“Good evening, sir, very busy tonight but we have your regular table if you’d like?” He gestures to a secluded booth in the back of the restaurant.
“Not tonight, Frank. I’ll sit at the bar. Probably going to be a liquid dinner tonight, buddy.” I give him a pat on the shoulder as he lets out a hearty laugh.
I put in my order for a medium rare filet and sip on the whiskey my bartender sits in front of me. I reach up and loosen my tie, letting out a long, exasperated sigh. I feel like I’ve been holding my breath and didn’t even realize it. I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone to call Nate.
“Hey, old man, you manage to scare off Alison yet?” His laugh echoes on the other end.
“Yeah, something like that. I promise I’ll be sending Elise home to you soon.”
“Yeah, I talked with her earlier today; she said she’s been spending time with Alison. Apparently, they hit it off. But seriously, how are things going?”
I rub my hand roughly over my five o’clock shadow. “I can’t stop thinking about her, man. I have tried to get her to go to dinner or just a drink, even sky diving. She fucking hates me.”
“Listen, you’re approaching this all wrong. First of all, you’re technically her boss, so she probably doesn’t want to cross a line. You need to cultivate a friendship and then, when the contract is over, maybe it can turn into something more. You need to come at it from her point of view, try to find out what she’s in to, and see if you can get in the door that way.”
“Ah, shit, you’ve been hanging with Elise too much. You are way into your feelings, bro.” I down the rest of my drink and motion to the bartender for another.
“You’re just pissed that you’ve finally met a woman who you can’t just fuck into wanting you or doing whatever you want. Just don’t be a dick to her, Vincent. Hey, Elise is calling. I’m going to let you go. Let me know how it goes.”
I hang up the phone and promptly down the entire second glass of whiskey. I know Nate is right, not just because it’s the respectable thing to do but because Alison deserves better. I pick at my steak, but I've lost my appetite. Instead, I opt to drown my sorrows in an endless glass of liquor.
It’s nearing eleven when I finally pry myself away from the bar. I can feel the room start to spin as I make my way to the nearest elevator bank. I stare at the buttons as the doors close and then re-open again. I press the button for my floor and lean back against the wall as I ride the car up to the twentieth floor.
I’m walking down the hall to my room when the urge to knock on Alison’s door overtakes me. Her room is right next to mine. When I had my secretary book the rooms, I specifically asked for side by side placement. I don’t know what I was thinking; maybe that she’d be more apt to sleep with me if we shared a wall.
I find myself standing at her door, willing myself to walk away. I bring my hand up to knock when my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and see a familiar name on the screen. Vanessa.
“Hello?” I answer, a bit confused. I haven’t spoken to Vanessa for at least six months. She was a casual fling I would call when I was in New York. We both had separate lives and had zero expectations when it came to things between us.
“Hey, handsome. I heard you were in town and you didn’t call me,” she says with a fake, syrupy sweetness. I can tell she’s pretend pouting.
“Sorry, sweetheart, just been a very busy few days.”
I step away from Alison’s door and head into my room.
“So, are you going to make me ask?”
“Ask what, Vanessa?”
“Are you alone?”
I lean against my door and close my eyes, letting the line go silent.
“Hello? Vincent?”
“Room 2017. There will be a key waiting for you at the front desk,” I say and then hang up, throwing the phone on the nearby couch.
Chapter 13
Alison
I finish up gathering my things and head to my room. I am still mulling over Vincent’s comments about revisiting the hotel sites…it made perfect sense; I was just surprised I hadn’t considered that option yet. I had been killing myself to get everything done on the first trip. This past week had been beyond exhausting. Surprisingly, Vincent had given me plenty of space to get the ball rolling here in New York, but the days were certainly not without a comment or two from him or a dinner invitation.
I flop on my bed and let out a loud sigh. I haven’t spoken to Janelle this entire trip, so I pull my phone off the nightstand and send her a quick text.
You awake?
My phone rings immediately, causing a smile to break out on my face.
“How did I know you’d still be awake?” I laugh into the phone as Janelle launches into what she had been up to the past week.
“How’s the New York trip going?”
“Good. I have been able to get so much done, and my vision has meshed well with Vincent’s, so that’s a huge relief. There have been a couple hiccups. Oh my god, I ordered the—”
Janelle interrupts, “What I really mean is how are things going with the sexpot billionaire? You do anything crazy yet? Had two drinks at dinner? Get matching tattoos? Cut out of work at four-thirty?”
I roll my eyes at Elle’s sarcastic remarks. I should have known she was just fishing for info on Vincent.
“No, nothing crazy, unfortunately. I have been working round the clock, but I’m hopeful it will set everyone up for success once I leave. I have spent some time with Elise Taylor; she’s the company attorney, and I think you would love her. She reminds me a lot of you actually. She’s kind of taken me under her wing so that I’m not completely alone and going crazy through all of this.”
We chat for a while longer before I turn in for the night. I only have one more full day in New York before I head back to Chicago to wrap up things there and then head off to Denver.
