Irresistible Desire (A Savannah Novel) (12 page)

Brooklyn instantly has to
tweet it, post it on Facebook and text everyone in her address
book, obviously. I think she would have been happy just getting a
job as a corpse on the show, let alone actually getting an acting
gig for the episode. Tons of stars started out like this, small
guest rolls on soap operas and primetime shows and before you know
it you’re one of Hollywood’s ‘A List’ actresses. Luckily for her
filming starts tomorrow, as in a few weeks she’s flying to
Vancouver for her stunt double gig.

Monday comes quickly and
goes just as fast. Brooklyn is up at five to head to the CBS
studios ready to shoot
Criminal
Minds
. I have loads of time before I start
work at eight, so I decide to go for a quick run. It’s incredibly
therapeutic, I’m able to clear everything out of my mind and just
relax, focusing on my breathing and the scenery around me. It beats
the treadmill any day.

Everyone is already hard at
work when I arrive; they’re busy putting the finishing touches to
the January issue. Eloise is ahead of schedule, swearing she
couldn’t have done it without my multitasking skill – I was able to
help her organize the entire issue so it’s basically ready to send
to the publisher, only minor adjustments are needed this week.
Right after Thanksgiving we all fly into Houston, Texas to stay at
The Knox Hotel. One of the many Kayden and his father own
worldwide. They’re on the
Top 10 Best
Hotels List
for the Travel Channel and are
certainly impressive. He’s throwing the party at his night club to
celebrate making number one on our list and being on the magazine
cover. He’s been generous enough to book us all suites for the
entire weekend.

It’s perfect timing to get
away because I've been feeling so trapped here in Los Angeles;
everywhere I go reminds me of Logan.. My parents own a beach house
in Galveston, just outside of Houston, on the Gulf of Mexico. I’m
considering taking a few extra days off and staying there for a
week, to get away from Los Angeles for a little while longer. .
Brooklyn would be in Vancouver working, so instead of lying around
my house in Los Angeles all alone, I can spend the week laying on
the beach in Galveston and exploring Houston.

The Most Influential Men of
2012
Issue of Envy turns out amazingly.
Eloise is thrilled with the end result and all the blogs and news
shows are buzzing about the issue. Everyone has had their own
predications for who they think will get the title and there have
been some great guesses, it seems lots of people agree that Kayden
Knox should be our number one.

When I watched E!News last
night they were discussing the issue and the men who have graced
the cover as number one over the last few years. It’s the most
incredible feeling in the world to know you work for such a
fascinating and well respected magazine. To know I got to work so
closely with Eloise Spaulding for the biggest issue of the year is
like winning the lottery.

Today, Eloise filmed an
interview with Entertainment Tonight, Extra and E!News, announcing
Kayden Knox is our number one man and releasing the cover for
December's issue. It’s perfect timing because we’re leaving tonight
for his party.

Most people spend the day
shopping Black Friday deals, trying to get the best sales of the
season, but I am home, packing my suitcase to fly to Houston.
Brooklyn and I went shopping last weekend to help me pick out the
perfect dress to wear tomorrow, I have to look good; it’ll be the
first time I’ve seen Kayden since the photo shoot. We’ve talked a
little over the last few weeks but only to discuss the trip. There
are twenty people flying in, Reagan will be coming thankfully, so
I’ll have someone I know with me.

I hear my cell beep and I
see it’s a text from the man himself.

Reagan: You packed yet?
You know it’s going to be hot there, just toss some dresses,
shorts, some Capri’s and a couple of tops, and your dress for
tomorrow obviously. Why are women so high maintenance? You don’t
need to pack your entire closet

How does this man know me
so well? I have two suitcases jammed almost to bursting. I’ve
packed almost my entire closet, especially since I plan on staying
at the beach house when everyone else flies back to Los
Angeles.

Me: I am all packed for
your information, I have two very stuffed suitcases ready to go, so
get your butt over here and use your big manly muscles to help me
load these into the taxi.

It only takes Reagan twenty
minutes to get here; I really lucked out having a best friend who
lives so close by, “Your chariot awaits my queen.” Reagan grabs my
Louis Vuitton suitcases, while I carry my purse and hand luggage
out to our cab, I didn’t want to chance leaving my Audi at the
airport.

“Stop calling me that! I
really need to think of a nickname for you that will completely and
utterly drive you insane,” I roll my eyes and slap him on the arm.
Tossing my overnight bag and purse onto the back seat, I slide into
the back of the cab.

“Nope, sorry,” he says with
a grin, “No. Can. Do. You’re stuck with that name for life. No
other nickname would do justice for someone as glamorous and
enchanting as you are.” He slides into the backseat next to me,
giving my thigh a squeeze and flashing a quick smile.

“Oh dear God, how am I ever
going to survive an entire weekend with you? The mini bar better be
stocked full of liquor because you are definitely gonna drive me to
drink.” I rest my head on his shoulder and we ride in silence the
rest of the way to the airport. Eloise is flying in later tonight
due to back to back interviews with entertainment shows. We plan on
arriving into Houston around three o’clock and taking the free time
to explore a little. Our flight leaves right on time at noon and
I’m grateful there isn’t any delay; one thing I cannot stand is
being stuck in LAX for hours. We land just a little after three,
Reagan collects our bags like a gentleman and we’re off to the
hotel.

The hotel has a very modern
feel to it, from the architecture itself, to the furnishings and
décor. It really was breathtaking. I could not wait to get into the
spa. Kayden offered us free spa package of our choice and I was
going to be taking full advantage of it. Reagan and I request rooms
side by side and he helps carry my bags inside, before the bellhop
brings them up to my room.

“This place is stunning!
Can you believe they have these hotels all around the world? It’s
crazy.” I say to Reagan as we walk through the lobby to check
in.

