Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53052 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
I grin. “Go ahead and book the yacht.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Taylor
I wake up nauseous. The morning sickness hasn’t lessened but then again, I’m still in my first trimester and from all I’ve read, it may stick around another month. More, if I’m one of the unlucky ones, but that isn’t something I want to think about.
I close my eyes and lie in bed, willing the queasy feeling to go away. I haven’t thrown up so far today, and I consider that a win.
I must have fallen back to sleep because next thing I know, my phone wakes me up. I lift it from the nightstand and see Jack’s name. I’d programmed it in after he called himself the night I saw him at his club. I answer the call.
“Hello?” I sound like I have a frog in my throat.
“Taylor? Did I wake you?” Jack’s sexy voice pulls me completely out of my drowsy state. That’s another pregnancy gift. I’m tired all the time.
“Yes, hi. Sorry, I fell back to sleep. Morning sickness is rough.”
His groan tells me he sympathizes with me. “I’m not sure if you’re going to want to answer my question now, then.”
I push myself up in bed to find the nausea is still there but a little better. “Why? What do you mean?”
“I was going to ask if you wanted to go for Cuban food tonight for dinner, then we can stop by the club so my partners don’t think I’m not working.” He laughs, which tells me he’s joking. “We don’t have to stay long.”
I run my fingers through my tangled hair. “Well, as long as I don’t have to think about the specifics of food right now, then yes. Tonight sounds fun.”
“Great. What hotel are you staying at? I never asked.”
“The Delano.”
“Nice choice.”
“I agree, though the white and neutral colors scare me. What if I spill something?” Which was the first thought I had when I walked in. But I have to admit the minimalist décor is nice.
“What’s your room number?” he asks.
“415, why?” I bend my knees to my chest to get more comfortable.
“So suspicious.” He chuckles. “Because I want to bring you breakfast, and I can’t do that if I don’t know where to find you.”
My stomach does a flip at the thought of seeing him. “You don’t need to do that. I’m a mess and haven’t even gotten out of bed yet.”
“You have time. It’ll take me an hour to wrap up what I’m doing and pick something up. Are you allowed to drink coffee?” he asks.
Thoughtful man. “I’m drinking decaf tea these days.” And it took me a while to adjust to the lack of caffeine.
“Got it.”
I realize something about the hotel. “Jack, you can’t come up to my floor without a key card for the elevator.”
“Damn, I forgot about that. I’ll text you. Come down and get me?” he asks.
“Sure.” He’s too charming to argue with. Besides, I want to see him. “I have a small sitting room where we can eat.” I could suggest we eat downstairs in the hotel restaurant or outside by the pool, but I don’t mind being alone with him, so I leave things as he planned.
“Any special requests?” he asks.
I give it some thought. “Carbs,” I tell him. “Lots of carbs.”
His deep laughter makes my belly twist with desire. The man hasn’t said the least thing sexual, yet hearing his low chuckle does something to me.
“Carbs. On it. I’ll see you soon.” He disconnects the call, and I immediately swing my feet over the side of the bed so I can shower and make myself presentable before he arrives.
I just finish a touch-up on my lipstick when my phone buzzes with a text message. He’s here. I pause in front of the full-length mirror, taking in my beige gauzy palazzo-style pants with an elastic waist and light blue camisole top that’s loose at the bottom and meets the pants at the waistband.
Do I want to make a good impression? I really do.
I like so much about Jack Dare. He’s charismatic, which I’ve already learned not to rely on as a judgment of character thanks to Chandler, but Jack is also sweet and kind. Much more genuine than any man I’ve ever met.
Just the fact that he’s bringing the pregnant mother of his baby breakfast shows me a lot about the man. He’s not treating me like arm candy but like a person he wants to know better. I’m not stupid. I’m aware my current blackmail situation makes anything real with Jack impossible, but I have to believe there’s an off-ramp when it comes to Chandler and his threats.
I slip my feet into sandals with a chunky heel, grab my phone with the key card in the back cardholder, and hurry down to meet him. I step off the elevator that faces a mirrored wall and turn left to find Jack waiting for me, looking hot in a pair of tan cargo shorts, a white T-shirt, and a pair of slip-on loafers.