Chapter 3
STERLING
Funny how some things work and life sets a morsel or two of joy down after a shitty storm.
Life has sucked for a few years. Everything around me seems colorless, even sad.
My life, if you can still call it that, has lost its spark.
It’s barely recognizable anymore. I can’t even call it my own.
Today of all days, I have to pretend to give two shits about the company I co-own with my brother.
Having dinner with some of the executives to celebrate their latest project isn’t my idea of a good time or a good anything. I did it for my brother who couldn’t be here. He owes me. This is what I get for continuing the family legacy.
Fortunately, I had someone to entertain me. For most of my time I observe the beauty that sits a few tables away from the private room we rented for the occasion. I requested the owner to keep the door open.
The first thing I spot are her slick dark curls.
She’s facing a woman with the same hair color, just shorter and straight.
Her voice is silvery, the tone vivid. She keeps the attention of her friends as she tells one story after another.
Actually, a few people who are around, including myself remain focused on her.
Everything she says is funny, if not embarrassing at times.
But she chuckles, and gestures while keeping us captivated.
She’s one of those people who can laugh at themselves and enjoy life.
The few times she turns her head around I can see she’s beautiful.
In fact, she looks a lot like one of the other women.
When she excuses herself to go to the restroom, I’m tempted to follow her.
Without thinking twice, I rise from my seat and follow.
How can I let the chance to meet someone like her go?
She’s like a breath of fresh air. Talking about funny situations, she happens to be in the same restroom as I am and fuck if it isn’t embarrassing and yet a turn-on that she was there in the middle of the men’s room.
When I first see her face, I freeze because fuck, I’ve never seen someone as beautiful as her.
She’s stunning.
The kind of beauty you see in Greek sculptures and inspires art. In fact, I want to head to my studio and draw her.
She’s about five-seven, maybe five-eight with mouthwatering curves and the face of an angel. Big brown eyes framed by long eyelashes. A button nose which tip is slightly turned upward. Full lips and a long neck that makes me want to kiss her and so much more.
When Beckett, my bodyguard, comes to check on me, I’m thankful because I’m too old for one-night stands and too jaded to believe this could work. In no time, she’s going to figure out who I am and ask for money or a relationship.
Except, her little line about washing my hands and the indifference turns me on and makes me act recklessly.
Or maybe for the first time in years, I’m taking a chance. There might be a different spin to the story. The girl is from out of town, doesn’t know me from Adam, and she’s sexy as fuck.
So, I walk along with her to the hotel, trying to size her up and see how I can convince her to spend the night with me.
She doesn’t even acknowledge me for the two long blocks we walk together.
After her goodbye, I ignore her dismissal and follow her inside the hotel.
Just before she reaches the elevator bank, I catch up to her and say, “This can’t possibly be it. ”
She turns around and glares at me. “Did you forget something?”
“We had a moment,” I insist.
“A moment? Me seeing your …” She glances at my crotch and smiles amused. “That wasn’t a moment. It was a mistake on my part.”
“Come on,” I say, winking at her. “Let’s go to the bar. Please, have one drink with me and then you can go back to your room. You owe me that much.”
“It was an accident,” she insists.
I shrug. “Still, I’m a shy boy and need something to help me settle the embarrassment.”
She laughs. Looking at me from head to toe. “You’re old enough to survive the blow.”
“I’m still a kid on the inside.”
She laugh-snorts. It’s endearing. “Does that line normally work?”
I smirk at her hoping this charms her. “You tell me? Have I convinced you, yet?”
“Look, I’m not the kind of person who has drinks with strangers and …”
“This could be the exception,” I say. “I could be your exception. I know you’re mine. Let’s break that dull routine, forget about tomorrow, and have some fun together.”
“Look, as much as sex with …” She snaps her mouth close and takes a deep breath.
Well, someone has to tell her to finish her sentences. But that won’t be me. This woman might be more complex than I first thought. There’s something about her that intrigues me.
She stares at me, quizzically.
