Whole Latte Love (The Jewells)

by Ayala, Rachelle

  Rebecca picked up a beanbag and tossed it in Carina’s lap. “Rob exonerates you completely. Says he pressured you to go on that date. Do you agree?”

  “I didn’t consider it a date, just an outing with a colleague.” Carina resisted the urge to bite her lip.

  “One where you made him look like a chump,” Rebecca said. “You don’t make out in public with the fucking rock star, even if it is Dylan Jewell.”

  “Well, yeah, I was going to report it to you. His whereabouts, but I didn’t know he’d be there. He didn’t tell me.”

  “That’s because you stupidly moved out.” Rebecca leaned forward. “Do not ever embarrass your superiors and Mogul Bank again. Your hot necking videos were posted to the internet.”

  Here it comes. The blade about to be dropped. Carina gamely stared at Rebecca’s nose. It was a good way to appear to glare into someone’s eyes without actually doing so.

  “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.” Carina trembled. How could this happen? She’d lose her job and be blacklisted from all the banks.

  “You don’t know what damage control I had to do.”

  “Thanks.”

  “No need to thank me yet.” Rebecca waved her hand. “It seems you’ve gained too much notoriety to work with any of my male analysts and my only female analyst is going on maternity leave, so this leaves me no choice but to—”

  “Please, Ms. Morley, I made a mistake, but I’ll do anything if you’ll reconsider.”

  Rebecca pinched her own chin, one corner of her mouth lifted as she rolled her tongue over her front teeth. “You want to be my personal assistant?”

  “Puh-personal assistant?” Carina couldn’t compute if this was a higher or lower position than intern.

  “You just said you’d do anything. Of course, if you’d rather take the walk of shame …” Rebecca glanced out the window and brushed her lapel. “What do you say?”

  “It depends on how the deal is structured,” Carina said with more confidence than she felt. She figured the job had to include something Rebecca wanted which none of her executive assistants could accomplish. If all she wanted was someone to pick up her dry cleaning or fetch her dog from the kennel, she could offload it on any one of them.

  Carina drew in her breath and waited.

  “Have you had sex with Dylan yet?”

  “Wh-what? No, of course not.”

  “Good. Entice Dylan Jewell, but withhold actual sex until he’s signed with his father.” Rebecca squeezed a tennis ball and tossed it at her.

  Carina missed the ball. “Why?”

  “Business 101.” Rebecca leveled a steely glare at her. “Create the need. Hold back on it, then fulfill it at a high price. Do to him what I’m doing to his father.”

  “How will it work?” Carina wondered aloud.

  “I’m sure you know the basics.” Rebecca flicked imaginary dirt from under her fingernails. “Use whatever means you have at your disposal.”

  “But, what if he signs without my promising sex?” Carina felt a twinge of guilt about manipulating Dylan. However, working for his father would be good for him in the long term. How long could he expect to drift between a coffee shop and bar gigs, even if he were going on some mythical tour?

  Rebecca clapped slowly. “I’d count that a success. But given how stubborn Dylan is, he needs the added push.”

  “Can you guarantee me a return offer?”

  Rebecca shook her index finger. “I was about to have my admin book you a one-way ticket back to your home, what is it, Gladwyne, Pennsylvania? How about a recommendation from me?”

  “I’m assuming your recommendation carries enough weight to ensure me the job offer.” Carina stood and held her hand out. “Let’s shake on it.”

  Rebecca gripped her firmly, digging the tips of her fingernails into Carina’s flesh. “You’re going to have a harder time than you think. Knowing Dylan, he’ll catch on and balk. You need to be subtle.”

  “Don’t worry.” Carina tightened her grip. “I’m not so stupid to tell him the reason why I’m withholding sex.”

  “Exactly. Dylan won’t be railroaded into anything he doesn’t want. Can you handle it?”

  “I’m game, but there’s one more thing.”

  This time, Rebecca’s lips drew back in an admiring smile. “Yes?”

  “I want lead on the Crowns and Thrones deal. Full intern status and pitching to an investor. No one is to know about my extracurricular activity.”

