Page 71 of At the Heart of It
It was possible he didn’t even know. It’s not like Viv had trademarked the expression, and it wasn’t such a unique turn of phrase that no one else could have said it. Kate probably wouldn’t have picked up on it at all if she hadn’t read Viv’s books a million times.
She stepped under the shower spray, trying to rinse the anxious thoughts from her head. They had a busy day of filming ahead of them, and so much to do.
Get footage of Sam and Elena walking in the park together.
Film Sam at his office for clips to demonstrate job stress.
Grab B-roll around downtown Seattle to lay groundwork for the second couple.
Try not to look like you just slept with Jonah Porter.
Kate was smiling before she knew it. She ordered herself to knock it off. This was serious business, after all. She could be jeopardizing her working relationship with Viv, her future on the show. Her whole career, dammit.
But still, she was glad it happened. Grateful she’d had a chance to be with Jonah like that, no matter what came next.
She finished rinsing the conditioner from her hair and stepped out of the shower. Grabbing the lone towel off the rack, she dried herself off and wrapped up in one of the plush hotel robes. The towel rack was empty, so she padded back into the room and phoned the front desk with a whispered request for more towels.
“Hey there.”
His gravelly greeting made her turn, then smile at the sight of his tousled hair and his bare chest peeking over the edge of the sheet. “Hi.”
He smiled back and watched her with sleepy eyes at half-mast. “You’re up early.”
Kate padded back to the bed and sat down on the edge of it. Leaning down, she nuzzled the side of his neck, planting a soft patch of kisses just behind his ear.
“Mmm, that’s nice,” he murmured.
She sat up again, making her robe gape open in front. She started to reach for it, but Jonah caught her hand. “You’re so beautiful. I love looking at you.”
She smiled. “I should get dressed.”
Part of her didn’t want to, but she knew she couldn’t linger here all day. Jonah sat up and scrubbed his hands over his eyes. “I take it you’re an early riser?”
Kate nodded and stood, cinching the belt on the robe. “It’s my secret to getting so much done in a day.”
Jonah groaned and flopped back on the bed. “I’m the opposite of an early riser,” he said. “A lazy ass?”
“You’re not lazy,” she said with a little more vehemence than she aimed for. But she remembered their conversation about dyslexics feeling lazy or stupid, and it seemed important that he know she didn’t believe that. “You’re one of the hardest-working guys I know. Your body clock is just different from mine.”
He reached up and brushed hair off her forehead. “I never told you the fifth thing, did I?”
She smiled and shook her head. “Nope.”
“It was a toss-up, actually.”
“Between?”
“Your willingness to look for the best in all people, or your stellar ass.”
Kate laughed began shuffling through the closet. She stopped at a navy pencil skirt she’d always thought flattered the latter feature. “Which were you leaning toward?”
“Ass,” he admitted. “Might as well stick with Average Joe mode. But I appreciate the other stuff, too.”
Kate selected a V-neck top that dipped just a tiny bit lower than she’d normally choose for work. She felt sexy this morning, her skin humming with delicious energy.
She set the clothes on the dresser, pulled out a bra and panties, and began to get dressed. “You know, I only gave you three,” she said. “Last night at the club? I only told you three of the five things I appreciate most about you.”
“Intelligence, selflessness, and an openness to changing my mind,” Jonah recited. “Were there really two more, or did you just sleep with me so you wouldn’t have to come up with the rest?”
