Sinclairs shoes dangled from her fingertips as they made their way down the hotel hallway.
Tired? asked Hunter, slipping the key card into her room lock.
A little tipsy, she admitted, crossing the threshold and tossing her shoes in the corner. The bed had been turned down and the adjoining door left open.
Champagne in France will do that to you.
It was delicious. She took a deep breath and blinked away the buzzing in her head.
Hunter locked the door, then reached into his pocket to retrieve his cell phone. He pressed the on button and sighed.
Messages? she asked, digging into her purse to check her own phone.
Thirty-five, he said, hitting the scroll button with his thumb.
I have six, she frowned. Boy, do I feel unpopular. Two of them were from Kristy, the rest from the office. Shed been keeping in touch with Amber via e-mail, making sure the ball plans were under control, despite Chantals meddling.
Enjoy it, he advised. Then he pressed a couple of keys, putting the phone to his ear.
Hey, Richard, he said.
Then he waited in silence.
Sinclair struggled to reach the zipper on her dress.
They did? said Hunter.
She gave up and crossed the room to Hunter, turning her back. She automatically reached to pull her hair out of the way, but it wasnt there. She touched the top of her head, raking her fingers through her new short hair, enjoying the light feel while Hunter tugged down her zipper.
She wandered into the bathroom to find fresh towels and robes. Stepping out of her dress, she shrugged into a robe. She scrubbed off her makeup and carried the dress to the closet. Shed have to send it for cleaning tomorrow, but she didnt have the heart to toss it on a chair overnight. It was a fabulous dress.
Thanks, Richard, Hunter was saying. Thats great news.
The tone of his voice caught Sinclairs attention.
Hunter snapped his phone shut. Its done.
Whats done?
You are looking at the new owner of Castlebay Spas. Everything should clear escrow tomorrow.
A huge grin burst out on Sinclairs face. Thats fantastic! She skipped across the room to give him a hug.
He nodded against her shoulder, squeezing her tight. Sweetheart, the two of us are going to launch Lush Beauty to the stars.
As long as I can keep up the glam charade so Roger is happy.
Ill fire Chantal tomorrow if thats what it takes.
Sinclair sobered. You wouldnt do that, would you?
I wont have to.
But, even if you did. Youd never do that. I mean, I couldnt live with myself if I built a career based on your intervention.
He took both her hands in his and squeezed. Itll never happen. Seriously. Stop borrowing trouble. We just had some amazingly good news, and we need to celebrate. And we need to plan a tour of the spas. Rome, London
She felt better. The makeover was moving along as planned, and the spa launch was more than shed ever dreamed.
He loosened the knot in his tie. Im going next door to shower.
Okay.
While Im gone, you get happy again. Okay?
I will.
Good. He winked at her, stripping off the tie as he strode through the adjoining door.
Sinclair curled up in an armchair. She mentally did the math on time zones and realized she could safely return Kristys calls.
Hello, came Kristys voice.
Hey, its me.
You. Finally! What the hecks going on?
Im still in Paris.
Wonderful, dear sister. But tell me how you ended up in Paris in the first place?
We took the jet. Thats one very cool jet, by the way.
Funny. What on earth happened at work?
You remember my boss, Roger?
Short guy, big nose.
Thats him. Well, hes got this new protégée, Chantal, whos off the charts avante garde, giggly and girly and squealy. And hes decided shes the face Lush Beauty needs for PR.
They fired you?
No. Nobody fired me. But I can easily see her at the podium and me in a dingy back file room if things keep going like this.
You know Hunters the CEO now, right? asked Kristy.
And, so?
Well, you are my sister
Sinclair was slightly insulted. Youre suggesting nepotism? That was as bad as sleeping her way to the top.
You dont need nepotism. But if Roger and this Chantal are out to lunch-
Actually, Hunter agrees with them.
Silence.
He thinks my image could use some updating.
Actually, Hunter agrees with them.
Silence.
He thinks my image could use some updating.
Kristys voice took on an incredulous quality. And youre okay with that? That doesnt sound like you.
Sinclair had to agree that it didnt sound like her. And shed been avoiding delving too closely into her motivations for going along with him.
True. But the new wardrobe is nice.
Concern grew in Kristys voice. Sinclair, youre not-
Im not.
-falling for Hunter. Because Ive been talking to Jack, and to his grandfather, and hes not a good long-term prospect.
Youre getting ahead of yourself, said Sinclair, embarrassed that Kristy would have discussed the situation with the Osland family.
You remember how you were after Zeke.
I got over Zeke just fine. It hadnt taken that long, maybe a few weeks. And I have Hunter completely in context.
You sure?
Im sure. Well, kind of sure. Its all business, Sinclair insisted. In fact, were about to launch Lush Beauty in the biggest way. She thought about the spa deal and the time spent with Hunter. Do you ever find your new life with Jack surreal?