  “I knew you’d ask for something. Think you can pull it off before the end of summer?”

  “Why so fast?”

  “I want to be married without a pre-nup before the Crowns and Thrones deal goes through.”

  Wonder why no pre-nup? Maybe Dylan’s father owned stock in the deal and Rebecca wanted in on it.

  “Got it.” Carina could be as hardnosed as Rebecca. “I can do the job, but I’ll need to be flexible about work hours. Dylan Jewell is, as you know, a very spontaneous guy.”

  “Manage your time however you want.” Rebecca stood and stretched to her full height. “How hungry are you?”

  For a moment, Carina imagined a shark thrashing a seal in water red with bloody bubbles.

  Rebecca stared out the window and Carina followed her gaze, focused on the Golden Gate Bridge. Rebecca placed her hands together, as if on the stem of a golf club, then flexed her arm, raising them. “You have to keep your eye on the flag.”

  She drove the imaginary golf ball far up in an arc, following through with her back toe tipped and her shoulders tilted, ending with a shake of her fist. “Yes!”

  ~ ~ ~

  Dylan stretched his groggy muscles and rolled out of bed. He glanced at his phone to see if Carina had texted him. Nothing. It was a beautiful Saturday morning but a shame since she had to go to work.

  He padded into the bathroom and cranked up the shower. Had he dreamed up the show? Who would have guessed Carina could act so sexy and knew all the dance moves? He rubbed his beard stubble and decided to shave. Heck, maybe it was time for a haircut, too.

  It wasn’t like he didn’t know how to play the part of a up-and-coming financier. He had the looks, the connections, the charm, and the technical knowledge to do what any of the bankers did.

  If he wanted to, he could preside over billion dollar deals, dress in the finest suits and drive a ground hugging Italian sports car, or even better, a Tesla Model S electric. Oh yeah!

  Carina would look up to him and be proud to have him escort her to the swankiest parties. He could own a yacht, christen it Carina’s Song—own a house in Atherton, or Woodside, and a penthouse on Russian Hill.

  To afford a woman like Carina, all he had to do was call his father. Dylan shook his head and let the water splash over his face. Not likely. Not when his father had walked out on his mother the day she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

  He shut off the water. Carina might have been on a date with Rob to gain visibility at work, but she’d blown it when she kissed Dylan in front of all her coworkers.

  Score one for the barista in holey jeans. Dylan couldn’t help chuckling as he toweled himself off. He picked up his phone and texted Carina: Good morning. Did you sleep well?

  There was no response. Likely she was at work already. Dylan dressed and dried his hair. He tousled his longish locks. Time to let them go. He’d stop for a haircut after band practice.

  After shaving, he texted Carina again: Let me know when you’re done with work. Want to go jogging?

  He chuckled to himself. He’d just broken his two text rule. He never sent two texts to a woman without a reply in between. Oh well.

  He fixed himself breakfast and read news on his phone. A few minutes later, a text jingled, but it was only Nico: Come to practice. I have good news.

  Dylan texted back: Be right over.

  This could be it. A new investor was rumored to have been at the party, and this could be their big break.

  Carina still hadn’t messaged him back. Mayb
e she was the kind of woman who needed reassurance. He thumbed another message to her: You were great last night.

  He was in deep doo-doo now. Three messages in a row looked desperate, pathetic. But dammit, Carina did something to him. If only he could convince her to drop out of banking, smell the flowers, and live a more adventurous life. Then he wouldn’t have to worry about leaving her behind when he went on the tour.

  Dylan finished his breakfast and ran downstairs with his guitar. Gordie greeted him from the bench in front of the door.

  “Hey,” Dylan said. “Did you see the fireworks at the pier?”

  “Aye. Felt like the shelling of our infantry in Culloden. We could have won if O’Sullivan hadn’t ordered the wrong sized cannonballs.” Gordie’s voice trailed, and he rubbed his mouth, his eyes glassy. “We should have fought them in the hills, not the killing fields.”

  Dylan clapped his shoulder. “You’ll be in Scotland before me.”

  “On the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond.” Gordie finished the song and waved as Dylan headed toward the bus stop.

