Craving You

L.L. said, “Boys, this is Tague Mason. Tague, this is Max Brighton and Len Dorsey. My business partners.”

The men shook. Tague told them, “It’s nice to meet you.” Then to L.L., he said, “I thought you were an independent designer.”

“I am. Max is my manufacturing specialist and Len is our shipping guru. Now facilities and distribution head honcho,” she added.

Chip opened the door and they all filed in. Tague was a little confused, but as soon as he eyed the entire open, empty space and the loft upstairs, it all clicked.

“You’re going to mass produce your toys,” he said to L.L. “That’s why you wanted the patents.”

She nodded enthusiastically. “Many of my clients have agreed to endorse the products, namely the designs created for them personally—they’re thrilled about the naughty notoriety. All we needed were the patents and the facilities to pull it all together. Chip came through for us on both counts.” She gave him a big hug.

“And to that end,” Chip said, “I have celebratory cocktails and the lease agreement for you three to sign.”

L.L. was ecstatic. Tague could see perfectly clear how excited she was. And he was happy for her. Damn happy.

Even though it changed up his game plan significantly.

Pushing aside thoughts of Japan and the fact that he’d decided while in the shower that he was going to ask her to go with him, he partook in the festivities, kissed her passionately and told her how proud he was of her for following a huge dream—and achieving it.

“Well,” she said in an exuberant tone, “I can’t call us a success yet. We haven’t even started. But we’ve laid so much groundwork, have done so much research and found a great marketing angle that I think we’re gonna rock it pretty hardcore.”

“Literally and figuratively,” Max quipped.

Chip had brought crystal flutes instead of plastic cups and they all clinked rims in toast of the new business venture.

Then Chip laid out all the details of the lease and the trio signed. He said, “I’ll have the landlord countersign and deliver you copies of the fully executed contract on Monday.”

“Wow,” L.L. gushed. “This is really happening.”

Max and Len gave her a squeeze. Then they wandered off to inspect the building some more. Chip said, “I’ve got to get these papers to the owner by one o’clock.” He kissed L.L. on the cheek, bid everyone goodbye and left.

L.L. took Tague by the hand and guided him up the spiral staircase to the loft. He surveyed the space while she sipped her champagne.

With a nod, he told her, “This is fantastic, baby.” And he meant it, despite the wrench suddenly thrown into his works. He sat on a wide window ledge and tried to mentally sort out how this impacted them as a couple. What he was now supposed to tell her about Tokyo.

It occurred to Tague that it was a good thing he hadn’t found the opportunity to share his news with her before now. That he hadn’t yet proposed that she go with him to Japan, as he’d been on the verge of doing before she’d invited him to come see her new facilities.

Had he jumped the gun, L.L. might have hesitated when it came to signing the lease. She might have faltered when it came to chasing her dream because of what had transpired so quickly between them and continued to grow. Tague couldn’t have her stepping away from her career aspirations because of him.

Conversely, he regretted how this affected their relationship. How would she feel about a long-distance romance? Long distance. Tokyo was not a hop, skip and a jump away, despite how flippantly he’d presented the situation to Chip. It was a fourteen-hour flight. And there was a dramatic time zone difference as well.

“What are you thinking?” L.L. nudged his foot with hers. “Not really as fantastic as you claimed?”

His head snapped up from where he’d been staring at his hands, clasped between his legs. “No, it’s absolutely fantastic. I sincerely mean that. Now I know why you were so excited on the ride over. This place is perfect.”

“It is,” she beamed.

“This is so great for you, L.L. I had no idea your plans were this grandiose, and I really admire your determination, your ambition.”

It appeared difficult for her to contain her enthusiasm, but she said, “So why do I get the feeling you were lost in thought about something not so great related to all of this? Did Chip mention the lease to you previously? Was there something in the terms that didn’t sit right with you?”

“No, definitely not.” He stood. “Chip negotiated a stellar deal for you. I would have encouraged you to sign if you were my client.”

“So…what, then?”

33

Concern flitted over her lovely face.