Chapter 5

5

L IZ

The car stops in front of the hotel at nine-thirty. This is the closest hotel to downtown. Blue Candlelight.

It's new, cozy, and expensive.

The valet heads our way even though my driver rolls the car to a stop and assures the man he's only here to drop me off.

The valet flashes a smile.

"No problem," he says and opens and holds the door for me while I slide out of my seat like a swan off a lake––elegant, my head held high.

Making sure my legs stay close together and my jacket never opens.

"Are you meeting someone?" the man asks in a friendly voice, showing me to the entrance.

It's a standard greeting, I assume.

"Yes. I think so."

I don't think he's even noticed me, but then he shifts his eyes to me, and I warm a little when he cocks an eyebrow at me, although he never lowers his gaze below my nose.

"It looks that way, doesn't it?" I say.

His eyes almost dip.

He barely suppresses his impulse to take a better look at me. It would be unprofessional to check me out.

I'm pretty sure this isn't even his job––to accompany me inside. There are doormen, a hostess, and other personnel that could guide me inside the hotel.

But he makes it his job.

He's younger than me, which is hard to accomplish because I'm already too young for this place.

I'm in so much trouble.

I flash a smile, and he melts. I can see how his eyes glint with pleasure and become unfocused.

I may not wear a Halloween witch hat, but look at me.

Who knew I'd have such an effect on men?

Well, only one man.

This one.

Luckily, I'm not tripping as I walk into the elegant hallway, and he takes me to the front desk.

A woman takes us in, a smile clinging to her lips.

I think she likes him.

What's not to like?

He's easy on the eyes and sharp.

"How may I help you?" she asks, and I quickly look around, trying to orient myself.

This must be the place.

Blue Candlelight.

The Blue Suite.

The valet kind of lingers.

"I'm meeting someone in the Blue Suite," I say with the confidence of a worldly woman.

If a smidgen of surprise has permeated that woman's brain, it has surely gotten pushed back and perfectly camouflaged by her friendly yet emotionless expression.

I can't see the same about the valet.

His stare catches the corner of my eye, and when I shift my gaze to him, he reads the bottom of my soul.

"Enjoy your evening," he says as if he just discovered I'm a princess in disguise.

"Thank you. You too."

The woman gets my attention when she slides a keycard across the reception counter.

"The elevator is to your right."

She gestures in that direction.

"It will take you straight to the Blue Suite."

Blue Suite, huh?

I swallow down a blob of nerves.

This thing is getting real.

So, despite all the setbacks this evening, I still found the place.

And am I still expected? Despite being an hour late?And not using his car and chauffeur?

Leave it to me to mix things up and still come out on top.

"Thank you," I say before tearing away from the counter and shifting my eyes to the front of the hotel to get another glimpse of that man.

The parking valet is chatting with his coworkers. He's probably forgotten about me.

He had to––I didn't give him a choice, did I?

My eyes linger on his uniform and broad shoulders.

He's handsome. And he may be a better inspiration for my book.You can never tell.

I let him be and follow the receptionist's instructions.

Moments later, I walk into a sleek elevator, and the doors close behind me.

Soft music plays over the speakers. Although it's only September, it brings back snippets from past Christmases.

I have a good feeling about the coming months, and then I remember Chloe's proposal.

Even if I take a gap semester, it won't happen until after Christmas. Who knows what will happen before then?

I'm still not crazy about her idea.

She's in a bad mood.

And then we'll be both in a bad mood.

Chloe is a complicated woman with immeasurable resources. She'll bounce back. She'll feel differently.

Knowing her. I wouldn't be surprised if she moved back. Or took a gap semester and came back.

Life would be easier with her here.

Ding.

The door opens, shattering my thoughts.

I walk out and stroll down a marble-lined corridor, searching for the door.

The suite entrance is dark blue.

A perfect theme for this hotel.

Making a beeline for the door, I stride past sleek tables with slender vases overflowing with armfuls of flowers and framed photography strewn across the walls.

The door opens smoothly, and surprise, surprise… A blue-lit room stretches out in front of me.

Strategically placed blue lamps cast blobs of color around the black and white decor.

Dim lights increase the magic of the place while a glass wall ushers in the view of an indoor pool.

"What the…?"

I inch closer and push through the doors leading to the patio and the pool where a matching glass ceiling streams in the dark night sky.

Blue lights are scattered around the bottom of the pool and the concrete edge, while flowers pop up everywhere.

I stroll by the pool, the echo of my heels hitting the tiles bouncing around the space.

I can't imagine swimming in the pool right now, but the sight of it is truly amazing.

A couple of lounge chairs sit by the pool with rolled towels, support pillows, and neatly folded robes nearby.

Is this place his second home?

Maybe.

I saunter back, enter the large bedroom, and lie on the bed.

