Chapter 199 Chapter 199
Chapter 199 Chapter 199
At a brisk run, Wynter completed her third circuit around Buffalo Bayou. Because it was mid-Saturday and the sun was high, she’d worn a light shirt, shorts, and an Astros ball cap.
Ever since the pre-function meeting where she’d learned that Lucas Rutherford was her client, her nerves had been on edge.
Hope’s reassurances that Wynter didn’t have to work with him ever again should have soothed her, but it hadn’t. Nothing she’d tried all day had vanquished her restlessness.
If she’d slept four hours all night, she’d count it as a miracle.
The man himself consumed her.
Which was why she’d texted her bestie around ten o’clock this morning and asked if they could go for a walk.
Almost every weekend, the two of them got together. Usually she and Anna Bella grabbed a coffee, did a little shopping, or tried a new place to eat. Cocktails were often involved.
Since Anna Bella detested exercise, the heat, and the humidity, she’d added a couple of stipulations. After one lap, they had to find an air-conditioned restaurant. Which was why Wynter had shown up early to log a few miles.
A few minutes before their agreed time, she reached their meeting place below a live oak tree.
Of course Anna Bella hadn’t arrived, so Wynter continued jogging.
When she returned, Anna Bella was parked across the street, windows up, evidently enjoying her last few moments of air-conditioned bliss.
Wynter waved her over. Anna Bella wrinkled her nose but climbed out of the vehicle and pulled on a big floppy hat. Then she slathered on a thick layer of sunscreen before grabbing a large bottle of water.
With a quick grin, Wynter hugged her friend.
“Eww. God. Gross. You’re sweaty.”
“Happens when you exercise.”
Anna Bella majored in theater and still participated in community and regional plays. Recently she’d added improv to her arsenal of entertainment. Now, in her typical, exaggerated way, she shuddered.
“At any rate, I prefer the word glow.”
“Well, you’re glowing extra hard.”
“You ready?”
“Hell no. But yes. Let’s get this torture over with as fast as possible.”
Which did not mean Anna Bella wanted to run or even jog.
They hit the path, but neither said much until they were away from other pedestrians and a long trail of road bikes.
“I want you to know what you’ve done to me is not fair.”
Slowing her pace, Wynter glanced over at her friend.
“Which part?”
“The whole thing. All of it. You texted me at the ass-crack of dawn—”
“It was after ten.”
“Whatevs.”
Anna Bella waved a hand.
“You said you had a sucky night and wanted to do a talkie-walkie. First of all, you woke me up.”
“Really?”
“Okay. No. So I made that up.”
“You don’t turn your phone on before noon on weekends.”
Anna Bella shrugged.
“But you didn’t tell me what was wrong, and I asked at least ten times.”
True.
“I don’t do cliffhangers. You know I hate them.”
In movies or books or life.
“But it was effective, right? I mean you’re here, and you’re walking.”
“Which is also not fair.”
“I’ll buy the coffee.”
“I want to go somewhere that we can get it spiked. Baileys or amaretto. Hell, I’m not picky. I’ll settle for a chocolate liqueur in a mocha.”
Wynter shook her head. No matter what was wrong, spending time with her friend made it better.
“So now that you’ve got me out of bed, tell me what’s going on. Didn’t you have a meet and greet last night? And a free room at the Sterling Uptown?”
Which she’d invited Anna Bella to share. But since she’d already had plans to meet others at the local BDSM club, she’d refused.
“Yes.”
“So what went wrong?”
Wynter spent the next few minutes outlining the fact she’d been assigned to take care of Lucas Rutherford.
“The Lucas Rutherford? His Highness, Lucas Rutherford?”
At Anna Bella’s comical expression, Wynter laughed.
“Yes.”
“And? Tell me he’s a big fat jerk like I think he is.”
“We’re not allowed to say anything bad about our clients.”
“Ha! I guessed it. He’s a royal jerk. Get it? He is called the American prince after all.”
At her friend’s attempt at humor, Wynter groaned.
“That’s terrible.”
“Nah. Wasn’t that bad.”
They neared a park bench, and Anna Bella plopped herself down on it.
“We’ve been walking for less than ten minutes.”
“It’s hot.”
Anna Bella uncapped her water and drizzled a small amount down her shirt to cool off.
“And the conversation is getting interesting.”
Not ready for a rest, Wynter remained standing and began a series of slow stretches.
“He didn’t approve of any of his matches.”
“I’m surprised he wants to get married again if everything I’ve heard is true.”
Wynter didn’t respond to that. Since she’d closed her hotel room door between them, she’d read at least a hundred articles about him…even though she’d repeatedly told herself to stop.
“So then what happened? That’s not enough to send you into a tailspin.”
“We…ah…”
“What?”
Anna Bella raised her eyebrows several times in quick succession, making Wynter grin.
“Do tell.”
“We had champagne poolside.”
“Seriously? You had drinks with the billionaire?”
When Wynter nodded, Anna Bella went on.
“Just the two of you? Or was it with a group of people?”
“We were alone.”
“You’ve got my undivided attention.”
She never intended to mention the kiss, but her confession spilled out in a rush.
“Wait. What?”
Anna Bella removed her hat and fanned herself with it.
“He freaking kissed you? And was it everything?”
And more.
“So he wasn’t terrible? Sloppy like a Saint Bernard or anything?”
This was why she needed a constant Anna Bella fix.
“Will you stop?”
“And not like a closed-mouthed peck?”
Wynter shook her head.
“Good. Good. Not a pecker. So you liked the kiss. What happened after that?”
“He asked me out.”
“He… What?”
“Invited me to join him for breakfast.”
“Well, his taste in women has improved a lot. I can say that much.”
She appreciated her friend’s loyalty.
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
“I’m confused.”
Anna Bella shook her head.
“Did you go?”
“No.”
A few minutes before eight, she had given into the temptation to peek out the window, just in time to see him get seated at the same table they’d shared last night.
Soon afterward, champagne had arrived. That’s when she made her decision.