Chapter 10 #2
He nodded at her and shook his head, laughing as he left the room.
"I'm going to let you get settled. Bathroom's through there, closet to the right. If you need anything, I'm at the end of the hall."
"Okay."
"I'll reach out to my attorney tonight to have him draft the terms we agreed on at dinner. We can finalize everything in the morning."
She nodded but still looked like she was going to make a break for it the minute I was gone.
"Goodnight, Scotlyn."
"Goodnight, Christian."
I walked out, closing the door behind me.
When I was in my room, I questioned what the fuck I was doing.
After what my ex-wife did to me, I never wanted another woman in my life permanently.
The betrayal had scarred me too deeply to risk that shit again yet I'd thought it was a good idea to give another woman access to me by bringing Scotlyn into my home and my space.
I wasn't sure if this was brilliance or insanity, but for the first time in years, I was genuinely curious to find out.
Once inside my room, I pulled out my phone and called my attorney.
"Werner," he answered on the second ring.
"I need a contract drafted tonight."
"Tonight? It's late."
"I'm aware of the time. It's a simple agreement between myself and Scotlyn Whitney regarding the waterfront property."
"The property you lost to her?" He sounded confused. "What terms are we looking at?"
"I'll provide consulting services, handle local permits, secure contractors, smooth over any political roadblocks. In exchange, I receive no ownership stake."
"No ownership? Then what are you getting out of this deal?"
"That's not your concern."
"As your attorney, it absolutely is my concern. This makes no business sense, Christian."
"I'm not paying you to question my moves. I'm paying you to do what the fuck I tell you to do."
Werner sighed. "Fine. What specific services are you providing?"
I outlined the details, emphasizing that my role was to facilitate her success with the project, not get in the way.
"So you're essentially helping your competition succeed," Werner said when I finished.
"I need this contract emailed to me before I wake up in the morning."
"That's not-"
"First thing in the morning. Make it happen."
I ended the call and tossed my phone onto the bed. Then I laughed at myself.
"You really are on a pussy chase," I muttered.
I headed to the bathroom and stepped into the shower, letting the hot water pound against my shoulders. This was insane. I never mixed business with pleasure, or invited women into my home, not since Aja. I damn sure never helped a competitor take something I wanted but here I was doing all three.
After showering, I pulled on a pair of briefs and poured a glass of bourbon. I settled onto my bed, arms folded behind my head, and stared at the ceiling.
What the fuck was I doing? Scotlyn took a business I wanted and was going to cost me money but she was also sleeping in my guest room. The damn woman was supposed to be one and done. I was going to hand over to someone else at Erogenous but demanded she honor a thirty-day contract.
I lifted my glass and enjoyed the smooth taste of the bourbon, trying to figure out why I wanted this so damn bad.
She was the full package-smart, confident, and the perfect submissive.
A woman who thrived on control trusting me enough to fully submit was priceless.
She was the first woman in years who made me feel something other than temporary gratification.
I wanted her, and for thirty days, I was going to have her.
I was also trying to convince myself this arrangement was just convenient. Having her here meant easier access for both business and pleasure with no time wasted. I didn't have to worry about scheduling shit. I could just walk down the hall.
Regardless, I had just thirty days then we would both move on and life would return to normal. No attachments. No complications. No risk of another betrayal.
In my mind I rationalized all of this but part of me knew I was lying to myself. This wasn't just about convenience for a temporary situation. Scotlyn made me want all the things Aja cheated me of and that was a fucking problem...
I barely fucking slept. Knowing Scotlyn was here made it very difficult to be on my best behavior.
So when I opened my eyes the next morning and glanced at my phone, finding two missed calls from Cress, I swiped right past them.
There were also several messages from Werner confirming he'd sent the contract.
Four hours of sleep damn sure wasn't enough.
I headed to the bathroom to clean up then headed to the kitchen in just briefs.
Guest or not, I was going to be comfortable in my home.
My first stop was coffee. I set up the machine to produce multiple cups, assuming Scotlyn would want some if she was up early.
While it brewed, I ignored several calls from Cress who hit me back to back so I gave in and answered on the third one.
"What?"
"Good morning to you too, sunshine."
"It's early." I grinned.
"It's nine, Christian."
I grunted, grabbing a mug from the cabinet. "What do you want?"
"A little birdie told me you crashed a BWB meeting yesterday."
I groaned. "Jhorie can't hold water."
"She was surprised to see you there and mentioned you being there was about a woman?"
"For the extra hundred grand I donated, she could have at least kept that to herself."
"Hundred grand? Damn, you must really want something."
The coffee finished brewing so I poured a cup and leaned against the island. "Is there a reason for this call?"
"Who is Scotlyn Whitney to you and why were you crashing her meeting?"
"Mind your business."
"You are my business. You're my brother."
"Not when you're being nosy."
