The Billionaire Next Door (Billionaire Bad Boys #2)(75)

“Thanks, Mom,” she said anyway. “That’s good advice.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

They chatted a while longer before exchanging “I love yous” and hanging up. Rachel dropped her phone on the bed next to her, thought for a second, then pushed out of bed.

She dug her laptop out from under her work clothes and pecked in the Web address for Crane Hotels HQ. Sure enough, the listing for marketing manager was still available.

Biting down on her lip, she decided to go for it. Maybe they’d never call and she wouldn’t have to worry about it. But maybe they would, and she could finally put down a deposit on her own place and rest in the knowledge that she’d taken care of her own problems without the help of her billionaire boyfriend.

*



Tag’s fingers danced over her bare shoulder as they faced each other in his bed. They’d gone to dinner at a no-muss, no-fuss pub. She’d chatted about her day spent packing boxes and conveniently avoided the topic of putting in an online application at Crane Hotels. Tag talked about work some, but mostly listened to her.

Afterward, they’d come back to his place and immediately stumbled into the bedroom and out of their clothes. Neither of them was interested in remaining dressed when they were together.

“What are you best at?” His voice was a silken murmur as he ran the pads of his fingers down her shoulder to the bend of her elbow.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Her mind on the fantastic way they spent the last forty minutes, she had no idea where his question was leading.

“I’ve created a monster. Told you that you were good in bed.” His throat bobbed when he laughed.

She couldn’t keep her smile from emerging. He had created a monster. She’d never had this much sex with Shaun, and she had been with him for almost two years. Tag was like a drug. A long-haired, bearded, wide-bodied, addictive drug.

“I’m asking about your skills outside of my mattress, Dimples. What skills did you highlight on your resume? There has to be a reason you’re not turning up any leads.”

Oh, right. Her resume.

She hadn’t intended on bringing up her job hunt tonight at all. The less she talked about it, the less bad she felt about circumventing him for the position at Crane HQ.

“Are you sure marketing is your bag?” Tag asked, continuing to chase chills down her arm as he ran his fingers down and up again. “Do you like sales? Would you like to work in the service industry?”

“I do work in the service industry,” she said with a smile.

“You know what I mean. Would you like to do something like I do?”

“What is it that you do?” She scrunched her brow and feigned confusion. “Travel, party, write your own dress code…”

A laugh burst from her when he rolled over the top of her, careful to keep from crushing her. Elbows tucked at her sides, she was thoroughly trapped beneath him, which was the best place to be. His weight, his warmth, the veil of hair shrouding them…He was so sexy it hurt.

“Is this conversation too responsible for you?” He ran his lips along the edge of her ear, sending droves of tingles down the length of her body.

“Yes. I’d like to be irresponsible.” She raked her fingers into his hair and he faced her, his head tilted, his eyes twinkling. Something about that twinkle made her heart ka-thud. The way his eyes held hers for the span of several hectic beats, and the way Tag lowered his lips in the softest, sweetest kiss.

“Are you staying with me tonight? I’ll make you breakfast.”

“How can I turn down breakfast?” she asked with a small smile. “You make better coffee than my roommates.”

“My view is better.”

She shook her head and smoothed one hand along Tag’s beard, her eyes flitting down to his tempting mouth. “Right now, mine’s pretty good, too.”

Thunder crashed outside and rain pelted the wide windows.

He rolled over but kept her tucked against him, his arm locked around her waist. “Smart of you to stay.”

She sighed, taking in the heavy dark clouds dominating the black sky, the feel of Tag blanketing her back. Being in his arms made her feel safe and cherished.

A big part of her wanted to lean into that feeling and let herself fall. But after recovering from a brutal tumble that had left her nearly homeless, practically jobless, and had taken a bite out of her confidence, she wasn’t able to let go all the way.

Maybe a little, though, she thought as she closed her eyes and breathed in Tag’s spicy scent.

Just until morning.





Chapter 22



Tag had spent the last week and a half consulting contractors and having plans drawn up for Oahu. As soon as they tested the design and had a fair amount of data, then he’d be on to creating a set of plans for each Crane hotel and delegating to the hotel managers. After that, he’d check on progress, visit several of them randomly, and watch the profits outweigh the expenditures.

With everything he’d had to do for work, the whole “spun” thing had retreated to the back of Tag’s mind. He and Rachel went to dinners, had sex, and had shared an overnight, and no part of him had retreated into freak-out mode.

He saw no reason to put a label on what they were doing. It was what it was. She was cool; he was cool. C’est la vie.