  Twenty minutes later, Dylan greeted his bandmates at Nico’s garage.

  “Roxy called.” Nico stubbed out his cigarette with a boot heel. “You guys ready to go on a European tour?”

  “Yes!” Paul slapped Zeke’s back and Vic whooped, rocking his hips.

  Warm prickles danced on Dylan’s scalp. Before Carina, this would have been his dream come true. “When and where?”

  “London, Dublin, and Edinburgh to start, then onto the Continent, with a possible swing to Asia down to Australia and New Zealand. It’s huge.” Nico waved a piece of paper. “I’ve got contracts for us to sign. The investor’s giving us a sweet advance. Five thousand signing bonus and a hundred thou a year.”

  His band mates chest bumped each other and pounded his back.

  “Unbelievable,” Dylan said. “Who’s the investor?”

  “Some company called Pretty Kitty, LLC.” Nico slapped a piece of paper in Dylan’s hand. “Sign here.”

  Pretty Kitty. What kind of company was that? Sounded like a toy company, or maybe it was a front for some organization that wasn’t very pretty at all. Whoever heard of a local band like theirs going directly to an international tour? He’d expected something closer to home, like west coast or mountain states.

  Dylan skimmed the terms of the contract. “I don’t get this. Salary for all of us, traveling expenses prepaid, a professional business manager, promotions, and doing openers for ... no way, these are some of the top rock bands.”

  “That’s because the investor loves you, Jewell.” Nico rattled his palms on Dylan’s guitar case. “Roxy said she practically swooned when you sang ‘Whole Latte Love.’ It’s her favorite song.”

  “Her? A female investor? Did you get a good look at her? Old or young?” Dylan thumbed the pages. Could it be one of his mother’s friends? Or someone she’d helped in the past?

  “Why should it matter?” Nico crossed his arms and scowled. “Are you one hundred percent with us, or are you slumming, waiting for daddy dearest to take you back?”

  “I’m with you guys, honest.” Dylan resented his belligerent attitude. “I just want to make sure this Pretty Kitty, LLC is legit.”

  “Don’t ruin this for us,” Zeke said. “I have three sisters to support. I need this gig.”

  “Yeah, this is our big break.” Nico wiggled a pen.

  “A few days isn’t going to matter,” Dylan said. “Believe me, this is a big deal and I’m as happy as the rest of you. But something doesn’t feel right.”

  “It’s the girl, isn’t it?” Nico narrowed his eyes. “You don’t want to leave her.”

  “Who, Carina?” Dylan squared off against him. “The one whose ass you said I can’t afford?”

  Nico had the grace to appear sheepish. “Look, I didn’t mean what I said. If you sign, you’ll be golden. She’ll be chasing you down.”

  “Not for a measly hundred thou.” Dylan rolled up the contract. “I’m going to run this by my lawyer.”

  Chapter 20

  “Not bad,” Rebecca said after Carina finished fielding questions. “Add my points to the synergy slide and send it to the team for review.”

  Carina switched the projector to standby mode and shut her laptop. She waited for Rebecca to dismiss the team and followed her from the conference room. “Is there anything else I should do?”

  “Not here, but I want a report on Dylan’s band.” Rebecca frowned. “Someone at Mogul arranged for them to play last night in the presence of several music executives.”

  “What were they there for?”

  “Might be for funding the tour. I find it strange that Rob’s father, Max, was cozying up to the daughter of Shanghai billionaires.”

  “You were there?” Carina gulped as a flush of perspiration dampened her armpits.

  Rebecca shot her a smug, enigmatic look and stopped at the entrance of the women’s room. “Remember, deliver Jewell on a silver platter and good things happen. Otherwise, goodbye.”

  She gave Carina a finger wave and stepped into the restroom.

  Spikes of panic and dread pinched around Carina’s temples. She slumped against the wall, her hands shaking. This could be Dylan’s dream come true. What right did she have to take this away from him? That is, assuming she could get him to see things her way.

  Carina studied her cell phone. Dylan had left a couple of messages and wanted to go jogging. He also thought she was great last night. Was this texting lingo for a repeat performance or a hookup?