I’m in my late thirties; I know women well enough.
Not that I understand them, I just know when there’s a possibility to make a move.
Life is about what you make, the chances you take, and the opportunities you create for yourself.
I see a possibility in her—with her. Not sure what it is, but I want us to happen. At least for tonight.
After I wait long enough, I decide it is time to remind her that the clock is ticking. We only have this. One moment.
“Was it a cosmopolitan or a martini?” I ask.
Her eyes open wide in surprise. “You noticed me?”
I shrug. “It’s my job to observe beautiful and interesting things. You’re what gives the world some color.”
She twists her lips looking at me suspiciously. “You’re good. We practice our lines on how to charm women often, don’t we?”
“Not as often as you think, and I’m being honest. I don’t lie,” I say, lifting my hand and caressing her delicate face with the back of my fingers.
Sparks fly between us. Electricity flows in my bloodstream from the shock. Her eyes shine. There’s something about this woman calling to me, pulling me to her. She’s like a piece of clay who wants to be molded by my hands and I’m dying to do just that.
“I haven’t done this in a while,” she says.
“What is this, beautiful?”
She takes a deep breath and says, “Meet a guy, flirt, and …”
“… and I can make it worth it for you,” I offer.
She twists her full lips a couple of times then asks, “A last fling before I settle?”
Releasing her face, I take a step back. “Sweetheart, as much as I’d love to make your fantasies a reality, I can’t. Not when you belong to someone else.”
She laughs loud. It’s a rich noise. Just like her voice it’s sweet and soothing. Such a shame this is as far as we can get.
“Oh, no, I didn’t mean it that way,” she mumbles once she composes herself and shows me her hands. “See, no rings. I’m single and in the middle of the biggest drought. I’m making some life changes and I won’t have time to date or …”
“Hookup?”
“Dating, getting to know someone and be disappointed after a few outings because we couldn’t connect.” She scrunches her nose. “It gets old, you know.”
“Then, let’s make your last time worth it. The best one.”
She chuckles. “You’re so sure about yourself?”
“Of us,” I answer. “We could be perfect.”
“Perfect,” she repeats, staring at me.
I’m enchanted by her gaze and her voice. Whatever happens tonight might be better than it’s been in a long time.
Perhaps I’m pursuing this because it has been so long since I tried to spend the night with a beautiful and smart woman who doesn’t fall at my feet because I’m Sterling fucking Ahern.
There’s more though. It’s been a long time since my heart has felt this way, pounding this fast, as I listen to a woman’s laugh—desperate to hear more about her.
If I had the time or the energy, I’d want to win her over, swoon her, and convince her to be mine.
But as we stand, we don’t have much time left.
I trace the line of her jaw with the back of my finger. She shudders, her lips part. “Let it happen,” I say. “Have you ever let yourself live in the moment?”
She sighs, there’s fear in her face and yet eagerness. She blinks a couple of times and finally whispers, “I want to, yes, I want it.”
I feel like the snake, handing an apple to Eve.
Good, beautiful Eve who was bored with her life and wanted something different.
See how perfect we are together—for tonight.
We both need a break, something special that won’t last too long but will be a long lasting memory.
Since I want to make it good, memorable, I take a step close to her, and smile.
“Are you sure?” I ask, our noses almost touching; our mouths so close I can taste it already.
She nods.
My lips touch hers. I slide one hand to the nape of her neck, the other on the small of her back and pull her closer to me.
I thrust my tongue inside her mouth and flick it against hers.
Her hands lace around my neck and our mouths can’t get enough of each other.
I can just feel what it’s going to be like to have her for the night.
Her body feels soft and warm in my arms. This is far beyond the kiss I expected, and it takes long enough for me to remember we’re in the lobby of a hotel. In public where people can recognize me. Shit, I’m a moron.
“We can go to my place,” I offer between breaths, resting my forehead on top of hers.
“Room, I have a room upstairs,” she tells me, grabbing my hand and pulling me into the elevator.