My back hits the plump pillow, and I feel like an angel's arms wrap around me.

My bed at home is decent, but the mattress is nothing like this.

I tip my head to the side, take in the pool and the lights around the room, as well as the ones gleaming outside,

Slowly, I drag my eyes around the room.

I'm sure there's a sound system somewhere, so I push up and slide off the bed before checking the place.

Eventually I find a small remote on the table and play with it.

I can turn on and also dim the lights with it.

It also slides open a wall and brings out a TV.

I check every button on the remote before hitting the right one, and music plays. A soft, instrumental tune.

"Perfect," I murmur, heading back to the bed.

From an ice bucket, I scoop out a bottle of wine.

Beads of condensation slide down as I read the label.

It's my favorite wine. The one I drank that night in his other hotel suite. I pour myself a glass of wine, untie my belt, unbutton my jacket, and slide back onto the bed.

The aroma of wine tickles my nostrils as I take small sips. Warmth swirls through my blood, and I quickly get sleepy.

It's been a long day with a lot of things happening.

I remember my mother, so I shove my hand into my pocket, and check my phone.

One unread text message awaits me.

Terry: Let me know when you get home.

I don't open it, although I should, or she'll get worried.

On second thought, I'm doing that––reading it––before sending her a message.

Me: On my way. Thank you for the groceries. Talk to you tomorrow.

I press send, and drop my hand next to me, still clutching the phone before the music and the wine make me drift off to sleep.

DAVID

Earlier

"Bad news?" James asks, handing me my drink and walking around his desk before sliding into his chair.

He wears suit pants, a tailored dress shirt, Italian shoes, and a silver tie. His suit jacket is draped over the back of his chair.

My hand is tight around my cell phone as he looks at me, waiting for an answer.

He flicks his finger to my phone.

"Oh… No. Everything's fine," I say.

No, it's fucking not.

I glance at the text message the driver sent me and slide my phone back inside my jacket.

Joel: She wasn't home. Left the package. Talked to her mother.

"David?"

Elbows propped on his desk and his drink sitting in front of him, James looks at me.

"Yeah… Everything is fine."

"Is that work–related?" he asks neutrally.

"No. I had my driver deliver a package. It's someone I know," I say coldly before bringing my drink to my lips.

The first sip of scotch coats my mouth nicely before rolling down my throat.

I'm still thinking about the driver's message while James' stare is trained on my face.

He usually doesn't put stock into someone's words.Words are misleading.

Actions, on the other hand, never are.

And I'm acting strangely right now.Honestly, I didn't expect her not to be home.

It's not like it has never been a possibility.

It's just that I find it strange.

Where is she?

I try not to think about Elizabeth, resuming my conversation with James.

"Their lawyers are talking to our lawyers, and as soon as we give it a go, we can make the acquisition," I say, no longer distracted.

We talk business for a good half an hour before our conversation draws to an end.

"Have you had dinner?" he asks, checking his watch and pushing his chair back.

"No. I'll order in."

"Or you can join me," he says, picking up his jacket and shrugging it on.

"Aren't you going home?"

"The girls are out. It's the girls' night out," he says in response to my questioning look, a soft smile and a wink accompanying his words.

My ears suddenly perk up, my focus sharpening.

"Who's the girls ?" I ask, hoping that Elizabeth is with them.

"Rain, Eve, and Dahlia."

"Uh-huh. What about Thea and her… Didn't Ed's fiancé have a cousin? I think I met her last Sunday."

His eyes stall on mine for a second, and I do my best not to flinch or give myself away. It's hard with him. His intuition is sharper than a blade.

We've been at this game for some time, and we've crossed paths more than once when it comes to women.

One time in a big way.

Rain.

But James is a connoisseur.

He knows women like the back of his hand. And also men who are mesmerized with them.

"Thea is home, trying to get some rest before all the events this week. And her cousin? I have no idea. I only saw that girl a few times. I know nothing about her. Would you like to get to know her better?" he tosses at me without the slightest emotion on his face.

He's not judging or being gripped by some morbid curiosity.

More like…

‘Just say something, and I'll make it happen. '

Yeah, no.

I wouldn't go the official route.

Me, dating right now?

Hell fucking no.

It's like asking me to join a golf tournament when I know nothing about golf.

Besides, I'm not the only one against the idea.

Elizabeth herself had said it. It wouldn't work for her, and the girl made so much sense.

Dating while having their eyes on us?

I'd laugh if I didn't have James' eyes on me right now. That would be awkward.

So, no.

Besides, I barely got a taste of that girl, and she is so freed from people's expectations and genuine in her reactions by not having to think about the consequences of her actions.

Seeing each other secretly, as we originally intended, works for us.

Well, maybe not tonight since she obviously has had something else to do.

