“I think we’re all running a little late this morning. No worries. They’ll be here.”
“You look relaxed,” Marjorie told Brontë with a smile. “Everything going well?”
“Nope,” Brontë said. “The cake was flown in from the mainland and crumbled to pieces so Logan’s flying in a new cake chef and paying a ridiculous amount of money because he doesn’t want me to cry. The flowers are the wrong shade of red. Again. And that awful man that’s pissing Logan off is still somewhere on the island.” Her smile widened. “But I’m good because Logan scheduled me a three-hour massage yesterday.”
“You look good,” Marjorie said. “Very relaxed and happy.”
“I am happy,” she admitted. “I know as crazy as things get with the wedding, it doesn’t matter, because at the end of the day, I’m with a man who’s bending over backward to try and make me happy. And that’s all I could really ask for, you know?” She leaned forward. “Speaking of happy . . . you look pretty good yourself. Is the mystery man turning out to be everything you’d hoped?”
“And more,” Marjorie told her, a dreamy smile on her face. “He’s so wonderful. We’re opposites in a lot of ways, but when we’re together . . . we just click, you know? It’s like magic. We’ve been spending every free moment together since we met, and it still doesn’t feel like enough time.”
“I know that feeling,” Brontë said, and clapped her hands. “I’m so happy for you! This is wonderful. You’re such a lovely woman, Marj. I knew someone would see it eventually!”
“I feel so lucky,” Marjorie admitted. “I just . . . I don’t know what I’ll do when it’s time to leave.”
“Is he from Kansas City, then? Do you want to stay instead of taking the job with me? I’d miss you, but I’d understand.”
“No, I think he’s actually from California.” Marjorie unrolled her cloth napkin from around her silverware and laid it flat on her lap. “I still want to go to New York with you. That hasn’t changed. And we . . . haven’t really talked about what happens later. We’re still enjoying each day.” Though two days from now, that would have to change. A twinge of unhappiness marred Marjorie’s cheery mood. “I’ll have to broach the topic at some point, I guess.”
“Oh!” Brontë said, snapping her fingers. A smile lit up her face. “Logan had a last-minute cancellation for dinner tonight. We should go out on a double date. You bring your guy, and Logan and I will join you. It’d be lovely. I’m dying to meet this guy and see you two together.”
“I’d love to,” Marjorie said, pleasure flushing through her at the thought of introducing handsome, quick-witted Rob to her friends. “I think you’ll really like him. He’s a bit of a cusser—”
“So is Logan,” Brontë interjected with a grin.
“—but underneath, he’s really sweet and kind.”
“Then I absolutely cannot wait to meet him,” Brontë said, reaching over and giving Marjorie’s hand a happy squeeze. “Tonight should be so much fun.”
It really would. Marjorie couldn’t wait to text Rob and surprise him with the plans. He knew she was here for the wedding—wouldn’t it be fun to show him off to the bride and groom, who were the reason why she was here on vacation?
“Logan has dinner reservations for four at a black-tie restaurant,” Brontë said. “The other couple cancelled but you can join us and it’ll be an even better evening!”
And maybe tonight she could ask Rob what he thought about the future. Their future. Marjorie couldn’t stop smiling at the thought.
***
Rob straightened his tie, then removed it at the last minute. Black-tie or not, they’d simply have to make do without him having neckwear. He had a nice little hickey on his neck thanks to Marjorie, and he wanted to show it to the world. So, he’d wear a collared shirt and cufflinks, and a jacket, but that was the extent of it.
He whistled as he ran a comb through his hair one last time. Funny how spending the night curled up against a woman could put him in such a good mood. His insomnia—normally so prevalent—had utterly vanished, and he’d slept like the dead. His dick hadn’t even touched pussy and he still felt sated and replete. It was a good feeling.
It was a feeling he wanted more of, and he wanted more Marjorie.
Maybe she could put off being Brontë’s assistant for a while. He’d bring it up to her tonight, hopefully after her hand was wrapped around his cock. Maybe she’d come out to California with him for a bit so they could fuck like bunnies and get it out of their systems. Then when they were both tired of each other, they could go on with their lives.
Even as he said it to himself, he frowned. Marjorie wasn’t the type to just turn a blind eye to the fact that his business ran off of tits and ass. Her friends were already on the lookout for him, thinking he was determined to ruin the wedding. He wasn’t, not after spending time with Marjorie.
In fact, he’d called Smith (the only competent assistant he had) this morning and told her to pass along the message to the Tits crew that they were to make themselves scarce for the next while. He didn’t want Marjorie upset over anything that might happen with the wedding. Not because he cared about her friends, but because he cared about her.
He checked his phone for new messages. Nothing beyond her earlier one of Meet me in the lobby for dinner tonight. Black tie. I have a nice surprise for you. She’d even thrown in a smiley face at the end, so he knew she was excited. And he couldn’t wait to see her again. He’d worked for most of the day but it still felt like forever since he’d last touched her.
Idly, he wondered what the surprise was. Were they going somewhere new? Was she going to jump him as soon as he got off the elevator? Was she not wearing panties under her dress? Whatever it was, he hoped she was wearing the heels he’d gotten her—he wanted to see those on her while he undressed her, wanted them wrapped around his back while he fucked the hell out of her.
Picturing Marjorie in nothing but those shoes made his dick hard, and he adjusted himself before stepping out of his room. A quick trip in the elevator led him down to the lobby, and he scanned the room for an impossibly tall blonde.
Sure enough, there she was, beautiful enough to make his heart skip a beat. Her blonde waves cascaded over her shoulders, teased into curls. Her dress was plain black, her long, luscious legs bare, and he saw those sparkly stilettos adorning her gorgeous feet. She looked incredible.
He started to walk toward her, and stopped.
She was standing next to Logan Hawkings and his fiancée. They were talking quietly, and Logan’s fiancée had her arm linked in his. Her dress was a sparkly red, and Logan wore a dark suit.
They were dressed for a fancy dinner.
He was going to a fancy dinner with Marjorie . . . who had a surprise for him.
Shit.
Shit shit shit.
Rob turned around and headed back to the elevator before anyone could spot him. He sprinted, barely catching the doors as they began to close again, which earned him a few irritated looks from the others on the elevator. He didn’t care. His brow had broken out into a cold sweat, and he punched the number to his floor again, and then paused.
Shit. If he went back to his room, Marjorie would just come looking for him there. She’d think he’d forgotten the time or something. And she’d probably have Logan in tow.
That would be no good, either. Fuck.
He put his phone to his ear—an awkward feeling, after using his Bluetooth for so long—and called his assistant hotline.
Smith answered. Thank god. “Yes, sir?”
“I need a room. Now.”
“A different one? Let me see what I can manage, sir. Give me five minutes.”
“No. Now.” He hammered at the door-close button when the elevator opened. Someone shot him a dirty look as he pushed past, but Rob ignored it. “What floor are you on?”
“I’m on two, sir. You are welcome to come and stay here if you need to—”