“But Bernardo’s is so small…”
I nodded. “I know. It was my venture to see if I wanted to do this anymore. And as it turns out, I do. But in a bigger building. And only one location, in Portland.”
I cleared my throat and leaned in to kiss his cheek. “There’s something about you that calls to me, Nick. If the money is a problem, we’ll do the new building, and I’ll donate the biggest part of it. Start over with you.”
Nick’s brows crept toward his hairline. “You mean you have the cash to pay for a new restaurant, with more left over?”
I nodded. “Yeah, that’s exactly what I mean. Two years ago, I sold my eight restaurants for seventy-five million dollars. I’ve set aside fifteen-million for a complete start-up for the new one, and then there’s Bernardo’s. It’s doing really well, considering its size.”
He got up and paced the floor, then looked out the window.
I gave him some space before I needed to ask questions of my own. “What’s wrong?”
Nick turned back to me. “People are going to think we’re together because of the money.”
I stood and walked to him, taking him in my arms. “I give not one fuck about what anyone thinks about us. We started our relationship before you knew about any of this. Your opinion is the only one I care about. Money is just something I have. It’s not who I am. I brought you here for the history and architecture of this hotel, not to flaunt anything. Please don’t let the money be an issue between us.”
He swallowed and looked me in the eye, then nodded. “Okay. I’ll try.”
I hugged him to me, and he released a nervous laugh. “I’m just Preston, baby. The same asshole who dumped all his feelings on you in a beer-induced ramble.”
His laughter settled my nerves. “Yeah, okay,” he breathed. “Show me New York,just Preston.”
“Smartass.” I smiled and took his face in my hands and kissed the fuck out of him, our tongues sliding together and exploring the growing feelings between us.
The knock on the door had me pulling back before I was ready. I kissed his forehead and walked to the door.
The bellman set our bags inside the room and I tipped him generously. “Thank you, sir.”
“Thank you,” I replied, then closed the door. I put the bags just inside the alcove to the bathroom where the closet was located.
Reaching into my carry-on, I took out the iPad and a phone charger. Striding back into the bedroom, I found Nick splayed out on his back on the bed, his eyes closed and a contented smile on his face. I placed the iPad and charger on the ottoman and made my way to him.
I gently sat on the bed as not to disturb him.
“I’m not asleep,” he murmured, then opened his eyes. “Just trying the bed out.”
We’d slept together in the same bed, but we’d yet to consummate our relationship.
“How is it?” I asked, my voice huskier than I realized.
He smiled. “It’s perfect.”
I leaned back on my forearm and ran my finger along his jaw. I wasn’t sure if he was telling me it was perfect for us to make love in, or it was perfect for sleeping. But it didn’t matter. It would happen when it was supposed to. And when we started, there would be no going back.
“Feel like exploring some?”
His eyes lit up, and then he was off the bed. “Yes, just let me change my shoes and get my heavier coat.”
His enthusiasm was infectious, and I waited for his reaction to the bathroom. I could see us traveling the world, taking in museums, art installations, and the architectural wonders of the world.
“Holy fuck. Is that real gold?” he yelled from the bathroom.
“Yes,” I said from my position on the bed. “24 carat gold plated. Just for you.”
He laughed. “Yeah, okay.”
When he came back into the room a few minutes later, he was wearing his wool coat and winter boots. “Let’s go, babe. The city awaits.”