"Christian." Her tone shifted to the one she used with her kids. "Do you have something going on with this woman?"
"No."
"Jhorie thinks you do."
"Jhorie needs to focus on her foundation and not my personal life."
"So there is something personal?"
"Cress, mind your damn business."
"Fine. At least tell me if she's someone I'll get to meet."
Movement across the kitchen had me turning toward the entrance.
Scotlyn dragged in dressed in sleep shorts and an oversized t-shirt.
She froze when she saw me leaning against the island.
Her hair all over and her eyes still lazy from having just woken up.
It took a minute before her brain caught up, and when it did, she turned to leave.
"Don't leave."
"Hold on, Cress." I muted the call and pointed to the corner.
"Coffee's over there. Help yourself."
Scotlyn's eyes darted between me and the machine. I couldn't help but smirk at her hesitation.
"You need to make yourself at home while you're here."
She grunted something unintelligible and moved to the counter. I chuckled, assuming she wasn't a morning person, then unmuted the phone.
"I'm back."
"Who was that?" Cress asked.
"No one."
"I heard you talking to someone."
"A member of the staff."
"When have you ever told your staff don't leave?"
I watched Scotlyn fumble around the kitchen, opening cabinets until she found a mug. "I have to go, Cress."
"You didn't answer my question about meeting her."
"Goodbye, Cress."
"Christian!"
Scotlyn poured coffee, added cream and sugar, then leaned against the counter. She pulled her phone out and began tapping the screen like she was typing a message. When she smiled, I got annoyed. It fucking irritated me because who the hell was she texting and smiling at this early.
"Cress, I have to go."
"Don't you dare hang up on-"
I ended the call and set my phone down. "Sleep well?"
Scotlyn looked up from her phone. "Yes."
"Who are you texting?"
She arched her brow. "Excuse me?"
"It's early, must be important."
"It's James trying to figure out why I wasn't in my suite last night."
I know good and damn well she's not sleeping with her assistant…
"How would he know that? You spend a lot of late nights together?"
She glared at me then rolled her eyes, smiling. "Yes, we do, but I don't fuck him and call it late night strategy sessions if that's what you're assuming."
I relaxed.
"I wasn't."
"Mmhm…" she hummed and I smirked, glad she wasn't looking at me. I was jealous of her gotdamn assistant…
"We have a lot to coordinate since I'm now staying here instead of the hotel."
I nodded. "Werner sent over the contract last night. We can go over it after breakfast."
"I need this coffee to do its job before I even think about that."
"No rush."
She lifted her mug but was still looking at her phone.
"Not much of a morning person?"
"Some of us need a full caffeine rush before engaging in interaction that doesn't include murderous thoughts."
"You thinking about murdering me?"
She looked up from her phone and narrowed her eyes. "I need more coffee before I can handle this level of conversation."
"Help yourself."
"Thank you."
She refilled her mug and leaned back against the counter, finally giving me her full attention. "Is no clothing a regular expectation of breakfast here?"
"I like being comfortable, you should do the same while you're here."
Her eyes swept my body. "I'll remember to be fully dressed when I come to breakfast then."
I grinned and she rolled her eyes, but I caught the way she smiled right before the mug reached her lips. "Is there food or just coffee?"
"The staff usually prepares breakfast around seven but I told them to wait until I let them know we were ready today. I wasn't sure if you would sleep in. I'll let them know they can get started."
"Thank you." She watched me over the rim of her mug. "Your sister?"
"What?"
"On the phone. Was that your sister?"
"Yes."
"She knows about me?"
"Jhorie mentioned seeing us together at the BWB meeting."
Scotlyn frowned. "Is that going to be a problem? I don't want your family knowing about this."
"It won't be a problem. I made you a promise about how we handle this. I'll keep my word."
She set her coffee down. "People already know we're associated?"
"Business associates, which isn't uncommon. They also know I wanted that property, so me working with you on this deal would be normal. You don't have to worry."
"And the other part?"
"No one needs to know about that."
She nodded, looking relieved but still unsure. "Good."
Cress had my phone vibrating again with a call but I declined it. Her eyes dropped to the phone. "Another who is Scotlyn call?"
I shook my head. "Just Cress. I hung up on her; she's nosy as fuck and persistent."
"Must run in the family," she mumbled and I smiled.
"We get what we want by any means necessary but she can only get information about you through me, and again, I have given you my word."
Scotlyn pushed away from the counter. "Please don't make me regret agreeing to this deal."
"I won't."
She nodded. "I should get dressed before breakfast."
"You don't have to."
"Even though you're comfortable being half naked in front of your staff, I'm not." She headed for the door then paused. "What time do we need to review the contract?"
"Whenever you're ready."
She nodded and left, taking the coffee with her. I watched her go, knowing I was already breaking my own rules about keeping business and pleasure separate but with this woman those lines already were, and would continue, to blur.