“That was fantastic, thank you,” Harper told Shelly through lips that had gone slack and tingly.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Please get up slowly. You’re very relaxed,” Shelly said quietly before she and Gabby exited the terrace, giving them privacy.
She looked over at Jacob. He was coming to a sitting position on the table, the white sheet draped low over his taut abdomen. His blondish-brown hair was mussed and strands fell onto his forehead. He looked good enough to eat.
“Did you like?” he asked.
“So much that I can’t move. My muscles have never been so spoiled,” she mumbled, throwing back the sheet and reaching for her robe.
“Then we’ll do it tomorrow, as well.” She glanced up at him as she tossed the robe around her shoulders. “I mean, if you’d like? Dinner tonight, too? I promise I’ll do better than raiding the fridge this time.”
She laughed. “Don’t promise on my account. That was the best meal I’ve had in years.”
“Is that a yes?”
She glanced over at him. His gaze was on her bare breasts.
“You know it is,” she said softly. He looked up and met her stare. She felt that increasingly familiar unfurling in her lower belly.
“Jacob?”
Harper looked around at the woman’s voice, startled. Her eyes widened when she saw Elizabeth Shields walking briskly across the terrace in her pumps. Harper scrambled hastily into her robe, drawing it closed over her naked body. Unfortunately, she wasn’t fast enough. Elizabeth halted in her tracks, her stare on Harper. Then she looked abruptly downward at the stone floor.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize you weren’t alone,” Elizabeth said.
“What is it?” Jacob asked her in a clipped tone.
Elizabeth glanced up cautiously. When she noticed that Harper was covered, she stepped forward. She had a cell phone in her hand, and was covering the receiver.
“It’s Alex calling about the ResourceSoft acquisition. I’m afraid there’s been a snag,” she glanced over at Harper, clearly still uncomfortable airing Jacob’s private affairs in front of her.
“It’s okay, Elizabeth,” Jacob said. “What’s the problem?”
“There’s a liability issue. A man has come forward and claimed a prior copyright on the software.”
Jacob cursed under his breath. He held out his hand, frowning forbiddingly. Harper sensed the shift in his focus, along with his irritation. Elizabeth gave him the phone.
Harper turned away, tightening her robe and smoothing her hair while Jacob talked to whoever was on the phone in terse, brisk language. He didn’t take long, but even so, she caught a glimpse of his diamond-hard focus. It intimidated her a little, seeing that brilliant, glacial side of his personality. He signed off as she turned around. His gaze flickered across her, and she sensed his methodical mind working through a myriad of scenarios.
“I’m sorry. I’m going to have to leave for San Francisco this afternoon,” he said distractedly.
“Oh.” She was expecting him to say something like that, given what she’d just overheard on the phone. Still, she was disappointed. They’d gone from the warmth of the moment and the promise of more excitement and intimacy tonight to having it all ripped away in a second. “Well, I’m sure it can’t be helped . . .” She faded off, made uncomfortable with Elizabeth standing there, listening to the whole exchange.
“It sure as hell can’t,” Jacob muttered angrily, hopping onto the terrace, still holding the white sheet against his lower body, insouciant in his mostly nude state, even in front of Elizabeth. He handed the phone to his assistant.
“Call Jenny and Marianne and let them know I’ll be there this evening.” He rattled off a few other instructions to Elizabeth, and Elizabeth made a few suggestions. Harper started to feel like a third wheel, they were both so intent on their plans. Finally, Elizabeth nodded and started to walk away.
“No. Wait,” Jacob called tersely to Elizabeth. He turned to Harper.
“Come with me? To San Francisco.”
She blinked in amazement. She’d thought he’d forgotten she was there.
“I have work.”
“It’s Friday of Labor Day weekend. I’ll wait until you’re off. We’ll fly out of the Truckee-Tahoe Airport and be in San Francisco in forty-five minutes. I’ll get you back on Sunday. Cyril is in San Francisco right now. Maybe you two could get together while I’m in meetings, discuss the film contract or screenplay ideas.”
She glanced anxiously at Elizabeth, who was watching her closely.