I am just about to fall asleep when I hear mumbled laughing and talking in the room next door. I distinctly make out a deep voice talking followed by higher-pitched laughing…the banter continues for a while but quickly turns into moans and what I can only assume is the headboard slamming against the wall.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” I mutter to myself as I pull a pillow over my head and groan. I consider banging against the wall, but just as I pull my arm back to send a message to the moaning offenders, I realize that my room shares a wall with Vincent’s.
“Why the hell am I not surprised? All of my judgments confirmed.” I huff loudly and roll over, pulling the blankets over my head. I can’t deny I am angry…angry for starting to let my guard down and think he could change.
I can’t sleep. I whip the blankets off of myself and head to the bathroom. I turn on the shower and step in, letting the hot water cascade over my body. I can feel the tension melting from my neck and shoulders. I take my time, allowing myself to relax and giving the chance for the spank-fest next door to die down.
After a good forty-five minutes in the shower, I dry myself off and lather myself with lavender lotion and oil to help myself relax. The cool sheets feel so good on my clean body, and it seems like the situation next door has finally stopped.
I have just nodded off again when a ping from my phone alerts me to an incoming message. I roll over, groaning to myself as I reach for the phone on my nightstand. I jolt up immediately as I read the name that registered on the screen: Vincent Crawford.
My stomach flip-flops as I swipe across the screen, revealing the message.
Hey…you up?
The next morning, I do everything in my power to avoid Vincent. So far, I’ve been successful, spending my time immersed in finishing up a few projects and meeting with vendors.
Things have been going very smoothly so far, and I plan to keep it that way. I have just one more meeting before I need to finish packing and head to the airport. Our flight is leaving tonight, and thankfully, Vincent has some off-sight meetings to attend to this afternoon, so I am confident my plan to avoid h
im will work.
The sun is just beginning to set. I look out over the city from my room. I do love it here; maybe someday I could open a firm here. I stand for one more minute, taking in the beautiful yellow-orange light that filters through the room. I grab my bags, give the room one quick glance to make sure I have everything, then make my way toward the elevators.
I had told Elise I would meet her at a quarter to eight and we would take a car to the airport. I am just emerging from the elevator when Elise and Vincent both wave me over to where they are standing. I want to slap the shit-eating grin off of Vincent’s face but decide not to let my frustration show.
“You ready to get out of dodge?” Vincent asks, taking my bags.
I give a tight smile and turn my focus to Elise, giving her a quick hug. “Ready to get home? I bet Nate’s missing you like crazy.”
“Well, I’m certainly ready to get home. I can’t lie. I’m worried about the state of our apartment. That man is a genius in the boardroom, but it’s like he’s allergic to cleaning. And to be honest, poor Griffin is probably so tired of having to babysit him. God knows when I’m out of town, he always tries to get Griffin out of his comfort zone. I don’t know why these boys can’t leave that poor man alone.” We both laugh and make our way toward the sidewalk as our car pulls up.
“Griffin is only a few years older than Nate and Vince, but they tease him so much. He’s a little more tightly wound and reserved, so they’re always making a game out of trying to get him to lighten up.”
“It’s all in good fun; Thor knows that. Besides, we’d hate to see him live his entire life so uptight and miss out on some fun and life-changing experiences,” Vincent chimes in.
I ignore his comments that are so clearly directed towards me.
“Maybe I can set my sister up with him,” I joke. “God knows that girl needs a leash sometimes.” I shake my head as Elise chuckles and rubs my arm sympathetically.
The commute isn’t exactly quick or easy since this is New York City, but I am thankful Elise is there to keep me company and keep me from having to engage Vincent one on one or strangle him. We finally board Vincent’s private plan and are about to taxi when Elise hops up to use the restroom, leaving Vincent and me alone in the cabin.
“You look like you have made an unimaginable amount of progress in the short time we have been here. I know we discussed a lot of the preliminary plans, but seeing it brought to life is just amazing. You are a fantastic designer, Alison; I hope you know that. I can’t wait to see how all of this turns out.”
I smile, smoothing out my dress. I can’t miss my chance to be snide. “Thank you, it has certainly been exciting and challenging at the same time. I honestly think the re-branding and updating of your hotels is a worthy investment and you’ll see a big return on it.” I turn to pull my laptop out of my bag before adding, “The only suggestion I would have for you is to consider soundproofing your rooms. It’s amazing what you can hear through the walls.”
He is listening intently when suddenly his face goes white and his back stiffens. Maybe he doesn’t even remember last night, which is why he hasn’t brought it up. Whatever is going through his head, it certainly isn’t something he wants to relive or remember. I bite back a smile at his discomfort, glad I can make him uncomfortable for once.
He opens his mouth to speak when Elise comes back from the restroom and settles into her seat. “Okay, what’d I miss?” she says with a cheeky smile that quickly fades when she senses the tension that has settled over the cabin.
I smile over at her and grab her hand, launching into a discussion about her wedding plans and upcoming nuptials. I am not about to drag Elise into any issues I have with Vincent, and I also am not interested in his apologies or excuses. The fact is he owes me no explanations for his behavior, and I have no right to care…now if I could get my brain to understand and believe that.
