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“Stefan?” I call out to my coffee bar manager an hour later as I stride through scaffolding and into the foyer of my latest venture, another hotel, noting the new flooring that’s gone down in my absence. Victorian black and white mosaic tiles. I like it.
He looks up from his clipboard. “Can you round up everyone on-site and send them home for the day, please? I need the site clear by lunchtime.” I don’t give him a chance to ask questions before I head for the kitchen to speak to the chef.
“Will?” Stefan calls as I re-enter the lobby. I look over and he nods towards the coffee bar, where the rhino is sitting. And seething, judging by the look on his face.
“I’ve got it,” I tell him as I walk towards the guy glowering at me.
“Here’s the deal, Hunter. I am willing to let you meet with Eva. Get to know her even, but you have two days. And then you choose.”
“What’s that?”
“Whose side you’re on.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I can guarantee you whatever De Luca told you is a lie.”
“I can figure out what’s true for myself.” He half smiles, assessing me in a different way. And then he stands and strolls out of the French windows as though he owns the place. A quick look at Stefan and I can see he’s wondering just as much as I am, but I have a feeling that I’m supposed to wonder. This guy is playing games and he is starting to get on my damn nerves.
I slide my phone from my back pocket as a notification sounds. Jack. It seems like he’s having the time of his life, shagging his way through my Mexican guest list. I suppose I should be glad he’s put the tweet thing out of his head.
Tonight’s lucky lady is a blonde. She’s pretty but she’s no Eva. I can’t help winding him up.
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Meh.
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He calls me immediately, like I knew he would.
“Meh? Fucking meh? Hunter, your balls must have dropped off!”
“Still firmly attached.” I grin.
“She’s a stunner. And a fantastic shag too.”
“I’m sure she is.”
“I’m sensing a but.”
“No but. I’m sure she’s a nice enough girl.” There’s a crackling static on the line, like I can hear him thinking.
“Who is she?” he demands. He’s definitely grinning.
“She is on her way to the new hotel very shortly. So, adios, amigo.” I hear half of his next sentence but cut the call anyway, laughing to myself. My heart falls to my stomach when Eva’s office number lights up the display. Fuck! She’s going to fucking cancel?
“Hello? Eva?”
“It’s Bells. Helen.” I don’t know whether to be relieved or not.
“Hi,” I venture cautiously.
“Will, I’m going to be straight with you. I’m not sure we should take on your launch.” What the fuck?
“Why not?”
“Eva.” Just that one word tells me everything I need to know.
“Helen... I don’t know what to tell you... If you don’t want to take on the launch, after the site visit, that’s cool, but it won’t stop me from calling her.”
“And if she doesn’t answer?”
“She will.”
“You don’t know her very well, do you?” Oh, I think I know her better than most.
“Then, I’ll come to the office. I won’t give up.”
“Why? Because she’s blonde and beautiful? A notch on the bedpost?”
“No. Because... I’ve never met anyone who could shake my hand and make my skin hum before this morning.”
“Good answer,” she says softly.
“And she’s beautiful.” I grin.
“I swear to God. You even think about... I will wear your balls as earrings. You got me?”
“Loud and clear.”
“Good. She’s on her way.” My heart skips a beat. She’s on her way!
“Then I’d better go. Thanks for calling.” I hit the red circle and pocket the phone.
***
I’m ushering the last of the staff out the door, wishing for a cattle prod or something. That might hurry things along. Christ! Normal people would be glad to have an impromptu afternoon off. Just leave already!
Claude, the guy in charge of the decorating crew, won’t stop fucking talking. It’s taking a lot of effort to be polite. I lead him out to the front steps, trying to hurry him along too, and I see the car coming towards us. A black 4x4.
Eva.
My eyes are glued to the car. As it gets closer, I can see it’s an old Mitsubishi. Really old. She’d look great in a convertible. I’m hardly listening to Claude at all. I could have just agreed to paint the lobby neon yellow and I’d have no idea. Claude follows my gaze and watches Eva park up. “Oh, I’ll err...”
“Thanks.” I flash him a grateful smile and jog down the steps to meet her. I can’t wait another bloody second. I pull open her car door and she jumps.
“Hi.” I can’t stop smiling. I’ve never been so glad to see someone who isn’t Mae.
“Hi?” She’s flustered? But she’s here. I’ll take it.
“Are you coming in?” I ask, glancing up at the sky. The weather has just taken a nosedive. Dark rain clouds have gathered overhead and are starting to spill their load.
I wanted us to dine alfresco. A table for two in an unfinished dining room will have to do.
“Yes. I am.” She doesn’t sound thrilled about it. She’s talking at me through her teeth. Fuck! Play it cool. She’s probably just nervous.
