A Gentleman's Affair

by Linn, A. J.

  A Gentleman’s Affair

  Copyright © 2013 A.J. Linn

  Published by A.J. Linn at Smashwords

  All rights reserved. No parts of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without permission of the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 978-0-9893767-0-9

  E-ISBN: 978-0-9893767-2-3

  Cover art design by Jameson Hand.

  Dedication

  To my Twitter ladies. This is a group of the most incredible virtual friends that anyone could ever ask for. If I could name each and every one of them by name, I would, but they know who they are. They have been patient, sort of, during my time away while I wrote this, have been supportive beyond my wildest imagination and have taken @DonovanHart_ in on Twitter like an old friend.

  Ladies, you all know that this book is for you. I wrote it for you, and I hope that it was worth the wait.

  To my family and friends, who have probably asked themselves endless times when it was that I woke up and decided to become an author. Those who know me best knew that it has always been in me. Thank you for helping me realize that when I still was unsure, and thank you for your support.

  Much love.

  Enjoy.

  Acknowledgements

  First and foremost, to my good friend SaraBeth Pollock, who is responsible for my becoming the “accidental author” that I am today and urging me to write this novel. To those of you who disliked it, please contact her directly. She made me do it. {winks} Thank you S.D., my muse.

  To Elizabeth Alfano and Ellen “Scarlett” Hartgrove, two incredible ladies who have dealt with rewrites and edits galore. Without their undying dedication to my work, typos, endless ellipses and bad punctuation would have taken over these pages. I am forever grateful to the both of you. Thank you.

  Table of Contents

  Introduction

  Chapter One: Louisa

  Chapter Two: Gina

  Chapter Three: Scarlett

  Chapter Four: Breaking ground

  Chapter Five: Zoie

  Chapter Six: Frustration

  Chapter Seven: The Wedding, part one

  Chapter Eight: The Wedding, part two

  Chapter Nine: The Wedding, part three

  Chapter Ten: The Morning after

  Chapter Eleven: Swatches, fabrics and paint, oh shit

  Chapter Twelve: Out with the old

  Chapter Thirteen: Long distance dating sucks

  Chapter Fourteen: Rules are made to be broken

  Chapter Fifteen: B.Y.F.F.?

  Chapter Sixteen: How do you like your eggs?

  Chapter Seventeen: Floored, in more ways than one

  Chapter Eighteen: And the hits just keep on coming

  Chapter Nineteen: The Dilemma

  Chapter Twenty: Confessions

  Chapter Twenty-one: Ain’t love grand?

  Chapter Twenty-two: All work and no play?

  Chapter Twenty-three: Il mi per sempre

  Epilogue

  Prologue

  ~Meet Donovan~

  Dating, relationships, love…where the hell do I start?

  So many things come to mind. First, there is that incredible feeling in the beginning that we all get. You know just what I’m talking about. Think hard—you may remember it. That unforgettable first kiss. The phone calls that go into the wee hours of the morning, talking about anything, everything and nothing. The non-stop sex on every single surface of your apartment.

  Then comes the heartache. The ups, the downs, the game playing…oh, don’t we all love the game playing? So much in fact, that most of us are on the verge of joining a monastery or a convent…or just plain ready to give up and remain celibate forever.

  But, we don’t. We crave companionship and affection. And, admit it, we all need sex. We want to connect with that one special person. Fuck, at least I know that I do.

  So, we keep on trying…

  But before I get too far ahead of myself, I’d like to first give you the opportunity to get to know a little bit about me and why I’ve decided to share my story.

  My name is Donovan Hart. Eligible bachelor, newly-reformed playboy and owner of La Fuga, a five-star hotel on the beach located in Malibu, California. The hotel belonged to my parents, and after my mother was killed in a car accident seven years ago, Dad checked out, handed me the keys, and I’ve made it the success that it is today.

  I’ve dated all sorts of women, but for some reason I still can’t seem to find the one.

  To be honest, I’ve only really started my search for "the one" in the last year or so. Before that, I could and did have any woman that I wanted. I was that catch that every girl wanted, yet no one could tie me down. I was a playboy, and I liked it. My nights were filled with debauchery, and I made no apologies for it.

  But eventually, the women all became the same. I grew extremely bored with the fact that I could sleep with a different one every night.

  I’m a 32-year-old with a dating disorder.

  Which has led me here…

  You will get the opportunity to come along on a few of these dates with me. To share in my journey, if you will… as I travel down the long and insane road in search of the perfect girl.

  There is no such thing you say? I know, I know. But I believe that there is a perfect girl out there somewhere…at least she will be perfect for me.

  Chapter One

  ~Louisa~

  All work and no play is making Donovan a dull and horny boy. I have taken a vow of celibacy…hold on, let me rephrase. I have decided to quit sleeping around until I find a girlfriend. I was in one long-term relationship with my former assistant, Danielle, for about nine months, but that ended two years ago. That was long-term, in my world at least. Before her and after her there were too many women to count. One night stands mostly. Sure, there were maybe two weeks with a couple, a long weekend usually spent in bed with a few others. But no one woman has ever been able to fulfill what I want or need in every way. Yet.