“Can you imagine the amount
of money it’s costing Knox for twenty Envy employees to have hotel
rooms free of charge here? They’re like, what, four hundred dollars
a night for one of our rooms? That’s not counting the spa
treatments. Hello Mr. Moneybags,” he remarks enthusiastically. We
checked in quickly and head up to the fourth floor to find our
rooms. We enter to find a continuation of the luxury inside, each
room has floor to ceiling windows that overlook the city, a cream
colored chaise lounge in the corner of the room, placed perfectly
in front of the windows. The armoire, bed and desk were all dark
wood that accented the red, brown and cream bedding and decor. I
perch on the most comfortable king size mattress I have every laid
on and know this is going to be a good weekend.

Reagan lets out a long
whistle, “Now that is a view, I can’t wait to get out of this hotel
and explore the city.”

“Me too, I haven’t been
here since I graduated high school, when Brooklyn and I came and
stayed at the beach house and partied the summer away,” The
memories bring a smile to my face, “We have to go to Crave Cupcakes
as soon as we leave here, I need to pick up a dozen red velvet
cupcakes. Don’t worry, I will share…one.” “I don’t know how the
hell you eat like you do and not gain a single ounce.”

“
I’m blessed with a high
metabolism,” I laugh, “The kick boxing class helps too. I just have
to hang my dress up for tomorrow night, and then we can go. If you
want to head over to your room I’ll come over once I’m
ready.”

“
Okay, but don’t take
forever, we going out to Knox’s club tonight? I need to find me a
southern belle to sweep off her feet.” He winks at me, flashing his
boyish grin.

“
Yeah for sure, we can have
dinner in the restaurant downstairs and then go out to the
club.”

Reagan disappears to his
room and I unpack my suitcases quickly, carefully hanging my dress
for tomorrow night I touch up my makeup and change into jean
Capri’s and a blue tank, with a little , white, short-sleeve
cardigan and finally slip on my favorite sequin, Twisted Champions
boat shoes. I don’t think sweatpants and a tank top would have been
appropriate to wear out to explore the city. I toss my iPhone and
wallet into my white, Michael Kors purse and head over to Reagan’s
room.

The hallway is buzzing with
people, a few from Envy and other regular hotel guests. It occurs
to me that it’s the day after Thanksgiving, so many of the hotels
are probably packed full of people flying in for the holiday. I’m
shocked Kayden was able to take twenty rooms away from his regular
guests for us.

“You scrub up well,” Reagan
declares, looking me up and down as we walk out of the hotel and
onto Houston’s bustling streets, “I thought maybe you were going to
go get your cupcakes in your airplane attire.”

“Definitely not,” I glare
at him, “would you be too ashamed to walk with me if I was wearing
Victoria Secret sweats and a simple tank top?”

He quickly spins his head
towards mine, knowing to answer wisely for his own safety, “Even in
sweats and a tank top you would still look amazing and cause every
woman we pass to become sick with envy. That is the God honest
truth, Scouts honor,” he says, holding his pointer and middle
finger up in the air together, thinking he is so smooth.

“Boy scout? Get real
Reagan,” I laugh a hearty laugh, “You were…never…a boy scout! I
don’t think you’d last five minutes in the wilderness before you
were begging to pay off the scout leader any amount of money to
bring you home.” I quicken my speed, trying to maneuver through the
crowd of people walking along the sidewalk.

Reagan reaches his hand up
and presses it against his heart dramatically, “Ohh, that hurts
Savannah, that really cut me deep. How could you think so…?” Before
he finishes he’s distracted by a tall brunette sashaying past us in
mini skirt, sequin blouse and killer heels; the type of heel you
don’t wear unless you want to be noticed. I smack his arm hard
enough to help him regain his focus, “Oh, what I was trying to say
was, you really hurt my feelings… thinking so little of me. I could
make it camping in the woods and, for your information Little Miss
Southern Living know-it-all, I wanted to be a boy scout but my
parents wouldn’t let me. They wanted me to focus on sports. Now is
a different story, but back when I was in elementary school I would
have loved camping.

We have so much fun just
walking around and checking out all the different shops, we look
around a few different art galleries before finally venturing to
get my cupcakes. I’m starving and definitely ready for some dinner
so we decide to head back to the hotel, it’s already seven so we
eat in the hotel restaurant I choose a mouth-watering shrimp and
fettuccini alfredo that’s absolutely delicious and Reagan got south
western grilled chicken with rice. Kayden runs his hotel well; the
staff are courteous and forthcoming, offering their assistance
whenever needed.

For dessert we split a
chocolate cake filled with hot fudge covered in whip cream,
chocolate syrup and cherries, with a side of vanilla ice cream, it
was sinfully good.

“I’m going to go and take a
quick shower and then we can head out to club, I feel grimy between
the flight and sightseeing.” I run my fingers through my wind
tangled hair as if to demonstrate my point.

“That’s fine, I’ll probably
have one too, I don’t want to smell bad if I end up bringing
someone back here tonight.” He winks at me as a Cheshire cat grin
spreads across his face.

“Okay, I’ll just text when
I’m ready, give me an hour ‘cause I have to re do my hair and
makeup.” I say as we step off the elevator and part ways. A shower
is exactly what I need; actually a bath would be amazing; my entire
body ached after all that sightseeing. I don’t think I’ll be doing
much dancing tonight, more like lounging around enjoying the
cocktails while I watch everyone else dance all night.

I slip on a pair of black
strappy heels and a tight, black strapless dress. I style my hair
in “beachy” curls and clip a small black flower into my hair. I
decide on a simple, elegant make up technique, opting for smoky
eyes and clear lip gloss. It doesn’t take me long to perfect and I
send Reagan a quick text letting him know I’m ready to head
out.