  Carina texted: They’re letting me leave early.

  Dylan: Let’s meet at my apartment.

  Carina: I can be there by two.

  Dylan: Looking forward to it.

  Carina shut her monitor and grabbed her gym bag. An hour later, she exited the BART station and approached the apartment she’d once shared with Dylan. She should be happy coming back after all this time, but what if he only thought of her as a booty call?

  Gordie held the door for her. “Hey, princess. Long time no see. Dylan just returned with his guitar.”

  She handed him a twenty. “It’s always good seeing you, Prince Gordie.”

  Her heart hung heavy as she stepped from the elevator. Seeing his place reminded her of why she’d left. She couldn’t stand the thought of being one of his many women. Of course she’d given him the wrong idea after her strip show. The women’s magazines said to be bold and do something different to catch a man’s attention. But what if it was the wrong type of attention?

  She came this far, she might as well knock on his door, even if she felt like a call girl.

  “Hey.” Dylan greeted her with a happy grin which turned into a frown. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing, it feels strange being back here,” she stammered.

  Wait. He looked different.

  “You got a haircut?” She stepped into the living room.

  “Yeah, you like it?”

  “I thought you said you’d never get a haircut.”

  “Am I still in the running for your end of summer banquet?” He wiped his hand over the top of his head.

  Maybe he was still her friend. She nodded and couldn’t help the smile that crept onto her face. “Of course. I thought you’d forgotten.”

  “How could I forget my best roomie? Tell me why you feel strange coming back here.”

  A bubble of hope floated from her heart. How could he stand there looking so freakin’ hot, wearing nothing but a tight t-shirt and a pair of shorts, and call her his best roomie when she was the one who’d broken their friendship?

  Time for the big confession and apology. She stopped in front of the pair of African masks he had on the wall. One grinned puckishly while the other scowled like an angry god.

  Her voice barely cleared her throat. “Last time I was here, I acted badly. I had no right to be upset about you having friends over.”

  He tapped her shoulder to turn her toward him. “I shouldn’t ha
ve invited her.”

  Carina couldn’t look him in the eye. What business was it of hers whether he had sex or not?

  “It’s your apartment. I had no right to be upset.” She glanced around, unable to restrain herself from looking for items a woman could have left behind. “I’m sorry I caused a big fuss.”

  “It was partially my fault.” Dylan grimaced. “I invited Jessica because I saw you go to lunch with that guy from Berkeley.”

  He’d been jealous?

  “We were picking up sandwiches for a meeting,” Carina explained. “I really wanted to have lunch with you instead.”

  “I messed up then.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “But I want you to know Jessica and I didn’t do anything. I haven’t slept with anyone since I met you.”

  “Truth?” Flowery feelings blossomed in Carina’s chest and she stepped closer, letting his sporty scent wash over her. “Why would you restrain yourself?”

  “It wasn’t easy … I mean, actually, I didn’t want to disturb your sleep.”

  Okay, she’d let him get away with that, but why hadn’t he slept with anyone after she left? He seemed not to want to admit to more than being considerate.

  “That was sweet of you.”

  “It’s more than that.” He gently swept her hair back from her face. “I couldn’t think of anyone but you. Knowing you were behind that door, it was hard for me to control myself. In a way, it was a relief when you moved out.”

  Carina wrapped her arms around his waist. It would be so easy to get lost in him, let herself go, give up on her goals. She took a deep breath and put her head on his shoulder. “So where are we now?”

  “Want to start over? Pretend we just met at The Brewed Force. I asked you over to go jogging with me.”

  “Yes, let’s do that.” Happiness burst over Carina’s heart and she pressed her lips onto Dylan’s, making mmming noises. His face was smooth, clean-shaven, and she couldn’t help caressing it while he gently sucked on her lower lip.

  She could no longer tangle her fingers in his cropped hair, but his strong, firm lips and his teasing, taunting tongue turned her knees to jelly. Her breath caught in her throat and she wasn’t sure jogging would be on the agenda this afternoon, unless it was running in place on the bed.