any cribs, right?”


“The youngest is six,” Dellina told her. “No cribs. And the oldest is thirteen, so I don’t know if anyone will want adjoining rooms. That seems kind of young to be alone in a hotel room. Sam?”

He looked at her. “You’re asking the wrong guy. We have the option, if the clients want adjoining rooms.”

“Of course,” Jody told him. “There are thirty rooms on this floor, plus the presidential suite. I’m holding a handful of rooms on the floor below for emergencies.” She smiled. “Also for Dellina, the yet-to-be-named lecturer and Fayrene, who will be in charge of the children.”

Sam turned to Dellina. “Smart,” he said with a grin. “Not only will it take her mind off Ryan, she’s someone you can trust to show up and do a good job.”

“You’re forgetting I can also boss her around.”

Jody grinned. “Is this where we have a conversation about your management style?” she asked.

“Not necessary. Fayrene can take it.”

Jody walked them through the rest of the room. She pointed out the views, the large closets and all the amenities in the marble-and-glass bathrooms.

“A tub big enough for two,” she said, and tapped a switch on the wall. “With jets. More fun for the couples who aren’t bringing children.”

Dellina nodded, thinking it was really weird how the room had suddenly gotten hot. And the bed was huge. Even from the bathroom it seemed to dominate the space. Although she couldn’t say if it was better or worse than the giant tub complete with pulsing jets. Somehow an image of her and Sam in the tub lodged in her brain and she couldn’t think about anything else...except maybe tumbling onto the bed while he—

“Great room,” she said cheerfully, and made a beeline for the door.

Once in the hallway, she was able to breathe again. What was wrong with her? Sure Sam was a great-looking guy, and yes, the sex had been fabulous, but still. She was a professional. This was work and her biggest job of the year. No way she was going to allow herself to be distracted by hormones and huskiness.

Sam followed her into the hall and Jody made sure the room was locked.

“Food next?” Jody asked as if she hadn’t noticed anything was wrong. Dellina hoped it was true.

They went back to the main floor and into the elegant dining room. The resort’s five-star restaurant had been written up in both national and international publications. They’d received awards for everything from their menu to their wine list.

“Dellina sent me some suggestions for preliminary menus,” Jody said as they sat at a round table. She opened a folder and then pulled out several sheets that she passed around. “Any vegetarian or vegan diets?”

Dellina turned to Sam. “Not that I know of.”

“I’ll find out,” Sam said, a muscle twitching in his cheek. “For now, let’s assume there aren’t.”

“Good.” Jody rose. “Let me go tell the chef we’re ready.”

Dellina waited until they were alone to turn to him. “Why do you hate vegans?” she asked. “You got scrunchy-faced when Jody asked about them.”

“I don’t hate vegans. I have problems with people who are picky eaters to get attention.”

“Ex-girlfriend?”

“We don’t need to talk about it.”

Which meant yes. Dellina knew Sam had been married before. She wasn’t much of a tabloid reader and didn’t have time for entertainment-industry-based TV shows, but even she had heard something about it. Although she couldn’t remember the specifics. And given his combination of sports-based career choice, income and physical appearance, she would guess there were always a lot of women around him. Which meant the picky eater could have been anyone.

She thought briefly that she could ask Taryn only to realize she couldn’t be sure the other woman would know. After all, Sam was a man who liked his privacy. For all she knew, he was in a relationship right now.

Oh, God. Was he? Why hadn’t she asked sooner? Here she’d been feeling all quivery when she was near him and he might be on the verge of proposing to someone.

“I think there’s another executive suite on the top floor,” she said, not looking at him. “If you want something nice for you and your guest.”

His dark gaze settled on her face. “Guest?”

“Date? Girlfriend? Significant other? Whatever you want to call the woman you might be bringing to the event.”

“I’m not bringing anyone. Taryn is the only one of us with a date.”

She kept her gaze firmly on her notes and even pretended to write something. “Okay, then. A boring, standard room for you.”

“What about you?”

Her head came up and her eyes locked with his. “Are you asking about my love life?”

“No.” He turned away. “It’s not my business. I apologize.”