He just keeps going, and I can’t respond. I’m not even sure how to respond. I can’t believe Julian told anyone what happened between us. But then again, I don’t even really know him, so anything is possible, and I’m not sure how I can defend him right now. Maybe someone else did see us in the hallway. I was so into Julian I wouldn’t have noticed if a marching band came down the hall. Maybe whoever told Luke this saw us on the dance floor where we were bumping and grinding and just assumed something more happened. No, that can’t be it. Luke said something about the hallway, so either Julian said something or someone saw us. Whatever. Something did happen, and I don’t need to feel bad about it. The shit about the other girl is just a low blow, and if Luke was trying to make me feel insecure, he succeeded. Luke has never intentionally tried to hurt my feelings in all the time I’ve known him, and I’m so shocked by his attitude I really don’t know what to say to him.
“You have no idea what happened, Luke, and I didn’t tell you anything because you act crazy when it comes to Julian, and I have no idea why. What did he ever do to you? And why did you send me that text about him wanting to know if I was coming if you have such an issue with him and me seeing each other?”
“Because he’s asked me about you several times, and I kept blowing him off. I like my job and thought it would be a bad idea to let my boss know I think he’s a dick.”
“A dick? Really, Luke? Why, because he dates a lot of women?”
“Dates? Ha. How about fucks a lot of women.”
“Well if that makes him a dick, Luke, then you must be the president of Dickville.”
I’m so mad I can’t even speak anymore. I just turn and walk away, and Luke doesn’t try to stop me. I brush away the tears that threaten to spill out of my eyes and walk downstairs. I try to process what just happened, and I can’t. Luke has never treated me like this. Never. I try to push all of the bad shit out of my mind and focus on the one good part where Luke said Julian had been asking about me. He had been thinking about me. My mood brightens a little.
It doesn’t last long.
As soon as I walk into the club, I see Julian. What shitty timing. He’s standing in a corner not far from where I am, having what looks to be a serious conversation with a very tall, very gorgeous woman. I’m sure it’s the one Luke just told me about. They’re standing extremely close, and she has her hand on his chest, and his hand is on hers. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but she looks upset, and he looks agitated. I try to move past them before he sees me, but he turns his head at the exact time I’m walking by. He doesn’t say anything to me, but the look in his eyes says enough. He looks guilty, and I know I’ve caught him in the middle of an intimate conversation with either a current or ex-lover. I’m hoping it’s the latter. I keep walking as fast as I can and try to disappear into the crowd. All the confidence I felt earlier this evening is long gone. That woman has to be a model and is exactly the type of girl I’d picture Julian with. Hell, they even looked perfect together. She’s tall with mile-long legs, a perfect body, and beautiful long, straight, blonde hair. I feel my eyes sting with tears again, and I start to beat myself up for even thinking anything was going to happen between us. As soon as I get across the club, I duck into the bathroom and text Shannon and Marissa to come meet me there. They find me pacing back and forth.
“Are you okay?” Marissa sounds sad for me. I explain what I saw, and they don’t even try to tell me they’re sure it’s not what I think. We have an honesty policy when it comes to men.
“Yep. I’m just an idiot. I really don’t feel like trying to compete with that. Not that I could anyway.”
Shannon asks what I want to do. Do I want to stay or go somewhere else? I say I’d rather go somewhere else than stay here, and they agree to leave. I know they don’t want to go yet, and I appreciate the offer. It’s a big place, and I probably could manage to avoid Julian all night, but I’m in a shitty mood now and would just rather leave. My argument with Luke just makes the night suck more. Damn! It started out so good. I need to get my credit card from Luke and tell Lauren we’re leaving. I tell them I’ll be right back down. We make plans to meet by the front, and they’re going to find Jenna and the other girls we have lost somewhere in the club. There are two ways to get upstairs, and I go the opposite way from where I just saw Julian. I’m determined to get out of here without seeing him again. I know I didn’t see him doing anything that should have me so upset, but the image of those two beautiful people together like that just keeps reminding me I’m out of my league. I make it to Luke’s bar unnoticed. He sees me right away but ignores me. Really? I get Jordan to close out my tab and give me my credit card back. I see Luke walking toward me, and I hurry up and sign the receipt. He opens his mouth to say something, and I just turn and walk away. I hear him call my name, and I just keep going. Fuck him! Crap. I forgot to get Lauren. I decide to just text her.
Alexa: we’re leaving. Are you coming?
She responds right away.
Lauren: no. See you later.
I assume she’s going home with Luke. Oh well, I tried.
I stop by the bar on the other side of Orion for a minute. I’m shaking I’m so upset. I’m pissed at Luke and Julian and also sad and disappointed. The bartender sees me and asks me if I need anything. I’m about to say no when I notice two very blonde, very drunk girls next to me doing shots. I change my mind.
“A shot of Patrón Silver please.”
“Do you want to start a tab?”
“No, I’ll pay cash.”
He brings the shot over and sets it in front of me. I pick it up and glance at the girls sitting beside me. They’re hammered.
“Hey. Wait for us. We can do a shot together.”
