Chapter 22

It was 11:00 o’clock on Sunday when Jamie walked through the door of the Hotel Amarano in Burbank. Her eyes traveled over the casually elegant space, as her heels clicked along the gorgeous marble floor. The walls were adorned with a myriad of movie star images from the ‘40s and ‘50s, which gave the space a decidedly nostalgic Old Hollywood feel that contrasted perfectly with the very sleek and modern couches and loveseats. She walked up to the front desk and looked into the eyes of a tall, pretty blonde girl; her name tag read Melanie.

“Are you checking in, Ma’am?” Melanie asked sweetly.

“No, I’m waiting for Jake McClintock.”

“Ah yes, the Chairman’s Suite. He hasn’t arrived yet.” She typed on her keyboard for a few seconds. “But we expect him in less than an hour. Perhaps you’d like to wait for him in the bar? Our bartender makes all kinds of mixed drinks as well as a wide assortment of refreshing non-alcoholic drinks.”

“Sure ... ummm ... okay.”

She pointed. “It’s just down that way, I’ll let him know you are waiting. Your name is?”

“Jamie.”

She looked at her screen again. “Yes, of course. We have special instructions for you. Anything you want is to be charged to the room. You are not to spend any of your own money.” She gave Jamie a wide smile. “Did you valet? Let me take care of that for you ... and I’ll hold your luggage here until he arrives.” Jamie thanked her as she handed her the valet ticket and headed towards the bar.

She tried not to look too anxious, but every time someone walked into the lobby her head snapped up. She had just finished her first Mimosa and was considering a second when Jake appeared. Dressed in jeans, cowboy boots, a crisp white shirt with a bolo tie, a dark blazer, and a clean white cowboy hat, he cut quite a fine figure as he strode confidently towards Melanie at the check-in desk. My God, but he looks good, she thought. And that mustache is new, too. He walks like he owns this town ... and maybe he will.

She heard him laugh and became immediately jealous. That bitch better quit flirting with my man! But Jamie chastised herself for such shallow thinking; Jake was a VIP and Melanie was just being friendly. Melanie’s head appeared from his side as she pointed to Jamie, and Jake turned to see her. He grinned immediately and stepped quickly to Jamie as she stood up to meet him.

“There you are, Babygirl!” he nearly shouted as he closed the distance.

“Jake!” she cried as she jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around him. They clutched each other in a crushing hug, squeezing so hard that a kiss was impossible. Jamie’s tears flowed onto his neck and collar. When he set her down, he tenderly wiped the tears out of his eyes. “I’ve missed you so much, Daddy,” she whispered. They kissed ... for well over a minute ... both of them getting lost in the kiss and nearly forgetting they were in a hotel lobby. They finally broke apart when a police siren outside disturbed them.

“I’ve missed you too, Jamie, more than you’ll ever know.”

“I can’t believe you’re here, and I love the new ‘stache!”

“Yeah? They wanted me to grow one for the part. If it don’t work I’ll just shave it off and they’ll glue one on. You don’t mind kissing me with it?”

“Let’s try again, I was too excited the first time.”

They kissed again, and she noticed his whiskers this time, but they didn’t detract from his lips. As she moved her head slightly, they tickled her upper lip. “I love it, Daddy. Makes you look even more suave and handsome.”

“Ha! Well, that’s good, I’ll take that. It will fill in more over the next month or so. Say, I just wanted to check ... is the breakup still in effect?”

“Completely! He’s out of my apartment, out of my life, something that I should have done long ago. He’s nothing that we need to worry about ever again.”

“Okay, good. You ready to see this room?”

She gave him a radiant smile. “You bet I am.”

“I have your luggage, miss,” the young bellman offered as he wheeled both pieces toward the elevator.

“Thank you; this is a lovely hotel,” Jamie responded.

“Just wait ‘til you see your room! 1,900 square feet, outdoor Jacuzzi, it’s incredible.” Jake’s arm wrapped securely around her as the car whisked them up to the top floor.

“Warner Brothers set you up real nice, Mr. McClintock. You know, Montana Skies was my mom’s favorite show. I watched all the DVDs; you were great!”

“Well, thanks ... ummm ... Derrick,” Jake said after reading his name tag. “Might be happening again, if I’m lucky.”

“Good for you, sir!” They exited onto their level. “Right down this way, Sir. Well, you sure look the part! Here’s your room.” Jamie gasped at how large the living room seemed. “You’ve got your sofa and comfy chairs here for relaxing, coffee table, coffee and tea station right over there, widescreen TV with all the channels...” Jamie figured neither of them would be watching it much, but it was the biggest TV she had ever seen.

Derrick proceeded to show the couple the expansive and well-appointed living area. “And out here is your private deck, private Jacuzzi...” The impressive space featured a long couch that had an awning overhead to block the sun. Jamie squinted at what looked to be an outdoor king-size bed shaded by faux-white palm trees. In addition to the Jacuzzi and several lounge chairs, the deck also had a large table and chairs that would seat eight people.

“Holy hell,” Jake exclaimed. “You could have a party for, like, 50 people here!”

“Oh, there’ve been some legendary parties here, I assure you, Mr. McClintock! Now the bedroom is right down this way. And there’s a bucket of our finest champagne, compliments of the house.”

Jake reached for his wallet but was stopped by Derrick. “Thank you, Sir, but all gratuities have been covered. You are not to spend a nickel of your own money. Orders from Dubya Bee.” He finally left them alone after making sure they knew all about the temperature controls.

“This Is amazing, Jake! What an incredible room, but what did he mean by Dubya Bee?”

“Not bad, huh? ‘Dubya Bee means WB, Warner Brothers. And look at this.” Jake reached In and pulled out what looked like an American Express card. “It’s a $5,000 gift card. I can use it anywhere I want, with no expiration date.”

“They’re pulling out all the stops for you. It seems like they want you very badly.” Jamie walked to the champagne bucket and filled the two crystal glasses on the dressing table with bubbly. “However, I want you even more than they do.” She handed a glass to Jake, and they both drank.

Jake took her in: her white sundress perfectly accentuated her shapely form, and her red hair blazed brightly against her short white little dress. God, he mused. What did I ever do to deserve this woman? He took her glass and set them both down on the table, then held her delicate face in his rough hands. “I’ve missed you... so much. I need you in my life, Jamie. And I mean full time!” He kissed her as her arms wrapped around him. He felt his body relax, comforted by her presence and her kiss. She kissed him back just as passionately, her hunger for him evident. Then she pushed back from him, his hands fell from her face to her shoulders, and he looked at her quizzically.

“Jake?” she asked in a quiet, somewhat trembling voice. “Do you mean that, and what you said last week on the phone?”

“What, that I can’t live without you? That I need you in my life? Yes, I absolutely mean that.”

“Why?” she asked, her eyes glassy.

“Because ... I love you, Jamie. I should have said it at the ranch and, dammit, I’ve been kickin’ myself ever since.”

Her heart fluttered at his admission. “I think I fell in love with you a little bit when I arrived at the ranch and you took me to my room.”

“What? I was just bein’ friendly.” He gave her his trademark smile. “It was... severely high-interest for me too, when you stepped out of that van.”

She smiled. “You’ve shown me what a real relationship is like, what it’s like to be with a real man.” He pulled her in his arms and they shared a hot passionate kiss.