No Reservations (19 page)

His groan made her breath catch until she couldn’t continue.

“Kate, are you playing with yourself? Get yourself off. I want to hear you moan when
you come.”

“Then you have to—”

“I’ve got my hand wrapped around my cock. I’m ready to blow but I want you to come
too. Rub your clit. Imagine it’s my tongue and I’m licking you hard and fast, like
you like it.”

“Oh, my God. Tyler!”

Her body convulsed as she found the perfect rhythm, just as she heard Tyler groan
on the other end of the phone.

For at least the next minute, all she did was lay there and listen to him breathe.

“I wish I was there to see you right now.”

His rough tone sent another shock through her body, and her sex tightened in aftershocks.

“Me too.” She paused. “Will I see you this weekend?”

“I want that. Can you come down?”

If she worked eighteen hours a day for the next three days and switched her meeting—

No, she couldn’t switch that meeting Saturday morning. She and the potential client
had had trouble finding a time to meet and that had been the only time they could
agree on.

“I should be able to come down Saturday afternoon, if that’s okay?”

He paused. “Is there a reason you can’t come Friday?”

“I have a meeting Saturday morning with a new dress client and I really need to get
caught up on some projects I’ve been contracted for.”

She realized she was holding her breath, waiting for him to say he’d come up Friday
night.

“Then Saturday it is. I’ve got a shitload of meetings this week and I’m meeting with
the GoldenStar board Friday afternoon. I have no idea how long that’s going to take.”

Well, there went Friday night. “So you decided to take the chairmanship?”

“Not yet, no. This is just a preliminary meeting. There are a few board members I’m
not sure I can work with. I need to get a better read on them.”

“Then I’ll look forward to seeing you Saturday.”

“Kate . . . are you sure that’s okay?”

No, it was too long to wait. “I’m positive. Can’t wait to see you then.”

“Alright. Sleep well, Kate.”

“Good night, Tyler.”

**

“Buddy, you need to get laid. Why the hell don’t you just knock off for the night
and drive up to see Kate? I don’t think she’d be upset to see you. And you could use
the downtime. Especially before that meeting tomorrow. You’re already twice as uptight
as you normally are.”

Tyler gave Greg the finger but didn’t spare a look. He’d been pouring over GoldenStar
financial reports dating back ten years for at least the past two hours. Maybe more.
He couldn’t remember when he’d picked up the packet, knowing he’d been avoiding it
since it’d arrived Monday.

Knowing he couldn’t avoid it any longer.

“Seriously, Tyler. Take a fucking break.”

He sighed, reaching for the cup of lukewarm coffee he’d been nursing for half an hour.
“I can’t. There’s something about the numbers that isn’t adding up, but I can’t tell
if I’m just not reading them right or there’s something I’m missing.”

“You don’t tend to miss too much.” Greg shifted forward as he sat across from Tyler’s
desk. “What’s the problem?”

With a disgusted exhale, Tyler shoved the file across the desk and sat back to scrub
at his eyes. “The problem is I feel like I have to do this. I feel like it’s what
my grandfather wanted. And, God damn it, I want the damn thing.”

Greg’s eyes widened. “I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you say that. Why the
sudden change of heart?”

“It’s not a change of heart. I’ve always wanted the chair. I just . . . I didn’t think
my dad was going to retire this soon and I don’t like feeling forced into it. Jesus,
I sound like Jed, don’t I?”

Greg smiled. “No, you sound like a guy who’s got a shitload on his plate at the moment.
Haven, the spa, a new girl. Now this.”

A new girl.
It sounded so juvenile.

And yet, it was true.

Kate was on his mind all the time, whether he was working or not. He’d taken to carrying
his grandmother’s ring, the one Kate had found at the flea market. He liked having
it in his pocket, the weight of it comforting somehow.

But every time he thought about the ring, he thought about Kate and everything else
became secondary.

He wanted her here. Wanted her to be waiting for him in his bed when he finished whatever
the hell was left on his to-do list.

“I don’t have time for her right now.” It sounded cold, and he felt like a bastard
saying it out loud, but it was the unvarnished truth. “I should stop stringing her
along.”

This was the absolute worst time for him to fall for a woman.

A new relationship required time. It required commitment and a willingness to compromise.
Neither of them had those luxuries at the moment.

What they had was lust. And that wasn’t enough on which to base a lasting relationship.

“So that’s what you’re doing? Stringing her along?” Greg snorted. “I think that’s
one sorry-ass excuse. At least admit it. You’re afraid.”

Tyler barely managed to control his grimace. Greg would see it as a sign that he was
right.

