Hooked Page 23

  “My bed is cold.”

  “I can get you more blankets.”

  “Or I can just cuddle with you.” He snuggled in next to her. “You’re softer than the bed railing.”

  “You know they’re going to make you move the next time they come to check you.”

  “Shhhhh.” He kissed her forehead. “Go back to sleep.”

  “Okay.” She scooted over to give him more room. “Jeremy?”

  “Mmm-hmm?”

  “Just so you know, I am not going to ask you to stop climbing. I know this was a freak accident. I’m not going to lie that I won’t worry, but—”

  “If you wanted me to stop, I would.” His voice was sleepy. “I love climbing, but I don’t love it more than you.”

  She let out a long breath. She wasn’t sure if he’d been drugged up the first time he said it, but he was more than lucid now.

  “I love you.” He said it again. “Just in case you didn’t catch that. I wanted you to know, because I was walking off that hill, and about halfway down I had this moment where I realized that I really could have died. If I’d landed on my head or if my bone broke and cut an artery… it could have been bad. I could have died, and you wouldn’t have known that I love you. And that pissed me off.” He kissed her temple. “So I love you. Now you know.”

  She hugged his waist. “I love you too.” She thought it would feel weird, but it didn’t. Saying it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

  “Are you saying that because I could have died?”

  “No. I realized it the other day when I was acting really weird.”

  He froze. “That day you took the world’s longest shower?”

  “Yeah. It was kind of an existential crisis. I needed to conference with Daisy and Emmie for a while.”

  “You love me?”

  “Really a lot.” Tears came to her eyes. “I love you so much I would even go camping with you. As long as we go somewhere with toilets.”

  “Oh Tayla.” His shoulders shook with laughter. “I can agree to toilets.”

  “Thanks.”

  “We’ll work up to backpacking.”

  Give him an inch… “I came to a decision about that job.”

  “Please don’t tell me you’re not taking it because—”

  “I’m going to try for it. I have a plan, and I really think that they’re going to like it once I write up a counteroffer.”

  “It’s your dream job, baby.”

  Tayla opened her mouth. Closed it.

  “Was it the ‘baby’?” Jeremy asked. “Is ‘baby’ weird? I’ve been thinking that in my head, but I didn’t know if it was weird.”

  “I surprisingly don’t hate it.”

  “Maybe just in private though?”

  “Private works. Baby is nice in private when you use your low, sexy voice.”

  “Like this?” His voice dropped an octave. “You like this, baby?”

  “I am forced to admit that you could say pretty much anything to me in that voice and it would work.” She smiled. “You could call me dumpling and it would be okay.”

  His chest shook with quiet laughter. “I am never going to call you dumpling, even knowing I could get away with it.”

  “I appreciate that.” She smiled against his chest. “I really love you, Jeremy Allen.”

  “I really love you, Tayla McKinnon.”

  “And I also realized something.” She lifted her head to meet his eyes. “Working for a company like SOKA is my dream job. But it’s not really my dream job if it forces me to leave people I love. I love living in Metlin. I love you. I love Emmie, and Ox, and Daisy, and Spider and Ethan. I love trivia night and book club and I even love hikes in the mountains.”

  His smile was slow and sexy. “Look at you.”

  “I know. My life has actually turned into a fucking Hallmark movie.” She kissed him. “But this is my home. I’m gonna figure out a way to make it work.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “What I’m proposing would be a departure for your company”—Tayla leaned forward—“but it completely fits with your model of employees finding their personal inspiration and drawing from that to contribute creative solutions. I am willing to compromise on this, and I really think this plan creates the most dynamic environment for my creative work.”

  She handed them one last chart. Kabisa, Azim, and Rudy were in on the meeting this time. Rudy had been called in when Tayla brought up telecommuting.

  “As you can see, my overall input in social media went down when I moved to Metlin. But the quality and focus of my posts went up. My engagement went up. Interaction went way up. In short, my posts became fewer in number but better quality and more focused. And in the past month and a half—”

  “Since you’ve incorporated more outdoor content?”

