Harlequin Desire June 2021--Box Set 1 of 2

by Katherine Garbera

  Well, not really. Because no matter what he said, she’d have to pay him back for this outfit. And in regard to her “wardrobe”...she’d have to do some secondhand shopping and see what she could find. She’d never admit it to Zach, but she liked the new clothing he’d selected and she might even spring for new glasses. After all, she’d had this pair for almost five years now. Thankfully her vision had finally stopped worsening so she didn’t need a new prescription, but maybe something a little trendier would be nice. Or even contacts... She could take the extra ten minutes in the morning to put them in.

  “Oh, you’re Lila Jones, right?”

  She glanced up to see a group of three college-aged women standing there. “I am.”

  “We saw you with ZB. That’s fab! What’s this event he was talking about? Where can we buy tickets?” one of them asked.

  Lila stood up and reached into her large bag to pull out the flyers she’d made up for the event. But as she started to, Zach returned and put his hand over hers. Stopping her, and she realized why. Those flyers looked like they were made in the office. They weren’t slick or professional-looking.

  “Ladies, hello. Lila has a website that you can check out. Soireeonthebay.com. She’s still working on the print promotion.”

  When he winked over at her, she felt a connection. Like they were a couple. She liked it, but she cautioned herself that it wasn’t real. Zach was a man used to lots of attention and he immediately made everyone feel at ease. She was nothing special.

  “Great, ZB. Can we get a selfie with you both?” one of them asked.

  What was going on? This was nuts. She found it hard to believe these women wanted a picture with her. Earlier today she’d had trouble flagging down the waitress for her check...and now this?

  “Of course,” Zach said, pulling her into his side and looking down at her with an impish grin. She felt a connection with him. As much as they were in this group, they were also just the two of them. Sharing a smile over the way these women were behaving around them. He told the girls to come around behind them, then took the phone and snapped a photo.

  Their waiter came back and let them know their table was ready. Thank goodness. She wasn’t sure she was ready for the amount of attention being with Zach garnered. He loved it, she noticed, but he didn’t shove her to the side. He included her, which she liked. He seemed to want to share the spotlight with her.

  “See you at the Soiree,” he murmured, putting his hand on the small of her back as they followed the waiter.

  She felt an electric tingle go down her spine and she realized how long it had been since her last date. This was business, but she couldn’t help herself. She liked Zach and a part of her wanted this to be personal. Though that was crazy, because his life was on a different level than hers. And changing her clothing and her look was one thing. She wasn’t interested in changing her life.

  * * *

  They’d been seated at the best table in the house next to a large glass window that provided spectacular water views. As the sun set, the lights from the marina reflected on the bay, the yachts that were moored in the water came to life, and for once, Zach didn’t feel that gnawing need to be somewhere else. He’d always had something worse than FOMO—fear of missing out—and had always struggled to be content with what he had and where he was.

  But with Lila sitting across from him, gazing alternately at her phone, which kept lighting up with notifications, and then out the window at the bay, it felt different. She enchanted him. He knew it was because she was new. It had happened before. He also knew he was going to just go for it. Follow this feeling for as long and as far as he could.

  In a way, dating one girl had always stirred that feeling of missing out, like there was another woman that he’d have more fun with. One woman couldn’t tame him. He loved women, but he had never been satisfied by just one. For now, though, Lila was enough.

  “What are you thinking?” he asked. “You keep staring at the yachts.”

  “Just wondering where they have been... Actually, that’s not true. I’m staring out there because when I look at my phone, I can’t believe that people liked our photo that much and then I panic thinking how am I going to sustain that kind of thing. Is it a fluke?”

  Zach couldn’t remember a time when he worried about anything like that. He’d been famous since he was in his early twenties...and knew that he was luckier than most. Born into an affluent family with connections, it had been easy to make his social media account one that people would follow. He was doing stuff most people could only dream of. But Lila wasn’t most people.

  “Don’t worry. Tomorrow we will go shopping and—”

  “I have a meeting at ten,” she reminded him.

  He normally didn’t get up until well after ten, but just nodded. “Not a problem. Afterward, we will get your new wardrobe. I have some friends—other influencers—who do glam for me and I asked them to come to Royal and give you a few tips.”

  “Glam? Zach, I’m not glamorous, and I think everyone in town will be shocked if I start dressing like this every day.”

  “Why?” he asked. “You’re wearing a pretty summer dress, not haute couture. Is it that you won’t be comfortable?”

  She tipped her head to the side. “Do we know each other well enough to have this kind of conversation?”

  “We don’t. But I’ve always found that deep subjects are better discussed with strangers.”

  Lila nodded and looked away again, back out at the bay. He had the feeling he’d disappointed her. Get used to it, honey, his subconscious jeered. He shut down that annoying inner voice. But the thought lingered. He knew that as much as he might say that he liked to keep moving, a part of him had learned early on that he wasn’t good in relationships.

  A part of him felt like that stemmed from his father. The old man couldn’t commit, and neither could Zach. But another part knew being a bad boy just worked for his brand. Kept him on target and raking in the money.

