Ask For It (17 page)

A team player. That’s what Trevor was.

“I’ll list three things, shall I?”

“I’m not stopping you, princess.”

“You understand the value of family. Momma would’ve liked that. You’re not fast and loose with your money. We both appreciate that in a man. And you’re good to me. No mom could complain about that.”

“Tell me about her.”

JJ opened her eyes and stared up at the ceiling fan. It wasn’t often that she met someone who wanted to know about her mother. Everyone in her circle of friends and family knew all about Leigh Ann Fairchild.

She didn’t know where to begin.

“What do you want to know?”

“You said your dad is your step dad? How did they meet? How old were you?”

“I was five. The story goes…they met at a party. Thrown by a mutual friend. And momma was the prettiest girl there, according to dad.”

“Like mother, like daughter.”

“Flattery will get you everywhere, Mr. Wyatt.” There was a click on the line and she assumed it was his call waiting. She was used to their calls being interrupted but that didn’t stop the longing to stay on the line as long as possible.

“I’m counting on it, sweetheart. Listen, I know it’s late. I’ll call you tomorrow. Maybe I can detour through Atlanta on my way back to New York.”

“I’d like that.”

“Great.”

The pause was so long she wondered again if the call had been dropped. Stupid cell towers.

“Trevor?”

“Sorry, I was going to say sweet dreams, but if I meet you there they’ll be anything but sweet.”

She laughed. “You’re right about that.”

“So I’ll just say ‘dream of me’ and ‘good night.’”

“I will,” she said honestly. “Good night.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

JJ’s phone rang, waking her from a wicked hot dream about Trevor. Three weeks apart hadn’t lessoned her desire for him or her imagination. If anything, it seemed to be increasing both. Her dreams the first week had been hot. The second week, twice as steamy. Last night he’d been painting her naked body with a can of whipped cream. She groaned, never so hungry for strawberry shortcake in her life.

Rolling over, she glared at the clock and wished he was in bed next to her. Seven thirty. Who in their right mind was calling her at seven thirty?

She stretched for her cell phone and jabbed the talk button.

“’Ello?” She coughed, patting her chest then revised, “Hello?”

“JJ? Did I wake you? It’s Jessica Ross.”

Her agent’s name pushed aside all thoughts of fruit and creamy goodness. She jerked into a sitting position and ran her fingers through her hair. “I’m awake now.”

“I have exciting news.” Jessica’s voice singsonged through the speaker and JJ actually felt a little shiver. As a lifetime New Yorker and a strong business woman, Jessica wasn’t one to get excited about much and she certainly wasn’t demonstrative. But JJ hadn’t signed with her for hugs and a pat on the back. She’d signed with Ross & Company because of Jessica’s reputation in the industry.

“That’s my favorite kind,” JJ said, struggling to pull herself together.

“I have a contract on my desk for your book. It’s such a good offer, from Barkley no less. They are super excited about the project. They want to meet with you. They’re ready to move, JJ. Gone are the days of slow New York publishing.”

Contract. Barkley. Project. Meet. The words peppered her like rain drops. She held the phone out and looked at it for a moment. The call timer on the screen ticked by. It was a live call. Still, she felt like she was dreaming.

“JJ? Are you there?”

“Yeah…I’m just—processing.” Barely processing. “Wow. I—that’s amazing!”

“I agree. Do you have your calendar handy? They want you here ASAP.”

“I-um, yeah.” She put Jessica on speaker phone and flipped to the scheduling app on her cell phone.

As soon as she was done with the whirlwind of questions and notes and scheduling with Jessica, she switched to the text messaging app.

“Ohmygod, this is really happening,” she said to the empty room. Holding both hands against heated cheeks, she glanced around at her bedroom. Everything looked just as it had when she went to bed last night, but everything felt different this morning. She felt…different.

She was more nervous right now than when she’d closed on her first condo and the real estate lawyer had handed over the keys. And at the same time, she was so excited she felt like she might bounce right off the bed.

With trembling fingers she sent Trevor a note.

JUST GOT SOME EXCITING/SCARY NEWS.

