Billionaire’s Pursuit(10)
Katy reached towards me and stroked my forearm with her hand.
“You won’t, Maddie. I know you can do this. Okay?”
After a brief pause, I nodded.
She smiled, winked and said, “Come on then, let’s get you ready. You don’t want to keep Greyson Sinclair waiting. If there's one thing I know for certain about him, it’s that.”
GREY
I made my way to the hotel bar about fifteen minutes ‘til eight. This was Friday, and it was already getting busy, so I grabbed a seat at the end where I could get a clear view of the hotel’s lobby. One seat remained open next to me. I pulled my phone from the inner pocket of my suitcoat then tossed it over the free chair.
A few seconds later, the bartender approached. “What’ll you have, sir?”
“Vodka, rocks,” I replied.
“Twist?”
“No, no thanks.”
“Right away, sir.”
Angling my head around the room, I took in my surroundings a bit. I’d never stayed in this hotel before. The suite Maddie booked for me was acceptable enough. As good as any, I suppose. The staff was pleasant, accommodating. She’d done well so far, I'd have to give her that much at least.
The bartender returned, “Vodka, rocks… no twist, sir.”
Wrapping my hand around the thick, cold glass, I swirled the clear liquid and ice mix. I nodded in appreciation.
“Should I start a tab for you?”
“Um, yeah. Go ahead.”
He nodded. “Right away, sir. Are you staying with us in the hotel?”
After taking a sip, I placed the glass back down on the bar’s surface. The heat from the liquor slid down my throat, singeing me and soothing me at the same time.
“I am,” I replied with a rasp in my voice. “Presidential suite.”
The man’s eyebrows arched a bit. “Yes sir. I’ll take care of that right away. Let me know if there’s anything else I can get for you.”
I leaned back a bit and reached in my pants pocket. Producing a half-inch-thick folded stack of one hundred dollar bills, I peeled one off and tossed it on the bar.
“Appreciate that,” I said. “For you.”
With a quick nod, the man reached for the money, thanked me profusely and headed down to the other end of the bar. After he walked away, I took another sip or three from my glass over the next several minutes. At last, I flicked my left wrist, pulling the cuff of my shirt up far enough so my watch appeared.
Three minutes past eight. She’s late. This will be fun…
Just then, I glanced towards the entrance of the hotel and fixed my gaze on the large brass revolving doors. I took one last swig of my drink and prepared to unleash a well-earned tongue wagging on her when after a final spin, Maddie emerged from the huge glass carousel and into the lobby. She stopped for an instant to get her bearings and I noticed she wore the exact same dress she had when she picked me up at the airport earlier that evening.
Good. She just keeps making this easier on me.
My tongue slipped out from between my lips as I watched her move across the marble floor. A small group of half-soused businessmen huddled midway between the entrance and the concierge desk stopped talking and stared slack-jawed as she passed by them. She paid them no mind, of course. Women who looked like her had no need to. I’m quite certain she was all too aware of the effect she had on the opposite sex.
Sure, I’d tipped my hand a bit in the back of the limo, but I didn’t see how that would matter much, if at all. If anything it would mean a little delay getting her in the sack, a few hours at most. Plenty of time, especially with the night only just beginning. Right about then, I noticed the hotel concierge point in the direction of the bar and seconds later, she headed my way.
As she approached, I stood and hitched up my pants a bit.
“Mr. Sinclair,” Maddie said as she drew near. “I’m sorry for being late.”
“Yet another disappointment,” I deadpanned.
To my amusement, she cocked her head at me and if I wasn’t mistaken, the hint of a smile came to her lips.
“I can see that I’m never going to win with you, am I?”
“No, you won’t,” I said. I stepped aside and removed my coat from the top of the barstool. “But I’m enjoying watching you try.”
With a subtle motion, she pulled her hair behind her ear as she moved towards the seat. As she passed me, her scent captured my attention. Her torso brushed against me and as it did, her eyes darted to meet mine. They were the color of steel blue, like a late winter sky, made all the more intense by the rose-tinted hue of her supple, full lips.