Tate
“Keep running, Jane!” I shouted over my shoulder as we hurried toward the security gate. I’d been an idiot for suggesting we hit the gym before we went to the airport. I knew the traffic to the airport was crazy this early in the morning, and now we were on the verge of missing our flight. And we hadn’t even had a good workout. Jane had been tired, and I’d been tense thinking about the upcoming trip. “Faster, or we’re going to miss our flight!”
“I’m going as fast as I can.” She panted, pulling her small suitcase behind her. I stopped to wait for her, and when she caught up with me, I grabbed her suitcase from her.
“I’ll pull it. Just concentrate on running, okay?”
“Okay.” She ran ahead of me, her long black hair swaying down her back. She wore tight blue jeans, and I didn’t miss the chance to admire her curvy ass for a moment before I started running behind her, pulling her bag with my own. We made it to the security line in a couple of minutes, going straight to the priority line because I’d gotten us business class tickets for the flight.
“This is the first time I’ve ever flown anything other than economy.” Jane stood next to me in the line, her cheeks flushed, still catching her breath. “I’m excited for the free champagne.”
“Oh, yeah? I think you’re going to enjoy it.” Business class was par for the course for me, but I was glad I was helping her to experience something new. The TSA agent called us forward, waving us through after scrutinizing our tickets and drivers’ licenses. We took off our shoes and waited to go through the screening. “If we’d gotten here earlier, we could have gone to the lounge.”
“Aw, that would have been nice.”
“Next time,” I promised. And it occurred to me that I’d said that as if I thought we’d be flying somewhere else together. We got through screening and headed toward our gate. “Shall we get a bagel or something?” I suggested.
“Yeah, I’m starving. I would love a bagel with cream cheese and lox. Oh, and a coffee.” She yawned. “If I don’t have a coffee, I’m absolutely going to fall asleep within minutes.”
“Well, we don’t want that to happen, do we? Let’s go and get you some coffee.” We headed over to a little deli and as my stomach grumbled, I realized that I was quite hungry as well. As Jane looked at the menu, I studied her profile. She had a mole on her cheek that I’d never noticed before. How had I never noticed it? She also had a really long neck. She looked beautiful standing there, her long hair still slightly damp from the shower she’d had after we’d worked out.
I’d been on my best behavior for the last week. I hadn’t said or done anything remotely out of line, partly because I didn’t want to lead her on in any way, and also because Jagger had told me off at Sunday brunch after we’d arrived. He’d told me that I was opening us up to a sexual harassment lawsuit by flirting with her and that if I was interested in Jane, I should ask her out, but if all I wanted was sex, then I should just move on because that was only asking for trouble.
I knew he was right, of course. Nothing good could come of our endless flirting, and even though I very much wanted to fuck Jane, I didn’t see what else I could offer. She was the sort of woman that deserved sweet kisses and thoughtful gifts, and I had a feeling that she was pretty vanilla in the bedroom. And I was not vanilla in any way. She’d looked shocked when I’d told her about my fantasy—and not shocked in a way that made me think she’d also be into it. She probably thought I was a sex addict, but that wasn’t it. It wasn’t like I wanted to have an orgy. I’d had threesomes before and frankly, they had been more exhausting than anything else. Going to a sex club was all about the experience, the sensory pleasure of sight and sound, touch and taste.
As we waited for the plane to arrive, I realized that I hadn’t checked my gym bag to see if my secret admirer had left me a new note. Francesca had been at the gym that morning as well, so both suspects had had the opportunity to leave a note. I didn’t want Jane to see me looking in the bag, so I’d have to wait until her back was turned.
“This is so cool.” Jane grinned at me as we sat back in our extra wide leather chairs on the plane, with flutes of champagne in our hands. “If I ever win the lottery, I’m never going to fly economy again.” She took a large gulp of champagne and started playing around on the screen in front of her. “Wow, there are so many movie choices, I think I might watch one.”
“Sounds good to me, enjoy. I’m going to get some work done. Once we arrive in Charleston, we’ll grab the rental car and then head to the hotel. I figured we could grab dinner by ourselves and then go back to our respective rooms. Then we’ll get an early breakfast and head over to my parents’ house where you’ll get to meet the family.”
I tried to keep my voice casual, but I was nervous about how the meet and greet would go. Both of my parents had sounded pained when I’d told them I was bringing a lady friend home at such short notice. I wasn’t concerned for myself as much I was for Jane. I had no idea how my parents would treat her, but they had raised me to believe in the virtues of Southern hospitality; I’d have to hope they remembered it themselves.
“Okay, sounds good to me.” Jane took a smaller sip of champagne. “Gives me an evening to get ready to meet the great Howard family.”
“I wouldn’t say we were all great. Just me.”
She snorted then put her glass down, fitted the headphones to her ears, and selected a movie.
