I hated myself for moving to a table near them, making my presence known. I found his gaze and held it, silently hoping he would just tell her “No” flat out. That he had something. Had someone.
Jacob only looked at me for a moment before he broke away, extricating himself from her arm. “Perhaps we should talk about this later, Rachel.”
I bristled at his vague response, slamming my purse onto the table. “Good morning.”
Rachel turned her head in my direction, flashing a smile so sweet it could rot teeth. “Oh, hello, Miss Montgomery.”
Jacob gave me a gruff nod. “Good morning, Leilia.”
Rachel struck a pose, making sure I got an eyeful of the body hugging royal blue dress she wore, paired with onyx colored stilettos that made her lean legs sing. She was pulling out the big guns.
“I think it’s great that it’s all hands on deck for little old me,” she said, giving me a coy look. “Even the non-essential personnel.”
I opened my mouth and spied Jacob’s pained look and thought better of it. “I’m just ready to get to work. As I’m sure we all are, Miss Laraby.”
“Rachel, I insist!” she drawled. “After all, I’m not that much older than you.” She winked before strutting over to the refreshment table.
Jacob followed her and as soon as his back was to me, I rolled my eyes, slumping a little in my chair. This was going to be the longest meeting of my life.
I tried to focus on happier things than the snark I knew was in store. Like how Jacob was wearing the hell out of a white button down shirt and tan slacks. His pants hugged him in all the right places, drawing my eye to the snug fit of him. I wanted him so bad that I could feel the dampness spreading in my panties. My mouth watered at the image of us wrapped up in each other.
I forced my eyes to the table, crossing my legs and saying a prayer that I’d make it through without mouthing off to Rachel.
“Leila.”
I lifted my head, surprised to see Jacob staring down at me. “Y-yes?”
“I hope your room is satisfactory.”
If I’d had a pencil in my hand, I probably would’ve snapped it in two. “You hope my room is satisfactory?” I tried to take a breath, but it did me no good. “That’s all you have to say to me?”
His eyes softened, but Rachel’s laugh cut through whatever moment we were about to have and he glanced away. When he turned back to me, the mask was back in place. “We’ll talk later.”
“Oh that’s not necessary,” I said frostily. “Unless you have further business or...submissive needs, we don’t really have anything else to say.” I pushed back from the table. “Excuse me.”
I knew he was stewing and I would get an earful later, but it was in the best interest of us both that I get a little space.
When I made it to the table, Allegra offered me some bread and cheese. “Affamato?” Remembering, she clarified. “Hungry?”
“Starved,” I said, taking the small crystal plate.
Allegra had a second that she probably meant for herself, but Rachel was hovering so she offered it to her.
“No thank you, Al,” Rachel said, crinkling her nose. “Carbs go straight to my hips.” Her green eyes zeroed in on me before she pivoted on her stilettos and strut back to the table where Jacob sat.
Allegra and I exchanged a look and I plunked a piece of bread in my mouth, savoring it with an exaggerated moan. Allegra laughed and gave my shoulder a supportive squeeze.
“Ready?” she asked gently.
“Nope,” I said honestly, dusting off my hands. “But let’s get it over with.”
We filed over to the table and sat down, all eyes turning to Jacob.
"Alright," Jacob said, calling the meeting to order. "I believe introductions have been made so we'll jump right in." As I flipped open my tablet and poised the pen over the paper, his brow arched in surprise. "Where is the iPad?"
"The iPad?" I licked my chap lips, trying hard to ignore Rachel's glare. "It's up in the room."
His mouth crossed in displeasure and I geared myself up for a chewing out, but instead, he leaned in, his voice quiet. "In the future, your iPad doesn't leave your side. All of the information and important correspondence will be maintained and exchanged electronically."
Duh, Lay! "O-Of course. It won't happen again."
Rachel set her glass of ice water down and the cubes were like nails on a chalkboard. "But how would she draw hearts in the margins if she had an iPad?"
I looked her square in the face, a storm brewing that was really gonna get me in trouble. Allegra cleared her throat, grounding me, and I just let it go, turning back to Jacob.
We discussed the press junket that was scheduled after lunch, complete with all the talking points from the director and studio. If any reporters asked about her recent stint in rehab, she was to refer to it as a period of growth and divert attention back to the film. During the screening, she was to pause for photographs only and then exit discreetly for the charity after party.
Jacob's voice deepened to the low, authoritative tone that gave me chills as he wrapped it up. "There is to be no alcohol consumption of any kind, Rachel." He gestured at her glass of water. "We've arranged for a substantial amount of Evian and Perrier and I don't care if you tape it to your wrist like a corsage, but when you're in public, no glasses, no cups. Everything is bottled and clearly H20."
She bat her eyes at him dismissively. "You and your rules."
"I mean it," he said, no undercurrent of joking to be found. "Remember what we discussed last night. My terms are non-negotiable."
The gasp that shot from my lips was gone before I could stifle it. The rational part of me knew that it was possible that the two of them met platonically. But since Jacob Whitmore touched me, there was no room for anything except irrationality and doubt. And Rachel squeezed right into that hole of uncertainty.
"What is it, sweetheart?" she said, with condescension practically oozing from every word. She steepled her fingers beneath her chin and let out a gasp of her own. "Are you finally getting that the billionaire doesn't ride off into the sunset with the help?"
I shoved back from the table, my anger erupting from my lips. "I'm not gonna sit here and put up with this bitch for one more second."
Rachel went wide eyed. "What did she just call me?" She too stood up, crossing her arms tight against her chest. "I refuse to work with her, Jacob. I absolutely refuse."