Page 104 of Gilt

Now seems like a good time to mention that he’s going to have another one. It’s probably also the right time to tell him that he needs to kick Levi Rowe to the curb. Even though my oxygen-drenched brain, I know I have to do something before Levi finds out something he shouldn’t.

Jameson pockets his phone and lounges back. “He can wait.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say hurriedly. “Plus, there are beds at your house.”

He raises an eyebrow. “I thought I was clear about that.”

He was crystal clear about it. I’m beginning to think his checklist is even more rigid than mine. “I was thinking we could practice. Clothes on or maybe clothes off and everything but.”

“It’s going to be really hard to drive across town with blue balls.”

I bite my lip and pout, remembering what he told me the other day. “Why are we in two separate cars?”

“Because someone wanted to race,” he reminds me.

“We can leave mine here,” I suggest, tracing the bulging outline in his pants, “and come back for it later.”

“Seems like a lot of trouble.” His breathing speeds up as I shake my head.

“I promise it will be worth it.”

He doesn’t argue with me any further. Jameson pulls my car off the road. “If anything happens to it, I’ll buy you a new one.”

I’m not in the least bit worried about what happens to that car, even though I have to admit that I like having my own set of wheels. I get into the passenger seat of the BMW.

“Buckle up,” he demands as he shifts the car into drive and heads toward the city.

“I can’t,” I inform him. “Drive carefully. Oh, and Jameson, see if you can hold out.”

Then I wiggle under the arm controlling the gear shift and give him no choice but to lose that challenge.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

This time when we arrive at Jameson’s Belle Mère estate, I take a longer look. This home is modeled after a Mediterranean villa, complete with a tiled roof and a large fountain out front. I’d noticed that the last time I was here, but I hadn’t been able to appreciate the details like I do now. If he told me that it had been dug up from an ancient village in Tuscany, I would believe it.

I let out a low whistle. “Impressive. So let’s see, you have the penthouse at the top of the casino, a chalet up on Mt. Charleston, and a villa in town. Any other properties you want to tell me about?”

“There’s the flat in London,” he teases me. “Amongst others.”

“Do you have a book I can peruse or...”

“I’d rather surprise you by taking you to each one.”

I have to admit that I like the sound of that. He parks his BMW in the drive. I’ve learned to stay put until he opens my door. Everyone’s always bitching that chivalry is dead. If he’s its last dying breath, I’m not going to be the one to extinguish it. He takes my hand as soon as I’m out, and we head inside the house.

We’ve just stepped into the foyer when my phone rings. “That’s my mom,” I tell him, recognizing the ringtone. “I can only avoid her for so long before she sicks the police department on me. I’ve spent enough quality time with the Belle Mère PD to last me a couple of years.”

“Take the call, I’ll find Levi.” He gives me a swift kiss before he heads off in the direction of the kitchen. One simple gesture, and he’s left me breathless. I’m in so much trouble with him.

“Hi, Mom,” I greet her.

“Where are you?”

“Nice to talk to you, too.” I turn toward an empty room that serves as some type of parlor, hoping no one else will hear my conversation with her. “I’m in Belle Mère.”

“I’ve been trying to reach your father, but—”

“I’m not staying with him,” I stop her. There’s no point in trying to keep the facts from her. I hear a sharp inhale on the other line.