Eloise

I opened the door to my apartment with a smile on my face. The evening went well and I enjoyed spending it with Christian. The more I opened up to him about my life, the more comfortable I felt. He was easy to talk to and I was pretty excited about the Chicago trip. But I was also nervous. What I was nervous about, I wasn’t sure. Again, he kept the evening strictly professional. I admired him for that because he seemed to respect my boundaries. There was no flirting and no attempt of a kiss.

As I was packing my suitcase, my phone dinged with a text message from Mobile Man.

“Hi. Is your business dinner over?”

“Hi. Yes. I’m just packing for my trip tomorrow. You’re home from your date already?”

“Yes. I have an early meeting tomorrow.”

“And? How did it go?”

“It went great. I couldn’t have asked for a better night or a better person to spend it with. Tell me how your business dinner went.”

“It went well. I had a good time.”

“This meeting wasn’t with that guy you were telling me about, was it? The one you’re doing some freelance work for?”

“As a matter of fact, it was.” I sent the sad face emoji.

“Why the sad face?”

“Because it’s getting harder not to fall for him. I know what you’re going to say, so please don’t.”

“Okay. I won’t. You need to do what’s right for you, Digits. But just let things happen naturally. If you’re meant to be with this guy, then you can’t fight it. You can’t fight fate.”

“You believe in fate, Mobile Man?”

“I do. Just like it was fate that you sent me that very first text. Now look at us. This guy was put in your life for a reason, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to see what that reason is.”

“It’s getting late and I have to finish packing and get some sleep. Catch ya later?”

“Catch ya later, Digits. Good night and have a safe trip.”

“Good night, Mobile Man. Thank you!”

****

“First class?” I arched my brow at Christian.

“It’s the only way to fly.” He smirked.

Shortly after the plane took off, and while Christian and I were eating our breakfast, a woman walked over to our seats.

“Excuse me. You’re Eloise, aren’t you?” She smiled.

“I am.”

“Oh my God. I told my friend it was you. I’m Katherine and I’m a huge fan.” She held out her hand in excitement.

“It’s nice to meet you, Katherine.”

“I just love your blog and that video you posted yesterday on ghosting was phenomenal. I recently went through it and it was devastating. But after watching your video, I can’t even tell you how much better and more confident I feel. Thank you.” Tears sprang to her eyes.

“Katherine, that’s so sweet. Thank you.”

“Please tell me you’re going to do more videos.”

“I am. In fact, I’m going to edit one after breakfast and hopefully get it up today.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” She grinned. “Are you with him?” she asked as she pointed to Christian.

“Yes. I’m doing some freelance work for his advertising agency.”

“Oh. So you’re not—” She wiggled her finger back and forth.

“Dating? No.” I smiled.

“He’s so hot,” she mouthed and gave me a wink. “I can’t wait to tell everyone I met you. I’ll leave you to your breakfast so you can hurry up and get that video posted.”

I gave her a smile, and when she walked away, Christian glanced over at me.

“Looks like you’re a celebrity.”

“Pfft.” I waved my hand in front of my face.

He let out a chuckle and continued eating his breakfast.

We arrived in Chicago, and by time we got to the Sofitel Hotel, it was ten thirty.

“Why did we get here so early if check-in isn’t until three o’clock and we aren’t meeting the people from Chanel until tonight?” I asked with curiosity.

“Why not? Don’t you want to explore Chicago?” Christian smiled.

“Of course.”

The man behind the lobby desk clicked away at his computer and looked at Christian.

“Actually, Mr. Blake. Your rooms are ready now if you’d like to take your luggage up. You’re in rooms 3212 and 3213.”

“Perfect.” Christian smiled.

We took the elevator up to the thirty-second floor. Once we arrived at our rooms, Christian stopped in front of the door and looked at me.

“Which room do you want?”

“I don’t care. Which one do you want?”

“It doesn’t matter to me. Both rooms are the same.”

“I have an idea.” I smiled. “Hold the key cards out in front of you.”

I placed my hand over my eyes and took one from his hands.

“Looks like I’m in room 3213,” I spoke as I inserted the card into the lock and opened the door. “Let me freshen up and then we can hit the streets of Chicago.”

“Sounds good. Just knock on the adjoining door when you’re ready.”

I entered my room and looked around as I set my bags on the king size bed. The décor was very urban chic with a beige and red theme. I stood in front of the window and took in the amazing city view. Pulling my phone from my purse, I sent Mobile Man a picture.

“Room view. What do you think?”

“I think it’s beautiful. Have a good time while you’re there and don’t sweat the small stuff, Digits.”

“Thanks, Mobile Man. I won’t. We’re getting ready to hit the streets and explore Chicago. Catch ya later?”

“Catch ya later.”

I unpacked my makeup bag and took it into the bathroom to freshen up. Once I was done, I knocked on the adjoining door to our rooms. Christian opened it with a smile on his face and my knees went weak.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

“Are you?” I smirked.

“I’m always ready.” His cunning smile sent butterflies down below.

We left the hotel and started along the Magnificent Mile. It was a beautiful fall day. Not too warm and not too cool. Just a perfect seventy-one degrees without a cloud in the sky.

“We need to stop in Bloomingdale’s,” Christian spoke.

“I like Bloomingdale’s.” I smiled. “Is there something specific you need to get?”

“Some more cologne. In fact, I’m thinking you should pick some up too.”

Shit. His cologne drove me insane as it was. He always smelled like he just stepped out of men’s magazine.

“I don’t need any perfume,” I spoke.

“I don’t either, but if we’re doing a shoot for Chanel, I think it would be a good idea to purchase their cologne/perfume and wear it.”

“Ah.” I nodded. “I get what you’re saying. Wear the scent and get inspired.”

“Yes.” He gave me a wink.

We stepped into Bloomingdale’s and headed towards the Chanel counter.

“May I help you?” The older and attractive woman behind the counter asked with a smile as she looked at Christian.

“I’m interested in Chanel cologne for men.” He graciously smiled back and I rolled my eyes.

She grabbed two different bottles from the display and set them in front of us.

“These are our most popular.”

Christian picked up the bottle labeled Allure Homme Sport and I picked up the bottle of Bleu de Chanel.

“What do you think?” he asked as he held the bottle of Allure up to my nose.

“That one is nice, but so is this one.”

“Hmm. That smells bold,” he spoke.

“The question is which one does your girlfriend like better?” The sales woman smiled.

“I’m not his girlfriend. We work together, so it doesn’t matter which one I like.”

“I think it does.” Christian smirked at me in a flirtatious way.

I tightened my legs to stop the fierce ache that resided inside me. The ache that only he could satisfy. Shit. I hated this and I hated him for doing it to me.

“If I were you, I would go with Bleu de Chanel. You seem like a bold man and you should be wearing a bold fragrance.” The sales woman grinned.

“Okay. I’ll take it.”

I sighed as I walked over to the women’s perfume and picked up each bottle and smelled the wonderful fragrance that came from each of them.

“Find one you like?” Christian asked as he walked over to me.

“I like Chanel Chance.” I smiled as I held my wrist up to him.

“Very sexy. And I don’t just mean the scent.” He smirked.

A heat rose in my body. All these perfume smells were creating a sexual tension between us that terrified me. I swallowed hard as I stared into his eyes.

“Thank you.”

“No need to thank me when I’m only telling the truth.” He winked.

His winks had to stop. My body couldn’t take it anymore. I wanted sex. I needed sex. I already knew how sex with him was and I wanted it again. Damn it! I was horny and I knew it was going to get me into trouble.