“I’m not afraid of anything except raising her expectations and then not being able
to meet them.”

“And I think you’re going to use all the rest of this shit as an excuse to not get
close to her.”

“Why the hell would I do that? I like her. Jesus, Greg, I really like her. She’s smart
and driven and— Why the
fuck
are you smirking at me?”

Greg shook his head, not losing the smirk. “Because you’re an idiot if you let her
get away. You’re right about everything you just said, but you didn’t add that she’s
willing to bend for you. Are you willing to work a little harder for her?”

“You think that’s all I need to do? Work a little harder? If I work any harder, I’m
going to end up in the psych ward because I won’t have a brain left.”

“And that’s the underlying problem, right there, isn’t it?” Greg shook his head. “How
long are you going to let that fear rule you? You’re not your mother.”

No, he knew he wasn’t bipolar. But he did have issues. “I know that, Greg. That’s
not what this is. There’s just so much shit that requires my attention right now and
I don’t want to give her less of me than she deserves. I know I can’t have everything—”

“Why not?” Greg shrugged. “My parents both had careers. My dad coached my little league
team, and my mom volunteered at the school and the local theater where my sister and
I acted. And they still love each other after all these years. You’re getting too
old to let opportunities pass you by, Tyler.”

Something about Greg’s tone made Tyler bite back a sharp response. Pushing aside his
own shit for the moment, he looked at Greg.
Really
looked at him. Something was up. Something he’d missed because he’d been so damn
preoccupied.

“What happened?”

Greg’s expression didn’t change. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yeah, you do. What’s going on?”

Greg shifted his gaze out the window. “Let’s just say I’ve had a crash course in missed
opportunities recently.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes as Tyler considered everything Greg had said.
And hadn’t said.

“Do you mind if I abandon you tonight? I feel like taking a ride.”

Greg’s wry smile finally made an appearance. “No problem. I’m sure I can find some
way to amuse myself for a few hours.”

Thirteen

“I’m sorry to call you out so late, Sabrina. I totally appreciate your help and your
willingness to come over.”

Sabrina Rodriquez waved a hand as she took Kate’s apartment by storm Thursday night.
The five-foot-two part-time coffee shop worker had a personality that didn’t need
the stimulant of caffeine to keep her at a constant bubble.

“No problem,
chica
. It’s not really that late and it’s not like I had any plans. The men around here
are dumb as stumps, I swear. Did I tell you about . . .”

Sabrina launched into a story about one of her many cousins, not needing Kate to do
more than nod at the appropriate places as Kate had Sabrina get up on the stand in
her workshop and stand there with her arms out while Kate got to work.

The twenty-two-year-old was taking classes toward an associate’s degree in hotel-restaurant
management and worked as the assistant manager of the catering service Talia used
for most of her weddings. She also filled in at the coffee shop down the street.

Sabrina had been modeling for Kate for the past couple of months when one of the burlesque
companies had asked her to make a costume for a performer who almost perfectly matched
Sabrina’s measurements of thirty-eight, twenty-two, thirty-two.

After Sabrina had stopped laughing, she’d said she’d be happy to model, as long as
Kate supplied her with panties that didn’t creep when she spent long hours on her
feet.

Worthwhile trade, considering it only took Kate an hour or so to make the panties
now that she had the pattern and Sabrina had to stand, sometimes for several hours
and get stuck with pins.

Most people couldn’t believe the two women were friends, mostly because no one could
figure out how either got a word in edgewise. Kate admitted it could be a little nerve-wracking
for anyone listening.

Tonight, Kate let Sabrina hold up most of the conversation. Apparently her younger
cousin had stolen one of another cousin’s boyfriends and that was making for some
interesting family dynamics.

Sabrina’s stories about her four brothers, three sisters, and nearly twenty cousins
usually made Kate happy to be an only child. There were times, though, when she wished
she had a clan to visit and drive her crazy.

Annabelle had added Jared to her admittedly small clan. Kate wondered if she’d ever
be able to include Tyler in hers.

“Kate, you know I don’t know a damn thing about sewing. But shouldn’t the shiny side
of the material be facing out?”

Kate sighed and removed the piece of satin she’d been about to pin into place wrong
side out.

“I’m sorry. My brain’s just not into this tonight, but I need to get this finished.”

“You wanna tell me where exactly your brain is tonight? Maybe with that hunky guy
you’ve been seeing?”

Oh no.
“What hunky guy?”

Sabrina rolled her eyes. “Oh please. The coffee shop was buzzing the other morning
about your new guy.”

