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Family Reserve. The twenty-year-old whiskey sells for fifteen hundred bucks a bottle, and I know this becauseI order it in bulk for him. Keeping Hayden Roth in bourbon—and making sure the car is stocked with his favorite brand tonight—is one of my duties at Quantum, but I’ve never actually tried it until now.
    “You don’t like it, do you?”
    I realize he’s been watching me far more closely than I thought he would after refusing to make eye contact for the last three hours. “It’s okay.” I bravely take anothersip, though I honestly don’t want it.
    His bark of laughter surprises me. “Don’t waste my Pappy if you don’t like it. The stuff is like liquid gold.” He takes my glass and pours the remaining liquid into his glass. “What would you rather have?”
    “There should be champagne.”
    “It’s Oscar night in Hollywood. Of course there’s champagne.” He uncorks a bottle of Cristal, pours it for me and handsme the glass, stashing the bottle in an ice bucket.  
    I take a sip of the cool, refreshing wine that’s much more my pace than the bourbon will ever be.  
    “Better?”
    “Much. Thank you.”
    “No, thank you for coming with me tonight and for seeing to things like having Pappy in the car for me.”
    “Just doing my job.”
    “You’re very good at your job.”
    “That’s nice to hear.” I’m on fire from the inside,glowing with pleasure at the rare compliment from him. I would’ve guessed he had no idea how Pappy found his way into every chauffeured vehicle Hayden steps foot into. To know he pays attention is the kind of validation that assistants to the rich and famous dream about.
      The traffic is hideous, and for once, I’m thankful for that. It buys me some time to calm my nerves and flesh out my plan.The number-one secret to my success as the assistant to the biggest movie star in the world is that I have backup plans for my backup plans. That’s what I need now—plans on top of plans. When we get to my place, he’ll walk me to the door because he’s too much of a gentleman not to.
    That’s when I’ll make my move.  
    Unaware of my impending attack, he makes himself comfortable for the ride to SantaMonica, his feet up on the other seat and his tuxedo jacket discarded. I watch as he tugs at his bow tie until the knot gives way. The shirt buttons are next. I’m riveted watching the movements of his big hands. His moan of relief at having the top button released travels directly to my clit. I cross my legs against the painful surge of desire.
    What would he do if I straddled his lap and kissedhim?
    I wish I had the guts to find out. But the thought of him rejecting me or pushing me away has me rooted to my seat. No, I’ll wait until I’m on my turf to put Operation Nail Hayden Roth into motion. In the meantime, he’s a foot from me, but that foot may as well be a mile. He keeps his hands and every other part of him to himself, as much as I wish he wouldn’t.
    How can he be so calm, cooland collected when I’m about to spontaneously combust over here? I’ve never been so uncertain around a man before. Why, when it’s never been more important, am I unable to get a read on this man? What does he want? Who does he want? Until tonight, I would’ve said I had no idea. But when he kissed me, spontaneously and very, very publicly, well, that made a statement, didn’t it?
    Except it wasfollowed by… nothing. After what felt like forever waiting for something , no way am I going to let him off the hook without something more . I keep telling myself that on the interminable ride to Santa Monica.  
    “What did you think of your first Oscar ceremony?”
    “I loved it. Especially the part where all my friends won.”
    “I liked that part, too.” Leaning forward, he grabs the Pappy bottle bythe neck and refills his glass. I begin to worry about him being too drunk for what I have planned for him, but then this is Hayden, and he doesn’t get drunk. Buzzed, yes.