  Most of these girls were very good in bed…very bad out of it. I want it all, I suppose. The whole package. The mother of my children. The love that my parents shared during their marriage. I have gone from playboy to romantic seeker of love. Who knew that it could happen to me?

  But my days and now, even my nights, have been consumed with work where sex used to be. I am growing tired of it, and I know that I need to do something about it. And fast…

  I decide to take a break from the extremely high pressure job of running my luxury five-star hotel La Fuga, to get out for some fresh air and a good cup of coffee. The upcoming month is going to be a non-stop roller coaster. There is the long awaited ground-breaking for my new hotel, Pisa, in Las Vegas and the redecorating of my hotel here in Malibu. And finally, one of my employees, Lily, is getting married at the end of the month.

  I walk across the street to my favorite diner, Joe’s, a popular spot here in Malibu. Bad food, great coffee. I walk in the door and Molly, a waitress who has always had a huge crush on me, already has my coffee waiting for me at my favorite booth as always. I think that she spends all day staring out of the window just waiting for me to cross the street and come in here.

  Molly is extremely attractive. Long blond hair, big green eyes and dark tanned skin…the ultimate beach girl. She works here at the diner while she attends school to be a veterinarian. But she’s much too young for me. I tend to steer clear of the young ones. I like my women already raised, w
ith some sense of what they want and where they are going in life.

  I take out my iPad and check a few emails while I enjoy my moment of peace and quiet. This is the only time of the day that I get to do this. The hotel always has something going on…always some sort of fire to put out.

  I reply to an email sent by one of the investors in my new venture, Pisa, regarding the ground-breaking ceremony. Pisa will be an exact replica of that wonderful leaning tower, located in Northern Italy. We’re extremely excited about it. I think that it’ll do very well there.

  I search the café for Molly, in dire need of a refill, when my eye catches a dark-haired beauty across the room staring me down. I smile at her then quickly look away, aware that she is still burning a hole through me with her stare-down.

  Naturally, Molly is watching the entire exchange as she makes her way towards me, eager to get the 411 and give me that much needed refill.

  “What’s that all about, Donovan?” There it is. The gum-cracking, gossip-loving, nosy-yet-adorable Molly that we all know and love.

  “You tell me,” I laugh before taking a sip of coffee. “Have you seen her in here before?” I probably shouldn’t even show interest around Molly, knowing that she wants to get me naked, but she does know everything that goes on around here…and everywhere else for that matter.

  “No, she’s new around here, babe.” I nod, turning my attention back to the beautiful creature that is still staring a hole through me.

  "Hmm, is that so?" New means that my reputation won’t be preceding me for a change. That can be a good thing, and a bad one as well. Reformed playboy. Remember?

  Well…here goes nothing.

  Coffee in hand, I saunter arrogantly across the diner to make an introduction. The mysterious and extremely sexy brunette is watching every single move that I make. It’s a little off-putting, but hey, I’m a good-looking guy so I’m used to it.

  “I saw you looking at me from across the room and thought that I’d come over and say hello.” That was brilliant…idiot. “May I join you?” She smiles and her entire face lights up. Good sign.

  “Yeah, totally,” she says, her eyes following me as I slide into the booth. I can’t help but find that flattering…but also a little unnerving.

  “I haven’t seen you in here before. Are you new to the area?” I take a sip of coffee as I listen to her reply. But really I’m checking her out. Great figure, pretty eyes…full lips. Very nice.

  “Yeah, I just moved here from Palm Springs.” She smiles and continues. “I’m still looking for a job, and I’m staying with a friend just up the street until I find my own apartment.”

  “Palm Springs…I see. It’s much too hot there for me.” I shoot her a wink accompanied by my devilishly handsome grin. “How long have you been here?” And before she can answer, my assistant, Patrice, sends a text explaining that there’s a problem at the hotel and that I’m needed back ASAP. Fuck, I hate when she does that. It’s never usually a big emergency, but…she is nothing if not thorough.

  “My apologies…work calls.” I stand, reaching into my coat pocket for a business card and hand it to her. “That’s me, Donovan Hart.” I quickly ask her what her name is as my cell goes off for a second time.

  “It’s Louisa.” She smiles then looks over my card.

  “This may seem forward, but I’d like to continue this over dinner. Tonight, if you’re free?”

  Her eyes light up as she quickly responds with a yes.

  “Great. Call me with your address, and I’ll see you tonight.”

  She smiles up at me and says alright, then watches as I cross the room, walking towards the door. I know that because I can see her reflection in the large window at the front of the café. She is definitely checking out my ass. I can’t help but laugh as I push the door open and leave the café.

  I get back to the hotel and find my assistant standing at the front desk, frantic. “Patrice, what’s going on?”

  She explains that there was a small kitchen fire but that it was quickly put out with the extinguisher by the head chef, Lily.

  “Alright, let me go assess the damage, and thank you for alerting me so quickly.” Christ…like I said, there’s always a fire to put out around here.

  I make my way into the kitchen only to find Lily cooking away as if nothing had happened. “Lily, everything under control here?” I look around and see no evidence of any fire left.