I pretended to stare out of the window for a moment, but really I was staring at her as she watched the screen. She seemed to be enjoying our trip so far, and I was grateful that she had agreed to come with me. It struck me that since I was fifteen, my relationships with women had never been anything more than physical. That was quite sad.
“But is she really your friend?” I whispered under my breath and looked away.
Was my interest in Jane because we were friends? No, I knew the answer to that, but I also knew that as much as I wanted her physically, I wanted more as well. I wanted to know her on a deeper level. I wanted to know who she was as a person. I wanted to see her smiling, her skin glowing in the sun, her eyes bright with passion. I wanted to kiss her with my country mouth and show her that Southern boys know how to do everything better. I got up and opened the overhead luggage compartment so I could grab my iPad. I glanced down to see if Jane was watching me, but she was engrossed in her show. I opened the side pocket of my gym bag and felt around for a new note.
“Do you need any help, sir?” A passing flight attendant gave me a coy smile, and I shook my head.
I smiled back. “No, thank you. I’m just looking for my iPad.”
A jolt of excitement hit me when my fingers touched a notecard. I looked down at Jane again to be sure she wasn’t looking at me, then pulled it out quickly and pushed it into my pocket. I grabbed my iPad and dropped it onto my seat. I leaned over and tapped Jane on the shoulder. She looked at me with a questioning smile.
“Just going to the restroom,” I mouthed at her and she nodded. I stood up straight and headed to the restroom. I locked the door and took the note out of my pocket quickly.
The note started with, “To My Arrogant Boss,” and my heart almost jumped out of my chest. So it was Jane. She was my secret not-admirer. I read the note three times and then sat down on top of the toilet seat. I was pretty sure Jane hadn’t intended to out herself. This didn’t read like the letter of someone who intended to come clean. I thought about how I’d seen Jane near my bag that morning at the gym. How flustered she’d looked. How she’d taken her handbag with her, even though we were going to the treadmills. How she’d begged me to help her deadlift and then when we’d arrived at the weights, she’d changed her mind, saying she’d needed the restroom, and fled.
Had she somehow given me the wrong note because she was nervous? And how did I find out the answer to the burning question in my mind without asking her outright? It was sort of crazy how happy I was now that I knew officially that she was my note-writer. It had been a long time since I’d felt this way.
I opened the door, pushed the note into my pocket and made my way back to my seat.
She turned to me with a smile. “I thought you fell in.”
I settled back into my seat, watching her out of the corner of my eye. As she brushed her hair back from her face, I felt a wave of desire run through me that had nothing to do with sex. This woman was bewitching me. With her honest brown eyes, her determined brow, the way she walked, the way she talked … everything about her captivated me. I’d never noticed the small things about a woman before. I’d really never cared enough to want to know or see more. But now …
“I did, but I can swim.” I gave her my signature cocky grin, but as I gazed into her shining eyes, I wasn’t sure if I was ready to swim in the new waters.
There was a very real possibility that I could drown.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Howard, welcome to Belmond Charleston Place. Are you checking in today?” a tall, thin man greeted me, and I nodded. I could see Jane observing us, probably wondering if I knew him. I had no idea who he was, but everyone in Charleston knew my family and me. We’d had a bridge named after us, for heaven’s sake.
“Yes, I should have two rooms reserved, please.” I reached into my wallet to pull out my black Amex card. “Both under Tate Howard.”
“Yes, yes, I see the first room.” He smiled, but then his expression changed and he frowned. “You said two rooms?”
“Yes, two rooms.” I tapped my card against the countertop. “Is there a problem?”
“No problem, sir.” He looked to the right and called over the other lady that was working at the front desk. “Just one moment, sir.”
“Sure.” I turned toward Jane and waved around the spacious atrium. “So what do you think?”
“It’s amazing.” She looked around the lobby in awe. “It’s so opulent in here.” She looked up at the crystal chandelier. “I feel like I’m in the foyer of some fancy castle in France or something.”
“Welcome to Charleston.” I made a little bow. “You’ll find it’s very different from San Francisco.”
“It looks beautiful so far.”
“I might be biased, but I think Charleston is one of the best cities in the United States. As my grandma used to say, I followed my heart and it led me to Charleston.”
“You really love it, don’t you?” The smile on her face told me that she understood where I was coming from.
“I know I haven’t been super positive about the South and my home, but I love it.” I looked around the lobby of the hotel with quiet pride. “At the end of the day, I do see myself coming home. I don’t know when.” I laughed. “So don’t tell my mama, but this will always be my home.”
“Well, I’m excited to see your city.” She smiled, and for some reason that made me happy. Like she wasn’t just saying she wanted to see Charleston, but she also wanted to see where I grew up. I knew that wasn’t what she meant, but it didn’t stop me from feeling a rush of warm and genuine affection for her.
“Excuse me, Mr. Howard, but we have a little problem.” The front desk clerk sounded nervous.
“What’s that?”
