not fast enough.
"Come on, love. I promise I'll be a good boy and stay in the hotel of your choosing. If you have a drink with me."
She smiled at him ruefully and he felt something inside him crack open. She really did look tired. Vulnerable even. He stopped wanting to pounce on her and started wanting to protect her. In that moment he would have slated a dragon for one of her rare smiles.
"I'm just far too tired tonight Mr. Philips. Another time."
He sighed heavily, conceding defeat.
"I'm going to hold you to that."
Five
"The jeans. Definitely the jeans. You look HAWT."
Denise rolled her eyes at her best friend, who was lounging on Denise's bed. Somehow, Sasha always looked like she was lounging. She was the polar opposite to Denise and had been since they met all the way back in fourth grade.
"I'm not trying to look hot Sash. I'm trying to blend in."
Sasha pulled a face at her.
"Well, some people just can't help it. You're gorgeous so just get used to it. Besides, isn't he going to be there?"
Denise had filled her friend in on the ongoing tug of war the Ansel was playing with her mind. She wished she hadn't mentioned it though. Sasha was like a dog with a bone, unwilling to let go of the idea that this was an epic love story waiting to happen.
Yeah right, it would have to be called The Playboy and The Prude.
That would fly off the shelves.
Not.
"Yes of course he's going to be there, it's his race!"
She stared at her overnight bag on the floor. She'd packed another pair of jeans in there as well as some knit tops and pajamas. It was just 24 hours, right? She didn't need anything fancy…
Still, Denise grabbed a simple black Herve Lager bandage dress and neatly folded it on top of her toiletries. Her black high heeled boots went with everything, which is why she liked them.
"Happy now?"
Sasha rolled over on the bed and wiggled her eyebrows.
"Ecstatic. Now, have you gotten a wax lately?"
"Sasha, I am not going to bed with a client! No matter what he looks like."
Sasha pouted.
"Well if not him, who? Girl your you-know-what is going to turn into a pumpkin if someone doesn't get in there soon."
Denise threw the sweater she was thinking about wearing on the plane toward her friend, hitting her in the face. Sasha just laughed and shook her head.
"No cardigans. Try that leather jacket we got last year. I know you still have it, even if you never wear it."
Denise rolled her eyes but walked over to the closet. She pulled the jacket out, slipping the snug fitting leather jacket over her shoulders. She glanced in the mirror. It did look pretty good on her. Sasha let out a low whistle.
"Now I know you are gonna have a good time! Very LA and very rock and roll."
"Stop!"
"Please Dennie! Wear it for me? Do it for me?"
Sasha was fluttering her eyelashes foolishly. Denise had to laugh despite herself.
"It?"
"Him. Do him."
"If you think he's so hot, you should go out with him!"
The moment the words flew out of her mouth she wanted to snatch them back. A hot,