“But you work for Hudson International.” She uttered the name like it was a dream. “I would kill to work there…Did you ever meet Dante Hudson?”
“No.” I held back a sigh. “He’s way too busy to meet any of the thousands of agents who work under his banner.”
“I bet, but if you ever had the chance—” She was still in La-La-Land. “Do you think he’d be as sexy as he is on the magazine covers?”
Sexier…
“I want to put in an offer on this condo.” I needed to stay away from that subject. “It’s perfect for me and my friend to rent for at least two years.”
“Oh, wow. Perfect!” She pointed to the windows. “I’m sure this view of Central Park will inspire you every morning. This place almost looks like a luxury Hudson International place, huh?”
I didn’t answer that.
“I’m ready to sign off on the application,” I said. “Unless you want me to look at another unit.”
“This is your life—not mine, Miss Sterling.” She beamed. “I’ll email you everything tonight, and then I’ll call you as soon as I hear back from the listing company.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you want me to give you a ride back to your hotel?”
“No, it’s only a couple blocks,” I said, not wanting to risk her uttering Dante’s name. “I’ll happily walk.”
Two days later, I pulled out the Chanel dress I’d worn to the gala and sighed.
As I ran my hands over the fabric, I couldn’t help but remember Dante fucking me inside the dome, but my heart ached at the realization that it would never happen again.
That all he’d been to me was wasted time…
I crumpled it into a garment bag and stuffed it at the bottom of my suitcase.
I recounted my boxes and decided that I needed to order ten more.
As I was sending a request to the front desk, a knock sounded at my door.
“One second, please!” I called out. “I’m almost done!”
The knock sounded again, and I sighed.
I walked over to the door, ready to beg the manager for a late checkout, but it wasn’t her.
Dante…
Looking slightly disheveled, the dark gray hoodie and jeans he was wearing made him look like a normal human instead of a perfectly coiffed billionaire.
I stared at him, feeling a mix of anger and pain assault my chest all at once.
“Hello, Chloe,” he said.
I didn’t respond.
“You gave up an endless reservation at The Four Seasons to stay here?”
“I didn’t want to risk you showing up to see…”
“Well, you obviously failed at that.” He let out a breath. “I’ve been looking for you, and there’s a lot I need to say, so you should invite me inside.”
“I’ll pass.” I shook my head. “Save whatever it is, and leave me alone.”