"No. Of course not," I say dismissively. "You know she's not my type," I add coldly, pushing to my feet and barely suppressing my need to reach inside my pocket, scoop out my phone, and check the screen again for new notifications.

"I sure do," he says, smiling.

He buttons his suit jacket and runs his fingers through his hair.

"But you've asked about her…" he says, and I realize I'm on a slippery slope with him.

He walks toward the door, sliding past me.

"You never ask about anyone ever," he comments.

And that's truthfully a problem since I have a hard time concealing my interest in her.

"It's not true. You know that," I murmur, retrieving my phone behind him and checking it secretly like a teenager.

No news of any kind.

"I've asked about a lot of women. It's just that I didn't ask you," I say, sliding my phone back into my pocket just as he shifts his attention to me.

He notices my move, and it's not hard to figure out what I was doing.

"Are you coming?" he asks.

"Yeah, yeah… I am."

I set myself in motion, and he's holding the door for me before we're both leaving his casino office.

"Who are you seeing these days?" he asks as we walk next to each other.

He invites me into the glass elevator. I step in before he does the same, pivots, and presses the button.

"No one in particular."

"How come?"

The doors slide closed, and the elevator sets itself in motion.

"I'm too busy working and traveling. Plus I have company when I want to. It's just that I'm not seeing anyone."

He studies me in silence.

I know what he's thinking.

When have I dated anyone?

"If you change your mind, let me know," he says, a shred of amusement in his voice. "I owe you one," he continues, and I flash a smile.

"You don't owe me anything. We're even. And even if I changed my mind, you'd be the last to know," I joke, and we share a chuckle.

The elevator comes to a stop, and the doors slide open.

"Why's that?" he asks as we both exit the car and veer toward the restaurant.

"Of all people, you'd be the most difficult to explain to why I changed my mind. It won't happen, anyway. I'm happy with how things are right now."

"I don't blame you," he says, his attention shifting to the hostess heading in our direction.

"How many people?" she asks.

"Four," James says without stopping.

"The VIP room is ready," the woman says before pulling away from us.

"Four?" I ask when we're finally alone.

James' lips curl into a smile as we make a beeline for the VIP room.

"It's the girls' night out, so the boys have dinner."

We walk down a quiet corridor before entering one of the private rooms.

"Make yourself comfortable," he says, carving out the phone from his pocket to make a call.

I give up on checking my cell phone as we both sit at the table. Lex and Tiago join us and our food arrives soon after.

It's been a while since we had dinner together. We see each other all the time when I'm in town.

In meetings or when we have lunch with our business partners. But having dinner for the sake of having dinner is not that common.

I enjoy sitting with them, but even so, I can't stop thinking about Elizabeth.

At some point, I leave the table, walk outside, and make a phone call in the hallway in front of a restroom.

My driver answers right away.

"What did the mother say?" I ask without an introduction since I don't have much time.

"Her daughter met someone new at the gym and wasn't coming home until later."

"Someone?" Is this a fucking quiz? "Was it a boy or a girl?"

Joel promptly delivers more information.

"I didn't get to ask her. From what I gathered from our conversation, it was a girl."

"That's it?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Thanks."

I swipe my phone with my thumb when the screen lights up with a call.

"Not now, Sabina," I mutter, rejecting the call.

She calls again.

"Yes," I answer.

"Hi… Are you in town?" she asks in a hesitating voice.

The edge of my teeth rolls slowly over my lower lip.

One of the main reasons I pay Sabina is not to get questions like this from her.

"Yes. Why?"

"Someone told me you were in the Casino."

Sweat forms at the back of my neck.

"I'm listening."

"No, there's nothing. I just wanted to know if you're in town."

I suppress a harsh retort.

There must be more than that to her question, but I won't get into that with her right now. I remember Julie's advice and wonder how much heart Sabina has put into this.

I appreciate Julie's concern, but Sabina sounds more like my ex than a woman having a crush on me.

If I didn't know years have passed since my ex and I went separate ways, I'd say she is her––my ex.

This is like deja vu.

She's checking on me––although this has never been our deal––while the girl I want to meet with is somewhere in town, making new friends, ignoring my text messages.

I reach for my tie and loosen the knot.

"I'm at the Casino, having dinner with James Sexton. I'll call you later. Are you at home?"

I put an effort there to make the dialogue sound as casual as possible because I want this to be over, but this is not the time to make a scene.

"Uh… Yeah. I might go out later, though. Call me when you can," she says and ends the call.

Weird.

Are we pretending we are lovers or something?

Shoving my phone into my pocket, I grind my teeth and enter the restroom.

I wash my hands when my phone pings again.

I take it out, my hand still wet.

Oh.

How I wanted to see this alert.

I lock the door from inside, step back, and lean against the edge of the sink.

