Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHLOE
F ive hours later, I’m groggy and a little out of sorts. The queen-sized bed was incredibly comfortable, and the bedding was cool and soft, but I tossed and turned for quite a while before finally dropping off. Not only because I’m not used to going to sleep so early, but because I was too aware of Roman on the other side of the door. Lying in a luxurious bed, knowing he was so close by, had all those fantasies I’ve been doing my best to suppress swirling around my head.
Not exactly conducive to drifting off.
When I exit the bedroom, I find him typing away on his computer.
“Did you sleep at all?” Guilt gnaws at me. I should have insisted he take the bed.
“I caught a couple of hours.” There isn’t a hint of fatigue shadowing his eyes. Is this man really so used to working through the night? Sophie warned me that he’s a workaholic, and I’ve certainly witnessed his drive, but does he ever take a break? How does a man like Roman relax?
I wish I knew. It can’t be healthy for him to work so hard and for so long. If I knew, I could help him avoid burning out. I could make sure he has more of whatever encourages him to wind down.
Surely that’s part of my job?
Carrie comes out and offers us breakfast. It’s strange, since back in New York, it’s the middle of the night. But here, flying east over the vast Atlantic Ocean toward France, the darkness of night is gradually giving way to the first hints of dawn, the sky shading from deep blue and purple to the first streaks of fiery pinks and oranges.
A desire to capture the beauty of this moment flutters in my chest. A need to memorialize it on canvas. The sensation is familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. I haven’t experienced such a strong urge to paint in years.
I watch the sunrise out the window until Carrie returns with our breakfast a few minutes later. Roman and I both have poached eggs on toast with a side of bacon. Normally I don’t have a big breakfast, but today will be busy, and I need the fuel.
Our conversation as we eat centers around what the next day and a half looks like. Miraculously, I find myself mostly focused on it rather than how his dark hair is a little tousled, as if he’s been running his hands through it. Or how the five o’clock shadow on his jaw makes me want to drift my fingers along it to feel the prickle against my skin.
An hour later, we land in Nice. There’s a car waiting for us, and after the driver has loaded our bags in the trunk, we settle in for the trip to the hotel.
The scenery is spectacular as we drive along what Roman tells me is the Promenade des Anglais, which runs along the coastline. The sparkling blue sea stretches out to the horizon on my right, while the left side of the road is lined with palm trees, luxury hotels, restaurants, and residential areas.
Though it’s still very early morning as we approach the Azure Marquis Hotel, staff members are ready and waiting for us beneath a portico. As we step out of the car, the soft murmur of the waves, the hint of salt in the air, and the warm breeze immediately relax my tight muscles.
I don’t get much time to enjoy the hotel’s impressive lobby. Check-in is expedited and before I know it, we’re being whisked up to our suites.
“We have half an hour to freshen up,” Roman says as we approach our rooms. “Then we’ll meet back downstairs.”
Enough time for a shower, thank goodness. Even if there won’t be much time to apply makeup and make myself presentable afterward.
I scan into the room, and as the door shuts behind me, I stutter to a halt. “Wow,” I whisper, even though I’m alone.
Long, sheer curtains billow in the warm, ocean-scented breeze coming in through the open window. Outside, the water is a vibrant blue that makes me wish I could go for a swim instead of attending the expo.
If only. I shake off the fantasy quickly. I need to have my game face on for this. I don’t want to let Roman down, and although I slept a bit on the plane, my body still thinks it’s the middle of the night.
Inside the huge marble-tiled bathroom, I turn on the shower, then strip off my clothes while I wait for the water to heat. The warm spray is incredible. I’d give almost anything to stand underneath it until the water ran cold, but time is of the essence.
Once I’ve washed quickly, I dry myself, then get dressed. I probably overpacked, but since I’ve never traveled internationally for work, I’m not completely confident in what I should wear to each activity, so I brought options. This morning, I choose a lightweight pastel blue blouse, fitted black pants, and black flats. Usually I wear heels to work, but I don’t know how much standing or walking I’ll be doing, and I don’t want my feet to hate me by the end of the day.
