One Night in London (9 page)

He got up from the floor and held his hand out to me. After helping me up, he picked my robe up from the floor and slipped it over my shoulders as he kissed my lips.

“I have to get going. I have an early meeting tomorrow morning.”

Disappointment shot through me, killing my extremely good mood.

“I want you to stay the night.”

“And I want to, but I can’t. You understand, right?” He cupped my chin in his hand.

“Yeah. I understand.”

“Good. I knew you would.”

I watched him as he got dressed and then I walked him to the door.

“I’ll be in touch. Thank you for a beautiful evening.” He smiled as he kissed my forehead and then my lips.

Shutting the door, I stood there and stared at it as thoughts escalated in my head. Thoughts of Sebastian, the mind-blowing sex we had, and the way he always left after. The only night he stayed was in London and that was because it was his hotel room, but he was sure as shit gone the next morning. Concerns filled my mind at the possibility of him using me for his own sexual pleasure. It was too late for me. My attachment to him wasn’t only physical, for now the emotional attachment settled in, leaving me feeling rejected and used.

Chloe

A
fter taking a shower, I climbed into bed and facetimed Sienna. I knew she probably wouldn’t answer because she was with Sam, but it was worth a shot. I desperately needed to talk to her.

“Hello, gorgeous.” Her smiling face appeared on the screen. She was covered in a sheet, lying in bed.

“I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

“Not at the moment. What’s up?”

I sighed. “Sebastian came over and, once again, it was a wham bam, thank you ma’am.”

“What was his excuse this time?” She rolled her eyes.

“He has an early meeting in the morning.”

“He is a corporate hot shot and I’m sure he does. The least he could have done was bring an extra pair of clothes with him. What’s that look for?”

“What look?”

“Please don’t tell me you’ve become emotionally attached.”

“Who’s emotionally attached?” I heard Sam say as Sienna turned her phone and his naked body appeared on the screen as he walked by.

“Gah. Stop that!”

“Doesn’t he have the cutest little ass?” Sienna smiled. “Anyway, back to your emotional attachment. Don’t let him use you like that. You’re one of the strongest women I know. Don’t let his good looks and great sex take advantage of you. The next time he wants sex, you ask him if he’s hitting the road after. If he says yes, kick him out the door.”

“Good advice, S. Hey, Chloe.” Sam waved.

“Hey, Sam.”

“We’ll talk more about this tomorrow. Get some sleep and try not to think about him, okay?”

“Okay.”

Well, she was no help. As I pulled the covers over me and sank into my bed, I couldn’t stop thinking about how I knew nothing about Sebastian Bennett. All I knew was that he owned his own multi-billion-dollar company. He didn’t seem to want to share anything about himself, or maybe because the opportunity wasn’t there. Every time we were together, it consisted of nothing but sex, and then he left. My one night with a stranger in a foreign country turned out to be many nights with a stranger in America, and that was exactly what he was: a stranger. Just because I knew his name, job, and age didn’t mean I really knew him at all.

The next morning, I stumbled out of bed, showered, and headed to the gallery. After a busy morning, I glanced at the clock. It was almost noon.

“I’m going to head up to my office,” I spoke to Gregory and Micha. “Connor, Ellery, and Caden should be here shortly.”

As I sat down at my desk, I picked up my phone to see if I had any messages. None. Zero. Zilch. Somewhere in the back of my dumb head, the thought that Sebastian might have sent me a text message to at least say “hi” came forth. As I set my phone down, I saw Connor and Ellery walk in.

“Good afternoon.” Ellery smiled as she walked over and gave me a hug. “Is he here yet? I’m dying to see his work.” Her grin widened.

“Not yet.”

“Why don’t we go out there and wait for him?” Connor spoke as he walked over to the couch and took a seat.

I could hear Gregory’s voice coming up the stairs. Looking over, I saw Caden.

“Connor, Ellery, this is Caden. Caden, these are the owners of the gallery, Connor and Ellery Black.”

“Nice to meet you.” Ellery smiled as she extended her hand.

After hellos were said, we all took seats in the area outside my office and Caden opened up his portfolio. I studied Ellery’s face as she previewed the artist’s work. I could tell she loved it. Then I looked over at Connor as he cleared his throat.