  “Exactly. My network has grown considerably. Metlin’s proximity to public lands and outdoor recreation activities has created an entirely new market that I think is full of SOKA’s target buyers. Money to spare for outdoor recreation, globally minded, and environmentally conscious.”

  Rudy nodded. “And I want to second what Tayla was saying about midsized cities and ex-urban areas. If you look at demographic trends, more and more affluent retirees from major metropolitan areas and younger telecommuters are moving to midsized cities like Metlin. The cost of living is more affordable, and people surveyed say they prefer the pace of life in smaller cities.”

  “So my staying in Metlin would allow SOKA to keep their finger on the pulse not only of large cities but also smaller communities. We might even find craftspeople in those areas we want to work with. After all, SOKA consumers are everywhere. What is local to us is global to them.”

  “Good point.” Azim tapped his chin. “Kabisa?”

  She sighed. “I’m still struggling with the idea of Tayla only being in the office a quarter of the month. It’s what we’ve consciously tried to steer away from. We want to provide that connection, that community. I still believe it’s part of what makes us so strong as a company.”

  Azim nodded slowly. “We’re going to have to think about this, Tayla.”

  “I completely understand, and I respect the culture you’re trying to create. I still hope you’ll consider my offer.”

  “We will.” Kabisa stood and held her arms open. “Maybe I’m being selfish. I like you and I want you around all the time!”

  Tayla gave her a hug. Hugs were coming easier and easier every day. “I appreciate that. But I can’t ignore my family either. The people I love are in Metlin. And I just wouldn’t be the person you need me to be if I left them.”

  Azim’s eyes were warm. “We’re a family business,” he said. “And we respect that. Thanks, Tayla. We’ll talk it over and let you know in a few days. Does that work for you?”

  “Absolutely.”

  She left Azim and Kabisa in the garden while Rudy walked her to the door.

  “So,” she said. “What do you think my chances are?”

  “The telecommuting?” He shrugged. “It’s a hard sell for them, but they really like you. I give it fifty-fifty.”

  She nodded. “I’ll take those odds.”

  Rudy opened the door, and Tayla saw Jeremy waiting for her at the curb, watching the traffic speed by.

  “So is that your boyfriend?”

  Tayla smiled. “Yep. That’s Jeremy.”

  “What happened to the arm?”

  “Rock climbing accident.”

  The young man looked impressed. “Sick.”

  “I know.”

  They shook hands, and Tayla walked to Jeremy. She slid her hand in his. “You ready?”

  “Yeah.” He lifted his arm. “You’re going to have to call the car though. How’d the meeting go?”

  “It was good.” She got out her phone. “Now we wait and see.”

  Tayla had tried to convince Gloria that Jeremy didn’t need a formal dinner, but it was so rare that the McKinnon house hosted anyone outside
the family she went a little crazy.

  “Wow.” Jeremy’s eyes went wide. “Is this, like, regular for dinnertime?”

  “No.” Tayla glanced around the formal dining room where candles and silver were laid out. The long dining table was only set for four, all grouped around one end of the table, but there were fresh flowers in the middle of the table and soft music was playing in the background. “Gloria got a little excited to cook for someone new.”

  “Wow.” He was still staring.

  Tayla turned to him and clutched his hand. “I am sorry my family is so…”

  “Rich?”

  “Formal? But maybe rich too. I never had friends over when I was a kid because I didn’t like the rich kids at Saint Fran’s and I felt awkward around the normal kids.”

  He looked down at her. “Don’t. It was normal for you. It’s just different for me.”

  “It’s different for ninety-nine point nine percent of the world.” Tayla picked up a crystal goblet. “I mean, there’s a reason I moved out of this house as soon as I was legally allowed.”

  “Gloria seems really nice though.” He lowered his voice. “I don’t want to offend her with the wrong fork.”