I quickly do my makeup, then pull my hair back into a ponytail. With one last look in the mirror, I grab my tablet and head down to the lobby.
Roman’s already there, looking sharp and impeccable, as if he’s just walked into his office after a full night’s sleep at his penthouse apartment.
If he weren’t so gorgeous, it would be infuriating.
He glances up from his phone as I approach, his gaze drifting down my body in a way that steals my breath. It’s not my imagination. Ever since the day that must not be talked about, he hasn’t worked too hard to hide the way he watches me. He doesn’t leer the way Geoff used to. It doesn’t make me feel dirty. Instead, it sends electricity prickling over my skin and a rush of heat through my veins.
Considering how often I catch myself looking at him, I wouldn’t even consider complaining about the attention.
“I got a coffee for you,” he says, plucking a paper cup off the table next to him.
I smile up at him, having to crane my neck even farther back than usual since I’m not wearing heels. “Isn’t that supposed to be my job?”
That seductive mouth of his curves up. “I thought I’d stretch myself.”
It hits me for the first time, how his eyes soften when he smiles. He might not let the expression slip through often, but when he does, my heart flips in my chest.
Suddenly desperate for a drink, I take the cup from him and bring it to my mouth. The way he stays focused on me as I do, though, is overwhelming, and I take a too-large mouthful, causing a little coffee to overflow.
I hastily swallow, then lick my lips before it can drip onto my blouse. I must miss a drop because Roman reaches out and drags his thumb underneath my mouth.
“Good?” His voice is low.
“Y-yes,” I stutter, my cheeks heating.
There’s that smile again, and there’s my heart doing a flip it shouldn’t be doing.
“Are you ready?” he asks.
With a deep breath to center myself, I nod once. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Okay, let’s go.” He puts his hand on my lower back and guides me toward the entrance.
The car waiting out front takes us to a large exhibition hall. On the way, we run over the plan again. He wants to attend several talks and demonstrations throughout the day, some of which are being held simultaneously. When the timing conflicts like that, we’ll separate, and I’ll go to one on his behalf so I can take notes or ask questions.
He’s meeting Ellis Anderson, EcoTech’s CEO, for dinner tonight. I don’t need to attend, so I plan to do a little exploring and then find a nice local restaurant for my own dinner.
Tomorrow morning is reserved for a few more demonstrations before the luncheon where Roman will be giving his speech. After that, it’s back to the hotel and the flight home. Calling this a whirlwind visit is an understatement, but I’m still excited to be here.
For the first couple of hours, we attend the discussions and demonstrations together. Once it’s time for us to part, I take the list of topics he’s interested in and questions that he needs to have answered so that I don’t forget anything.
Several hours later, my energy is flagging. I’ve taken as many notes as I can, as well as photographs and videos when I was allowed. By now, I’ve developed a good idea of Roman’s priorities and I’ve done my best to capture his main points of interest.
I meet up with him again for an afternoon session, where it takes more strength than it should to keep my eyes open. He leans close, his breath warm against my ear. “You’ve done enough for the day. Why don’t you go back to the hotel after this and take a nap? You’ve earned it.”
“What about you?” I whisper back, dangerously aware of just how close our faces are. If I raised mine the slightest bit, my mouth would skim his cheek.
“What about me?”
“You must be exhausted too. You barely slept on the plane.”
“You don’t have to worry about me, Chloe,” he murmurs. “I have a lot of stamina.”
My breath catches at the insinuation, a jolt of heat spreading through me. But beside me, Roman straightens, his attention shifting back to the speaker as if his words hadn’t been dripping with innuendo.
With a heavy exhale, I slump back in my chair. I’m doing my best to forget about that night in his office, but how am I supposed to when he says things like that? When he puts images into my head? Images of his big body moving on top of mine, making me feel good over and over?
Before I nap, I might have to take care of myself. Even sitting next to him is enough to rev me up. The way he smells, the brush of his arm against mine, it all sets my nerve endings on high alert.