“Well, I must say these are—” He took in a sharp breath. “Very artistic.”

I couldn’t help but let out a light laugh.

“Ellery?” he asked.

“I love it and I think it’s a great idea to hold a month-long exhibition. This gallery is perfect the way it is, but adding a little sex to it would make it even better.”

I watched Connor as he swallowed hard. “Chloe?” He glanced at me.

“I think it’s beautiful work and we should go with it.”

“I’ve added some framed black and white photographs towards the end. Not only do people like the realism of my paintings, but they like the still photography I do as well.”

“Beautiful,” Ellery and I spoke at the same time as we stared at the photos.

“Indeed it is.” Connor smiled.

Ellery glared at him and lightly smacked his arm.

“What? They are beautiful photographs. I’m agreeing with you. Caden, this gallery would love to exhibit your artwork. Chloe will handle everything and go over with you how we handle commissions and sales.”

Caden’s face lit up as he thanked Connor and Ellery. We said our goodbyes and I took Caden into my office.

“We’ll set up the exhibition in two weeks. That’ll give us enough time to advertise, invite, and get your work in here.” I reached in my desk drawer and pulled out a contract. “Here is the contract for your art. Read it over, and if you agree with everything, sign it and return it to me when you deliver your paintings. Also, I want to set up a few sculptures, so make sure you send them as well.”

“I can’t even believe this. Thank you so much, Chloe. I owe you big time.”

“You’re welcome and you don’t owe me anything. I’m just doing my job.” I smiled.

I walked him out of the gallery and turned my attention to Gregory.

“I need you to run an ad for the exhibition and send out some invites.”

“Where are we going to put the display?” he asked.

“Second level. We have all that space up there on the other side of my office. We’re going to need some more display cubes and a sign to put down here indicating that Contemporary Eroticism is upstairs. Have Micha take care of that.”

“Will do, Chloe.”

“Thanks. I’m heading out to lunch now, so I’ll be back.”

As I was walking out the gallery doors, Sebastian stopped me.

“Going somewhere?” He smiled.

“Lunch.” My belly fluttered at the sight of him.

“Perfect timing. Me too.” He held out his arm.

What the hell. I placed my arm in his and we walked down the street to a small but cozy Italian restaurant.

****

Sebastian

I
wasn’t going to see her today. In fact, I had planned on not calling her or seeing her for about a week. She consumed my mind every waking minute and I even found myself dreaming about her when I slept. This wasn’t supposed to happen. It never had with any other woman and this concerned me a great deal that it happened with her. No matter how hard I tried to put Chloe Kane out of my mind, she wouldn’t leave.

“I had a wonderful time with you last night.” I smiled as I reached across the table and placed my hand on hers.

“Me too. But it would have been better if you had stayed the night.”

“I’m sorry about that, but I couldn’t. I told you I had an early meeting this morning.”

“I know. I was just saying that it would have been better.” She took a sip from her wine glass.

I was about to do something that I had never done before.

“How would you like to go away with me for the weekend?”

“Where?” She smiled.

“Vegas. I have a business meeting. It won’t take long and then we can have the rest of the weekend together to do whatever you want.”

“You mean we can actually sleep together in a bed?” She smirked.

“That and many other things.” I winked.

She bit down on her bottom lip. “When are you leaving?”

“Tomorrow.”

“I have to work all day.”

I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed Connor.

“Connor Black,” he answered.

“Connor, it’s Sebastian.”

“Hello, Sebastian. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Would you mind if I stole Chloe Kane tomorrow?”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m flying to Vegas and I would like her to go with me, but she says she has to work.”

“Oh. I didn’t know the two of you were seeing each other.”

“That’s yet to be determined.”

“Ah, I see. If she can swing the day off, it’s fine with me. She’s the manager and she knows if she can or can’t.”

“Thank you, my friend. I’ll be in touch.”

“Sebastian, wait. Chloe is a great woman and I know I don’t have to—”

“I know and, no, you don’t.”

“Okay. Have fun in Vegas.”

“Thanks. We’ll talk soon.”

