No Reservations (4 page)

She didn’t say no right away and he took that as encouragement.

“You’d be my guest. I’ll have a room reserved for you.” He wanted her to know he didn’t
expect her to sleep with him. Even though he was praying she’d end up under him somewhere
in the hotel. “I’d like to spend time with you, Kate.”

He could wait, would have to wait. She wasn’t ready for anything more, not after breaking
up with the man she’d thought she was going to marry.

He didn’t want to rush her.

Silently, she weighed the situation, her gaze never leaving his.

Shit. Had he moved too fast? Maybe he should’ve waited. He’d be spending a lot of
time at the spa. They’d have time to get acquainted. He’d make sure of it.

But, damn it, he didn’t want to wait. He felt like his life had been in a holding
pattern since Mia had first been diagnosed. Like he’d taken one big breath that day
in the doctor’s office and hadn’t released it yet.

After at least thirty seconds, her chin tilted up. “I’d love to. Just let me pack
an overnight bag.”

He released his breath on a sigh of relief and her smile made him want to pump his
fist in the air.

Nodding, he pulled out his phone. “I’ll let Jed know I’m heading out.”

Three

The drive to Philadelphia took only an hour at this time of night, and Kate questioned
her decision every other second.

When she looked out the window and saw the fields and trees flash by along the Pennsylvania
Turnpike, she debated asking Tyler to turn around.

But when she turned to tell him to take her home, she knew she really didn’t want
to go.

She had to be honest with herself. She’d wanted Tyler since the first moment she’d
met him.

And she’d be damned if she let nerves interfere with the opportunity to spend time
with him. Tyler Golden drew her in a way no one ever had.

He didn’t speak much but, when he did, she hung on his every word. His deep voice
practically mesmerized. Hell, her panties were already damp and that was only from
listening to his few and far between comments.

They hadn’t kept up a running conversation but she didn’t feel uncomfortable. She
felt cocooned. The leather car seat conformed to her body; the soft jazz issuing from
the speakers murmured to her.

As they got closer to the city, her attention focused solely on Tyler. She watched
his lips as he spoke, watched his hands grip the wheel. Felt her body tense as she
thought about those hands caressing her.

The amount of traffic in the city at ten at night amazed her, which then made her
feel like a real hick. Adamstown rolled up its sidewalks by nine at the latest, no
matter what was going on.

When they finally pulled up to the hotel and Tyler drove down the ramp into the underground
parking facility, she thought she had a handle on her uncertainty.

After he’d parked in a gated area, he threw the keys to a young attendant who came
rushing out of the booth.

Kate waited as they exchanged a few words, then Tyler got her bag from the trunk before
he walked around to open her door and help her out.

He would have released her but she twined her fingers with his and watched his gaze
narrow and his expression sharpen with intensity.

A shiver of need worked its way up her spine and she couldn’t help but think how he
would look at her when he took her to bed.

That was exactly what she wanted and she wasn’t going to give up the opportunity.

No matter what happened in the future, she was grabbing hold of tonight and not letting
go until she got what she wanted.

Tyler. In a bed. Making her scream.

Okay, she might give up the screaming for a simple orgasm that she didn’t have to
work so damn hard for.

Arnie had never—

No.
No thoughts of Arnie tonight.

“Would you like to see your room or should I have your bag sent up so we can go to
the bar?”

“Do you think I should change first?”

The elevator opened seconds after he pushed the button and they stepped inside. As
the doors closed, his gaze trapped and held hers. “Absolutely not. You look stunning.”

She didn’t attempt to hold back her smile and was rewarded by one of his in return.
“Thank you, Tyler. But this dress is probably a little much for a bar.”

“Trust me, the only thing anyone will notice is how good you look in it. Besides,
I have a reserved booth in the back. We won’t be in the crowd. And . . . I really
love the dress, Kate. Leave it on. Please.”

He stole her breath with that soft “Please.”

When she nodded, he turned to face the doors. And continued to stare at her in the
reflection.

When the elevator stopped, Tyler ushered her out into the refined elegance of Haven’s
lobby.

She remembered the first time she’d been here New Year’s Eve. Remembered thinking
she was so far out of her league.

