Over the next hour, we throw out a few ideas, figuring out how we’ll appease the planning board and our client at the same time.
A noise outside my door has my head perking up in alert.
It’s almost midnight; it’s not unusual for employees to pull all-nighters when we’re on a deadline, but I just took a late-night conference call with Seb and The Valencia Hotel Group—the Moraleses’ hotel chain Javier built from the ground up—and paced the floors as I listened.
I had only seen a few people who wouldn’t be up on my floor.
A shadow creeps along the frosted glass, pacing back and forth.
My curiosity spikes.
I switch on the security camera for the hallway, and to my surprise, my screen fills with a perfect view of the sweetest ass I’ve ever seen.
“You still there?”
“I’m still here,” I call out to Amara, who’s been on speakerphone. “Just…checking something out.”
I creep around my office door, and I see the most beautiful girl in the world bent over picking up papers she dropped.
“Now this is a sight to behold.” Maddie snaps up, eyes wide as I lean down and collect the papers that are scattered all over the place.
“I’m sorry,” she blurts, frantically trying to help. “The printer by me wasn’t working, so I had to use this one.”
“What are you doing here so late, and alone?”
She looks up and narrows her eyes. “You’re here alone.”
“That’s different.”
She drops the stack, planting her hands on her hips. “Why? Because I’m a girl and can’t take care of myself? Newsflash, I’ve taken self-defense classes. I could drop someone twice my size.”
God, she’s sexy when she’s defiant.
I bite back my grin. “There she is. My cherry bomb.” I pick up the rest of the papers and stand holding out my hand to help her up. “I’ve been waiting to see her resurface. And for the record, I said it’s different because I have direct access to all the security cameras, and the security team has my personal line in case of an emergency.”
“Oh.”
“Seriously, Mads. Are you alone, or are others here?”
“Just me. But I’m leaving now.”
“Wait five minutes. I’ll take you home.”
She takes a step back. “I’m good.”
I grab her hand so she can’t flee and don’t miss the goose bumps that match mine scattering across her skin. “Don’t fight me.”
My stubborn girl.
I don’t give her a second to object; instead, I hold on tight and guide her back into my office.
“Hey, sorry. I’m back and have a special guest,” I call out to Amara.
“Mmm, past midnight in the office sounds like you’re about to have some fun.”
Maddie’s body goes rigid in my arms, and it’s these fleeting moments that tell me she still cares.
I raise a suggestive brow to Maddie and waggle slightly, causing a slight flush to creep into her cheeks.
