Page 75 of The Last Resort
Late yesterday they’d sent some initial CAD drawings and cost estimates to both the Brock family and the town planning committee for their comments. Matthew was especially keen to get feedback from the other interested parties.
Rachel doubted he would take too kindly to anyone attempting to pull apart the next model he presented at a public forum. And while he’d accepted her numerous apologies over the way she’d treated him that night, she still felt terrible about it.
This wedding trip was the perfect opportunity for Matthew and her to get some distance between them and the ski lodge. To do as he had suggested and let the change of scenery give their creative minds a chance to shift and flow.
As they neared the Royal Resorts jet, Rachel’s pulse quickened. This wasn’t her first trip on a private jet—she had friends with money enough to own their planes. But at the end of this flight she would be meeting Matthew’s family. She would be stepping into his world.
What if they don’t like me?
She was still apprehensive about making this trip, but with her hand in his and the promise of them sharing a bed in the Caribbean, her reasons for worry were slipping away.
A couple of nights in New York City, then on to Turks and Caicos. She was with the man she’d lost her heart to, and for the time being that was all that mattered.
I’ll deal with the future when it arrives. I just want to live for now. With him.
Within an hour of the Royal Resorts jet touching down in Teterboro, New Jersey, a private helicopter had deliveredRachel and Matthew to New York City. From the riverside helipad it was a short drive to the Manhattan skyscraper where Matthew and the other members of the Royal family lived.
“Mom and Dad have the family estate in upper state New York, but we all keep apartments here in the city to make it easier for work, and travel,” he explained.
Pressing the side of her head to the window of the town car, Rachel peered up at the tall building which also housed the offices of Royal Resorts. “I expect it’s a very short commute.”
How amazing would it be to live somewhere that afforded you the luxury of rolling out of bed mere minutes before you were due at your first meeting?
I’d be so tempted to arrive to work in my jammies and fluffy slippers
Matthew’s hand settled on her knee, sending a shiver down Rachel’s spine. She’d been jittery ever since they’d landed. He’d mentioned his family a few times, but the thought of actually meeting some of them had Rachel clasping her hands. Her thumb rubbing back and forth over the skin of her ring finger.
“We will be having dinner with Vivian and Bryce later this evening. Tomorrow morning, Vivian will be taking you shopping for wedding clothes.”
She had packed her best clothes just in case there were any changes in plans, but from the way that Matthew talked, it seemed he had everything well in hand.
The car turned off the busy New York street and into an underground parking garage. As soon as it had glided to a stop, the driver stepped out and came around to open the door. All those hours of deportment training came to the fore as Rachel slid her legs to the side and got out of the car in one elegant move. As she did, she caught the approvingsmile of Matthew who had climbed out and was waiting for her.
He took her by the hand. “Come on, let’s head upstairs and we can have a drink before we’re due to meet with the others.”
I’d kill for a quick nap. I’m not good with early starts.
But this was Matthew’s home town, and she wanted to do everything right today and all through the weekend. “A drink sounds great. Will we have time to shower and change before we go meet your brother and his fiancée?”
Rachel always felt icky after she’d been on a plane, even a fancy private one. Not that she would dare say that to Matthew.
He spun her into his arms, planting a toe-curling kiss on her lips. She was a modern career woman but loved it when he manhandled her like this. It sent tingles all through her body.
“Did I forget to mention we were going to have a bath together while we had that drink? Yes, Rachel sweetheart, we will have time. But first I want to show you my California king bed. It puts the one we have in Aspen to shame.”
He called me sweetheart. Insert happy sigh.
A sexually sated and blissful Rachel was a relaxed Rachel. Matthew caught the floaty dreamy expression on her face as they made their way to the elevator later that evening. It did wonders for his male ego knowing he’d put that look there. He wanted everything to be perfect for this weekend, and his thoughts started and ended with this woman.
Reaching the door of his brother’s apartment, he brieflylet go of Rachel’s hand and pressed the buzzer, before taking her hand once more. The need for their bodies to be constantly touching just seemed right. He didn’t question it.
“Don’t be nervous, they don’t bite. Much.”
The door opened and Bryce stood on the threshold. He took one look at Matthew and gave an evil grin. “So the bears I sent to eat you failed in their mission. I knew I should have sent sharks with laser beams instead.”
Heat burned on Matthew’s cheeks.
Oh no, not a joke about bears. Fuck.