Kate grimaced. “Shit. What were they saying?”

“Only about how you’d picked up some awesomely hot, rich guy who might be named Bruce
Wayne or Clark Kent because apparently he’s superhero material.”

Swallowing a groan, Kate gave up all pretense of trying to work, removed the costume,
and waved Sabrina off the box. “I think I need a drink for this conversation. You
want something?”

“I’ll take an orange soda if you’ve got one.” Sabrina hopped down, pulled on her jeans
and T-shirt, and followed her to the kitchen. “So come on. Spill the beans. Who is
he?”

“Well, I can tell you he’s not Clark Kent.” She pulled out a soda for Sabrina and
grabbed a bottle of wine for herself. “His name’s Tyler Golden and he’s—”

“Holy shit! You’re dating one of Pennsylvania’s most eligible bachelors? Seriously?
When—Where’d you meet him?”

“You know who Tyler is?”

Sabrina’s expression was classic exasperation. “Hell, yes. We studied the GoldenStar
in my business class. My professor is a major fan.”

“And you probably got an A in that class, didn’t you?”

“Of course.”

Not a surprise. Sabrina had an incredible work ethic, probably because every cent
she earned from modeling for Kate and working for Tracy’s Catering went toward paying
for her education. She and her mom had been scrimping and saving pennies for years
to send Sabrina, the oldest of eight, to college. She’d be the first in her family
to attain a college degree. Hell, she’d been the first in her immediate family to
get a high school diploma.

And, if Sabrina had her way, she’d be the first member of her family to own her own
business.

When Kate didn’t respond right away, Sabrina prompted, “So, when did you meet him?”

“At a New Year’s Eve party, but we didn’t start dating until after Arnie and I broke
up.”

Sabrina brushed that last hurried statement off with a wave of her hand. “No offense,
Kate, but you and Arnie . . . That just wasn’t meant to be.”

She grimaced. “Did everyone think that way but just didn’t tell me?”

Sabrina’s raised eyebrows kept her grimace in place. “Would you have listened?”

“Alright, stupid question. Of course I wouldn’t have.”

“You came to the right decision in the end. Don’t sweat it now, sweetie.”

Kate hesitated before voicing the question she’d been dying to ask someone. “Have
you seen Arnie lately?”

“Oh yeah.” Sabrina brushed off her concern. “He seems fine. You know Arnie. Nothing
seems to rattle the guy.”

Guess she wasn’t that unforgettable, which was a shitty thing to think considering
she’d broken up with him.

“Damn, there goes my mouth again.” It was Sabrina’s turn to grimace. “I’m sorry, Kate.
That doesn’t mean he—”

“No, no. Stop. I’m being foolish. It’s been weeks. I’m glad he’s moved on.”

“So tell me more about this new relationship. What’s Tyler like?”

Kate smiled and tingled just thinking about him. Something she’d never done with Arnie.
And there was that guilt again. “He’s smart and handsome and sexy and—”

The knock on her door made them start like teenagers caught talking about sex by their
parents, which made them burst out laughing.

“Hold that thought.” Kate headed for the door and turned the knob. “I’ll be— Tyler!”

She had a bare moment to process the fact that he was there before he reached for
her, one hand around her neck, the other on her hip, pulling her tight against him.
His lips landed on hers and, in the next second, he was kissing the hell out of her.

After a brief moment of shock, she returned it, wrapping her arms around his neck
and opening her mouth so he could slide his tongue against hers.

He felt so damn good and she’d missed him, so much more than she’d ever admit.

She forgot all about Sabrina, all about everything but the feel of him against her
and how she responded.

Apparently, he felt damn happy to see her, if the ridge in his jeans was anything
to go by.

He hadn’t even made it in the door yet and, without breaking the kiss, she tugged
him through and closed it behind her.

Just before she could manage to climb him like a tree and embarrass the hell out of
him, her, and Sabrina, she pulled away.

At least, as far as he’d let her get, which wasn’t far at all.

“Tyler—”

“I’m sorry for not calling first.”

His low tone made her body tighten in interesting places. “I’m glad you’re here. I’d
like you to meet someone.”

His gaze immediately searched the room, spotting Sabrina.

He grimaced for a split second before wiping it away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to
inter—”

“No, it’s okay. Really. Come say hello.”

Sabrina couldn’t quite hide her huge grin, and she jumped up from her chair to shake
Tyler’s hand. “Hi. I’m Sabrina Rodriguez.”

“Tyler Golden. Nice to meet you.”

Kate put her arm around the girl and hugged her. “Sabrina models for me, but she’s
a college student too and works for a caterer. She’s getting a degree in hotel-restaurant
management, as a matter of fact.”