The next message was to the girls.

AGENT JUST CALLED. BARKLEY WANTS GAME DAY.

She thought about calling her dad but figured one of the four people she’d just texted would be calling her soon. Right on cue, Cindy’s number flashed on her screen and JJ hit the green button.

“You’re fast,” JJ said.

“Barkley? Barkley wants your book? You lucky girl! Is it a good deal? Did you ask for all the details? Does she have a contract? Who’s the editor?”

JJ’s head spun a little. She was sure Cindy’s was spinning even more because she was almost positive her friend had said all of that without taking a breath. “Yes, Barkley. Jessica says it’s a great deal. I did ask for all the details. She has a contract in hand.”

“And the editor?”

“I haven’t heard of him. Scott Spangler?”

“I haven’t heard of him either, but that doesn’t mean anything. I’ve never worked with Barkley before. I’ll look him up.”

As usual, JJ got a little lost in Cindy’s shuffle. But she was thrilled to have someone, other than Jessica, in her corner. While she trusted her agent, publishing was a big scary new world. Similar and yet different from her job of the last seven years.

When she hung up with Cindy she glanced at the clock. Eight forty five. Trevor was in LA for another appearance today. This time for an inner city youth league.

What time was it in California? She started to count backwards with her fingers. Her phone buzzed and she glanced at the text.

THAT’S AWESOME, JULES. WILL CALL YOU WHEN I GET OUT OF THIS CRAZY-ASSED MEETING.

Baby. Smiling, JJ hit the reply button.

HOW’S THE PROMOTION LOOKING?

Trevor’s name flashed across the top and she hit the speaker phone button.

“Good morning.”

“Hey beautiful. Just heading to the gym when I saw your text.” She could tell by the sound of his voice that it was an early morning for him and he was still a little sleepy. It made her miss him. She got the impression he was rarely in one place long enough to get used to the time zone. Luckily Atlanta and New York were both on the east coast.

“That’s great news, sweetheart. I knew someone would buy it.”

“They want to meet with me next week. I can’t believe it.”

“Well, you’re rather famous. They probably want to see how nice you’ll look on the book jacket.”

That made her smile. “Go get your workout in. I’ve got some articles to finish. And to do lists to write.” Not that she wanted to. She’d much rather stay on the phone with him all day.

“I miss you,” he said.

She closed her eyes and imagined him sitting next to her, whispering those words in her ear…massaging her shoulders.

“Ditto,” she whispered. And if she didn’t hang up right now she was bound to beg him to stop by on his way back to New York and then she’d be even more behind than she already was. “Go run.”

He laughed. “Later, gorgeous.”

Deciding to call her dad after work, JJ put on a jogging outfit, grabbed her keys and phone, and then headed out the door. She didn’t enjoy running. Not until the first ten minutes passed and her body stopped complaining. Then she loved it. It was probably the endorphins, but she did get some good ideas while her sneakers were beating the sidewalk. Today she made a mental list of things to do before her trip to New York next week and things she needed to ask Cindy and Jessica. And as soon as she got home she was making an appointment with her hair stylist.

She just hoped her stylist could fit her in on such late notice.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Newark, NJ

The following Wednesday JJ arrived at Newark. It was two months to the day since she’d gotten off the plane and caught a cab to the city. This time however there was a brittle chill in the air. Autumn had New Jersey in her clutches.

JJ pulled her luggage along behind her and headed for the gate. Trevor was supposed to be waiting for her at the curb. The now familiar tendril of desire flooded her system as she walked.

Outside she scanned the long line of cars. No sign of him. When she’d discussed her trip to New York this week Trevor had offered to pick her up. She’d expected him to offer for her to stay at his place as well. But he hadn’t.

She frowned at the memory and surveyed the line of cars again. Security probably wasn’t letting anyone stop if their party wasn’t already waiting. The place was packed so she made her way to the far end and reached into her purse for her phone. After turning it back on, she scanned her messages. One from Trevor. He’d sent her a voice mail as well.

She clicked the play button and held the speaker to her ear.