Her parents had never been wealthy. Well-off, yes, but they’d never spent money extravagantly.
Haven qualified as extravagant and catered to a crowd that would expect it. The reception
desk was cream marble, for cripes sake. Brown leather chairs and couches were grouped
in small seating areas. Modern art by names even she recognized decorated the pale
blue walls.

The hotel had a sleek, modern vibe without being cold and unwelcoming. The ballroom
had been exquisite.

Kate hadn’t been to Frank’s Bar on her previous visit so she wasn’t sure what to expect,
but she knew it would be nothing less than amazing.

They entered the bar from a small, private door behind the registration area, after
Tyler had given her bag to a bellman. A small stairway led them to a nearly invisible
entrance at the back of the bar and to an elevated, u-shaped booth.

As she slid onto the black leather banquette, she had a perfect view of the stage
if she sat in the center. But if she moved to either side, no one would be able to
see her.

You could do all sorts of wicked things in here and no one would be the wiser.

Putting that thought aside for now, she took in the décor, which reminded her of something
out of the ’50s. The meticulous attention to detail would’ve made Sinatra and the
Rat Pack feel right at home.

On stage, a quartet perfectly accompanied the singer’s sultry voice.

Kate could almost imagine she’d stepped back in time.

As Tyler slid in beside her, she leaned over so she wouldn’t have to raise her voice
to be heard. “I love this place, Tyler. I feel like it really is the ’50s.”

“That’s exactly what we were going for. Jed and I agreed that we wanted the bar to
be swanky. We’re both fans of
Mad Men
and this allowed us to play with that feeling.”

“Well, you certainly achieved your goal.”

Tyler started to reply but a thirtyish man in a crisp dark suit, pristine white shirt,
and skinny red tie stepped up to the booth, eliciting a smile from Tyler as they shook
hands.

“I figured we’d see you tonight,” the man said. “I know how much you enjoy Sally and
the band.”

“Hey, Mike. I’m glad I could catch them. Mike, this is Kate. Kate, this is Mike Valenti,
the bar manager.”

Mike took her outstretched hand and gave her a dazzling smile that transformed his
almost stern features into rakish handsomeness.

This one probably left a trail of broken hearts behind him though he played the perfect
gentleman with her. Probably because she was with his boss.

“Nice to meet you, Kate.” Then he winked at her before turning back to Tyler. “What
can I get you tonight?”

“Just ginger ale for me,” Tyler said. “Kate?”

Since she already felt a little drunk, she probably shouldn’t push her luck. Then
again, a little loosening up never hurt anyone. “Whiskey sour, please.”

His smile widened. “Ah, you must have been here before to know that’s the bartender’s
signature drink.”

Tyler answered before she could. “Ignore his clumsy attempt at prying. Mike likes
to stick his nose where it doesn’t belong.”

“And yet I’ve managed to keep it in one piece all these years.” Mike looked unrepentant.
In fact, his smile seemed even wider. “I’ll be back with your drinks, boss. Kate,
enjoy your evening.”

Mike disappeared and she looked up to find Tyler shaking his head, his expression
amused. “Mike’s been one of my best friends since high school. He could be managing
a fleet of restaurants around the country. When Jed and I opened this place, we brought
Mike in to set up the bar. We never thought he’d stay. We’re damn lucky to have him.”

“Loyalty counts for a lot.”

“Yes, it does. Especially when you’re starting a venture like ours.”

“This was a huge undertaking, wasn’t it?”

Tyler leaned back into the booth, his expression relaxed and so handsome, she would’ve
gladly sat there and simply stared at him all night.

“Any business is in this economy, but we were determined. And we figured we had a
leg up because of our family history.”

“Your dad owns the GoldenStar hotel chain.”

“My dad
inherited
the GoldenStar hotel chain from our grandfather. My dad’s a pretty savvy businessman
and he thought we were crazy. He wanted us to stay with the chain.”

“And you and Jared didn’t want to.”

“We had our own plans.”

“You’ve created something wonderful.”

That smile of his was something wonderful as well, she decided.

“We think so. It was a lot of work but rewarding as hell.”

