Immortal Dreams (62 page)

"Ms. Smith?"

I huff lightly while grumbling in more embarrassment.  "Yes.  That’s me."

He quickly hops out of the car and opens the back door for me.  I climb in appreciatively, and I realize Devin is even more incredible than I gave him credit for being.

"Mr. Cole requested I take you to your hotel."

"Thanks.  I'm at the Waldorf that's right around here somewhere," I rattle out a little shamefully.

"Yes ma'am."

I stare out the darkly tinted window, thankful no one can see in.  He was thoughtful enough to get a car around to me.  He did it very quickly too.  Why am I leaving like this?

Because he's the kind of guy you'll fall in love with and have your heart smashed to pieces all over again.

I keep my shameful eyes buried in the floor mats of the elegant car until he pulls in front of my hotel.

"I'm sorry, if you'll wait just a minute I'll go grab my purse," I say with embarrassment for a lack of tip.

"That won't be necessary," he says while climbing out and opening my door.  "Mr. Cole told me if I took any money from you it would be at the cost of my job.  He'll reward me handsomely.  No need to fret."

Oh crap.  He threatened a guy's job?

"Sorry," I mumble.

"No need for that either ma'am," he says with a smirk.

I climb out of the car and quickly walk into the lobby.  I see the man I’ve grown very acquainted with during our short visit.  He's the desk clerk, and he has got a huge crush.

"Hello Ms. Titan.  How can I help you?" he says with a boyish, giddy tone.

"I kind of lost my key."

"No problem.  I'll get you one right away."

I smile as he hands it to me and, I quickly hop in the elevator before it closes.  I press the button for my floor and wait impatiently aboard the elevator full of scolding eyes.  One woman actually snorts out her distaste, and I can feel her eyes burning against my short red dress.

She starts off the elevator and I wave very exaggeratedly, goading her.

"Have a great day," I snark.

She snorts her disgust once more and strides away in her business dress suit.  I laugh a little until I realize everyone else is still assessing my unladylike daytime attire.

Oh good grief.  Yes, I had sex with some random, hot as hell, mouthwateringly delicious stranger.  Get the fuck over it.

I'm relieved as one by one they all filter out.  I'm even more relieved when it's my turn.  I take off the dreadful shoes, and carry them the rest of the way to my door.  I creep inside and hope no one is up, but that hope is quickly obliterated as Clara rounds the corner, rubbing her aching head.

"Please tell me we haven't drunk all the coffee.  I need it," she pleads with her scratchy throat.

I quietly ditch my shoes and walk to the kitchen while murmuring, "I'll check for you."

I almost think I've gotten away with it, when Clara finally realizes what's going on.

"You did it.  You're still in your dress.  Oh thank God," she exclaims dramatically, giggling directly after.  "Give me details.  Rich?  Hot in bed?  Bad in bed?  What's the scoop?"

She sits eagerly at the counter, her headache forgotten, and her eyes begging.

I sigh out in defeat, "Rich, yes.  Hot in bed, very.  That's about it."

"No.  That can't be it.  This was your first one-night stand, unless you're planning on seeing him again."

I'm not sure if she's asking a question or making an observation.

"I'm not seeing him again.  I just want a shower right now," I grumble as I finish putting the coffee on.

"That's because you've been doing something dirty," she teases.

I roll my eyes at the juvenile joke.

"Yes I have.  I've also learned that I'm not one-night stand material.  I didn't know they followed you out the door."

"Whoa, what?" she says while jumping from the barstool and following me.

"He jumped on the elevator and asked me to stay with him.  I wasn't prepared for that."

"That's because such things don't normally happen with complete strangers.  So he wanted you to stay?"

I shrug as I turn the water on and start waiting for the perfect temperature.

"Yes.  He asked me to stay, and then he asked to see me again."

"Wow.  What did you say?"

"I said I'd call him," I mumble, regretting that even more.  I should have at least given him my real name.

"Awesome," she squeals.  "When are you going to call him?  I think that's smart.  It keeps the ball in your court."

My head drops, shame and guilt both weighing me down now.