Chapter 14
Vincent
Two weeks have passed since Alison and I went to New York to start renovations at the hotel there, and things seem to have changed between the two of us…dramatically.
Even the sight of me seems to piss her off more than usual. We spent a week there while she toured the rooms, came up with ideas, and explored the furniture and fabric that was available in the city. I know she heard me with Vanessa, but nothing happened. As soon as I gave her my room number, I texted her back and told her not to come, but she did anyway. She tried forcing herself on me and my drunk ass ended up knocking over a desk and chair trying to avoid her.
Elise had found a fast friend in Alison, and the two of them had been practically inseparable during their time together. I could barely get a word in edgewise when the three of us had to interact or spend any amount of time working together.
Then there was that week with nothing. After our flight home, Alison had dove into her work; I hadn’t seen or heard from her in days. It wasn’t until I called her to arrange the flight to the hotel in Denver that I heard her voice. I knew she’d been buried in work because the staff in New York was getting instructions and diagrams about the new decor that were quickly being put into place, but she hadn’t responded to any of my correspondence directly. She had sent over plenty of designs, invoices, and contracts that I needed to sign but nothing in the way of actual conversation, and everything went to my executive assistant. I even noticed a few Mr. Crawfords in the emails; good to know we’re back to that.
Maybe that shouldn’t bother me, but it does a little. I enjoy seeing her name in my inbox or on my calendar. I look down at my phone every time it vibrates, hoping to see her name across the screen.
I’m not going to pick her up this time for our flight. She’d said she had her ride to the airport and would meet me at plane. I’d been waiting for about fifteen minutes when she arrived.
“About time, Alison.” I glance up from my watch with a sly grin. “I was starting to believe you were going to skip out on me.”
Alison lets her suitcase rest beside her as she shrugs. “Trust me; the thought crossed my mind. But in the end, I decided there’s no way I was missing out on an all-expenses-paid trip to Denver. I’ve never been there before. So what death-defying feat are you planning for Colorado? Any chance it will be something that will keep you out of my hair and sight for the entire trip?”
She is joking with me, which seems to be a good sign, at least a little, even if there is some underhandedness. That has to be a first.
“Skiing.” I smile broadly as she raises an eyebrow in my direction. “From a helicopter.”
“Oh, I should have known.” She grabs the handle of her suitcase and heads towards the small gate where our private plane is boarding. “Come on; we have a flight to make.”
I follow her down the ramp onto the plane, letting the attendant stash our bags in the proper compartment on the plane. There is something different with her; she is being way more engaging than she ever has been. Something is up.
“So, I know better than to ask you to come skiing with me, but are you going to join me for dinner this time? There won’t be any Elise there to entertain you.” I kick myself for asking, but I am a glutton for punishment as far as Alison is concerned.
“Before you say no! Let me please apologize for my behavior in New York. I should have been more…thoughtful about where your room was located, and I’m embarrassed, to be honest. If it makes it any better, I was drunk and no—”
Alison puts her hand up to stop me.
“You don’t owe me an apology; it’s none of my business what you do in your spare time, and honestly, I shouldn’t have been surprised.”
Her words sting a little because it is the truth. She did see me as just a man-whoring playboy…I guess I proved that to her in New York. I sat there staring at her without saying a word. I don’t know what to say to make things right, so I figure keeping my mouth shut is the best option.
After several awkward minutes of silence, Alison lets out a long sigh. “Alright, Vin
cent. Dinner tonight, but I have to get to work tomorrow. After all, you’re not paying me to hang out with you. You couldn’t afford me, anyway. Oh, and in the future, don’t booty-call your interior designer after you bang your latest conquest…not good for morale,” she says with her newfound sarcasm.
I have to fight hard to keep the surprise off my face when she agrees, but a huge smile spreads across my face seeing her stand up for herself and tell me off.
“As I said, there wasn’t any banging.”
“Don’t worry about it; it is in the past. Clean slate and all that, right?” She gives me a coy wink and snaps her seatbelt on.
A huge grin spreads across my face at her attempt to make light of the situation as I move to buckle myself into my favorite seat on the plane. I want to ask more about the booty-call comment because that bad decision isn’t rushing back to me. However, she said yes to dinner, which means I have some planning to do. My phone is already in my hand, sending out emails and texts to all the appropriate parties to make sure things are in motion.
“Fair enough. Dinner tonight. I’ll meet you downstairs in the hotel at eight, if that’s alright with you?” I raise an eyebrow, waiting for her reply.
“See you at eight,” she says without looking up from her phone. She giggles as she reads what looks to be a text.
“Ma’am, please put that in airplane mode,” I joke, trying to keep the fun mood going.
She finishes typing and hits send before turning the phone off and turning to me. “Sorry, just had to let my boyfriend know I’m taking off.”
Chapter 15
Alison
I have no idea what came over me…why the hell did I just lie to him about having a boyfriend? The truth is I had been texting Janelle to let her know I was taking off and that I’d text again when I landed. I panicked after I agreed to go to dinner with him: another stupid move on my part. I curse myself internally…and Elise. This is all her fault!
Claimed By Him: (Contemporary Romance Box Set) Page 52