She laughed softly. “Night. Drive safely.”
“Always.” He waited until he heard the lock click into place before going to his car. He chuckled, thinking about her bold statement. So, she thought she could make his night, huh? He looked forward to that. And he’d be ready.
Chapter 15
Despite the fact that he had gotten only three hours of sleep, Donovan arrived in the office feeling better than he had in months. He spent the first hour on the phone booking dates for Kaleidoscope’s next series of concerts on the East Coast, and now sat sipping coffee while going through his emails. Promoting Monique to manage the promotions and publicity departments freed him up significantly and was one of his better moves recently. However, working things out with Simona topped his list of good decisions.
It had taken him a while to fall asleep last night because his mind had continued to race with thoughts of their lovemaking. And every time he thought about that kiss and her assertion that next time she would put him to sleep, he was tempted to go back to her house for that “next time.”
Donovan had enjoyed every moment of being with her last night. Yes, the sex had been off the charts, but he’d also liked talking with her over sandwiches and teasing her about Yasmine giving him Simona’s kisses.
Yasmine. With her wide eyes and infectious giggles, he hadn’t stood a chance.
He clicked on the email from Monique. She had attached a chart she’d done on the promotional and publicity plans for each artist on the label after meeting with those department heads. Yep, good move. He printed it out and put it with the other weekly reports for the staff meeting.
“Is that ‘Jesus Loves Me’ you’re humming?”
Donovan halted with the pen in his hand and glanced up to see Terrence standing in the doorway. Had he been singing? “What’s up, T?”
Terrence crossed the office and took a seat across from Donovan. “That’s what I came to see. And you didn’t answer my question.”
He shrugged. “Maybe. You have a problem with it?”
“No, but I’m curious as to why,” Terrence said, stroking his goatee and studying Donovan. “Oh, and you never responded to my text Saturday.”
“I was busy.”
“No, you weren’t. You were running, just like I said. Been there, done that and recognize it when I see it.”
Donovan tossed down the pen and leaned back in his chair. “Fine. You were right. But for your information, I’m not running anymore. I can’t. I really like Simona.”
“And her daughter?”
“Yasmine isn’t her daughter.” He shared the circumstances of Simona’s guardianship.
“So Simona’s her aunt. That’s pretty cool.”
“She’s the most giving and compassionate person I’ve ever met.”
“I guess that means you two have made up and are together now.”
“I want to make it work, but remember when I told you how she reacts when the subject of my job comes up?”
“You said she likes her privacy. Janae was the same way when we started dating. Maybe she and Simona should talk.”
“It’s more than just wanting privacy. She dated an up-and-coming actor who trashed her in the media when she broke up with him, making it seem like he left her and she was nothing more than a groupie. She moved here from Oakland to get away.”
“Damn. But I know you’ll protect her the same way I protect Janae.”
“True, but you know somewhere down the line there’s bound to be something printed about us—it’s the nature of this job—and I don’t really know how she’s going to handle it.”
“You mean like this?” Terrence passed Donovan an entertainment magazine.
Donovan took the magazine and flipped to the tabbed page. “Great. This is all I need.” With Simona’s back to the camera and his arm around her shoulder, she was virtually unrecognizable, but he knew it was just a matter of time before a clearer photo surfaced.
“A couple of pictures of me and Janae popped up while we were dating, too, but neither of us responded so it faded pretty quickly. I’m sure that’ll be the case with you two.” Terrence stood. “I’d better get moving so I can be out of here by six. I’m missing my baby already.”
Donovan laughed. “Nadia’s got you wrapped around her pinky.”