Chapter 13

Got over his porn star pretty quick.

Daniel takes in my appearance rather obviously.

“She’s not your usual type?” he smirks as the two men greet warmly. Eyes openly undressing me.

“She’s definitely yours though.” Jake smirks, nodding toward the disinterested bimbo, reminding him of their purpose here and Daniel grins. I instantly dislike him.

He’s tall and well built, like Jake, but he has sandy blonde hair and dark brown eyes. He’s handsome in a classic American way but something about his features make him seem shifty. Sleazy maybe.

The other girl looks bored; dark hair cascading over fake breasts, standing tall in stilettos and a short playsuit. She’s picking at her red nails as we move on, following Daniel back into the hotel.

Jake keeps hold of my hand, casting a glance back at the lenses pointed in through the glass entrance, he throws an arm around my shoulders shielding my face from view and I inwardly freeze. My lungs contract and refuse to function.

“Try to relax … You’re tense.” He smiles down at me, close enough that most would assume he kissed me lightly and I know he’s trying to give this impression. I hold my breath, suddenly assaulted with how good he smells and feels so close to me. It’s unexpectedly sensual and the intimate closeness sends me into all out-panic mode.

I react without thinking, to lift a defensive hand to his chest as my heart pounds crazily, ready to push him. I’m overwhelmed and scared. I don’t like the proximity; instinct taking over. He grasps my fingers with his free hand and holds them gently, shielding my reaction and making it look like something else entirely.

I focus on my breathing trying to block out the creeping fear running over me.

Don’t fall apart, I scold myself internally. Hold your shit together, Emma. It’s only pretend and he’s barely touching you.

“I have a room.” Daniel winks at us as though implying something is going on. I almost pass out.

“I figured I would have a use for it afterwards.” He throws a glance toward the leggy, bored, supermodel, who looks like she’s as excited for that as she is about being here. I grimace and flush at his insinuation.

Jake releases me when we’re in the confines of the elevator and throws me a smile, like it’s meant as praise, but I don’t respond, too busy trying to calm my pounding heart rate and trying to get my breathing to normalize.

We get to the desired floor and follow Daniel; he already has his key card in his hand.

“I took the liberty of ordering a breakfast menu … I know you like to eat, Jakey boy.” He grins Jake’s way and gets a smile in return.

“I’m starving, and I’m sure Emma needs to eat too.”

I nod shyly. Shellshocked and quiet while recovering. I hadn’t had time to eat this morning, but I’m not sure how he could even know that.

Finally, in the hotel room, I feel stupidly disconcerted. It’s knocked me for six. Jake’s hands on me have left permanent heat where he laid them, a lasting sensation as though they are still on me. I give myself an internal slap and pull myself together as best I can.

I need to stop over thinking this.

I sit and pay attention as we eat from the breakfast buffet; the business merger sounds promising and I take key point notes on things he will want to recap. I listen intently to them thrash through proposals and possibilities with enthusiasm and can see that these men are genuine friends. They have a rapport you can only find between men who know each other well. Sarcasm and banter interlaced with business talk. Jake is one of the ‘guys’ when he’s around Daniel.

I can’t help but notice as I’ve been sitting cross legged that Daniel Hunter has not concealed his open appraisal of me, his eyes following my legs and arms intrusively as Jake outlines some points of business. He makes my skin crawl and I’m doing my best to ignore him. I catch Jake glance my way a couple of times, with an unreadable expression before he looks back at his friend.

I look up occasionally from note taking and am intrigued with the differences between them. The friendship seems genuine, but I don’t see the connection and it interests me.

The way Jake just occupies a space, effortlessly cool and sprawled out; he always looks so laid back and comfortable in all surroundings, even at work. Right now, his feet, crossed at the ankles are on the low coffee table, he’s sitting low down in the armchair like an adolescent with his forearms resting on the arms of the chair. His head nuzzled in the cushioned back, yet he still has an air of capability and command; he’s just so at ease and still. I guess he’s always been comfy in his own skin and probably had adoring girls throwing themselves at him from a very early age. A blessed life that instilled this self-assurance.

Daniel, on the other hand, is more hyperactive and fidgety. Sitting straight up on the couch and leaning forward away from the back. He moves a lot when he talks and behaves over energetically when his interest is peaked. I wonder if he’s a firm member of the “Charlie” culture among the rich and famous. Cocaine use is common; I’ve seen a lot of it in the ladies’ bathrooms at the Carrero glitzy parties, events, and promotions. I glance at Jake wondering if he’s someone who uses it too and get a heavy ache in my chest. I hope he’s not; I’ve always had zero tolerance to drug use.

When we’re done Jake stands and stretches out, revealing a tiny inch of the naked toned abdomen at his jeans waistband and it takes all my strength not to inhale sharply. I’m beyond mortified at my own reaction but hide it well. I’ve seen naked before. I’m no virgin and I’m pissed at myself for the stupid reactions I have to this man. He brings out such adolescent responses in me.

Although … that abdomen is worth an ogle!

“I’ll work out the finer points, Daniel and we’ll meet again. Next time more formally to discuss this further.” He shakes Daniel’s hand and they hug in a very “Bromance” way.

Nice. Male bonding over stabbing your fathers in the back. How admirable.

“Dude, we on for a drinking session when I get back?”

“You need to ask?” Jake jokes as they stand a foot apart.

“Yeah, guess you need your wing man to help you pick up on the pretties. You’re pretty useless solo.” Daniel laughs and pushes Jake in the arm playfully.

“We both know I’m the one with the moves, women just like your pretty boy smile and fat wallet, Princess.” Jake pinches his cheek and is rewarded with Daniel’s middle finger. The humor is evident.

Daniel turns to me with a sideways crooked smile and a glint of sleaze in his eye. I steel against an eye roll and remain impassive under his scrutiny, standing up slowly and pulling my bag to my side. Trying to stay invisible.

“Emma, it was really nice to meet you. I’m sure Jake would let me take you out to dinner.” He smiles my way.

Does he realize his slinky, sexual, bored woman is ten feet away lounging on a couch and watching a movie on her iPad?

My skin crawls.

“I wouldn’t let you anywhere near her, Hunter! I know your MO remember.” Jake cuts in smoothly and easily between us, saving me from a refusal. His tone is light.

“Bro?” Daniel frowns with mock shock, holding a hand to his chest as though he’s deeply wounded.

“Forget it … I wouldn’t let you near her with anyone else’s, let alone yours.” Jake’s still joking, but there’s a slight edge to his voice now.

He’s serious.

“I forgot you don’t mess with the staff.” Daniel laughs smugly. I miss whatever look passes between them as Jake stands in front of me.

“I don’t mess with good girls—Period.” Jake turns, throws me a cavalier wink and my heart stops mid-beat.

He thinks I’m a good girl? What does that even mean? Boring, uptight? What’s wrong with good girls?

“Amen to that!” Daniel cuts in and both men high five in a show of male camaraderie. This time I don’t quell the urge to eye roll and catch Jake grinning back at me.

I experience a swell of relief as he turns, placing a hand on the small of my back to guide me out. Signaling this is done. It’s the first time skin contact has been acceptable between us as he heads me out of the room, along the hall, and finally to the row of gold colored elevators leaving Daniel behind in the room to do whatever with his date.

“I’m sorry I answered for you,” Jake glances at me in the elevator. There’s an apologetic downturn to one eyebrow that’s kind of cute. “I just don’t think any good would come from dating Daniel Hunter … I know him too well.” The look of conviction and honesty is endearing.