He grinned at her expression.“Unless it’s uncomfortable.”
She rolled her eyes.“I’m not that sore.”
“Then you can ride it back to the city.No stunts or detours to see how it reacts to wheelies.The LR is designed for urban areas.That’s a prototype, so treat it with care.”
She shot him a look as though to say “I intend to” and straddled the bike.“What engine did he use?What’s the fuel injection, the torque, the gear ratios…?Oh, I’ll need to check the right and left angle lean and how high—”
“Whoa, slow down, sweetheart.”He shook his head.“I can’t answer any of your questions, but I’m sure you will after you ride it.”
Jillian started the engine, her eyes closing as though bonding with it.From the look on her face, a bike would have made a much better gift than the diamond bracelet.Maybe Eddie could custom-make one just for her.It would make for a nice wedding present.
He handed her the helmet.“Follow me.”
She grabbed the lapels of his jacket, stood, and kissed him.Now that was the kind of reaction a man could get used to.
Surprisingly, she stayed behind him all the way to Dublin House.He learned something new about her—give her what she wanted and she played nice.Not that he wanted niceness from her.She was perfect the way she was.Still, he stored away that revelation with the few things he’d learned about her.
During the elevator ride, all she talked about was the LR’s performance.He only heard half of what she said, preferring to soak in the nuances of her voice.He wasn’t sure whether she took voice lessons before heading to Hollywood—he hadn’t read her resume yet—or whether it was her way of enunciating certain words that appealed to his senses.
Lex enjoyed his bike.Loved the freedom that came with riding after being cooped up indoors at board meetings, in his car, the jet, or his office.He didn’t live and breathe bikes like Jillian and Eddie, but he understood passion.Jillian might love doing stunts, but she had a serious love affair with bikes.
Upstairs, a tray with covered plates waited for them on the kitchen counter.He lifted the silver dome-shaped lids and smiled.Paula never disappoints.
Jillian looked around.“Where’s Douglas?Is he feeling better?”
“No, but my assistant has been taking care of him.Would you like something to drink?”
“Water is fine.”She placed her jacket and purse on the counter.“Can I check on him?”
“I’m sure he’d like that, but first…” He dialed Eddie’s number as he retrieved bottled water from the fridge and handed it her.He spoke briefly with Eddie before offering the phone to Jillian.“Eddie wants to hear your verdict.”
Uncertainty flickered in Jillian’s eyes.“Are you sure?What do I tell him?”
“Everything you told me.”She still hesitated.Her reluctance surprised him.“Believe me, he’ll appreciate whatever feedback you give him.”
She scowled.
“I don’t do bike talk,” he added.“I had to listen to you go on and on about LR.I wasthisclose to kissing you just to shut you up.”
Her jaw dropped.She snatched the phone and pointed it at him, eyes promising retribution.He grinned as she disappeared into the living room.With the right choice of words, he’d gotten his tigress back.
Lex removed the lids from the plates and took inventory of their lunch.Jillian’s voice rose and fell from the living room.Eddie was probably wishing he hadn’t asked for her opinion.Or not, Lex decided as she laughed.Her voice faded and sounds followed as though she’d slid open the deck door and closed it.
He followed her with the tray, but Jillian had taken the stairs and was by the door leading to Douglas’ quarters.The pool deck had two levels, the semi-circular patio hugging the wall of his living room and the lower deck by Douglas’s place.A set of steps connected the two decks and ran along the wall of the pool.A security glass wall surrounded the entire deck, allowing the occupants to enjoy the view without worrying about falling down the side of the building.A second set of steps connected the lower deck to the helipad.An electronically controlled gate at the top of the stairs gave added security.
Lex sipped water and stared at the city while waiting for Jillian to join him.She’d disappeared into Douglas’ apartment and hadn’t come out.He was starving.He checked his watch.Good thing they had the whole afternoon and night.His mother had changed their meeting to tomorrow because she suddenly had a meeting she couldn’t miss.Lex had a feeling she was plotting something with his sister and cousins.
“You have a beautiful home, Lex,” Jillian said, coming up the stairs.“From what I’ve seen anyway.”
“Thank you.It was one of my first buildings.I’ll give you the tour after lunch.”He pulled out a chair and waited until she sat before asking, “What did Eddie say?”
A beatific smile curled her lips.“He wanted to know if he could hire me to test all his bikes.”
“And?”
“I told him I’d think about it.”
His wife the bike-tester.He could live with that.It definitely was safer than jumping from burning buildings.He shuddered, remembering her free-fall while on fire.