  “I only meant it’s easier to unload your secrets when you have no agenda. And usually with strangers there isn’t one. You don’t have any expectations from me...other than helping you promote your event.”

  She looked back at him and her brown eyes seemed a little nervous. “I don’t like being the center of attention. I’m sure that’s not a shock to you. I took the job at the Royal Chamber of Commerce because I love my community. But I usually work behind the scenes.”

  “And you thought this would be another behind-the-scenes role?”

  “Yes, and let’s be honest—my role is definitely behind-the-scenes,” she murmured. “It’s you and your dare making me step out of the shadows. I never expected to be doing this.”

  “Do you want to stop? Go back to your old self?” he asked. “You haven’t done anything except get tagged in a photo with me.”

  “I know that.” She sighed. “But I have to admit I like it. Those women in the lobby asked about the event and were ready to book tickets... This is the kind of promo I was hoping to generate.”

  Their food arrived before she could say anything else and he noticed her phone was still blowing up with notifications and text messages. She looked at it and then smiled.

  “What is it?”

  “Nothing. Everyone on the committee has noticed the likes. I think I’m going to have to keep doing this. But if I do, we need to establish some ground rules,” she said.

  He took a bite of his sea bass, nodding at her and trying to figure out what kind of rules she was talking about. Like missionary position only? He had the feeling she’d be more adventurous in bed, but knew that wasn’t what she’d meant. His mind was just going to filthy places.

  “Like what?”

  “You can’t buy me clothes. I’m not comfortable with that. I will pay you back for this... It might be in installments, but I have to pay you back,”
she insisted.

  “Fine. But the truth is, we won’t be paying for many of your clothes,” he said. “Usually stores and labels gift them to me as long as I tag them in the photos. And it will work the same for you.”

  “How does that make them money?” she asked curiously.

  “Well, all of your followers are going to want to be like you,” Zach explained. “So we tag the brands, the shop you purchased it in, and then we let the likes and human nature do the rest. People will start snapping up the items. You’ll be gifted more stuff than you have ever imagined.”

  She shook her head, that high ponytail swinging with the motion, drawing his eye to the long, graceful line of her neck. “All because of a few pictures?”

  “No. All because of your image and your influence. That’s how you are going to wow your followers and make them want to meet you at Soiree on the Bay.”

  Just like she was wowing him with her honesty and charming him with her smile, he thought. Now he needed to step up his game and start wowing her.

  * * *

  Lila stopped worrying after her second glass of champagne. It was so delicious, she started to wonder why she didn’t drink it more often. Zach suggested a walk along the pier at the marina after their meal and looped her arm through his as they walked. She tipped her head back and looked up at the stars in the night sky. It was so vast and clear tonight.

  She watched them twinkling and then caught her breath as she saw a shooting star. She made a quick wish that this night would be as magical as she felt it was in this moment.

  “What is it?” he asked.

  “Shooting star. Quick...make a wish!”

  He didn’t look up at the sky as he stopped walking but turned and looked down into her eyes. “I wish for one kiss.”

  She gazed up at him. His thick eyebrows, the tanned skin and the full mouth that easily smiled. One kiss.

  She wanted that, too, on this night. With him. It had been so long since she’d wanted a man. She had been on dates and even slept with a few guys in the last year or so. But honestly, it had been more just to get out of the house. It hadn’t felt like this.

  Her rational mind shouted it was the champagne and the moonlight, but she didn’t care. She wanted that kiss as much as he did.

  She put her hand on the side of his jaw, felt the rough abrasion of his stubble, and then he turned his head and kissed the center of her palm. A shiver ran up her arm and her breasts felt fuller, her heart beat faster again and everything feminine inside her seemed to wake up and say, Yes, girl, let’s get some more of this guy.

  “There’s your kiss,” she said.

  “Damn.”

  She looked up at him from under her eyelashes and shook her head. “You missed.”

  “I did?”

  “Yes, you did,” she whispered, going up on tiptoe, balancing herself with her hand on his shoulder and kissing him.

  The first brush of her lips against his was everything she’d hoped it would be and more. The giddy butterflies in her stomach took flight and she brought her other hand to the back of his neck, pushing her fingers up into the thick hair at the back of his head.

  His hand was on her waist, pulling her into his body, and his chest was solid against her torso. He lifted her slightly and then shifted so that his back was to the walkway, keeping them from prying eyes.

  As he leaned down over her, she felt his lips part and his tongue brush over hers. She sighed. He tasted so good. Of champagne and that minty thing he’d had for dessert. His arms around her were solid and she clung to him, realizing how easy it would be to fall under his spell. She pulled back and looked up at him. Something shifted inside her and she wondered if she’d be here in his arms if she hadn’t agreed to his makeover.

  Ugh.

  She hated that notion. Where were these thoughts coming from?

  The smart part of the brain and not the hoo-hah, her subconscious reminded her.

  Stop.

  “What is it?”