"I'm not really going to call him, and he knows that.  I didn't even get his number.  I just darted out.  He even sent a car around to pick me up after I blew him off."

She grabs my shoulders and starts shaking me violently.

"What's wrong with you?  If a hot, rich, sweet guy wants to be with you, then you say yes.  You don't run away."

I laugh a little at her overreaction.  I swear she's acting as if this affects her.

"I just want it to be what it is.  He's a gentleman.  It's sweet of him to show such manners, but I don't need to get involved with someone this far out of my league."

"Hey!  You know damn well I don't allow you to belittle yourself in front of me.  This guy is lucky he got to have a night with you.  That being said, I think you should call him.  You know where he lives, so just look his number up that way."

"I don't actually know the address or anything.  I didn't really pay too much attention.  We had a hasty entrance, and I rushed the exit."

"Okay, then we'll figure it out another way," she says, and I can feel her wheels turning.

"Hey, just drop it.  Leave it here.  I live in Frankford.  There's no way it's going to work out."

"You act like you two live on opposite sides of the world.  This is not a terrible distance.  You could make it work," she urges.

"I don't want to.  I want to enjoy the memories I made, and leave it at that.  Now get out.  I need to wash away the dirty Alexius Smith and get back to being plain Aphrodisia Titan."

"Fine," she relents with a pout.

My head is pounding and
I'm exhausted from the tiresome trip we just returned from yesterday.  Clara's wedding is tomorrow, and I have to find a makeshift date before she sets me up with
Irvin
.  Maybe I can ask my brother to go.

"Adisia!" Jane, the receptionist, yells.

"Yeah.  What?" I ask.

"You have a delivery," she squeals as she runs toward me with an oversized bouquet of flowers.  "Who are they from?"

"I honestly have no idea," I say in disbelief.

She sets down the vibrant red roses, and the bouquet has to be at least three dozen.  This thing is massive.

I open the bright red envelope that has my name on the front.

I gasp slightly as I read it.

To Aphrodisia, the true name of the girl in the red dress.  It'll be hard for you to call me without my number, so I'll contact you instead.

Devin Cole (My real name)

Oh no.  How did he find out my name?  How did he find me?

"Who are they from?" Jane asks impatiently.

"Devin Cole," I whisper as I stare blankly at the wall.

"Who's that?"

"A really hot mistake," I grumble while plopping my head on my desk.

"Aphrodisia," Charlene, my boss, yells.

I snap to attention and Jane retreats as the bitch from hell stalks toward me.

"Yes ma'am?"

"I need you to grab your purse and head to New York."

"What?  I just got back from New York yesterday.  Why do I need to do there?"

"You need to go see a client for me.  This is a big deal we've just had fall into our laps.  I have to be in Sacramento in the morning, so I need you to do this for me.  The client has specified they need this dealt with today."

"I'm just an assistant.  How am I supposed to handle a client?  I don't know anything about that side of the business.  What about one of the other agents?" I plead.

"No.  Sorry, but that's not an option.  You'll go because I'm telling you to go.  Now get your stuff and get on the road.  Time is wasting."

I've been on vacation for a few days for the bachelorette party, and I've only been at work for an hour.  I have mounds of work to get caught up on, and now she's sending me to meet with a client, which I have no experience in because I've never done it before.  Our marketing agency has plenty of more qualified, eager people ready to assume such a task.  Why is she making me go?

I don't argue though.  You can't argue with Charlene.  I do as she says and walk out to head to a company car.  A man pulls up in a black SUV, very deliberately cutting off my path.

"Ms. Titan?" he asks while rolling down the window.

"Yeah?"

"I'm Tim.  I'm here to take you to New York."

This hulking man starts climbing out of the driver's side, and there's so much of him that he just keeps on getting out.  He opens my door, and I toss in my laptop and my purse before taking out my phone.

I dial Charlene right away.  "Where am I going?  Who am I seeing?  What am I doing?"

She laughs, which is uncommon.  "I've sent you an email with all the details you need to know.  It's mostly just signing the client.  The real legwork has already been done.  The client has the contract on hand.  They want a face-to-face before signing.  This is a big deal.  Don't fuck it up."

