Chapter 2 #2
“Sam is going to talk to the owner this week, increase the offer and hope she’ll come around. I can’t see her turning down an amount significantly over what the building is worth.”
“Let’s hope not. That would ruin my holiday for sure.”
“Two years in a row...oh, hell no! You were such a grouch last year you could give Scrooge a run for his money. If Sam can’t make any headway with her, we might need you to step away from your drafting table and work your magic.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes. Keep me posted.” Ian checked the time again. “I’m going back in. I don’t want to miss Maya.”
“Maya?” Chris asked with a laugh. “I guess it didn’t take long for her to get your attention, which is odd.”
“Why?”
“You never react to women this way, especially when it’s someone you’re only looking to have a one-night stand with. Which makes me wonder about this particular woman.”
Ian frowned. “I don’t follow.”
“I always told you that when the love bug bit you, you were going to go down hard. Looks like it’s your turn, little brother. See you around.”
Ian muttered a curse, telling Chris exactly what he could do with that statement, pivoted on his heel and walked away.
Chris’s laughter echoed through the hall behind Ian.
He pushed through the ballroom doors, immediately sought out Maya and spotted her at the far end near the other exit. He strode purposely across the room, ignoring two women who tried to detain him. “Maya,” he called when he was in earshot.
She turned, seemingly surprised to see him. “Ian. I thought you’d left.”
His brow lifted. “Why? I told you I’d wait. Are you off work yet?”
“I...” She nodded.
“Good.” Ian led her to the dance floor and gathered her in his arms. “I want to dance with you again.” He held her close and swayed to the ballad the band played, loving the way she fit in his arms. “Maya.”
“Hmm.”
“Are you in a rush to leave?”
“Well...um, no.”
“Would you join me for a drink? Just to talk.”
“Okay.”
He smiled, took her hand and led her out off the dance floor. He stopped to grab another truffle first, then led her out to the bar. It took a moment, but he spotted a table at the far side and hurried over before someone else could claim it. The waitress came to take their order.
“A glass of Chardonnay, please,” Maya said.
“I’ll have a cognac.” Ian never drank his first one. After the woman left, he focused on Maya. “So, are you some kind of chef?”
Maya smiled. “I’m a pastry chef.”
“How long have you been a pastry chef?”
“Professionally, six years. But I’ve been fascinated with baking and chocolate for as long as I can remember.”
“If everything else tastes as good as that truffle, I’d say you’ve perfected the art. I’m looking forward to sampling a few more of your delicious treats,” he said. The waitress came back with their drinks. “Thanks.” Ian lifted his glass. “To great conversation.”
She touched her glass to his and took a sip of her wine.
“I’ve never met a pastry chef. Seems like it would be hard work to come up with all those different desserts.”
“Not really. Many of them are well-known recipes and others are those that I’ve tweaked to make them my own. What about you?”
“I like to draw, so I became an architect.”
“That has to be fascinating.”
He chuckled. “It has its moments.”
“Did you grow up in LA?”
“Born and bred.”
They both laughed. They spent the remainder of the evening swapping childhood stories.
Maya glanced down at her watch. “Wow. I didn’t realize it was so late.”
Ian took a peek at his. Over two hours had passed. “Neither did I.” He paid the bill, then escorted her out to the lobby.
“Thank you for the drink, Ian. I had a great time.”
“So did I. I’m not ready for it to end.”
“Neither am I,” she said softly.
“Spend the night with me, Maya.”
Her gaze flew to his. “What?”
He stared intently into her eyes and repeated the question. “Just one night to explore whatever it is that’s happening between us.”
Maya shook her head. “Ian, I don’t... I can’t...we don’t even know each other.”
“We will by morning,” he said, capturing her mouth in an urgent kiss. Ian lifted his head. “One night,” he implored. His eyes were riveted to the rapid beating of the pulse in her neck and he knew she was just as affected. “Tell me you don’t feel this attraction, and I’ll walk away now.”
“You know I do.” She stared up at him for several charged seconds, then nodded.
Ian released the breath he had been holding. “I promise you won’t be disappointed.”
Maya shook her head again. “No promises, Ian. I don’t want anything beyond tonight.”
“Then we’re in agreement. The only promise I’ll make is a night of pleasure you won’t ever forget.
” He lowered his head and nibbled on her lush bottom lip.
When her lips parted, he slid his tongue inside and kissed her slowly, provocatively, giving her a taste of what he planned to do to her.
Her body trembled and she moaned. Ian was as hard as a steel beam and he needed to get her upstairs now.
Chris’s words rushed back to Ian. I always told you that when the love bug bit you, you were going to go down hard.
She definitely fascinated Ian, but he’d only known Maya for a few hours, so it wasn’t love.
However, one thing about Chris’s statement was true—Ian had never reacted so strongly toward a woman.