First, there's the confirmation that my guest arrived to my hotel suite.Then the cameras are on.

My first instinct is to turn them off.

But my curiosity gets the best of me.

The cameras stream live, and I finally get to see her.

So what was that all about?

Elizabeth Fox lied to her mother?

What happened?

She fabricated a little story, and her mother bought it. My driver bought it, although he doesn't care.

Even I have bought it.

She looks… Tension swirls through my blood. I never expected her to be that… Fascinating.

Hot.

But looks are misleading, and so are the sweet girls like her.

They are the hardest to read and always keep you guessing. Their hidden desires make a priest blush.

I can easily tell she wears nothing underneath her little coat. Is it a coat? A jacket?

Her legs are bare, on full display.

How did she get to the hotel?

She took a cab?

She couldn't have had a friend pick her up. That wouldn't make much sense.

Her hair is a burst of color and moves like a cloak. A crimson cloak.

Red.

Hmm… Sure.

A soft smile creases my lips.

What a naughty little minx she is.

Mesmerized, I watch her study the room, check the bed, and round the pool.

She strolls back inside and puts on some music.Then she drinks wine.

This is intrusive, yet I can't stop looking at her.

She lies down before entertaining herself with a glass of wine, her hair fanned over the pillow.

Bloody red against pure white.

Her jacket slides open, and my lips pull slightly apart.

The bluish light in the room rolls over her chest, giving her hair a purple reflection.

Her skin is smooth beneath the lacy underwear, her tits bare. She presses her heels into the crisp sheets, and I imagine her legs open, my fingers reaching to her thighs, sliding inside her underwear, and pulling the panties to the side, my mouth crashing onto her clit.

I bet she tastes great.

My Adam's apple bobs as I swallow hard.

I get hard imagining licking that woman.

Opening her jacket all the way so her arms could wrap around me while I hovered over her.

I want to inhale the smell of her hair, move my tongue inside her mouth, bite her plump lips, and feel her tense beneath my frame.

I want to be so close to coming while holding myself back until she teeters on the edge and grabs me with both hands. Wanting me in her mouth before begging me to hammer her.

I want to feel her form a puddle of warm wetness around my hardness, clench her thighs, and cry out my name.As much as I want to ram into her so hard that her pleasure is laced with pain, and despite all that, she still asks for more.

I want her hair wrapped around my fist and my hand pulling her up and down, wherever I want her mouth on my throbbing hard length.

She is waiting for me like a beautiful gift already unwrapped.

I don't know what happened this evening.

Why was it so complicated?

Why couldn't she use my car?

I get it that there was some story hidden in this epic failure.

We'll get to that later.

For now, I only have one thing in my mind, and it involves her with her legs spread open under me and my hard–on plunging into her.

The knock on the door almost makes me drop my phone.

I darken the screen and tuck my phone into my pocket.

"Just a second," I bark before heading to the door with urgency.

Not only do I want to go to that hotel, but I want to do it as quickly as possible.

"Lex," I say dryly after opening the door.

Lex Harrington gives me a quick once–over.

"Everything all right?"

"Yeah, yeah. Someone called me. I needed to take care of that."

I exit the restroom while he enters it.

"When are you flying to New York?" he asks.

"I don't know yet. I expect to hear from our lawyers any moment now. If something else comes up in the meantime, I'll leave before that. Either way, I expect to travel soon."

"Just let me know when you go. I'll cover for you here."

"Yeah, sure. We'll talk about it."

"Absolutely."

I give him a soft nod before he closes the door, and I stride down the corridor.

Moments later I join James and Tiago at the table.

Lex returns before long and we continue our conversation around the dinner table.

I may look cool and collected, but I'm on pins and needles.

Eventually, I come up with an excuse, push out of my seat, say goodbye to them, and head to the exit.

I open the surveillance security cameras on my way out and check the footage on my phone.

Having no patience to fetch my car, I drag my gaze over the ones available in front of the Casino.

Eventually, I spot a driver that I know.

I lift my hand, and he sets himself in motion, already rounding the limousine and opening the back door.

I give him the directions while sliding into my seat.

The car rolls away while I shift my focus to my phone.

After a few glitches, the live stream resumes.

Her head is tipped to the side, her phone is clutched in her hand, and her body is relaxed as she seems asleep.

A smile tickles my lips.

That's my date for the night.

And she's snoring already.

I laugh quietly, and the driver glances at me in the rearview mirror.

"Kids," I say. "They're so funny."

He approves with a soft nod of his head. Whether he knows I'm lying or not is irrelevant.

I take her in again. I want to ravish this woman.

It's too bad her sleep will be cut short, but I have a great idea of how to go about waking her.

And this time, it involves my mouth and the sweet spot between her thighs.