“Hey beautiful. I’m caught in traffic. I don’t know if I’ll be there in time to get you to your meeting. Gimme a call when you get this.”

Sighing, she glanced at the time. She was supposed to meet Jessica at the Barkley offices in less than two hours. Plus she wanted to be early…to have time to get herself together and go over her list of questions again.

Who knew how long it’d take by cab; no one could predict accidents and every time she came to the city, some construction project was causing a delay. Even if Trevor was on time, there’d be no time to check in to her hotel and drop off her bags.

She thought about sending him a text but decided it’d be safer to call if he was actually in motion. They had the same Bluetooth earpiece.

“Hey gorgeous,” he answered a moment later.

“Hi. I’m here.”

“Dang, I was hoping I was going to make it.”

“Where are you?” She glanced at the fleet of taxis.

“I’m still in the city. I was-ugh-doing some shopping.”

It wasn’t like him to be late. But the idea of Trevor shopping…the corner of her mouth turned up. What was he shopping for? More condoms? That thought brought on a full-fledged grin. Too bad she had somewhere she needed to be. “Stay there. I’ll just take the subway.”

“I’m sorry, Julia.”

“Not a problem. It’ll probably be faster this way. I was just anxious to see you,” she explained.

“I’m anxious to see you too.” His voice didn’t disguise that fact and she felt a little better. Truth was she’d been counting down the hours until she saw him again.

“I’m not sure when my meeting will be over,” she said, already heading for the subway.

“Doesn’t matter. I’ll head over there now and camp out in the fire lane if I have to.”

She loved it when his voice got all deep and possessive. And knowing him like she did, she would wager he would indeed camp out in the fire lane, legalities be damned.

“All right. I’ll call you on my way out.”

“Julia?”

“Yeah?”

“I talked to my mom earlier. She wants you to come over for dinner tonight. I didn’t know what your plans were, you know in case your editor wanted to take you out or something. Or maybe you’d want to have drinks with your agent or—”

She cut him off. “I’d love to meet your momma.”

There was a pause and she thought she heard him sigh, but couldn’t be sure. The airport was noisy.

“Excellent. See you later.”

“Drive safe.”

New York City

Trevor’s phone buzzed in his pocket and he retrieved it quickly. He was alive with nerves today, anxious to see Julia’s smile. Hear her voice. Hold her hand.

As the guys would say, he was whooped.

Thing was, he didn’t mind a bit.

WAITING FOR THE ELEVATOR NOW.

He headed out of the coffee shop and jogged across the street.

DOWNSTAIRS.

Damn, he couldn’t wait to see her. He glanced around to make sure no one was paying him any extra attention and then he checked his email just to keep himself busy as he waited. His agent was still hounding him to do that dancing show. That was way too much spotlight for him. Though the idea of dancing with one southern belle in particular sounded nice. Maybe he should take her out on the town after they stopped by his mom’s for dinner.

With nothing new to attend to he pocketed the phone and watched the revolving door beneath the large silver sign proclaiming Barkley Books. He did a double take as a pretty blonde pushed her way through the door. His body reacted swiftly. He knew that face. Those legs.

But she had been brunette the last time he’d seen her. And she hadn’t mentioned getting it changed back. The fact that he wasn’t there, by her side, sharing the same space each day, drinking from the same coffee pot each morning was starting to grate on him. He was missing all sorts of important details and moments of her life.

She tugged along a suitcase behind her and suddenly it was five years ago and he was seeing her for the first time. The shiny golden blonde hair, those bewitchingly unusual colored eyes, the pretty smile…
those legs
! Shaking his head, he strode forward.

Another woman followed her onto the sidewalk. Julia was listening carefully to whatever the other woman was saying. Judging by the sharp haircut and standard New York black wardrobe, this was her agent.

He’d never been particularly shy or self-conscious, but this was Julia’s career and he didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that. As if sensing his gaze, she looked up and a slow smile stretched her lips. She waved him over.

When he was an arm’s length away she reached for his hand. “Hey you. Trevor, this is my agent Jessica Ross. Jessica, Trevor Wyatt my—”