“Good. I don’t want it to. I know your taste, Rafe. You still want this to be a traditional Italian restaurant. And it will be. A little contemporary flare isn’t going to alter that. I’ll be very cognizant and careful.”
His brow dipped. “I know that.”
She smiled again. “You trust me.”
“Trust was never an issue between us.”
“Right. Well.” She drew in a deep breath. Let it out slowly. Then told him, “I have to get to the airport to pick up Tad. He’s over-the-rainbow excited about this job. I’ll forewarn you he can be a bit exuberant. And although he’s extremely professional and discreet, I have no doubt his tongue will be dragging on the floor when he gets a good look at you. He’s very selective, and you’re going to give him heart palpitations.”
With a half-snort, Rafe said, “I want to give you heart palpitations.”
“Oh, you do.” She closed the gap between them, kissed him heatedly and then whispered, “Never doubt that.”
She collected her purse and the keys to the rental car and headed out.
* * *
“You’ve had sex, you little tart.”
Jenna laughed, then kissed Tad on the cheek. “Repeatedly. I’ve lost track of the orgasms. The much-needed orgasms, I might add.”
“I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist as they walked through the terminal at San Francisco International, his Louis Vuitton rollaboard whizzing along behind him.
“Tell me we have a sleek limo with expensive champagne awaiting us,” Tad said.
“Just me and my sardine-can, eco-friendly rental car.”
“Hmm. You’re slipping, sugar plum.”
Jenna beamed up at him. He was tall and strapping and gorgeous. Bald and brawny, with the most amazing, tawny-colored eyes. She’d never seen eyes like that before she’d met him. Perfectly sculpted lips and pearly white teeth. It was no wonder heads whipped in his direction wherever Tad went.
Not only was he beautiful, he dressed impeccably in tailored designer suits. Even when flying all the way across the country. Today’s Armani creation was dark blue with ultra-thin pinstripes. He and Jenna matched fantastically as they made their way through the throng of people, who apparently couldn’t help noticing them.
Lots of double takes and a number of requests for autograph
s later and they emerged in the parking garage. They stowed Tad’s carry-on in the trunk and then Jenna slipped behind the wheel.
“So, Miss Lonely Hearts,” he dove right in. “Did you tell him about the job in New York?”
“Yes. Rafe knows I’m leaving in two weeks.” And how odd that she felt like Dorothy, watching the sand run out in the Wicked Witch of the West’s hourglass.
“He’s okay with that?”
“Rafe is never okay with the things I do. Well, except… You know.”
Tad laughed wickedly. “Do you tie that man up and tease him to the point of insanity?”
“No, I pretty much let him do whatever he wants to me.” She spared another glance Tad’s way and snickered at him. “Call me what you will, but let it never be prude.”
“I don’t get you,” he said as he shoved the seat back as far as it could go, to accommodate his long legs, and settled more comfortably. Relatively speaking. “You don’t talk about sex or the ex, and you haven’t seen him in three years. Yet two days with him and he’s already ravaged you?”
“Many times over.”
Tad eyed her curiously. She caught the look in her peripheral vision.