“Funnily enough, that’s not something I charge for,” Monique replies dryly.
“Fuck off, Mon. Can you find out?”
“Why?”
“In case Aaron is there. He’s in Seattle. I saw him last night.”
My agent sighs. “I’ll try to find out.”
“Quickly!” I hang up as the cab pulls up outside the hotel. There’s a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach as I remember the last time I was here—and the events that unfolded after that chance meeting.
My instinct tells me to get the cabbie to drive me home, but I hand him his fare and get out instead. Where the f**k was that instinct six weeks ago?
The same girl is even behind the counter—Rachel, was it? —and recognition flashes in her eyes. “Can I help you, madam?”
“Yes. I’m looking for Mr. Carlisle. It’s Kelly York.”
She nods and picks up the phone. It’s like déjà vu as she requests someone to take me to the private booths in the bar where he’s waiting. As the young guy takes me there, I almost expect to see Aaron when the curtain is opened.
But I don’t. It’s a thirty-something good-looking guy, and he oozes confidence.
“Ms. Lopez,” he greets me in a hushed voice and kisses my hand. “Alexander Carlisle.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Carlisle.”
He motions for me to have a seat. “Please, call me Alexander. Can I get you a drink?”
“A white wine would be wonderful. Thank you.”
He orders, and when the waiter disappears, he slides a brown envelope across the table to me. “The fee agreed with your agent.”
“Thank you.” I slip it into the lining of my purse. My drink is delivered, and I wait until we’re alone until I speak again. “Is there anything specific I should know for tonight? I know the general information about our ‘meeting’ and your company from what my agent passed on, but I’d like to make sure we’re on the same page before we go out.”
“Of course. I believe all the necessary information was already given. The only thing would be that, after three months, my parents are under the impression we’re very much in love.” He quirks an eyebrow over a dark eye “Fortunately they live in Nevada now, so it will be easy to convince them.”
I swallow some unwelcome bile. Of course we’d be crazy in love. Why the f**k wouldn’t we be?
“Of course.” I smile. “When would you like to go out?”
“We can join the party now if you’d like to.”
“Perfect.” The sooner we get there, the sooner I can leave. Three hours of my time is all he booked, and I’d like that over as soon as possible.
I link my arm through his in the elevator. Why hasn’t Monique called yet? She knows not to f**k about with this stuff. I need to know.
We stop outside a function room thankfully different than the one Aaron had his party, and Alexander smiles at me before opening the door. The room is full, but I spot two familiar heads by the bar.
Fuck.
I step back and take my client with me. “I’m afraid I have a problem, Mr. Carlisle.”
“Alexander, please. What’s the problem?”
What f**king isn’t these days? “My ex-boyfriend’s parents are at your party. I’m sure you understand that it’s not convenient for me. We broke up only recently.”
“Ah, of course.”
I take the envelope from my purse and discreetly tuck it inside his jacket. “I’m so sorry. I’ll call my agent on the way down, and she’ll send someone else to accompany you. She’ll be here within half an hour. If anyone asks, there’s heavy traffic, which is delaying her. Reception will call up for you.”
“It’s a shame, Ms. Lopez. I was looking forward to an evening with you.”
“And I you. I’m sorry for the inconvenience.” I smile and step back into the elevator. My cell buzzes.
“He’s not, but his parents are.”
“Yeah, thanks for the heads-up on that. Luckily I noticed before we went in. You’ll have to send someone else.”
Monique sighs. “Lori can do it. She’ll have to learn her shit quickly. What’s your story?”
I tell her exactly what I just told Alexander.
“Good. I’ll call her now and get her ass down there. And Dayton?”
“Mm?”
“Good call.”
“Thank you.” I smile and hang up. Then I hail a cab and climb in.
What are the chances of that? Thank god for small miracles.
Not that there’s anything wrong with the guy, but I’m not in the mood to be the loved-up girl of some mogul lawyer who represents half the city. He’s probably from the firm that deals with all the Stone stuff.
Of course, now I have nothing to do for the rest of the evening.
Or I can keep a certain businessman off my property.
I throw a few bills at the cab driver and slam the door behind me as I get out, my eyes tracing the silhouette of Aaron Stone sitting on my bench.
“If this happens again, Mr. Stone, I may have to look into taking legal action. Two nights in a row? I hardly imagine your sitting outside my house is a coincidence.”
He looks up, his eyes piercing in the evening darkness. “Back to work, Miss Black?”
“I have a job. As much as I’d love to sit around and feel sorry for myself, I’m afraid I have far more important things to do.” I stroll past him and put my key in the door.
He closes his hand around mine. “Things, or people?”
“I fail to see what business it is of yours.”
“It’s very much my business, as you’re well aware.”
“Perhaps in your opinion. But if it will make you feel better, it’s things, not people.” I turn around. “I’m not back to work fully. Yet.”
“Yet?”
“I have to earn money somehow, and my big spenders aren’t pretty little rich boys who need a date for the night. So yes, yet.”
“Never,” he growls, leaning into me. “You aren’t f**king another guy, Dayton.”
“That’s not your decision, Aaron. You had your chance to decide that, and you blew it. Now if you’d like to remove yourself from my property, I’d appreciate it.”
His lips touch mine in a scorching, forceful kiss that knocks me backward. I gasp at the sudden touch, and he slides his tongue between my lips. His hands cup my face, holding me against him, and my back is flush against the door. He tastes of the woody whisky he adores, of power and determination and finality.