The line is dead as soon as she finishes her threatening last words.  Okay.  That's not helpful at all.  What am I doing here if this is such a big deal?  Oh this sucks.

I sigh as the man
opens the door for me, and I climb out, exhausted from the long ride.  I walk toward the steel archway, and I suddenly know where I am.

No.  He didn't.  He couldn't have.  Impossible
.

"Ms. Titan?" a sweet, older man says.

"Yes," I murmur.

"Mr. Cole is expecting you."

The man opens the elevator and keys in a code.  I swallow hard.  This can't really be happening.  What the fuck?  I stare blankly at the cold walls of the elevator as the numbers count up.

"Ms. Titan?"

I look up to see the doors open, and the gentle old man waiting for my exit.

"Thank you," I mumble as I step out.

I walk in a little better and stand awkwardly in the entryway.  I notice a new vase has replaced the shattered one, and I focus all my attention on it.  I'm almost praying this is some horrid dream I'm unable to awake.

"I had to replace the old one.  It somehow shattered," Devin says as he slowly glides into the room.

My eyes stay fixated on the vase, allowing only my peripheral vision to watch him.

"It's nice," I mumble in a nearly muted tone.

He sits down on the couch, and I look up to meet his gaze.  There's a bottle of wine and two glasses set up as well.

"Would you like to join me, Aphrodisia?" he asks casually.

My pale skin is suddenly infested with chills.

"Honestly, I'm a little too freaked out to join you," I almost whisper.

He flashes me an innocent look as he scoots to the edge of his seat, and gives me his undivided attention.

"Why is that?" he asks.

"Do you have some freaky Christian Grey complex?  You've stalked me, found out my real name, and interfered with my job in a way that has brought me back to your doorstep.  I swear I'll call the police, scream for help, and pepper spray you before I step into some crazy ass sex room."

He laughs loudly at my voiced concern, which, I admit, does sound a little crazy in itself.

"I'm not into whips and chains.  I didn't stalk you, I brought you to me.  I found out your true identity because I generally make it a habit to find out whom I've slept with.  Call me old fashioned."

He makes me feel all the more foolish.  I should feel like he's invaded my privacy, but I did sleep with him and give him a false name.

"Besides," he adds.  "My secret is much bigger, and I'll be the only one signing anything," he teases.

I slowly make my way over to the couch, and shift the topic back to business.

"I'm supposed to be here for a face-to-face signing.  I honestly have no idea why they sent me, and I hope you know what I'm supposed to do because I don't.  I'm just an assistant."

He smirks a little and closes the gap between us by scooting dangerously close to me.

"You're here because I requested you to be here.  I told your eager boss I'd sign with the company if she sent you.  It's a big deal.  I know the marketing world inside and out, so I can help you in any way you need it," he almost whispers as his lips dare mine.

He hovers over me and his arm wraps around my shoulders, pulling me into the kiss I can't fight.  I feel my body responding to his creepy seduction, and I have no choice but to surrender.  He grips me and pulls me to sit astride him.  My hips reflexively grind against him and he only grips me tighter.

"You can't deny it either, can you?" he whispers through the kiss.

"We can't do this," I mumble before kissing him harder.

His hands slide down my skirt, freeing me from the zipped restraint.  He slowly opens my shirt, revealing my body to him.  He kisses my chest as he hoists me into the air and carries me to the bedroom.

I know I can't stop myself from wanting him right now, and there's no sanity left in my mind.

"That's the last time we
can do that," I pant as my bare body curls against his.

He smiles as his lips cover mine.  Then he gingerly pulls back enough to look into my eyes.

"Why do you keep saying stuff like that?"

I shake my head.  "Well, now it's because you're about to be client, and I feel like a total slut for having slept with you before you signed."

"Then I won't sign," he says casually, nonchalance resonating in the back of his tone.

"What?  I'll lose my job if you don't sign after telling Charlene you would," I gush helplessly.

He smirks deviously as he pulls me to his chest, and his menacing eyes churn with excitement.

"Stay with me tonight, and I'll sign in the morning."

"I can't stay.  I have to be home tonight to go to a rehearsal dinner, and then I have Clara's wedding tomorrow."