“Miss Long,” he said hesitantly, “my daughter’s water has prematurely broken.”
It took me no time to put two and two together. His beloved only daughter, who was married to a Brooklyn-based writer, was giving birth. I knew what he was going to ask me before he could utter another word.
“Nigel, you must be with her. Get to the hospital right now. I’ll just take a cab.”
“Are you sure, Miss Long?”
I smiled. We’d been together for a long time. Although he knew nothing about my past, he genuinely cared about me and protected me. I loved him like a godfather.
“Of course. Call me the minute the baby is born.”
“Thank you, Miss Long.”
“No, thank you, Nigel. Congratulations!”
I sighed as I hung up the phone. At thirty-three years old with no long-term relationship in sight, a baby and a family were likely not going to be mine for the having.
I’d forgotten how hard it was to get a cab during rush hour in New York City. Make that impossible. It made me appreciate Nigel even more.
Forget who I was. I was lined up behind at least twenty other guests at the hotel’s entrance where a valet was desperately trying to hail cabs with the help of an ear-piercing whistle. Occupied cabs kept whooshing by. Shit! At this rate, I’d probably be in line for at least a half hour. I needed to be at the Gloria’s Secret party. Now!
“Can I give you a ride?”
The familiar male voice, deep and sexy, purred in my ear as I tightened my fingers around my clutch. I spun around and gawked. It was him! Jaime Zander! What was he doing at the hotel…again? Was he really stalking me? Or was it just a coincidence?
My eyes drank him in. He was wearing another sexy black biker jacket, black tight-ass jeans, a V-neck white tee, and alligator loafers with no socks. Damn! I loved the way he was dressed. My skin prickled and my pulse quickened. Take a deep breath, Gloria. Breathe!
“Is that a yes or no, Ms. Long?” He shot me a crooked smile that was daring me to take him up on his offer.
I silently debated if I should. The long cab line hadn’t budged an inch. I had little choice. “Fine.” I stabbed the word at him like a dart just as his shiny black Range Rover pulled up to the curb. He shuffled me toward the car as his driver opened the back passenger door. I tingled at his warm touch.
“After you.” Jaime followed behind me as I gracefully slid into the plush SUV. I sat as far away from him as I could, but he sidled up right next to me. I could feel his warm breath on my neck and smell his heavenly cologne—again our spicy made-for-him fragrance. I suddenly felt lightheaded. Maybe it was the way it mixed with the scent of his skin and the leather of his jacket.
“What were you doing at the fashion show?” I spluttered.
“Research.”
“How did you get invited?”
“I have connections.”
Vivien?
His denim blue eyes gave me a long once-over. “You look hot.”
All at once, I felt hot—make that near the melting point. I crossed one leg over the other, trying to calm the sudden pulsing sensation between them.
“You got a big date tonight?” He brushed the tip of my braid under my chin, coaxing a response.
I squirmed. “I’m going to a Gloria’s Secret party at Touch.”
That cocky grin curled on his lips. “Then we’ll arrive together.”
I flinched. “What do you mean?”
“I’m on the A-List.”
I mentally grimaced. I bet Vivien had invited him. The little vixen wants to get into his pants. I was going to have to watch her like a hawk tonight. I took a deep calming breath and shot my companion a challenging look.
“Shouldn’t you be home or at your office working on the Gloria’s Secret pitch? You know, I expect to see it on Friday with my team. That’s less than forty-eight hours away.”
He let out a deep, sexy laugh. “Oh, I’ve nailed that already.”
“Really?” My voice registered genuine surprise.
“Yeah, you inspire me.”
“What else do I do to you?”
“You make me hard.”
His words made me jolt. I glanced down at his crotch and my eyes widened. Holy shit! He wasn’t kidding. There was a substantial bulge between his legs that was straining against his jeans.
I was still in shock when he grabbed my right hand and placed it on the bump. A hot, rock-hard mound met my palm. Before I could move a finger, he cupped his warm hand over mine, pressing it against his arousal. My pulse was in overdrive, and I was bristling all over.
“Gloria, look at me.”
Hesitantly, I turned his way. I met his penetrating gaze.
“I’m not a bullshitter. I want your account. What do I have to do to win it?”
“First, let go of my hand.” I spit out the words.
He slowly lifted his hand. My fingers flew off his cock.
He shot me a saucy smile. “What else?”
“Come up with something I love.”