Page 51 of Her Billionaire Bargain (Kensington Square)

Her expression turned sly. “Well, that sounds promising. But I didn’t bring a suit. And it’s late—and fuck it.” She huffed out a breath that ruffled the damp curls sticking to her cheeks. “When will I get this chance again?”

I started to answer whenever you want but she cut me off with a loud, “Never!” before I could.

“Let’s go.” She pushed through the crowd of people now heading for the exit.

Okay, then.

She indicated another door that led to the front desk check-in and we headed there, Shelby leading the way. Marching there, in fact. The couple inches she’d lost from removing her heels didn’t diminish her sense of authority.

I didn’t mind her taking charge now and then. It was damn hot.

A young woman behind the counter with her blond hair pulled back and a name tag that said Cara gave us a sweet smile. “Do you have a room?”

“No, we want one. One with a hot tub. Unless they all have them?” Shelby propped her chin on her hand as if she was fascinated.

Knowing her profession, maybe she was.

Cara started running through the particulars for their standard bedroom suites while I pulled out my credit card and slipped it her way. She took it discreetly, palming it and swiping it through the reader before producing a key card and returning it with my credit card just as smoothly.

I rested my hand on the small of Shelby’s back once Cara finished her explanation of the different rooms and guided her to the sweeping staircase that led upstairs. Beyond the stairs, a huge apple tree speared through the atrium.

I expected her to offer an objection to…something—she was Shelby, after all—but she took out her phone, hit a button and began talking rapidly, all traces of a buzz gone.

“I’m still on my date. Is Berry all right? You sure? Okay, good. No, we’re getting a room. With a hot tub.” The tops of her cheeks bloomed with color, but her voice never faltered. “Are you sure it’s all right? I know it’s unexpected—” She sneaked a look at me before returning her gaze straight ahead as she climbed the stairs. “I’ll be back early tomorrow. Any problems, let me know. I owe you, Mom. Big time. Thanks.” She clicked off on her call and dumped her phone in her purse.

“Berry okay?” I asked as casually as possible as we reached our floor and headed up the carpeted, church-silent hallway.

“She’s fine, already in bed with her stack of books. She suggested they get a dog tonight. Pugs are nice, she’s heard.” Shelby’s lips twitched. “Wonder where that came from.”

I shrugged innocently. “Pugs are nice. Speaking of,” I took out my phone, “I should check in with my sitter.”

“Your sitter?’’

I hit the speed dial button for Kate. “Yes, for Bob. Bishop used a service for his bird while he was in Fiji banging his wife—not that they were married then—and I took down the name. Bob can get into trouble on his own.” I smiled as the sitter answered. “Kate, hi.” I wasn’t sure if I was imagining the way Shelby seemed to stiffen at my side. “It’s Dex. How’s Bob?”

“Oh, hi. He’s great. I had to put new child locks on the garbage because he broke in again. He’s a wily one.”

“That he is.” Exactly why I’d sprung for a sitter. “Look, I won’t be home tonight. I hope you can make that work. I’ll ensure you are well compensated for the unexpected extension.”

This time there was no mistaking how Shelby bristled.

“Twice your normal hourly rate for overnight,” I added, just in case Shelby had a suspicious mind and thought I meant some other sort of compensation. Though, really, how good could her pet-sitting service be?

“Oh, Mr. Shaw, of course I can do that. You’re far too generous.” As she continued to coo her thanks, I held the phone away from my ear and fitted the key card into the door. It popped open with a soft snick when I turned the handle, and Shelby slipped inside with a narrowed-eyed glance over her shoulder.

“I’ll be home early tomorrow,” I told Kate. “Thanks again. You’re a lifesaver.” I clicked off and blew out a breath.

Now what had I done? It was anyone’s guess.

Shelby stepped into the spacious fireplace room and stopped dead, looking around in wonderment at the high-beamed ceilings, wide windows that overlooked the orchard, and luxurious bedding piled high on the bed. “Holy shit.”

I grinned and gripped her shoulders to pull her back against me. “You like?”

“I like. Thanks.” She reached up to grip her throat. “Is Kate cute?”

“She’s attractive,” I said noncommittally.

“You’re just used to women fawning over you then. Used to them tripping into your bed as a matter of course.”

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