Chloe sat across from me with wide eyes as she listened to me talk to her boss. I knew Connor wouldn’t mind, but I needed to put Chloe’s mind at ease.

“I cannot believe you just called him.”

“Why? We’re friends. He said that he doesn’t have a problem with you taking the day off as long as you feel you can. So can you?”

“I don’t know. I have an exhibition coming up in a couple of weeks.”

“Then you can work extra hard on Monday.” I smiled.

“Fine. I’ll go to Vegas with you.”

“Excellent. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning at eight a.m.”

“What time does our flight leave?”

“Whenever I want it to.”

She narrowed her eye at me as if she didn’t understand.

“I have my own private jet, Chloe.”

“Really?” She smiled. “That is so cool.”

I chuckled. “I’m happy you think it’s cool.” I looked at my watch. “If we’re finished here, I must get back to the office.”

“And I must get back to the gallery.”

I paid the bill and placed my hand on Chloe’s back as we exited the restaurant. Walking her back to the gallery, I softly kissed her lips.

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

“Thank you for lunch.”

“You’re welcome.” I pushed a strand of her beautiful blonde hair behind her ear.

I climbed into the limo and sank back against the lush black leather. What the fuck was I doing?

Chloe

A
s I walked into the gallery, I was on cloud nine.

“Gregory, Micha, I won’t be in tomorrow, so I’ll need you both to handle things while I’m gone.” I grinned.

“No worries, Chloe.”

I stood there with a twisted face, waiting for one of them to ask me why I was taking the day off. They didn’t.

“Aren’t you going to ask why I won’t be here?” I placed my hands on my hips and cocked my head.

They looked at each other.

“It really isn’t our business why you take the day off,” Gregory spoke.

“Well, I’m making it your business. Go ahead. Ask me.”

“Why won’t you be in tomorrow?” Micha asked.

“Because I’m going to Vegas for the weekend!” I exclaimed with excitement.

“How fun!” Gregory spoke. “Who are you going with?”

“Mr. Sebastian Bennett.”

“Lucky girl,” Micha replied. “He’s dreamy.”

“He sure is. If you’ll excuse me, I have some work I want to finish before I leave.”

I couldn’t believe Sebastian asked me to go away with him. Two nights and three days of us having nothing but sex, sex, and more sex, not to mention the fact that I would be snuggled up against him all night long, feeling his warm naked body pressed against mine and his strong arms wrapped tightly around me. I needed to call Sienna.

“Hello, friend.” Her face appeared on the screen as she sat at her desk.

“Guess who’s leaving for Vegas tomorrow morning?”

“I don’t know. Your parents?”

“No, silly girl. Me! Sebastian asked me to go with him and I said yes. So I will be unavailable starting tomorrow through Sunday.”

“The man is wising up. I’m so happy for you.”

“This could really be the start of something, Sienna. I’m totally crazy about him.”

“Listen, Chloe, and don’t take this the wrong way. You know I love you, but for the love of God, don’t get yourself caught up in him. I don’t want you to get hurt. I have never seen you react like this to a guy before and, to be honest, it’s scaring me.”

I rolled my eyes at her.

“Don’t roll your eyes at me. You know it’s true. I’m just looking out for your well-being.”

“And I appreciate that, but this is all your fault.”

“How the hell is it my fault?” She frowned.

“You’re the one who pushed me into having a one-night stand with a stranger in a foreign country. Had you never done that in that first place, I never would have thought about it and acted on it. Hence this being all your fault.” I smiled.

“Oh my God! You’re so good.” She laughed. “I have to go, darling. Sam just walked in and we’re going to lunch. Say hi to Chloe.” She turned the phone so I could see him.

“Hello there, gorgeous.” He smiled as he waved.

“Hey, Sam. Enjoy lunch and I’ll talk to you later, Sienna.”

“Have fun in Vegas and I want all the juicy details when you get back. Or feel free to face time me while you’re in bed. I’d love to see him naked.” She winked.

After ending the call, I finished the work I was going to do tomorrow and headed home to pack a bag.

****

W
hen the bellhop unlocked the door to the suite, I gulped as I stepped inside of the Italian marble foyer. Sebastian walked past and then stopped and looked at me as I stood there frozen.