Tyler’s smile made Sabrina’s expression go slack. Jared had the reputation for being
a lady-killer, but Tyler had just as much charm to spare.

“So which half of that major are you more interested in?” he asked.

Sabrina’s bubbly personality leaped at the question. “Oh, definitely the hotel. I
just find there’s more to keep you busy with hotels.”

“Yeah, they can be a definite challenge.”

And there was definite stress in his voice. Kate looked up to search his expression.
Nothing showed on his face, but his eyes looked exhausted.

“I don’t know if Kate told you, but my brother and I are opening a spa retreat locally
and—”

“Yes! I know. It sounds amazing.” Sabrina’s enthusiastic response made Tyler smile,
and Kate’s breath caught.

Wow. She’d never realized how easy it was to fall in love.

Guess it really did just take the right guy.

As Sabrina gushed about how excited she was about the spa and the economic opportunities
it would bring to the area, Tyler encouraged her to give his human resources manager
a call about a job.

And Kate dealt with the terrifying-electrifying sensation of knowing she could be
totally destroyed by emotion.

**

Tyler liked Sabrina. He really did.

She was bright, bubbly, and had absolutely no artifice. And no filter. Whatever she
was thinking came straight out of her mouth.

But right now, he wished she’d leave. As soon as possible.

He wanted Kate to himself.

It made his chest tight to think how easily he’d fallen for her. It hadn’t taken any
effort at all.

Mia had required effort. And he felt like shit admitting that, even if it was only
to himself.

But he refused to wallow in it. Mia was gone.

Kate was . . . his.

And he planned to prove it tonight. If he didn’t pass out first.

He hadn’t realized how god-awful tired he felt. He’d only slept about three or four
hours a night this past week and it was catching up to him. Which sucked because he’d
had big plans for tonight.

“Hey, Sabrina, do you mind if we finish this tomorrow?” Kate cut back into the conversation
as Sabrina paused to take a breath.

The other girl didn’t seem at all put off by Kate’s suggestion. “No, of course not.”

And if her grin was anything to go by, Sabrina knew exactly why he and Kate wanted
to be alone.

But he couldn’t let her leave without adding, “I was serious about you applying for
a job, Sabrina. Can I let the HR guy know you’ll be in contact?”

“That would be awesome! Thank you so much.” With a huge grin and a wave, Sabrina flew
out the door, leaving Tyler and Kate staring at each other across the room.

“She’s a bundle of energy,” Kate said to fill the void that opened between them. “You
won’t be sorry if you hire her. She’s incredibly loyal and she takes whatever she’s
doing as serious as a heart attack and—”

Tyler’s mouth descended, cutting off whatever she’d been planning to say and wiping
out everything but the taste of him and the feel of him pressing against her body.

His mouth moved over hers without the typical sense of urgency she usually felt from
him. This felt more like comfort, like he needed to kiss her more than he wanted to
devour her.

So, instead of throwing herself at him like she normally did, she wrapped herself
around him, seeking to give him what he needed.

His arms tightened, and the kiss took on a deeper sense of intimacy. His hands spread
across her back as his tongue slipped between her lips to tangle around hers.

She wished their clothes would melt away so they could be skin on skin.

But she swore she could taste the fatigue in his kiss. Not that he wasn’t giving it
his all. Just that he didn’t have his all to give.

She pulled away, but he wouldn’t let her go far. “Tyler, you’re exhausted. Have you
slept at all this week?”

His lips twisted until he was almost smiling. “If you’re trying to get me into your
bed, I’ve gotta say I wouldn’t turn you down.”

She wanted to ask him what he was doing here but Tyler didn’t look like he needed
an interrogation. He looked like he needed someone to take care of him. And she wanted
to. So badly it was almost a little scary.

Was this why her mom had given up her dream of traveling? Had she loved Kate’s dad
so much that she’d been willing to toss over everything else she’d ever wanted?

Refusing to dwell on those thoughts now, she smiled and took his hand to pull him
toward her bedroom. He let her.

When she had him next to her bed, she began undressing him. She started with the shirt,
unbuttoning it with no hint of a tease. She had to bite her tongue so she didn’t lean
forward and bite his broad chest as it came into view but she restrained herself and
let his shirt fall to the floor.

His pants proved a tougher challenge to her composure. She wanted to linger as she
pushed the button through the hole and unzipped the zipper. But she forced herself
to rein in her desire to shove her hands down the front of his black boxer briefs
and cup the impressive erection that made her mouth water.