Kristy laughed. All the time.
Hunter and I went to a club tonight. First class all the way. The band even stopped by. And the weird thing? It seemed pretty normal.
It does take some getting used to, Kristy agreed.
Yeah, for the launch of the new Luscious Lavender line across Europe, Hunter bought a chain of spas! She heard him moving around next door. Sounds like hes out of the shower.
Hunter is in your shower? What the-
Hes next door. We have adjoining rooms. Then Sinclair realized she probably didnt want to have a detailed conversation on that, particularly when Hunter was about to waltz back into her room. Better go.
Wait-
Bye. Sinclair quickly disconnected.
Hey, babe, said Hunter, padding inside in one of the white robes. Youre not going to shower?
She stifled a yawn, dropping her phone on the little desk beside the armchair. Tomorrow.
He crossed toward her. Works for me. He smiled as he leaned down to kiss her. Ready for bed?
Just let me find something to change into.
He burrowed into her neck, planting kisses along the way. Youre not going to need a nightgown.
She chuckled at his gravelly voice and the way his rough skin tickled hers.
His hands slipped beneath her robe. Whats this?
Its called underwear.
You trying to slow me down?
Not worth the work, am I?
Always. He drew her to her feet.
Then his cell phone rang.
He swore, but picked it up and checked the number. Richard.
You need to take that?
Tomorrow, he said. Tomorrow, we need to strategize.
Over the spas?
He nodded.
Sinclair squinted. I thought the deal was done?
It is. His lips compressed. Tomorrow I figure out how to explain to my family I spent several hundred million.
Everything inside Sinclair went still. How do you mean?
I mean, Im going to hear words like reckless and impulsive. Theyll be ticked, so I need to figure out how to present this just right so Gramps doesnt go ballistic.
Her stomach turned to a lead weight. But I thought
He waited.
I thought you were ready to tell them.
He coughed out a cold laugh. Not hardly. He tossed the phone down and moved toward her. But it can wait until tomorrow; youre whats important tonight.
I have to use the bathroom, Sinclair blurted.
Sure, he said, obviously puzzled as to why she was making a big deal about it. You should go ahead and do that.
Hesitating only a second, she grabbed her phone.
He glanced at her hand. Expecting a call?
Maybe. I dont know. She headed for the door. Time zones, you know. Then she quickly shut herself in.
Her hands were shaking as she dialed Kristy.
Come on. Come on, she muttered as the connection rang hollow. Pick up.
She got her sisters voice mail and jiggled her foot as she waited for the beep.
Kristy? Its me. I really need to talk to you. Ill try again in a few minutes. Make sure you pick up.
What to do now? She needed Hunter out of the way. She needed Hunterasleep.
Okay, this was going to be tricky. He didnt seem like he was in the mood for anything remotely quick.
She exited the bathroom, and was pulled immediately into his arms, engulfed in a major hug, peppered with kisses that under any other circumstances would have been erotic and totally arousing.
Uh, Hunter?
Yeah?
Imnot
He pulled back. Something wrong?
Im still woozy from the drinks, she lied.
His eyes glowed pewter as he waggled his eyebrows. You maybe need to lie down?
She shook her head. No. I mean yes. I mean. She hit him with the most contrite expression she could muster. Can we wait until morning?
His gaze grew concerned. That bad?
She nodded. It was worse, only not in the way he was imagining.
Come on, then. He led her to the bed, pushing aside the comforter and tucking her in.
He slipped under the covers beside her and spooned their bodies together. He kissed the back of her neck, smoothing her hair. Sleep, he muttered.
She nodded miserably, and pretended to do just that.
Half an hour later, his breathing was deep and even. Engulfed in his warmth, she was struggling to stay awake herself. She didnt dare wait any longer.
She cautiously slipped from the bed, snagged her phone, and tiptoed into the bathroom.
She tried Kristy again, still coming up with voice mail.
Kristy? she whispered harshly. You have to call me. Im sleeping with my phone on vibrate. Wake me up!
Then she clicked it off, forced herself to swallow her panic, took a drink of water to combat her dry throat, and headed back to bed.
You okay? Hunter mumbled as she climbed back in.
Thirsty, she responded guiltily as he drew her against him.
Youll be better in the morning, he assured her with a kiss.
Shed be better when Kristy called and was sworn to temporary secrecy. Thats when shed be better.
Sinclair awoke to Hunters broad hand on her breast. His lips were kissing her neck, and his hardened body was pressed against her backside.
Morning, sweetheart, he murmured in her ear.
She smiled. Morning.
He caressed her nipple, sending sparks of desire to her brain. His free hand trailed along her belly. She gasped, the warmth of arousal swirling and gathering within her.
Ive been waiting, he rumbled. You slept too long.