Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Julian
My hunger for Maya is insatiable. I tried to quiet it when I was standing in front of her in the penthouse.
I wanted to grab her and push her against the window so I could claim her mouth with mine.
I had a fleeting vision of turning her around and eating her from behind while she breathed against the windows, with the striking views of the city as our backdrop.
Inviting her for a drink was a selfish move. I knew she'd struggle to say no, even though she tried to resist.
She's in a relationship with a man who has a brilliant legal mind. He has the one thing I want and that's her. I've seen them together. Their connection is as void of passion as mine was with Isadora.
I watch her exit the elevator and enter the lobby of the hotel. She has a trench coat strung over her forearm, and a small purse slung over her shoulder. She looks nervous, apprehensive.
I stand from where I've been waiting next to the bar. It's shortly past six, so the crowd is thin. Business will pick up as the night wears on.
We hold back several rooms every night from the reservation list for the patrons of the bar who decide they want to take their private party to a room.
I don't judge what the people who stay in my hotels do.
If they use the well-appointed rooms for random hook-ups, I'm more than happy to take a full night's fee from them.
There may be cheaper places to have a nameless fuck in this city, but when the urge strikes, a good bargain is the last thing on a person's mind.
She spots me as her eyes scan the dimly lit bar. I wave for good measure and plaster a genuine smile on my face.
That brings a grin to her lips. She's a breathtaking woman.
When I first spotted her in Falon's studio, I was drawn to her like a moth to a flame. My feet carried me straight to her and like a caveman, I was tempted to throw her over my shoulder and carry her out of there.
I've never stopped thinking about her and as I've worked hard to build my company's brand and open new locations, she's maneuvered her way through her career and a number of short-term relationships.
Envy was always there when I thought of her with other men, but I'd made a choice. I put my business before everything including my desire to pursue her.
"Julian," she says my name as she approaches. "I'm sorry I'm late."
I lost track of time. I used the hour to answer emails and make notes regarding a meeting I'll have in the days to come with the head of our Paris office.
The hotel that's currently under construction there isn't without its share of hiccups, but it's on track and set to open before the end of the year.
"What can I get you?" I tap the top of the bar to signal the bartender. She tried to make small talk when I first sat down, unaware that I'm her boss. When I finally introduced myself her demeanor shifted from overly friendly to cautiously casual.
"I'll have a dirty martini."
It's too dark to see the blush on her cheeks, but the look in her eyes tells me it's there.
"Two dirty martinis," I tell the bartender before I point at an empty table in the corner. "We're settling over there."
She nods as she gives Maya the once over before she starts on our drinks.
"The bar is as beautiful as every other part of this hotel." Maya's gaze slides over the details of the space as we take our seats. "Did your sister do the interior design for the entire hotel?"
She didn't. I asked Brynn to come on board to lend a hand for the residential suites. I trust her eye, and her degree in design, but I wanted a more refined aesthetic for the public areas. "Brynn took care of the design for the residences."
"Those are stunning." She folds her coat over the back of the chair next to her before she places her purse on the seat. "She's very talented."
"That she is." I nod, as I sit across from her. "If you'd like to speak with her regarding any of the design elements, my assistant can arrange that."
She catches my gaze over the lit candle in the middle of the table. The light it’s casting makes her look like an angel.
"Do you have questions for me regarding the penthouse, Maya?" I lean back, resting my hand on the back of the chair where she placed her coat. "I'm here to help."
Her mouth curves. "Not at the moment, but if I think of any, it would be good to have your direct number so I can call you."
Progress. That's what I see this as. She wants my number and frankly, I don't give a shit if it's because she intends to call me to ask me about the ventilation system in the penthouse or if it's to have phone sex with me.
I tug my phone from the inner pocket of my suit jacket and shoot her a quick text.
Her phone chimes in her purse. "Did you just text me?"
"I did." I stop when the bartender approaches with our drinks.
"Thank you." Maya smiles brightly at the woman as she slides her martini onto the table.
I wait until she's walked away before I sample the drink. It's not as thirst quenching as the aged whiskey I had earlier, but it's a decent martini. "I should have given you my direct line the other day."
"I don't mind talking to your assistant." She takes a sip of her drink and swallows slowly. "She's a lovely woman."
She is. I value everyone who works for me. Their paychecks and benefit packages reflect that.
"I have a question for you."
She leans her elbow on the table. "I'm all ears."
No, she's not. She's all lush curves and soft skin. She's full lips and perfumed perfection. I shift in my chair trying to edge away from the desire that is causing my cock to swell.
"Why did you choose real estate as a career?"
She takes another drink before she considers her answer. I watch her long eyelashes bat as she surveys the room. "I knew early on that I was great at selling things. First, it was clothing, then cars and finally, after college, homes."
"You're a born salesperson?" I question with a grin.
"Something like that." She laughs. "I understand how to make people comfortable in their decision to make a purchase. That's essentially what real estate is. I'm there to hold their hand and lead them in the right direction."
I look down at her hand. Her fingernails are manicured and painted a soft pink. A watch is covering her wrist again. I instantly wonder about that tattoo I caught a glimpse of the other night.
"Why are you in the hotel business?"
"I inherited it," I answer honestly. "My grandfather founded Bishop Hotels. My father followed the same career path as you, so that left me to take over where my grandfather left off."
"It was a small operation when you took over." She tips her martini glass toward me. "You've taken it internationally."
I smile. I like that she knows that. She's done her research.
"I did," I say simply.
The silence that follows is punctuated with only the beating of my heart. I stare at her across the table as her gaze stays locked on mine. I'd envisioned a night like this every time she crossed my mind, yet now, that it's happening I'm restrained because of her commitment to Warton Jr.
"How serious are things between you and Charlie?" The question comes out because the need to know is too strong.
"Charlie?" She parrots his name back to me and fuck if it doesn't make me hate the name. I don't want to hear her say it. I don't want her to say any man's name but mine.
"You were having dinner with his parents the other night. I may be rusty on dating etiquette, but I remember that being the sign of something serious."
"It's not like that." She sighs heavily. "There's nothing serious between us. We haven't even…"
Kissed? Fucked? What?
"Charlie and I are friends," she qualifies. "We've been on a few dates."
"If Charlie and you weren't friends, would you have dinner with me?"
She flicks her tongue over her bottom lip. "A dinner that didn't include business?"
"A date," I say clearly. "If Charlie was no longer in the picture, would you agree to go on a date with me, Maya?"
She shakes her head. "No, I wouldn't."