One of the girls is looking right at me. Ah, female bonding at its finest. Next they will ask me to go to the bathroom with them. I don’t wait and do the shot quickly instead. I immediately feel shitty because the girl that was talking to me looks totally offended.
“That was so not cool.” Yep, she was offended.
She shakes her platinum blonde head at me. I honestly feel bad for being such a bitch. I had no intention of doing any shots tonight, let alone two, but now I feel I need to do another with them. I motion to the bartender I want another. I know this is probably not a good plan. Last time I did shots was with Brady on his birthday. He was turning twenty-six and started talking about how he was going to do twenty-six tequila shots himself. We managed to convince him we should do twenty-six shots collectively instead. There were five of us there, Luke included, so we all went around in a circle and did a shot until we reached twenty-six. I did five in like twenty minutes. I was so drunk and so sick that I didn’t drink anything for weeks. I haven’t had a shot until tonight, and surprisingly it went down easily. Hopefully the second will as well.
The bartender sets my second in front of me. I hold it up to toast with my new friends.
“Here’s to saying fuck off to guys who make you feel like shit.”
I toss it back and set my glass down on the bar. The girls repeat what I said and do their shots. I hear them saying something about us girls needing to stick together when I feel my phone vibrate. Marissa is texting me.
Marissa: hurry up
Alexa: coming
Shit. I forgot they were waiting. I’m a freaking mess. I hurry down the stairs as fast as I can in my four-inch heels. By the time I get all the way near the front, I’m feeling the alcohol. I see Marissa and Shannon waiting for me. What happens next is like a movie. I’m just about to make my escape when at the last second I’m noticed and my get away plan is foiled. As I’m walking toward the girls, I feel a hand grab my elbow from behind. I hear Julian before I see him.
“A donde vas, A-lex-a?” He always drags the syllables out in my name when he’s emphasizing a point. He says it almost scoldingly, like a mom would say it to a child who’s misbehaving
. It annoys me. Right now, everything is annoying me.
I spin around quickly and paste a big fake smile on my face. I also pull my arm away so he isn’t touching me. I can’t think straight when he is. He tilts his head and frowns as I step away from him.
“Leaving. We’re heading over to Reign.” We’re actually probably going home, but I don’t want him to know he ruined my night, so I lie.
“I thought we decided we would be spending some time together tonight.”
“Change of plans, Julian.” I say it with my fake smile still plastered on, but I sound like a total bitch, and I know it. The tequila is making me brave, and my defensives are on high alert. Not only was I anxiously waiting around for him, but watching his interaction with the supermodel has me feeling like a loser.
“Qué pasa, Alexa? Why are you pissed at me?”
He knows I saw him with her, and he knows I’ve been waiting around for him. He wants to play this game, and I’m not up for it.
“I’m not pissed, Julian.” And the truth is I’m not mad at him. He really didn’t do anything wrong. I tell him the truth.
“I’m just over this thing, whatever it is, or was.”
I say the words resignedly and gesture back and forth between us indicating there’s something between us. Well, I may as well have waved a cape in front of a bull. Julian steps to me and pulls me to him with one hand around my waist. I’m pressed up against him and feel his heat everywhere. Damn it. He leans down so his mouth is on my ear.
“This ‘thing’ is so far from over, Alexa, and you know that.”
I try to pull away, but he flexes his arm and holds me close.
“I’m sorry I kept you waiting. I had a few things I needed to take care of first so I could give you my undivided attention.”
I don’t say anything, and when he pulls back a little, I see confusion as well as a hint of hurt in his eyes. “You were seriously going to leave without telling me?”
I look around and notice we have an audience. We’re near the entrance/exit of the hotel to Ocean Drive, so most people coming and going pass through here. I see my friends as well as other nosy people staring at us, watching this crazy scene unfold. Julian only looks at me, not caring that a bunch of strangers are watching his every move. He’s still holding me close, and he isn’t letting go.
“I just saw you. You looked to be taking care of some other unfinished business. Here’s a little piece of information about me, Julian. I’m not a fan of mixed signals.”
The look he gives me is hard and serious. “Do you feel me against you right now, Alexa?” He’s referring to his erection, which I definitely can feel. “Is there anything ‘mixed’ about that signal?”
I shake my head. I don’t question his attraction to me. I can literally feel it against my leg. I’m just not so sure now that I’m the only one he’s feeling it with tonight. I’m also not sure I’m up for this game anymore. Julian is trying very hard to pull me back in, and I’m trying to decide if I want to follow.
“Please don’t act this way.” His tone is pleading.
“What way, Julian?” I know exactly how I’m acting. Jealous.
“Like you have anything to be jealous of. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the moment you ran into me in the stairwell. Solamente tu.”
Only me? I so want to believe that. I haven’t stopped thinking about him either. He still hasn’t let me go, and I realize I’ve stopped trying to get away. My body already feels addicted to his touch, and I can’t deny how much I want to be with this man.
“Please stay and talk to me.”
“Okay, I’ll stay.” I say it softly, and obviously I convince him I’m not going to make a break for it because he finally relaxes his hold on me. I tell him to hang on, and I walk over to where my friends are waiting for me.
