Chapter 19
Raph
Istrode into the back offices at Aire exactly one hour early for my meetings with the manager and staff. I liked to be ahead in case there were emergencies to attend to, and to give myself enough time to get my head on whatever I was doing.
Lately, I struggled to stay focused. The guys’ night with Kendall helped, but I couldn’t get Lia off my mind. Images of her soft smile, those Atlantic eyes, and her naked body splayed out on the white sheets in my hotel room. Guilt niggled at me, persistent and steady. I’d been reckless with her, letting my desires impede appropriate conduct.
Tonight, though, I had to get work done. I had to focus.
“Connie. How are you?”
I greeted the manager as she stepped into the office with me. She smiled, made small talk, and handed me a stack of folders. A few members of staff were already in the building, so we could start reviews right away.
I had to get it together. I still wasn’t focused. Reviews were vital to my growth with Experience, and I didn’t want to give my employees less attention and opportunity than I was given. They deserved a boss who was present, who worked hard and helped them build their careers. They deserved my undivided attention.
Thankfully, I got into the groove once the first young bartender stepped into the office with me, all nerves. I could tell what this meant to her, and I could put my personal shit to the side.
I asked her the same questions I remembered being asked, and let her answers lead me through.
Once everyone had their sit down with me, Connie and I chose an employee of the month who would receive a raise, as well as a second employee who would receive an education opportunity relevant to their field.
Energy buzzed under my skin. These were the moments where I felt pride in my work. These young people loved Experience, and they wanted it to keep its reputation just as much as I did. Caring for them and keeping them happy was the key to our success. I knew we were nothing without every single guy and girl on staff.
We started early, but got done right on time. A few meetings ran a little long, as expected. Some of the staff invited me to have a drink before I left for the night, and that sounded like just the thing. I shut down the computer and gathered my things.
Maybe if I headed out straightaway, I could go to Jersey and see if Lia wanted to get together the day before her review. No business, just fun.
Not even guilt can keep me away.
The offices in Aire were hidden well, so they didn’t disrupt the immersive airy feeling in the club. That was more important than VIP and office space. In order to access the offices, we used a single stairwell from the kitchen doorway hidden behind several panes of one-way glass. I could see them, but they couldn’t see me.
I entered the stairwell and looked down at the patrons and the bar, deciding if I’d like to stop for a drink, or get out of here. I froze.
The woman standing at the bar looked just like Lia. Long hair, classy dress, subtle posture. She was on my mind endlessly. Why wouldn’t I see her in New York, too? Perfect. I should just resign before I blow everything.
I looked again, and that woman really was the spitting image of Lia, not a trick of my sex-crazed mind. Pale skin, reasonable hemline, all of it. It had to be her. Why was she here?
My pulse raced. I had to see her.
I tripped down the stairs, landing on my ass in the doorway to the kitchen. The dishwasher rushed over, but I excused myself before anyone asked questions.
When I made it to the bar, I did a quick survey and didn’t see Lia, or her doppelg?nger. I was going crazy. Lia wasn’t in the club. She wasn’t a club sort of person, if I had to guess. I shook my head and ordered a drink.
“Gin and Tonic. And make it a strong one.”
Carl, the bartender, nodded and got to work. He didn’t know it yet, but he was our new employee of the month. The rest of the staff wanted to give me special attention while I stood at the bar, but I shooed them away. I loved my staff, but this wasn’t the time.
I made my way to the booth seating around the corner. If Lia was really in the club, she wouldn’t answer her phone. But on the off chance it wasn’t her, I pulled out my phone as I approached the tables. The seating area blocked a lot of noise, and the lighting was better. Calmer than the throbbing dance floor.
It was deserted in the seating area. I approached the closest two seater and moved to sit, only to discover someone tucked into the corner. She was so tiny, I almost missed her.
Lia.
In my club. Right now. As I was about to text her to see if she wouldn’t mind a late meetup.
“You really are all business, aren’t you?”
Her smile went straight to my cock. There was something hidden in her eyes, and she took me captive.
“I’m, uh, done with everything a day early. I was about to call you. Do you want to spend tomorrow with me?”
“Tomorrow.” She nibbled her lower lip. “Would we be moving the meeting up?”
Was she nervous? Did that mean she was unprepared? Would I be keeping her from vital work for Experience Shoreview? I pushed those thoughts from my mind and met her eyes. Kendall was right. Lia first, Experience second.
“That won’t be necessary. We’ll keep our agreed schedule. Tomorrow, though. Do you want to spend it with me?” I looked into those mesmerizing eyes some more. “And while we’re at it, tonight?”
Lia’s silence went on for what seemed an eternity. My neck pricked with heat and nerves.
I moved closer still to Lia and leaned into her, brushing her pouty lips with mine. Her arms coiled around my neck, erasing the remaining distance. I moved my head to the side so I could whisper in her ear.
“Wanna get out out of here?”