Her phone chimes in her purse. "Did you just text me?"
"I did." I stop when the bartender approaches with our drinks.
"Thank you." Maya smiles brightly at the woman as she slides her martini onto the table.
I wait until she's walked away before I sample the drink. It's not as thirst quenching as the aged whiskey I had earlier, but it's a decent martini. "I should have given you my direct line the other day."
"I don't mind talking to your assistant." She takes a sip of her drink and swallows slowly. "She's a lovely woman."
She is. I value everyone who works for me. Their paychecks and benefit packages reflect that.
"I have a question for you."
She leans her elbow on the table. "I'm all ears."
No, she's not. She's all lush curves and soft skin. She's full lips and perfumed perfection. I shift in my chair trying to edge away from the desire that is causing my cock to swell.
"Why did you choose real estate as a career?"
She takes another drink before she considers her answer. I watch her long eyelashes bat as she surveys the room. "I knew early on that I was great at selling things. First, it was clothing, then cars and finally, after college, homes."
"You're a born salesperson?" I question with a grin.
"Something like that." She laughs. "I understand how to make people comfortable in their decision to make a purchase. That's essentially what real estate is. I'm there to hold their hand and lead them in the right direction."
I look down at her hand. Her fingernails are manicured and painted a soft pink. A watch is covering her wrist again. I instantly wonder about that tattoo I caught a glimpse of the other night.
"Why are you in the hotel business?"
"I inherited it," I answer honestly. "My grandfather founded Bishop Hotels. My father followed the same career path as you, so that left me to take over where my grandfather left off."
"It was a small operation when you took over." She tips her martini glass toward me. "You've taken it internationally."
I smile. I like that she knows that. She's done her research.
"I did," I say simply.
The silence that follows is punctuated with only the beating of my heart. I stare at her across the table as her gaze stays locked on mine. I'd envisioned a night like this every time she crossed my mind, yet now, that it's happening I'm restrained because of her commitment to Warton Jr.
"How serious are things between you and Charlie?" The question comes out because the need to know is too strong.
"Charlie?" She parrots his name back to me and fuck if it doesn't make me hate the name. I don't want to hear her say it. I don't want her to say any man's name but mine.
"You were having dinner with his parents the other night. I may be rusty on dating etiquette, but I remember that being the sign of something serious."
"It's not like that." She sighs heavily. "There's nothing serious between us. We haven't even…"
Kissed? Fucked? What?
"Charlie and I are friends," she qualifies. "We've been on a few dates."
"If Charlie and you weren't friends, would you have dinner with me?"
She flicks her tongue over her bottom lip. "A dinner that didn't include business?"
"A date," I say clearly. "If Charlie was no longer in the picture, would you agree to go on a date with me, Maya?"
She shakes her head. "No, I wouldn't."
