Page 60 of Jilted

We drove out of the airport lot and onto a busy highway. Maybe I was delirious from lack of sleep, but I couldn’t take my eyes off the way Wilder’s big hand wrapped around the gear shift and took control. Then again, there wasn’t much Ididn’tfind sexy about the man these days. Usually it was the opposite—I’d think a man was handsome and the more I got to know him, the less handsome he became.

I forced my eyes back to the road.

“Did you sleep on the plane?” Wilder asked.

I shook my head. “I drank too much coffee beforehand. I’d planned to work since I can’t sleep sitting up and thought I was stuck in a middle seat in economy. By the way, did you do that? Upgrade me to first class?”

He shrugged. “You’re my guest. I wanted to make sure you were comfortable.”

“Thank you. It was incredible. I’ve always peeked at the prices of those tickets and didn’t understand what the fuss was about for all that extra money. But I get it now. I had a full bed and could’ve probably slept the entire flight if I wasn’t all caffeinated. Even the food was good.”

“Really helps on quick trips. When I do the red-eye, I can usually knock out for five to six hours and be functional for meetings when I land.”

“I can see that.”

“I also changed your hotel. Hope you don’t mind.”

“Umm… no, I guess you would know better. I just picked a chain I knew.”

“You’re at the Rosewood now.” He looked over with a cheeky smile. “It’s closer to my place. How about if I drop you there so you can get some sleep, and tomorrow morning I’ll scoop up your suitcase and bring it with me when I come to pick you up? I’ll have some coffee in the restaurant while you unpack and get ready.”

“That sounds perfect. I don’t know how to thank you.”

“I can think of a few ways…”

I shook my head. And then a few minutes later, my mouth fell open. I figured Wilder had moved me somewhere nicer, but I didn’t expect iron gates leading to a grand Edwardian courtyard. The opulent building was rather intimidating as we pulled up.

“Here we go.”

“Wilder…” I looked over at him. “I can’t stay here.”

His brows pulled together. “You don’t like it?”

“It’s gorgeous. But it must cost a small fortune.”

“Don’t worry about it. You’re my guest.”

“That’s very sweet, but…”

He met my eyes. “I just wanted you to stay somewhere nice. I don’t expect anything, Sloane.”

“Oh, I know. I wasn’t thinking you were, but…”

“Let me take care of you while you’re here, okay?”

I took a deep breath and nodded. “I’m not so good at that—letting people take care of me.”

“I noticed. Now come on. Let’s get you checked in, and then I’ll go home and crash, too.”

I smiled. “Okay.”

At the front desk, Wilder slipped a black card to the check-in clerk while I looked around in awe. The hotel was sophisticated and contemporary, yet somehow still had a distinctly British feel. After a minute, the clerk gave me keys and pointed us to the elevators.

Wilder walked with me, passing me my work tote after pressing the button at the elevator bank.

“How does eleven sound? Is that too early with the five-hour time change? I heard a rumor you like to sleep.”

I smiled. “I do. But I’m too excited to see the city to waste a full day.”

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