“We only seem to have a reservation for one room, and um …” He stumbled over his words. “Well, um, we don’t have any other rooms available right now.”
“What do you mean you only have one room?” Was he fucking kidding me? I looked over at Jane, who didn’t meet my eyes. Was she thinking I’d only booked one room on purpose? “I made a reservation for two rooms.”
“Actually, I do see that, sir, but one of the rooms was canceled on the back end by our reservations team. They thought it was an error. I’m so sorry. Would you like me to call around and see if there are any other hotels with rooms available?”
“It’s okay, Tate.” Jane touched my shoulder lightly. “We’ll survive in the same room. It’s fine.”
“There is also a couch in the room, and we can bring up a rollaway bed if needed. Comped, of course,” the clerk said quickly.
“Do you think I care if you comp the rollaway bed?” My frown deepened. “This is not acceptable.”
“My apologies, Mr. Howard.” The man looked down at his computer. “So would you like the room or …?” His voice trailed off.
“Yes, I want the room.” I sighed. “Here’s my card. My assistant and I will go to the bar for a drink while you sort this out. Please have the concierge get my bags up to the room. You can bring my room keys and credit card to the bar, okay?”
“Yes, sir. Drinks on us, of course. Enjoy your stay, Mr. Howard.”
“Thank you.” I turned away from him and looked at Jane. “Shall we partake in an afternoon beverage before we go to the room and figure out our sleeping arrangements?”
“Sure, sounds good.” She smiled as we walked toward the bar. “Are you going to tell him to send up the rollaway bed now or later?”
I pursed my lips thoughtfully. “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer the couch?”
“The couch? Me?” Her eyes widened, and I laughed at her.
“I jest, I jest. Of course, I’ll take the couch.”
“If you’re sure.”
“Of course, I am.” I grinned. I had absolutely no plans on sleeping on the couch that night, but I would let Jane think I did so that I’d look like an honorable and chivalrous gentleman.
“This room is amazing. If you can even call it a room. It’s more like a small apartment.” Jane walked over to the king-size bed and sat on it. She bounced up and down and then leaned back. “This is so comfortable. I want this bed in my room.”
“It is big, isn’t it?” I closed the door behind me and walked over to the side of the bed and looked down at her.
“Yes, it is quite big.” She nodded.
“It’s such a big bed that I think we could both fit, don’t you agree?”
“Sure we could both fit.” Jane sat up and wagged her finger at me. “But I’m not sure I want to share.”
“Didn’t your parents tell you it was nice to share?”
“Did your parents ever tell you that?”
“Honestly?” I sat down on the bed next to her. “No. I’m a Howard, there’s no need for us to share.”
“Hmm.” She pursed her lips. “That explains a lot.”
“Oh yeah? Like what?”
“Like why you’re such a mean bully.” She giggled and gave me a playful shove.
“You think I’m a mean bully?” I turned on my side and looked at her. She turned her position slightly so she was also looking at me.
“No, not really. You’re cocky and arrogant, but I don’t think you’re mean and I don’t think you’re a bully.”
Warmth spread through me at her words. “Good,” I said quietly. “I’d hate for anyone to think I was a bully, especially you.”
“But you’re okay with cocky and arrogant?” Her voice was dry.
“Yeah, I’m okay with that. Many people mistake confidence for arrogance.” I moved onto my elbows. “And I’m plenty confident.”
“Oh, you are, are you?”
“Yes, I am.” I stared at her lips. I wanted to kiss her so badly. “Let’s go out.” I jumped up off of the bed. We needed to leave the room because the longer we stayed, the closer I was to ravishing her.
“Where are we going?”
“I’m going to show you around Charleston the way only a native can.”
“Ooh, that sounds like fun.”
“Change into some comfortable shoes because we’re going to be doing a lot of walking. I’m going to take you to The Battery. I guess we’ll stop at Waterfront Park first. Then we’ll walk down East Battery Street and stop by White Point Garden. Maybe tomorrow we’ll even go on a sunrise boat tour, that would be fun.”
“That sounds amazing.” She got off of the bed and walked over to her bag and unzipped it. “I’m looking forward to it.”
“Good, I want you to see as much of my city as possible. I don’t know what my parents have planned, but I’m sure there won’t be much tourist stuff.”
“I don’t mind, Tate. I came for you. And for your sister, I guess.” She laughed. “I don’t need to see everything. Whatever I get to see is fine by me.”
“Okay.”
I walked to the bathroom to wash my face with cold water. Jane didn’t know it, but I didn’t even need to leave the room. I could spend my entire weekend in here with her, making love, and getting to know her body, but after I’d read her note, I didn’t want to tell her that. I didn’t want her to think that I was all about sex. I didn’t want her to think that was all she was to me. I didn’t really know what we had, but I did know that I wanted her to see and fall in love with Charleston.
I couldn’t exactly have said why, but it was important to me that she had a good time.