  “Would you have kissed me if I was still wearing my regular clothes?” she asked.

  Oh, great, now she decided to start dropping truth bombs instead of enjoying the champagne glow of the evening.

  “Yes. I wanted to kiss you in the doorway of the chamber of commerce building when you first ran into me.”

  Was he lying?

  She realized she didn’t know him well enough to be able to judge the truth from the lies. And did it matter? Deep conversations, like white-hot sex, were probably best exchanged between strangers. Or at least that was her experience. The hot flame of lust often didn’t last in relationships and it had been a really long time since... Was she going to let this chance slip away?

  “What are you thinking, Lila? No woman has ever looked at me the way you do,” he confessed.

  She put her hand on the side of his face again because she liked touching him. Liked the feel of his stubble against her palm. Liked the way he met her gaze squarely and didn’t hide from her. Liked...him.

  Danger, girl.

  She knew it was dangerous. Didn’t need her subconscious to warn her. Zach wasn’t a stranger to her anymore. He was starting to become real. She already wasn’t sure how she was going to work with him and still keep her head straight. Now she was kissing him in the moonlight and making wishes on stars that weren’t sensible.

  “Lila?”

  “I was just wishing that this was real. That this night wasn’t just magic and make-believe,” she said softly. The words meant as a reminder to herself but ones that she was struggling to make herself heed.

  He quirked a brow. “Why isn’t it real?”

  “Really, ZB? You know why. I’m your flavor of the moment, and don’t shake your head and pretend it’s anything else.”

  “I wasn’t going to. What’s wrong with that?”

  “Nothing,” she told him. “If I was really the girl in that selfie you snapped. But I’m still me inside.”

  He stepped back, nodding his head a few times and putting his hands on his hips. “You’re you on the outside, too. You just haven’t adjusted to the new look and the new attitude. I can wait until you do.”

  “What if I never do?”

  “Then we will have had this one kiss in the moonlight, and I will count myself a lucky man,” he said.

  Her heart wanted to melt but that stubborn part of her psyche pointed out that he was good at making people believe what he said. She needed to remember that.

  FIVE

  “So how exactly are we getting home?” she asked as they walked back to the restaurant and met the Uber he’d called.

  “I thought we’d take a helicopter,” he said as the driver took them to the small airport and helipad where the chopper he’d rented waited.

  “Really? I’ve never been on one. I mean, I’ve wanted to, but oh, my gosh. Is it scary?”

  He shook his head, smiling at her. “Not scary...unless you’re afraid of heights. I should have checked first. Are you?”

  “No. Not at all,” she said. “My parents took a helicopter tour in Hawaii for their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. I have been wanting to try it, too.”

  “Then I’m glad I booked it,” he told her.

  Soon they were seated with their padded headphones on and the helicopter lifted off. Lila grabbed his hand as it did so. Squeezing his fingers.

  “Are you okay?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she replied, her voice full of excitement. “Sorry about that.”

  She let his hand go and then leaned toward the window to look out as the pilot took them over Trinity Bay and Mustang Point.

  “It’s so pretty from up here.”

  “It is,” Zach said, but he was looking at her. He realized that he might have made a colossal mistake by waging this bet with her. He thought he was making her into a woman
who could run her own brand campaign, but he knew it was more. His jaw flexed. Was he trying to make up for the sin he’d committed in Los Angeles?

  A part of him wanted to play it like he was too jaded to care if he’d slept with another man’s wife, but he knew he wasn’t. Helping Lila wasn’t going to erase that mark on his soul, but it would give him something positive to focus on. He knew he wasn’t one to just use someone for his own gain...and while he liked to live life on the edge, deep down he’d always felt like he was a fairly decent person.

  Lila was helping to give him a bridge back to that.

  But at what cost?

  “Oh, wow. I love this! The sky is even bigger up here,” she said.

  “It is,” he agreed. She kept up a running commentary over the different sights they passed and he listened to her. He’d given her this. To him this was just a quicker way of getting from place to place. But to Lila this was an experience. He let that thought settle in his mind. What would she do if he took her on his private jet?

  She’d probably be over the moon. But this was also a reminder of how different they were. There was an innocence to Lila that he didn’t want to ruin. Yet wasn’t that inevitable?

  Making her over was just step one in creating a new Lila. The kind of Lila who would easily fit in and thrive in the spotlight the way he did. He wanted that for her. But he also liked it for himself, too. Helping people like Lila find their own brand and style had always appealed to him. She grabbed his leg as the lights of Royal came into view. “I can see the chamber building from here. I always knew Royal was a beautiful city, but seeing it all lit up makes it even more magical.”

  They landed at the helipad in the neighborhood where the house he’d rented earlier was, while she’d been getting changed. There was a golf cart waiting to take them to the house. He tipped the pilot and then led Lila to the golf cart.

  “Whose house is this?”

  “Mine. I rented it.”

  “What?” she said, her eyes widening. “I thought you’d be heading back out of town as soon as you made a few posts about the event.”