Chapter 30
Venu Nightclub — Boston
“So, tell me about yourself.”
“What?”
The soldier leans closer to my ear. “Want to go outside for a bit?”
That I heard clearly. “Uh . . . no, I think I’m fine here inside.”
He smiles, seeming to know exactly what I’m thinking: don’t get too close.
The guy is as handsome as his Instagram photos showed, and despite his nickname of Player, he’s been sweet so far. We’ve danced and laughed a lot, even though most of the conversation has been through mime. The music inside the club is loud and starting to annoy me a little.
After an hour here, I’m already thinking of going back to the hotel. Apparently, the phase of staying up all night partying that I missed out on can’t be recovered. The truth is, I’m here but my head isn’t. My every thought is filled with the sexy Spaniard I haven’t seen since Saturday.
He went to New York yesterday. Didn’t even show up at the office. One of the hotels had an issue, and it seems serious because I heard Melissa say they would need to inform the hotel chain’s public relations to try to put out the fire—whatever that means.
He’s messaged me every day since we parted ways on Saturday, and I always replied with one or at most two words. When he tried calling, I didn’t pick up. Yeah, I know it wasn’t a mature move, but at the time, all I could think about was sparing my foolish heart from having hopes, keeping it at bay.
“I don’t bite, Olívia,” the blond says, smiling. I completely forgot I wasn’t alone. “Unless you want me to.”
Logan must be a few years older than me, maybe around thirty, and I have to admit he’s good company. It wasn’t bad coming here, although apart from the moments we were on the dance floor, my mind hasn’t stopped thinking about Guillermo for a single minute.
Is it weird that I feel guilty, like I’m doing something wrong? Of course not. My rational side says I’m young and haven’t made any commitments.
“Is there someone in your life?”
“You’re pretty direct, huh?”
“And you evade questions.”
“That’s because I don’t know you well enough to let you know about my personal life.”
Instead of seeming offended, his smile widens. “I hope that changes soon.”
I don’t reply, but I’m not upset by his blatant flirting. A little ego boost doesn’t hurt. Unfortunately, I can’t help but compare the blond soldier to my Spanish CEO, and he doesn’t even come close. Who wouldn’t pale in comparison?
Truth be told, nature wasn’t fair to the rest of humanity when it created four men like the Caldwell-Oviedos. I have no doubt they could singlehandedly amass fans in every corner of the planet.
“Alright, if you don’t want to talk, how about sweating a little more with that body of yours?”
“Fine, let’s go, but this will be the last time. I have work tomorrow and need to wake up early.”
“Melissa gave me your number.”
I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Of course she did. It’s very typical of Melissa to do something like that without consulting me.
“Can I call you?”
“Look, I’ll be honest. I don’t have someone, but my heart isn’t free.”
“But that doesn’t stop us from getting to know each other, does it?”
“Hmm . . . I guess not.”
“I’m not always in the United States. I’d just like to hear a friendly voice on lonely nights.”
“Alright then.”
Caldwell-Oviedo Tower Hotel
“I’ll accompany you to the elevator.”
“You don’t have to.”
“Yes, I do. I was raised old-fashioned, Olívia. Regardless of not getting a kiss, in my book, when you take a girl out, you don’t leave her alone until she’s safely back home at the end of the night.”
I hear a chuckle from Melissa. The four of us shared an Uber, and that was the only reason I allowed Logan to accompany me back to the hotel.
I bid goodbye to her and her boyfriend, but when I try to open the door to step out, the charming soldier is already holding it for me, standing on the curb.
“I’m not giving up. You know soldiers are stubborn, right?”
“Don’t make me regret agreeing to let you call me.”
He smiles. “I like your feisty attitude.”
“Thanks, but I wasn’t kidding about what I said. I’m not looking for someone. I kind of already feel involved in a relationship in my head.”
“In your head?”
“Yeah, it’s one-sided.”
“Who’s the bastard? Let me guess, so I can kick his ass for letting a girl like you slip away.”
I laugh. Though I hadn’t planned on going out tonight, I have to admit meeting him was a pleasant surprise.
He gives me a peck on the cheek and waits for me to enter the elevator before leaving.
As I press the button for my floor, I power on my phone that I had turned off as soon as I entered the club. The elevator is taking longer than usual to close its doors, and only when I see an employee running over do I realize something is wrong.
At the same time, a sequence of messages appears on the screen, making my heart race in a frantic sprint.
Guillermo.
Before I can read them, however, the guy holds the door with both hands, preventing it from closing. He looks breathless and takes a few breaths before he can speak. “Miss Freitas, please come with me. You’re expected on the fifty-sixth.”
What? That’s the floor of the presidential suite. Why should I go there?
“Uh . . . I don’t work the night shift,” I reply.
“I’m sorry, but I received a direct order to escort you there as soon as you returned to the hotel. I don’t know what it’s about, but I think we’ll both be in trouble if you don’t comply.”
The employee pleads with his eyes, and as apprehensive as I am, I don’t want to cause him any trouble. Like a coward, I tuck the phone back into my purse without reading the messages because something tells me this late-night call has to do with my CEO.
I glance at the lobby clock as I follow the employee. Twelve-fifteen. Is it possible that Guillermo has come after me? No. Who would he leave Nina with?
Even though it shouldn’t, my skin tingles at the mere possibility. It’s been just over forty-eight hours since we last saw each other, but it already feels like centuries.
As I step into the elevator that only grants access to the presidential suite, where a single night’s stay easily costs thousands of dollars, my legs wobble and sweat trickles down my spine. Needing to occupy my hands, I retrieve my phone again and open the messaging app. I only read the latest.
Guillermo: I’m waiting for you, Miss Freitas. Don’t even think about running away.
I must not be okay, because his warning excites me.