“Related to the show?”
“Yes.”
Her belly quivered—because of Rory or the potential job? She had no idea, but strove for nonchalance regardless of the actual truth, whatever it might be. And went against her better judgment of keeping her distance from the man until all the dust had settled.
Sadly, she wasn’t quite sure she achieved a calm demeanor as she caustically said, “Fine, then. I’ll cancel with my friends.”
Phillip and Colin would understand, particularly when she told them who she was now dining with. Hell, they’d be ecstatic for Bayli. Rory St. James was one hell of a looker. And, again, there was that possibility of a TV show.
Bayli knew she ought to be more thrilled about the latter, rather than how hot Rory was—how hot Rory made her. But she was literally incapable of dismissing or skipping over those pertinent facts. He got her juices flowing in record time and had her mind whirling with all sorts of sexy thoughts centered on how he might pleasure her.
Christian had delivered several earth-shattering orgasms. She wondered about Rory doing the same, wondered just how talented his tongue might be, how aggressively he’d fuck her.
Bayli pressed her bare thighs together as erotic pinpricks targeted her clit. Such bad timing. And much too taunting to ignore. But not at all convenient when she was trying to keep her wits about her around this man.
Rory pried the books from her hands to carry them as his other palm pressed to the small of her back. Surprising her and heightening her arousal. He guided her down the stairs and along the busy sidewalk.
He said, “We’ll shop first.”
“Shouldn’t you be at the restaurant?”
“I like to throw my executive chefs for a loop every now and then,” he revealed in a conspiratorial tone. “Put them in charge when they least expect it. That way I find out how prepared they are to take over when I’m gone.”
“What if it all goes to hell in a handbag because Rory St. James isn’t there to rule the roost?”
He chuckled. A low rumbling sound that reverberated deep inside her.
“I know before I hire them whether they’re going to crack under the pressure. Still, it doesn’t hurt to test the staff from time to time. And to also demonstrate my faith in their abilities.”
Bayli gazed at him. “So you’re not so much tossing them into the deep end to see if they’ll sink or swim. You’re proving you trust them.”
His head dipped and he whispered in her ear, “Shh. Don’t tell anyone.”
Her heart did an odd little flip. In a breathy voice, she said, “Far be it from me to give away your secrets.”
Rory grinned. “Sometimes being an asshole garners the best responses—and work—from others.”
“Sometimes honey catches more flies than vinegar.”
“In certain situations,” he agreed. “But I’m not interested in catching flies. I’m interested in stars.”
She nodded. “Of the Michelin variety.” Bayli mulled this over a moment, then added, “But come on, Rory—may I call you Rory?”
“Of course.” He stared down at her as though completely taken aback by her inquiry. “What were you planning on calling me?”
“I don’t think you want to know.” She flashed a sassy smile that made him laugh. Then she said, “Just kidding. Anyway, I do appreciate your devotion to your profession and your commitment to protecting your business assets. I don’t even mind that you’re intimidating as hell in your kitchen. Well, in life in general.” She swallowed hard.
Rory stopped walking, effectively pulling her up short with him. “I’m not trying to intimidate you, Bayli. This is just who I am.”
“I know.” She smiled again. “Which is one of the reasons why I hoped to make a good impression with Christian at the fund-raiser, so that I could come back to the restaurant and maybe get a real interview with you. I’ll admit that, at first, I considered the position a foothold for my modeling career. But after I met you…” Her head cocked to the side as she took in his six-foot-two- or three-inch stature and his imposing build. “My mind started to whirl with all sorts of possibilities about who you really are and what you’re really trying to accomplish. It isn’t just about the stars, right?”
Rory let out a sigh that could have been part dejection, part frustration. Part agitation? She couldn’t be sure.
He continued walking, leading her to a gunmetal-gray sports car parallel parked alongside the walkway. His hand slipped away and she felt the void in the way she had when Christian had withdrawn from her body the night before. Foreign sensations, because Bayli was used to being a loner when it came to male companionship.
She had her “sisterly” love with Jewel and Scarlet. But physical affection had always been lacking in Bayli’s life. Until she’d met both Rory and Christian she hadn’t noticed the deficiency—or perhaps she just hadn’t acknowledged it before this point. But these two men … they did something to her. Made her feel a part of something, made her feel a sense of belonging. So much so that when the physical contact was broken she felt empty and cold inside.
It was a little scary to own up to all of that. But also inevitable.