Maya

 

 

"If anyone else came to me with this deal in hand, I'd scream at them." Anne looks up from the stack of papers I gave her just now.

It's the contract I signed with Bishop. I gave it to Anne two days ago when Bishop's legal team sent it to me via courier. She perused it before handing it over to Lillian, the head of legal at Carvel Properties. She went over it carefully at the same time, my personal lawyer, Zoe Beck, did.

It got everyone's approval so I signed on the dotted line an hour ago. I had a copy made for Anne for her records. Zoe is holding onto my signed copy.

"You know that I'm going to sell that penthouse," I try to sound more confident than I feel. I'm fully aware of the mountain that I'm facing. The penthouse is priced high and the list of buyers willing to part with more than twenty million dollars is short and tapped out at this point.

We hit most of our overseas contacts up just six weeks ago when Dax was desperate for a buyer for a luxury condo he'd been trying to sell for more than three months.

My listing will appeal to more of our high end clients simply because they are buying a piece of New York history. Bishop is offering a full floor penthouse with panoramic views of the entire city and beyond. That alone isn't history making but the fact that it's the first ever Bishop Hotel residence to be sold is. I'm going to play up that fact because many wealthy buyers want to lay claim to something that no one has before them.

"We need to schedule a broker's open house." Anne grabs her cell phone from her desk. "I'm thinking Thursday night."

"I'm already on it." I laugh. "Jen is handling the caterer and the flowers. I've got Dan working on the e-invites for that. I'm narrowed the list down to the brokers I know have contacts who would be interested in a residence inside of a hotel. My list is just over one hundred at this point."

"Maya." Anne pivots on her heel to face me. "What the hell? You're way ahead of me on this."

I have to be. The clock is officially ticking on my thirty day trial period. I had my new assistant, Jen, working on the broker open house an hour after I hired her. That happened the afternoon of my meeting with Julian.

Jen worked as a rental agent here at Carvel when I did. She left after the birth of her first child and when we met for our regular monthly lunch three weeks ago she expressed an interest in getting back into the workforce part time. I called her to offer her a job after I left Julian's office.

I'm borrowing Anne's assistant to help me with the e-invites because she offered his services if I ever needed them. I'll gift him with a bottle of wine to thank him for pitching in.

This listing is costing me a pretty penny, but I have enough in my business account to cover the expenses and I have an accountant who works financial magic like a wizard. In real estate, you definitely have to spend money to make money in order to get ahead.

"I'm heading over to the hotel now to do a walk through and get a feel for the space. Do you want to come with me?" I offer because it's the right thing to do. I want and need Anne's help with this, even though it's my listing.

"I can't." She looks up at the large circular clock hanging on her office wall. "I have a meeting in thirty."

Even though I saw the penthouse just a few days ago, I want to revisit to get a better feeling for the space. Julian had his assistant take me over to it after our meeting. He said he would have liked to have given me the grand tour himself, but he had a pressing matter to deal with.

I didn't mind. I needed the time to catch my breath after witnessing that kiss between him and Isadora. He didn't seem like a willing participant but it still shook me to see the two of them in a lip lock after he'd confessed just the night before that they'd broken up.

"You're going to make me proud, Maya." Anne pulls me into a quick embrace. "You remind me of myself at your age."

I smile at that. I know I'll make her proud. I have every intention of selling that penthouse before the deadline. I have exactly thirty days to make it happen.

 

***

 

"I didn't expect to see you here, Julian."

He turns instantly from where he's standing facing the wall of windows that overlooks west Manhattan and the now setting sun. His gaze rakes me from head-to-toe.

I'm dressed in a black pinstriped pencil skirt and a yellow blouse. I pinned my hair up today. His eyes linger on my neck.

He looks dashing in his navy blue three-piece suit and white shirt. A week ago I would have told him how handsome he is, but now that feels out of place. I've already decided that the harmless flirting that took place at the launch party and the restaurant has to stop.

Not only is he my client, but he's in the middle of a break up, or maybe it's a non-break up, with Isadora. Getting involved with him would spell trouble for me and my career.

"I could say the same for you, Maya." His voice is gruff and deep. I could seriously get off just hearing the man talk dirty to me.

So much for keeping my mind on business.

"I'm officially on board to sell this space." I smile as I survey the tastefully decorated living room. "I need to get to know every inch of it."

"Every inch," he repeats in little more than a whisper as he tilts his head to the left to study me. "I received the signed contract before I left my office. I think we should celebrate."

I turn to look toward the chef's kitchen. "I think any and all celebrations should take place once the penthouse is sold."

I can hear and sense him moving behind me. "You just landed the biggest listing of your career. Surely a drink is in order."

I turn quickly to face him. The toes of his shoes are almost touching mine. The man smells incredible. His body is close enough that a single small movement of my hand and I'd feel the muscle of his bicep. "I don't think that's a good idea, Julian."

His full lips ease into a smile. "I beg to differ, Maya."

Jesus, he's gorgeous. This is exactly my type. Everything about him is my type including his ability to make me wet just from his mere presence. 

"I don't think it's wise."

"Why not?" He steps even closer, closing the small gap that was between us.

The air in the vast space feels instantly thick and threaded with need. I tell myself to take a step back but my black stilettos stay firmly planted on the area rug beneath them.

"We work together," I say softly. "You have a girlfriend."

He reaches forward to adjust the collar of my blouse. I don't move. My breath stops as my heart stutters. "I don't have a girlfriend, but you have a Charlie."

I don't have a Charlie. I haven't spoken to him since the dinner at the restaurant with his dad and stepmom. Charlie ushered me into a taxi on the street that night because he had to stay to discuss something with his father. I didn’t complain. I was happy to ride home alone.

I've been meaning to talk to him but between meeting with his dad's attorney regarding the listing of Charles and Hazel's apartment and the excitement surrounding this contract with Bishop Hotels, my time hasn't been my own. 

"I'm not asking you out on a date, Maya," he clarifies as his breath skips over my cheek. "This is strictly a drink between business associates. Nothing more."

Nothing more.

I want more.

I ignore the temptation to say that. "Just a drink?"

"One drink," he whispers. "We'll toast to your impending success."

I know how important it is to keep a client happy. I wouldn't hesitate if any other client invited me out for a drink. "One drink it is."

He looks down at the large silver watch on his wrist. "I'll leave you here to get better acquainted with the space. I'll meet you downstairs in the hotel bar in an hour."

"An hour," I repeat back. "I'll see you then, Julian."

Unable to take my gaze off of him, I watch as he turns and walks to the corridor that leads to the private elevator.

I suck in a deep, audible breath once I'm sure he's out of earshot.

I signed the biggest contract of my career and I'm having a drink with Julian Bishop. This is quickly becoming one of the best days of my life.