I lead Eva inside. She declines my offer of a drink, and I shove my balled-up fists in my pockets when the idea of taking her hand makes my palms itch, before proceeding to lead her on a tour of the ground floor of the hotel.
I’m not sure if I’m impressed or disappointed when she doesn’t respond to my comment about owning four hotels. She simply nods, and follows me through to the kitchen.
“Kitchen,” I announce, unnecessarily, and lead her out again in double time. The chef is far too interested for my liking.
I hold the door open for her and throw a murderous glare at the chef. He’s not looking at me though. I wait a beat for his attention. “Fuck. Off,” I tell him with my scowl.
I catch up to Eva and she turns to face me. “So that’s the ground floor covered. Do you want to see upstairs?”
“No,” she says quickly. So quickly that I might be inclined to think she doesn’t want to be near a bedroom. With me. Because she doesn’t want me? Or because she doesn’t trust herself? “That’s everything I need for now. I’ll get back to you.”
“Eva?”
“Yes?”
“I was hoping we could have lunch together to discuss,” I tell her, keeping my voice low and smooth. Old habits die hard.
“Lunch?” Her eyes follow the chef as he pushes the cart past us to the dining room. “Um...”
“Come on,” I encourage her with a smile. “It’s ready now. And I’ll never eat all of that on my own.”
“I’m sure you could find someone to eat the rest of it with you.” Is that the issue? If she’s wondering about my past, that’s a good sign, but there’d be a longer line to eat with you, baby.
“I’m asking you.” And I’ve never asked anyone before outside of work. It’s never been necessary. Or something I’ve wanted. She’s the first. And I’ll do anything to make her say yes. I move closer to her. I can feel the heat coming off her body in scented, sensual waves. My fingers have curled around hers before I can stop them and my skin hums in delight. She gasps, her shoulders rising an inch, and I know she feels it too. That... I don’t know what it is, but... “Please?”
“Okay,” she says quietly. I lift her hand to my mouth, lightly brushing my lips across her knuckles. She even tastes like honey.
***
Chef serves the chicken Caesar salad, nearly missing the plate since he can’t keep his eyes off her. I clear my throat loud enough to get his attention and his eyes fly to mine. He’s red in the face, practically falling over his own feet to get her attention. I glance at Eva but she’s not looking at either of us. She’s looking at her own hands, frowning slightly.
“So, what do you think?” I ask, taking my seat opposite her as he walks back to the kitchen, his eyes practically coming out of his ear to keep looking.
“I think it’s beautiful,” she says. Beautiful is right. I’ve never met anyone more beautiful than you, Eva Adams.
Her eyes snap back to mine and I know I made some kind of sound. I just hope I didn’t groan.
“You want a child-friendly event?” she asks, dropping her eyes again. Are you child-friendly?
“Yes, family-friendly. The kids are the ones who sell it to the parents, after all, and I want to attract families living nearby to the restaurant, gym and spa facilities too. Not just overnight guests.” She nods, loading her fork. I can’t tell from her reaction if she likes kids or not.
I have to ask. I can’t fucking stand it. “What are you thinking?” Her head snaps up.
“What are the grounds like?”
“I’d love to show you around the grounds, but the weather...” Is shit. I wave an arm towards the rain through the window. Maybe I should take her to Mexico? Sun, sea and sand. I bet she’d look fucking incredible in a bikini. “You can always come back for that bit of the tour,” I say quickly, dragging my mind from the white sands, her bronzed body warm and willing under mine...
“But lots of space?” she asks, nodding once.
“Yes, the site is just over five acres, including a small woodland. It’s more of a copse, I suppose,” I tell her, forcing myself to concentrate on this conversation.
“Alice in Wonderland,” she says, her lips lifting slightly at the corners.
“Sorry?” Did I miss something? I was in Mexico.
“Theme? For the launch. The grounds should be a key selling point for families, so I’m thinking a garden party type of... what?” Oh yeah, she likes kids. And Mae is fucking adorable.
“Sounds great; send me your quote.”
“Yep.” Her eyes drop like stones back to her plate and I wonder what expression was on my face just now. Shit! Slow the fuck down!
I take a few slow breaths to get us back on track and catch myself before I speak next, because, as far as she’s concerned, we’ve only just met and I know nothing about her. I ask her about Gary and Bells. She dismisses the Gary question quickly, but not too quickly, so I’m fairly confident there’s nothing between them. I ask her, in a roundabout way, if she’s married. She shakes her head.
Huh.
I let it drop.
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By the time I wave her off, she’s promised me a date tomorrow night. I should have suggested tonight, but I have to work. I’ve been distinctly unproductive since January and I need to get back on course.