  “Please. You’ll be fine. She’s just happy to have someone who likes different food. My mom and dad have very bland palates. Since I moved out, she’s been a little bored.”

  The dining room smelled amazing. Tayla pushed through the swinging doors that led into the butler’s pantry where Mena’s computer was and into the kitchen.

  “When I was a kid, sometimes I acted out so my parents would send me into the kitchen to eat.” Tayla glanced at the small square table where the household staff ate. She whispered, “It was relief, not punishment.”

  Gloria was in the kitchen, dressing individual salad plates with oil. “Dinner is only five minutes away, Miss Tayla.”

  “Thanks, Gloria. I was telling Jeremy how I used to eat in here if I misbehaved when I was little.”

  The older woman chuckled. “I think you were in here more than the dining room.”

  “I liked it,” she whispered loudly. “You let me put hot sauce on my food.”

  “My mom made us eat at the breadboard if we didn’t behave.” Jeremy smiled. “See? Not so different.”

  “The breadboard?”

  “Yeah.” He walked to the counter and pulled out a board that she’d never noticed. “See? For cutting bread. Or isolating naughty kids.”

  “You learn something new every day.” She walked around the large kitchen island. “Gloria, can we help with anything?”

  “Don’t be silly.” She frowned. “Get out of my kitchen. Go tell your parents that dinner is ready.”

  Tayla and Jeremy walked to the sitting room where Bianca and Aaron were waiting in silence. The television was tuned to the gardening channel, and Tayla’s father was reading his newspaper.

  Still, they were in the same room instead of opposite ends of the house. She’d take progress where she could find it.

  “Dad, Mom, Gloria says dinner is almost ready.”

  “Excellent.” Aaron folded his paper and stood. “Jeremy, can I get you a scotch?”

  It was a test. Aaron only drank scotch and considered it the only acceptable drink for grown men.

  Tayla rolled her eyes. “Dad—”

  “I like whiskey,” Jeremy said. “Not too familiar with scotch though. My dad and granddad are bourbon men, so I mostly drink that.”

  Foiled. Tayla didn’t try to hide her smile. Jeremy drank whiskey, but the non-snobby kind. Her father couldn’t argue with that.

  “Hmmm.” Aaron walked over to the sideboard. “I have a bottle of Murray Hill Club that one of the junior partners gave me for Christmas. I’d never heard of it before.”

  “That’s a nice bourbon,” Jeremy said. “I think you’d enjoy it.”

  Aaron muttered, “I suppose I’ll try it.”

  What was happening? Did Jeremy magic work on everyone? Tayla watched in wonder as her father poured two glasses of bourbon, added a large chunk of ice to each glass, and toasted her boyfriend.

  They all walked to the dining room and sat at the end of the long table.

  Bianca looked around as if just noticing where they were. “Aaron, we should have a dinner party soon. We haven’t done that in ages.”

  Her father frowned. “If you’d like that.”

  “Maybe some of the junior partners would like to come over,” Bianca said. “Especially with Tayla and Jeremy in the house now. It would be nice to have some young people around.”

  Tayla wasn’t sure she’d have too much in common with the junior partners at her dad’s firm, but it was a nice gesture. “That’s a good idea.”

  Her father’s eyes were narrowed. “It is. I’ll speak to Mena about scheduling something.”

  Her mother sipped her wine and rang the crystal bell on the table to call Gloria. “Excellent.”

  Tayla turned to Jeremy and mouthed, I have no idea.

  He only looked amused. When Gloria put a bowl of soup in front of him, he said thank you and started to eat with gusto.

  Well, as much gusto as he could manage with his left hand.

  “You never appreciate your right hand as much as you do when you’ve lost it.” He looked up. “Temporarily, I mean. My mom says it’ll be back to normal in about six months as long as I do physical therapy.”

  “Six months?” Bianca sipped her ever-present wine. “Do casts stay on that long?”

  “Six months until I can climb again,” Jeremy said. “I’ll have to work up to anything serious though.” He tried bending his fingers, but they were still immobile. “It’s going to be a process.”

