He furrows his brow. "I'm not sending you anywhere and I might keep the skirt too to make certain that you never give another peep show to the random men of Manhattan on windy days."
"You're not sending me home?"
"I want you to spend the night." He tugs me closer to him. "Sleep in my arms, fuck me in the shower tomorrow, let me make you breakfast."
"I want to do all of that." I nuzzle my cheek into his chest. "I won't go anywhere."
"Good." He rests his chin on the top of my head. "I want you to sleep, Maya. Close your eyes and dream about me."
"I do that every night," I say softly. "I have for years."
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Maya
This is it.I'm showing the penthouse to the Clarksons again. They are my last hope.
When I showed it to Simon the other day, there was no excitement in his eyes. He walked through the space sullenly, not asking any additional questions. He left in a hurry, and I haven't heard anything from him or his representative, Todd, since then.
I hear the ding of the elevator and I smooth my hands over the blue dress I'm wearing. It's a simple sheath dress. I've pulled my hair back into a tight ponytail, and I've applied the barest hint of makeup.
I did all of that while texting Julian this morning. As I was leaving his place yesterday morning, he told me that he'd be consumed with work for the next few days. I didn't take it as a brush off. I heard his phone ringing periodically through the night as I tried to sleep.
He's opening a new hotel in Paris soon and with everything else he's trying to juggle, that has to put even more stress on him.
Isadora might be part of every decision he makes right now, but she's not the one who spent the night with him. I am. I feel more confident in his feelings for me after the intimacy we shared.
"Maya," Irene Clarkson approaches me as they round the corridor and enter the main living space. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you." I step toward her when I sense that she's coming in for an embrace. She does. "You look rested and well, Irene. Tom's been treating you extra well?"
Tom leans forward to kiss my cheek softly. "I treasure this woman. I make every single day as special as I can."
This is what I want with Julian. I'm falling in love with him. I haven't admitted that to anyone yet, but my heart is screaming it constantly. It's much too soon to tell him, so I'll hold onto the feeling myself until the time is right to share it.
"How's Julian?" Irene bumps her shoulder against mine. "He's a handsome fellow, Maya. I think he runs a close second to Tom."
I smile at her. "Julian is well. He's caught up in work but that's what happens when you run one of the premier hotel chains in the country."
"Speaking of that." Tom wraps his arm around Irene's shoulders. "We have to thank him for the spa day and dinner at Axel. What a treat that was. The man certainly knows how to treat his guests."
And his lovers.
I'm still nursing a tender ache in virtually every one of my muscles after our marathon night. Once I finally did fall asleep, I woke to the wet heat of Julian's tongue on my nipple. He licked me to an early morning orgasm before he took me in the shower from behind.
I left his apartment more satisfied than I've ever felt and more sure of his devotion to me.
"If all goes well, maybe we can meet him for a drink." I wink.
"We love this place." Irene looks toward the bank of windows directly in front of us. "We've worked hard for a retirement that includes a place just like this."
Those words are music to my ears.
I sweep my arm in the air. "I want you both to take your time and look around. I've arranged lunch to be delivered on the terrace for you so you can get a feel for that. Cut a rug here in the main room if you'd like. Just see if this place connects with the two of you and your vision for the future."
Irene's eyes well with tears. "You are a dear. It's a big decision. We want to be sure."
"As you should be." I squeeze her hand. "I'm going to be in the office down the hall doing a bit of work. If you have any questions or you need to hear a little Sinatra, let me know."