“Jared said you’re the money man. He also said you helped create the plans for the
hotel.”

“I’m the money man because I hold an MA in business from Wharton. But Jed exaggerates
when it comes to how much guidance I gave the architect.”

“So you didn’t sketch out the entire layout of the first three floors, including the
ballrooms and conference rooms and the atrium and give that to the architect to re-create?”

Tyler leaned his head against the black leather back cushion, his smile slowly fading
but the intensity in those deep blue eyes becoming more focused.

When Tyler didn’t respond, she continued. “Jared also said the atrium has been your
project from the beginning.”

“Sounds like Jed’s been talking a lot.”

“Don’t be mad at him. He only told me because I asked.”

She realized as soon as the last word left her mouth what she’d admitted and felt
a blush race to her cheeks.

Tyler’s gaze sharpened. “I’m glad to hear that.”

“I’m so sorry. I wasn’t prying—”

“Don’t be sorry. I’m flattered.” His mouth quirked in an adorably lopsided grin and
she forgot to be embarrassed.

Hell, she forgot everything but the way he made her feel. Light-headed and fizzy and . . .
like a teenager in love for the first time.

And she knew this wasn’t love. Infatuation, yes. But love . . . No way.

She smiled again, unsure what to say now. Small talk had never been her strong suit
and flirting . . . Well, she frankly sucked at flirting.

So she practically kissed the waitress who brought their drinks. Until she had the
crazy compulsion to scratch the woman’s eyes out when she smiled at Tyler.

Tyler returned the woman’s smile, but only for a second. Then his attention shifted
back to Kate.

Where it belonged.

Oh, God, she was going to need to have her head examined. First thing Monday morning.

Tonight, she was going to embrace the crazy.

As if he’d picked up on her ping-ponging thoughts, Tyler took pity on her and turned
to watch the band. She took a deep breath and did the same.

For the next thirty minutes, she sipped her drink, listened to wonderful music, and
totally enjoyed sitting next to Tyler. But when the singer announced their last song
for the night, Kate felt excitement bubble.

She couldn’t help thinking about what Annabelle had told her about the Salon, the
private room on the fourth floor. Would he take her there?

Excitement warred with trepidation. Annabelle had said Tyler hadn’t been present during
her time at the Salon. Maybe he didn’t spend any time there.

But Kate wanted to see it.

“Kate, is everything okay?”

She turned to find Tyler watching her, concern clear in his expression.

“I’m fine. Will you show me the Salon?”

She hadn’t meant to blurt it out like that, but she couldn’t think of any other way
to bring up the subject. And since she’d decided tonight was not going to include
fear of any kind, she didn’t take it back.

Not even when Tyler looked like he’d been punched in the gut.

Which he quickly covered with one of those half smiles he was so good at. And that
looked so good on him.

“What exactly have you heard about the Salon?”

That Annabelle had had one of the most exciting and arousing nights of her life there.

So that’s exactly what she told him.

Tyler’s expression never wavered but the air seemed to thicken around them. Her sex
clenched as she thought about the scene Annabelle had painted for her. The visuals
had left her breathless. To think she might actually get to experience a bit of that
for herself . . . Oh my.

“Did she tell you I don’t typically attend Jed’s games?”

“She said you weren’t there that night.” She took a deep breath. “So you don’t use
the Salon?”

Another pause. “Not regularly, no. But when we first opened and Jed set it up . . .
yeah, I went.”

Not wanting to appear too eager but too curious not to ask, she leaned forward. “I’m
not a prude, Tyler. And I won’t judge. Everyone’s entitled to their own happiness,
so long as they don’t hurt anyone else.”

“But what happens if someone does get hurt?”

She paused, because the look in his eyes made her stop and reconsider the way he’d
phrased the question. And his emphasis on the last word. “I guess it depends on how.
Are we talking physical or emotional? If you’re talking emotional, then I guess you
need to be sure you’ve done everything you can to
not
be a monster about it.”

She’d tried so hard to minimize the damage with Arnie, but she’d known it wouldn’t
take the entire sting away.

“If it’s physical”—just the thought made her heart speed up in a way she barely understood—“then
it has to be consensual.”