At the end of the talk, he follows me out, his height and commanding presence behind me enough to clear a path in the crowded room.
We’ve just made it through the doorway when the sound of Roman’s name being called stops us. Glancing around, I spot Ellis Anderson, CEO of EcoTech. An older man, he’s instantly recognizable from the work I’ve been doing on the acquisition.
“Ellis.” Roman holds out his hand. “It’s good to see you.”
“You too.” Ellis grips his hand and shakes it. “Have you been enjoying the expo?”
“It’s been very interesting so far. I’m looking forward to the rest of it. And our dinner tonight.”
I roll my lips together in an effort not to smile, knowing how much he doesn’t enjoy dinner meetings.
“I am too.” Ellis’s response is filled with what seems like genuine enthusiasm. “We have a lot to discuss. But I’m looking forward to getting to know you on a personal level too. EcoTech’s ethos is important to me. I want to make sure it goes to the right company.”
Roman nods. “I plan to show you that the King Group is the right fit for it.”
Ellis turns to me. “And who is this lovely young lady?”
Unlike some men who have leered while asking the same question, his expression is open and friendly.
“I’m Chloe Callahan,” I say, shaking his hand when he extends it. “Roman’s assistant.”
Brow arched, Ellis eyes Roman. “You’re dragging your assistant around? Isn’t that considered cruel and unusual punishment?” He chuckles.
“Oh no, not at all,” I say before Roman has a chance to respond. “It’s been very interesting.”
“You know,” Ellis says, his expression turning thoughtful. “I was going to ask if you’d mind if my wife joined us for dinner tonight. She’s used to business discussions, so it doesn’t bother her. But maybe Chloe would like to join us as well. Keep her company. I’m sure she’d appreciate it.”
Stomach flipping, I look to Roman, trying to gauge his reaction. His brows are lowered, and as usual, his expression is hard to read. But knowing how much he wants to acquire EcoTech, I go with my gut instinct. “Thank you so much. I’d love to join you.”
Ellis grins. “Wonderful. I should get going. But I look forward to seeing you both tonight.”
After we say our farewells, I turn to Roman. “Was that okay? I wasn’t sure what you wanted me to do.”
A muscle pulses in his jaw, and I brace myself for his irritation, but it doesn’t come. “Do you have something to wear?”
“I brought a few extra outfits. I think I have a dress that will do.”
“I’m sure you’ll look beautiful in whatever you choose.” He surprises me by stroking back a strand of hair that’s fallen loose from my ponytail, his thumb grazing my cheek. The featherlight touch has my breath catching and my heart doing its thing again.
“There are shadows under your eyes,” he says, his voice low. “Go back to the hotel, relax, sleep if you can. We can’t have you passing out at the table tonight.”
I swallow past my suddenly dry throat. With so many people around, how is it possible for a moment to feel so intimate?
As if he’s just realized the same, Roman curls his fingers into a fist and drops his hand. He steps back, even as he keeps his gaze fixed on mine. “Go on. I can handle the rest of the afternoon on my own.”
I’m at war with myself. On one hand, I feel like a rag doll, and I don’t know how helpful I’ll be if I’m barely awake. On the other, I don’t want to let Roman down. He needs me here, and now he’s telling me to go and sleep the afternoon away. It feels wrong.
“Stop overthinking,” he says. “Since you’re my date tonight, I’d rather you be well rested. I want to get your reading on Ellis.”
That’s all it takes to convince me. If I want to be any help tonight, I need a nap. “Okay, I’ll go.”
He thrusts his hands in his pockets and nods. “Good. I’ll finish out the day here, then head back to the hotel to get changed and knock on your door at seven thirty.”
A nervous flutter fills my belly. Despite the way he phrased it, tonight isn’t a date. And yet it’s hard to categorize dressing up and having dinner with Roman at a fancy French restaurant as anything but.
Inhaling deeply and holding the air in my lungs, I remind myself that this is just work.
Even if my stomach is full of butterflies.