Catering to Three (6 page)

Luckily, the rest of the evening progressed with business at the forefront. Keith had just said something about his own upcoming event when he leaned into her and said, “I think someone’s getting tired.”

“Oh my,” Julie said, realizing she had missed some of the conversation. “I’m sorry. It was a busy day, and this has been such a relaxing evening that I zoned out for a minute. However, I’m back now. So what was it you wanted to talk to me about, Keith?”

“Don’t worry about it. We’ve talked enough business for one night. Besides, now I have an excuse to meet with you another time when I have you all to myself,” he said, looking pointedly at Noah and Mark.

“If I remember correctly”—Noah eyed Keith—“you crashed our business meeting.”

“Guilty as charged,” Keith said, holding up his hands good-naturedly.

“Did you drive here?” Noah asked, his lips close to her ear.

“No. Actually I took a taxi. I was running late, and I didn’t want to waste time trying to find a place to park.”

“I have a limo waiting. I’ll drop you off.”

“Thank you. But I don’t want to put you out.”

“You won’t put me out. I’ll give Jason a call now.”

While Noah was calling his limo driver, Mark pushed himself away from the table. “I’m afraid I need to get going, too. I’ve got an early-morning meeting tomorrow. I know it’s Saturday, but I’m interviewing. Saturdays seem to work out better for all concerned.”

Mark walked around the table to stand next to Julie, his hand lightly touching her shoulder. “I’ll be waiting to hear from you on Monday, Julie.”

Smiling up at him, she nodded. “I’ll call you.”

“I hope you don’t have any early-morning plans tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow is my day to sleep in. Kelly and I try to give ourselves at least one Saturday a month to relax.”

“Smart,” Mark said as he dropped his hand from her shoulder and took her small hand into his large one. He held it for a second longer than necessary. “I’ll be waiting for your call.”

“It was nice meeting you, Mark.”

She watched him shake hands with Noah and Keith. He was walking away when she realized she had called him by his first name, but then again, she may have called them all by their first names. Hopefully her slip had gone unnoticed.

“Mark’s good people, Julie,” Noah commented, bringing Julie back into the conversation.

“Yes, he is,” Keith agreed. “You’ll enjoy working with him. If he says he’ll do something, he’ll do it. You’ll have no worries that he’ll provide the staff you need.”

“I got that sense from him,” she murmured. She really was winding down. Noah stood up, and Keith did the same. She felt her chair being drawn back. She stood up a little unsteadily and felt Noah’s hand on her elbow. He was so gallant. She admired that in a man. Keith was on her other side, close enough that her body was touching his. She had never allowed herself to have too much to drink at a business meeting before. She’d have to stick to water in the future. Just walk and breathe, she told herself. Don’t make an ass of yourself.

Keith told her as they passed through the doors to the sidewalk that he had parked his car in the parking garage. Before he left them, he looked down at Julie. “Will you be stopping by the gym tomorrow?”

“Yes, if I ever wake up.” She laughed nervously.

“I’ll be there tomorrow afternoon. Hopefully we’ll have a chance to chat about some of the business I was going to speak to you about tonight. If not, we’ll set up a time.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow, Mr. Barnes.”

“Ahh,” Keith said, looking down her. “I’m Mr. Barnes again, am I? And here I thought you had finally relented to call us by our first names.”

So they had noticed. “You caught me.”

“I’ll always catch you.” He smiled. “You’re worth catching.”

Julie felt the breath leave her body. Before she could respond, he shook Noah’s hand and walked away from them in what she assumed was the direction of the parking garage.

The limo pulled up seconds later, and Noah helped her into the backseat. He followed her into the limo and sat down next to her instead of in the seat across from her. She should have moved over, but she didn’t have the energy. If she had the nerve, she would have rested her head on his shoulder.

“Don’t be afraid to close your eyes, Julie, and rest your head on my shoulder. I won’t bite.”

“I know that,” she said a little more sharply than she intended. Could the man read minds, too? If that had been one of his many talents, Julie thought sleepily, instead of dropping her off at her apartment, he’d be taking her home with him.
I must be drunker than I thought.

They weren’t far from her apartment when she finally roused herself enough to turn and look at him. He was so close to her that their legs were actually touching. She had hoped to approach the subject of money with some finesse, but in her present state, she blurted out, “I need to talk to you about money. I don’t have a bank account large enough to front all the expenses, and I have to ask you for a partial payment up front.” She bit her lip and looked down at her lap.

“Finally found the courage to ask. I was wondering how long it would take you.”

“What? You knew I didn’t have the money?”

“Julie, I make it my business to know the people I do business with. I figured you would need a partial payment prior to the event, but I’m a businessman. If you didn’t ask, then I wasn’t about to make the offer. This was your call.”

“So, that means I’ve been worrying myself sick for nothing?”

“Yes. Call Jackie in the morning and tell her how much you need. She’ll have it wired to your account.”

“You don’t know how much I hated to ask you.”

“Maybe I do. And maybe I wanted to teach you a lesson. If you need something from me, ask for it. You may not always get what you want, but you sure as hell will have a better chance if you’re honest about it.”

Julie’s eyes had inadvertently gone to Noah’s lips. She wanted to lean into him, to know what it felt like to have his lips on hers. She felt the car slow down.

“We’re here, Julie,” Noah said, his eyes smiling down into her own.

“Oh.”

The driver opened the door, and Julie exited quickly. To her surprise, Noah followed her to her door, where he opened it using the key she handed him. He was such a gentleman, except when he looked at her like he was now. However, just when she thought he might lean down and kiss her, he just smiled at her and said good night.