  “Yes, sir.” Lily nods, then explains that it was nothing more than a kitchen towel that got too close to a flame and that it was put out before it even started. She adds, “I told Patrice not to bother you, but she insisted.”

  “That’s alright, Lily…no harm done.” I take a last look before thanking her for being so quick on her feet, then I leave the kitchen and make my way to the elevator.

  The elevator doors open and I walk across the hall to the door of my suite. I occupy the entire top floor of my hotel, in fact. But I’ll get into that later.

  I check my cell for messages before jumping into the shower to prepare for my date later tonight…hmm, no message from her yet. Even though we barely spoke, I got the sense that she was a nice girl. No harm in a meal, in any case.

  After my shower and a quick shave, I splash on some cologne before smoothing my unruly thick hair with a little gel. I think that it’s time for a haircut. I’ll have to let Patrice know that she needs to call the salon for me and make an appointment. I walk back into the bedroom to check my cell again. I see that I have a message and that it’s from her. I listen to my voicemail, jotting down her address and cell number on a pad of paper. Deciding to get dressed before I return her call, I go over to my large walk-in closet to choose an outfit for the date.

  Already having an idea of what I want to wear, I decide on a midnight blue button-down dress shirt with a black silk tie. The blue in the shirt will set off my blue eyes…or so my ex who bought me the shirt always had said that it did. I take out a pair of jeans, my favorite pair of black Bruno Magli shoes, and I get dressed.

  Now that I’m dressed and ready, I call Louisa to make arrangements for tonight. She is staying at her friend’s place, which is close to the hotel, and we decide to meet in thirty minutes which just gives me time to check on a few things downstairs before I leave.

  I take the elevator down to the lobby and go straight to the front desk to go over the schedule with Renee for next week. Normally I don’t handle these things, but we have four new employees and I need to make sure that they have been worked into the schedule properly. I check the time on my watch—time to go. I excuse myself and leave the hotel, walking to my private covered parking area that is out back past the fountain and the garden area. I get into my Hummer, deciding that my McClaren is too showy for a first date. Well, at least for this particular date. I don’t know anything about this girl—best to play everything down, at least until I know more about her.

  On the drive over, I think about where I should take her for dinner. I’ve been so busy I completely forgot to make reservations somewhere, and even though the restaurant in my hotel has the best food in town, I think that taking her there goes under the category of me being “showy”.

  I’ve got the perfect place…Duke’s on Pacific Coast Highway. It’s very close to my hotel, on the beach…very good food. Plus I’m very good friends with the owner, so I never need a reservation there. Duke’s it is.

  I pull up at the address that Louisa had given me, and she’s already waiting outside for me so I pull up along the curb and put my Hummer in park. Being the gentleman that I am, I get out to walk around and open her door. She’s wearing a tight, sexy, extremely low-cut black dress. Her long dark hair has soft curls that cascade down past her shoulders. She looks amazing…

  “You look beautiful, Louisa.” I open the door and give her my hand to help her up into the Hummer. If I’m being honest here, I did check out her ass as she climbed in. Don’t judge, I’m a guy…that’s what we do.

  “Thank you, Don
ovan.” She winks at me as she flashes a very flirtatious smile.

  I smile back, tell her to buckle up then walk around getting back into the Hummer.

  “Have you ever been to Duke’s?” I ask, as I pull away from the curb driving back to PCH.

  “No, but I’ve heard about it. My roommate loves it there.” She turns to sit sideways in the passenger seat so that she’s now facing me…obviously she wants to check out the goods. I pretend not to notice.

  “Ahh, I see. Tell me about your roommate and what really brought you here.” I turn onto PCH, listening intently as she explains.

  “Well to be honest, I came here to get away from an ex. Well, him and…” She frowns, shaking her head. “I found out that he was fucking my mom, so I decided to leave and come here. My friend, Tasha, has been begging me to move here forever anyway.”

  What the fuck? She turns and stares out the window at the water. The sun is just setting and there is a shimmer on the waves that’s just hypnotizing this time of the day. I’d like to go jump in right about now, actually.

  “I, uh…I don’t know how to respond to that.” Nice to meet you too. That’s what’s called TMI to the tenth power. “I’m sorry to hear that…I can’t even begin to imagine what it was like to find that out.”

  “Yeah, sorry I even brought it up, I don’t even know what made me blurt that out.” She begins to laugh. “Sometimes when I’m nervous, I say the stupidest things.”

  “Don’t even worry about it, Louisa. It’s all good.” What the hell else can I say to that? Thank fuck we’re at the restaurant. I need a drink.

  Now inside, I see that Claudine is hostessing tonight, and she quickly seats us at a small table along the window…the best seats in the house. The ocean view here is the perfect setting for a date.

  “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Hart.” She smiles as she hands us menus, asking if I want to see the wine list, or do I want my usual bottle?

  “My usual sounds perfect. Thank you, Claudine.” Without thinking, I shoot her an innocent wink—bad date form. I hope that Louisa missed it. “I’m sorry, do you drink wine?” I ask her. She nods and says that she drinks anything…followed with a sort of snort/chuckle combo. Whoa.