Becca’s eyes fluttered open. The room was dark but for the flickering light from the TV. She saw the room service tray with their half-eaten dinner still on the table in the adjacent room.

She rolled over and winced at the sore muscles in her thighs. She hadn’t been worked out like that in forever.

“Number three. We’re always horny,” she mumbled to herself. That was the understatement of the century.

She squinted across Jaylon’s sleeping body to the clock on the night table. 7:45 p.m. Shit! Ms. Wilder would be waiting for her in the Oak Bar in fifteen minutes.

Becca slid from the bed to hunt for her clothes in the relative darkness. She grimaced at the idea of meeting Ms. Wilder commando, but she had no choice. Jaylon saw to that when he shredded her underwear in the elevator. At least the rest of her clothing survived.

She needed a shower and whatever makeup she had in her purse. Gathering everything, she slipped into the bathroom. The last thing she needed was Jaylon following her downstairs.

Closing the door, she snapped on the light and surveyed the damage in the mirror. All the telltale signs of an afternoon delight were written on her face.

With a bittersweet sigh, she turned on the spray and stepped into the warm water, letting it soak into her bones. She did a quick wash and rinse and then turned off the shower, squeezing the excess water from her hair before reaching for the towel she threw over the inside rack.

“Aren’t you a quiet little kitty?”

Becca jumped, dropping her towel. “Jaylon!” She jerked the shower curtain back. “You scared me half to death. I could have slipped in here.”

He shook his head. “You’re a cat, Becca. You don’t slip unless it’s an escalator.” Gathering her clean, wet body to his dirty nakedness, he licked the droplets from her shoulder. “You smell even more amazing than before. It’s a shame to waste all this fresh skin, so why not get down and dirty with me while we wash each other clean?”

Her nether regions throbbed despite the aching flesh between her legs, and when he hiked her knee up for easy access she nearly puddled in his arms.

She pushed back, shaking her head. “I need to take a rain check or shower check—whatever. It’s nearly 8 p.m. and I have my meeting, remember?”

He paused, and then nodded. “Right. I forgot.” He slapped her wet butt. “Finish getting ready and I’ll meet you afterward for a drink. I have a couple of calls to make myself.”

Giving him a quick smile, Becca scooted under Jaylon’s arm and grabbed her things. She left the bathroom door ajar as she threw on her clothes and picked out her hair. Having no straightener was a bitch, so she finger curled her waves as best she could and dashed a little make-up on her face.

A quick check in the mirror and she was ready. Jaylon was in the shower, so she grabbed one of the keycards from his pants pocket and headed for the door, his off-key vocals putting a smile on her face as she slipped into the hall.

* * *

Becca scanned the bar, her eyes tracking every middle-aged woman in the place. Ms. Wilder said she’d have a red flowered brooch on her shoulder.

“Becca Duran?”

Bec whirled on her heel to see a middle-aged woman standing behind her, petite, yet very chic, with chin length platinum hair and sparkling eyes. Unnerving eyes. Like they could see right through you to your past and future.

Gerri Wilder. It had to be. No one else knew she was here.

Becca’s mouth dropped open at the sight of the well-dressed woman. Wearing a fitted black crepe Valentino with a gorgeous pair of Louboutin stilettos, her only pop of color was her ruby red lips and the red brooch she wore to help identify her.

“Close your mouth, dear, or the men will stare for all the wrong reasons.” The older woman chuckled.

Becca snapped her lips together, quickly composing herself. “I’m sorry, Ms. Wilder. I guess I expected someone a little more—” She searched for a polite word.

“Drab?” The older woman laughed and then held out her hand toward a table set with three glasses of champagne. “Please, take a seat. And call me Gerri.”

Becca slipped into a chair, not quite sure what to make of the third glass at the conspicuously empty seat. “Are you expecting someone else?” she asked.

Gerri raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t that why you’re here? To meet a potential mate? Champagne always sets the right tone for success, don’t you think?”

Becca swallowed. “Uhm…yes, but.”

Gerri shook her head. “Don’t stutter, dear. You’re the Prowl Leader of your Leap. Always a confident appearance. Remember that.” She winked, smoothing the front of her dress. “Of course, wearing a wonderful designer doesn’t hurt the process, either.”

The older woman sipped her champagne. “You seem—” she lifted one hand. “Halfhearted. Would you mind telling me why?”

Becca twirled the long-stemmed champagne flute, mindful of the older woman’s knowing gaze. It was as though she already knew Becca’s answer and was just waiting for her to blurt it out.

“I—”

Gerri’s phone buzzed and her eyes skimmed at the notification, but she didn’t answer. Caller I.D. flashed on the screen leaving Becca’s mouth hanging again.

“Jaylon Ross? You know Jaylon?”

The woman nodded. “Yes, dear. He’s a client. In fact, he stood me up this afternoon as well. He called just before you arrived and I told him to meet me here. I hope you don’t mind. He should be here any moment.”

Jaylon walked through the door and it was as though Becca could hear a pin drop. His eyes found hers and then he spared a glance for Ms. Wilder. Becca didn’t know whether to confess or crawl under the table.

He walked toward them and Becca expected to see the same disbelief on his face that she had, but all he did was smile that gorgeous full grin.

“You seem a little thrown, Becca. What’s wrong?” Gerri asked, taking another sip from her bubbly.

She looked between the two as Jaylon took the third seat. “I’m sorry, Ms. Wilder. I’m just a little stunned. Again, this isn’t what I expected.”

The older woman eyed her. “You seem to have a lot of preconceived expectations. You both do. It’s one of the reasons I put you together.”

Both Jaylon and Becca froze, exchanging looks with each other before shifting their collective gaze to Gerri.