Julie opened her eyes to the sun streaming through the windows. She had prayed that the day of Noah Jamison’s event would be a clear day. At least, she thought nervously, the weather was cooperating. Now if everything else would just fall into place, by tomorrow she would be able to breathe again without feeling as if the weight of the world or at least the success of their business was on her shoulders.

She glanced around at the opulence of her surroundings. The bedroom was like something out of a fairy tale. High ceilings, curved windows, and heavy deep-blue drapes that matched the carpet and set off the white-and-gold antique furnishings made it the most beautiful room she had ever slept in. The sleigh bed with an ornate white lace draping only added to the surreal atmosphere of the room. She surmised at least five people could have slept in it comfortably. However, last night when her head had finally hit the pillow, she could have been anywhere for all she cared. She had never been so tired.

Noah had been smart to insist she stay the night in his home. She had been hesitant, but she knew it made sense for her to sleep over. And it wasn’t like he didn’t have the room, considering how many bedrooms there were in his mansion. She had spent most of the previous day overseeing deliveries along with making sure the kitchen was stocked and ready for every break and meal they would be serving. The fresh lobsters would be delivered just prior to the dinner. However, they still needed to keep them on ice, and the kitchen was the least of her worries considering the dinner party was the highlight of the day for Noah. She had no idea how many hours she had spent going over the details to make sure she had set every possible contingency in place.

She had laid out everything she needed for breakfast the night before with the help of the staff. The buffet table was set and the linens were on the tables. Fresh flowers that would grace each table were scheduled to be delivered by eight o’clock in the morning. The staff should be arriving by seven o’clock and the guests by eight thirty. She knew some caterers used prepared foods, but she wanted everything fresh.

Kelly was bringing over the muffins right from the oven, still in their tins. Along with the buffet that would offer an array of sweet breads, she had set up stations that would cater to egg lovers, meat lovers, and those who preferred crepes. The chefs she had hired with Mark’s help were more than capable of delivering exactly what was expected. All she had to do was create her healthy menu options for those who wanted a lighter fare.

Rolling over several times, Julie finally found herself at the edge of the bed. She would never have to worry about falling out of this bed, that was for sure. Julie showered and then dressed in a white tailored uniform with gold buttons that Noah had chosen. It reminded her of what had been worn by the staff on old-time luxury liners that crossed the Atlantic in the early part of the twentieth century. No detail escaped Noah’s watchful eyes. He was an amazing man.

His energy was limitless. How he did it, she wasn’t sure, since she knew he was not only working with her but also with his assistant, Jackie, who was handling the conference itself. She had come to not only respect his judgment, but trusted his instincts that had been spot on. They had worked well together. Although she knew Noah wasn’t an easy man to please, she had found him to be more than willing to change his mind when presented with options. She was a quick study, and knowing your client’s hot buttons and how to keep them happy was a huge part of any event’s success.

When she walked into the kitchen, to her surprise, Noah was already there looking devastatingly handsome in a blue golf shirt that matched his eyes. Her heart did little unwanted flip-flops. She had thought she wouldn’t see him until later.

“Hi, Julie.”

“I thought you would be sleeping. It is only five thirty.”

“I require very little sleep. I’ve always been that way. Gives me more hours in the day to work.”

“You know what they say about all work and no play,” she said, her mouth turning up into a smile.

“Oh, not to worry, I play as hard as I work.” His voice had gone suddenly deeper, sending little shivers through her.

There was no doubt in her mind that he did play every bit as hard as he worked. However, what she needed right now was to keep those kinds of thoughts out of her head. A nice hot cup of coffee would help.

She walked over to where she had left the coffee beans on the counter the night before. She had wanted them where she could find them easily. She needed to grind them first.

“I already got coffee at that convenience store that’s open twenty-four-seven. I got one for you, too. I guess you didn’t see the cups on the table.”

“I could kiss you,” she said without thinking.

He laughed, handing her a large paper cup with a lid.

“I don’t see, hear, or think at my best until I’ve had my first sip. I need coffee real bad in the morning. I’m afraid I’m a bit of a coffeeholic.”

“Then I’m glad I was able to be of service.”

“You are an angel of mercy,” she said, grabbing the cup.

“You’re welcome. But didn’t you say something about a kiss?”

Julie laughed and looked away. Noah really could be a flirt, but he usually wasn’t so blatant. Deciding it was best to just ignore the kiss comment, she said, “I have so much to do. I should get moving.”

“I know, but I want you to enjoy your coffee with me for a few minutes before all hell breaks loose around here.”

“You’re the boss. I’m at your command.” Why had she said that?

“Then I command you to sit down and enjoy your coffee with me.”

Julie eased onto one of the stools next to Noah. “Well, if all your commands are this easy, I shouldn’t have any problem pleasing you.”

“They aren’t,” he said, his eyes capturing hers. “But they can be just as pleasurable if not more so.”

Julie felt the familiar tingle generate through her body. Noah had never flirted with her like this before. He was bringing out strange feelings in her with very little effort. She took a breath. Knowing she shouldn’t but unable to stop herself from playing into his sexually charged banter, she said, “I’m here to please, Mr. Jamison.”

“And you do,” he said silkily. “However, even though we’ve spent a lot of time together over the last six weeks, I don’t feel like I know you as well as I would like to. It would please me to know more about you.”

“Why? What is it you want to know?” Julie knew she should steer the conversation away from herself. It was dangerous ground to become too personal with a client. However, she was feeling so comfy sitting here in his kitchen drinking coffee. Possibly letting her guard down a little might not be such a bad thing. He was, after all, her number-one client, and she didn’t want him to think she wasn’t appreciative of the opportunity he had given her.