Shannon is the first one to speak. “That looked intense. What did he say?”
I don’t feel like sharing the whole conversation. “That he wants me to stay and that he isn’t with that girl.”
“So I guess we’re staying?” Marissa doesn’t sound surprised or mad.
I shrug my shoulders and apologize. “Yes. Sorry.”
“No worries, we’ll stay too.” Shannon smiles at me. “Go do your thing and text us later.”
I turn around and start back to where Julian is waiting for me. He’s leaning against one of the bar tables and smiling at me. It’s so hard to be mad at him. He says and does all the right things. I’m still upset about seeing him with that woman, but he’s here with me now, not her. He takes my hand when I get close enough and leads me away. I’m not sure where we’re going, and I don’t ask. I just hope it’s somewhere private. I really want to be alone with Julian. I’m all over the map with my thoughts and feelings, and I’d like to just get back on solid ground with him. We wind our way through the crowds and end up inside the hotel. He leads me to an elevator and uses a special key to get us access to what appears to be a private area. He doesn’t let go of my hand when we’re in the elevator, but he doesn’t make any other moves to touch me. This is the first time we have been alone since the time in the hallway, and to be honest, I’m ready for him to touch me, really touch me. I find myself staring at his lips and imagining them on mine. We’re both silent, and I’m dying to know what he’s thinking.
Chapter Eleven
The elevator opens into a little lobby area with smoked glass doors in front of us. Julian walks toward the doors and swipes a key to open them. We walk out onto a small private patio that looks like something out of a magazine. We’re at the top of the hotel facing Ocean Drive, so we have a beautiful view of the water and of the sky. There’s a small, white sectional couch and matching chair with big, blue pillows and a dark wood frame that look similar to the ones at Orion. A beautiful blue-tiled mosaic table with a small built-in gas fire pit sits in the middle of the patio. It’s lit, and the flickering flames throw light and shapes off of the smoked glass walls that surround the patio on the other three sides. There’s a very Mediterranean feel to this space, and I imagine this is what it must look like in Greece. It’s crazy to feel this secluded when there are thousands of people around us in the hotel and on the streets. I notice two bottles of wine and two glasses on the table, and I hear soft jazz music playing in the background. I’m not sure if I’ve ever been in a more romantic setting. My mind goes dark for a moment as I wonder if Julian gets romantic with women up here on a regular basis. Damn, why can’t I be happy and just enjoy this moment? I piss myself off. Thankfully, his soothing voice snaps me out of my unpleasant thoughts.
“I was up here trying to get this ready so I could bring you here tonight. I didn’t have much notice you were going to show up. I asked Luke when he first got here around eight, but he didn’t let me know until almost ten. He said he couldn’t get ahold of you.”
I’m not surprised. Luke didn’t even try to get ahold of me until ten. I keep that information to myself.
“It’s beautiful, Julian. It feels like we’re the only two people in the world.”
“Really? That’s awesome to hear because that was the plan when I designed the space.”
I hear the pride in his voice. “The patio is private, and only people who rent either the honeymoon suite or the royal suite have access. Luckily for us, neither of those rooms is rented tonight.”
“That is lucky, but I’m sure you’d rather have the revenue from the rooms being rented.”
He looks at me with a shy smile. “No, Alexa. I’d rather be up here with you than make money off it tonight.” That’s what I mean about Julian always saying the right thing.
We are still standing, and he takes my hand and leads me to the couch to sit down. We sit very close, and he continues to hold my hand. It feels like we’re on a first date, and considering how we have interacted so far, this feels so normal. We have definitely
taken a few steps backward, but in a good way.
“I thought maybe we could do things a little different tonight. When I realized I never even got your phone number, I knew we had some backtracking to do. And as hard as it has been all night for me to keep my hands and mouth off of you, I’m determined for us to get to know each other a little better.”
I giggle a little when Julian mentions he wants his hands and mouth on me. I totally feel the same way, and I honestly would rather skip the get-to-know-you-better part of the evening. But because Julian has gone to all this effort, I decide to enjoy this little seduction game.
“I already know a lot about you, Julian.”
“Really? Such as?”
I recite some of the stuff I’ve read on the Internet using my best announcing voice.
“Introducing Julian Bauer, the thirty-year-old Cuban owner of the Hotel Del Marco in beautiful South Beach, Florida. The Bauer family owns and operates Bywater Properties, one of the largest property-development companies in South Florida. Julian has one sibling, a younger brother named Daniel who is twenty-seven. Mr. Bauer graduated from The U where he was a standout baseball player headed for the pros until he decided to join the family business. He is currently one of south Florida’s most eligible bachelors and always surrounded by a flock of beautiful women.”
Julian is laughing, really laughing at my description of him. “Someone has really done her homework. You know you shouldn’t believe everything you read on the Internet, Alexa.”
“I know that, Julian. If I did, I wouldn’t be here now.”
I’m totally teasing him. I really could not—and I tried to—find any dirt on Julian. The worst things to read were all about how he surrounds himself with beautiful women.
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