Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Simon
My meeting went better than I expected, which made me happy. I entered my office, took off my suit coat, and sat behind my desk. I glanced at my phone. No text from Bella. But why would there be? It was ten o’clock. I’d just seen her three hours ago.
I tapped my computer to wake it up. Opening an important email, I stared at the computer screen, trying to comprehend every fucking word.
I leaned back in my chair and ran my hand over my jaw.
This was ridiculous. I had an eleven o’clock meeting with the architects for the Madison Avenue project, with two contracts waiting for my approval, and all I could think about was her.
More specifically, I was thinking about last night.
I tried to ignore it and convince myself it was nothing more than attraction.
She was beautiful, and I was a man. There wasn’t anything complicated about that.
Except Bella had a way of making everything complicated.
And last night had proven that what I felt for her wasn’t going away because I’d finally had her. If anything, it was worse now. Fuck.
I’d expected it to be good, and I knew it would be.
What I hadn’t expected was everything that came after.
Falling asleep with her wrapped in my arms. Waking up with her in my arms, like she’d been there for years instead of just one night.
That part was fucking with my head. Sex I understood well.
It was easy. What wasn’t was the morning after intimacy.
A knock at the door startled me from my thoughts.
“Come in.”
Sonia walked inside carrying a folder. “Here are the revised projections for Madison Avenue.”
“Just put them there.” I pointed to the corner of my desk.
“Harrison Ludwig called. He wants to know if you’re available for lunch today.”
“No,” I said. “Set something up for next week.”
“Okay. Is there anything you need, Simon?”
“No.”
She walked out and shut the door. My eyes glanced at my phone. I needed to fucking work, not sit here thinking about Bella Castle. This woman was going to destroy my productivity. I picked up my phone and sent her a text.
Did you buy a dress yet?
It’s only ten o’clock. The stores just opened. I’m heading out in a few. Besides, some of us need copious amounts of coffee before spending obscene amounts of someone else’s money.
I laughed.
My money. Spend away.
I still think this is ridiculous.
Noted.
I’m serious, Simon.
So am I. Dress. Shoes. My card.
Fine. But if you have a heart attack when you see the bill, I’m not responsible.
Try me.
You really shouldn’t challenge me like that. Don’t you have a company to run?
Don’t you have a dress to buy?
Goodbye, Simon.
Bella?
What?
I liked waking up…Absolutely fucking not. I deleted the words.
Dinner at seven.
You’re bossy. We’ll see.
I shook my head as I set my phone down. She’d have dinner with me.
Not because I told her to. Bella didn’t do a damn thing because I told her to.
In fact, she did the opposite. Everyone in my life did what I expected them to.
Employees, contractors, attorneys, investors.
People moved when I told them to move because my name was attached to billions of dollars in real estate, and nobody wanted to be the person to tell Simon Montclair no.
But Bella was a different story. She enjoyed it, and somehow, it turned me on.
She knew how I felt about her shooting her lifestyle pictures in my penthouse, yet she did it anyway.
My office door flew open, and my father stepped inside.
“Are you ready for the meeting?”
“Yeah,” I sighed.
“Good. After the meeting, you and I are going to lunch.”
“Why?” My brows furrowed.
“There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“It sounds serious,” I said.
“Not really. We’ll discuss it over lunch.” He turned and walked out of my office.
After our meeting discussing the Madison Avenue project, my father and I climbed into the back of his car and headed to the country club for lunch. We sat down at a table and ordered our drinks.
“Now that we’re here, what did you want to talk to me about?” I asked my father.
He reached inside his jacket pocket, pulled out a small red velvet box, and flipped the lid open.
“Is that what I think it is?” I looked at him.
“It is. I’m going to ask Mary to marry me. What do you think?”
“About you proposing or the ring?”
“Both.”
“The ring is beautiful. Mary will love it. Are you sure this is something you want, Dad?”
“Of course, it is. Mary and I have been together for almost five years. I think it’s time. I love her more than anything.”
“Are you asking for my blessing?” My brow arched.
“Absolutely not. Whether you agree or not, I’m still asking her to marry me.”
“I like Mary. She’s good for you.” I smiled.
“She is, isn’t she?”
“I’m happy for you, Dad.”
“Thank you, son.”
The server walked over, set our drinks down, and took our food order. I picked up my glass and swirled the scotch before tipping it to my lips.
“Can I ask you something?” I stared at my father.
“That sounds serious, son.”
“I’ve asked you this before.”
“Well, that narrows it down to approximately ten thousand things.” A smirk crossed his lips.