  “And you intend to return to rock climbing?”

  “Absolutely.” He glanced at Tayla. “I don’t quit on things I love.”

  Aaron looked between Jeremy and Tayla “Admirable sentiment. Though possibly misguided.”

  “Dad, don’t start,” Tayla said. “It’s really none of your business, and trust me, Jeremy’s mom gives him enough grief about it.”

  “What does your mother do?”

  Jeremy finished his soup. “She’s a pediatrician.”

  “Interesting.” Aaron nodded. “And your father was a public schoolteacher?”

  “He was. And a football coach. I never played though. Too skinny.”

  “I imagine there was quite a lot of pressure to perform,” Aaron said. “If your father was the coach.”

  “No, my sister played, but it just wasn’t for me. I was pretty uncoordinated until my twenties.”

  Aaron leaned forward. “Your sister played what?”

  “Football. On my dad’s team.”

  Her father couldn’t process it. He just kept blinking. Over and over.

  This is marvelous. Tayla bit her lip to keep from laughing.

  “Your sister played football? On the boys’ team?”

  “I guess it was a coed team once she was on it, right?” Jeremy puffed out his chest. “No one was surprised when she went out for the team. She’s always been scary. Made a great running back but a terrifying big sister.”

  Bianca had her hand on her chest. “Your mother let her play football?”

  “No one was really talking about the head-injury thing back then, but I’m sure she’d have reservations about Renée taking all those hits now.” Jeremy turned to Tayla. “She doesn’t seem loopy yet, but she’s only thirty-five. We’ll have to watch her.”

  “I love that your sister played football and it was no big deal in your family.”

  “Oh, it was a big deal. She and my dad fought for four straight years. But she’s always been bossy, so no one was really surprised.”

  Tayla couldn’t wait to meet Jeremy’s sisters. Every person she met in his family was a new delight. They all made her laugh. They all embraced her with open arms. Physically and metaphorically.

  It was so weird and completely wonderful.

  The appetizer followed the soup, f
ollowed by the salad, and then a truly gorgeous roasted duck that made Tayla melt. Gloria had gone all out, and Jeremy appreciated every course. She didn’t know where he put the food, but he ate every bite.

  And the whole time he kept her parents talking—actually talking—about everything. He asked Bianca about growing up on a vineyard, he asked her father about financial news and trends on the West Coast, he peppered them both with questions about sailing and was properly excited when Bianca mentioned that they’d recently looked at buying a boat.

  If she hadn’t loved Jeremy Allen before, she fell head over heels for him when he made her mother and father laugh at the same joke.

  It was settled. Her boyfriend was magic.

  Tayla straddled his lap, slowly unbuttoning the shirt he’d donned for dinner while he relaxed on the couch in her room.

  “Magic,” she whispered, kissing his neck.

  “Pretty sure you’re the magical one around here.” He was running his left hand up and down her spine. “Tayla, we should move to the bed if you’re going to— Oh.” His breath caught when her hand landed on his cock. “Or you could just keep doing whatever you want.”

  “I have to confess, your being limited to one hand has forced me to be creative.”

  “In really wonderful ways.” He breathed out. “Are you sure your parents don’t mind me staying in here?”

  She pulled back. “You’re adorable.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means my mother stated very clearly when I was sixteen that she didn’t expect her daughter to do anything as vulgar as have sex in a car, so if I wanted to experiment with boys, I should just bring them home.”

  “Wow.” Jeremy breathed out. “Your parents and my parents really do come from different planets.”

  She nodded. “Uh-huh. So no. They don’t mind. They’d ask if something was wrong if you stayed in a guest room.”

  “How many guest rooms are there in this house?”

  Tayla mentally counted as she continued unbuttoning Jeremy’s shirt. “Five?”

  “This isn’t a house, this is a hotel.”

  She laughed wickedly. “I know. And isn’t it always fun to do kinky things in a hotel?”