I glanced over and saw Tessa on the other side of the lobby. She was helping a young bellman. She smiled at him, patiently answering whatever questions he was asking. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Mmm, competence was very sexy.

She reached into her small emergency kit, handed the young man something that made him grin, then she patted him on the shoulder.

She turned and spotted me. The smile she sent me was very different to the one she’d given the bellman, and hit me low in the gut.

Temporary, Langston. Don’t forget that.

17. Tessa

Chapter 17

Tessa

I led Ro into the great room.

“What exactly have you got planned, Ms. Ashford?”

I smiled at him, then my heart squeezed. We’d only been apart a few hours, but he looked tired. I could see lines bracketing the corners of his mouth and I guessed he had a headache.

“Nothing kinky.”

“That’s a shame. Something in the basement? Or maybe you’ll lock me in a supply cupboard this time?”

I rolled my eyes. “Afternoon tea in one of my favorite spots.”

The table had been set up in the great room as I’d requested. A teapot, coffee plunger, and several plates of baked goods rested on the table between the two armchairs. The chandelier glittered overhead, and the view out the window was beautiful and green.

“Brunch and now afternoon tea. I’ll need to do an extra workout.” As he sat, my phone vibrated. I pulled it out and saw another text message.

“Problem?”

“No.” Just my friends blowing up my phone.

OMG, Tessa. You slept with a hot billionaire!!! By accident!!! I need all the details.

That one was from Sierra. She’d sent several other ones, and the amount of exclamation marks she was using was alarming.

The next few were from Jazz.

I’ve been trying to catch you all day but you’re mysteriously busy and not at your desk.

I WILL find you. And you will spill. You can’t hide from me.

The final one was a group message from Allie, sent to Jazz, Sierra, and me.

Cocktails tonight. Tessa’s place. No excuses.

I bit my lip. They were going to ply me with alcohol and interrogate me. I’d worry about that later. Stuffing my phone in my pocket, I sat down in the armchair and studied Ro again. He looked so tense. “Your calls didn’t go well?”

“No.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “There are some problems with the new acquisition.”

I leaned forward. “Where is it? Or is that top-secret?”

“The Maldives.”

“But you already have a Langston Maldives.”

“I’m planning a second one. More exclusive, with overwater villas, Michelin-starred dining, ultra-exclusive amenities.”

I lifted the coffee plunger and poured coffee for him. I mixed in some creamer. “Sounds like a dream.”