Chapter Twenty-Seven

By Wednesday, Konrad was on a fucking cloud. That was the only way to express it. It must have been the same cloud Fabian had been on. Now Konrad didn’t blame the poor bastard. He understood it, and he couldn’t wait to be with Scottie again. He wanted to tell her things he’d never told anyone, to find out everything about her.

“You’ve got this goofy look in your eyes, Kon. What’s the deal?” asked Dallas, breaking Konrad’s daydream. The reality was, they were in Dallas’s office at Halman Hotel, waiting on a conference call with Jacob Moreau.

“Have you ever been in love?” Konrad felt like an idiot for asking. “And how fast does something like that happen? Shouldn’t it take years?”

Dallas sat back in his executive chair, his brown eyes narrowed. “What’s wrong with you?”

Konrad sighed. “I don’t know.”

“Is it your temp?”

She wasn’t just his temp anymore. He grinned, looking down at the hotel specs printout.

“No shit!” Dallas dropped his hand on the desk, getting Konrad’s attention. “You’re in love with your temp.”

“Yes. I don’t know. Maybe.” Fuck. He was in love. He absolutely was. “How do you know if you are?”

“You start acting like Fabian.” Dallas chuckled. “And, it looks like you’re there, my friend.”

“But I’ve only known her ten days. Is it even possible? I mean, I’ve had women on rotation for six months and never felt anything like this for them.”

“Well, I guess it’s because you were just fucking ’em.” Dallas didn’t candy-coat anything, which is what Konrad liked about him. “I mean, just using them. You know what I’m saying.”

“Eloquent as ever, Mr. Halman.” He sighed. He was not just fucking Scottie. He didn’t fuck her. He made love to her, which, as it turned out, was a whole different, more satisfying experience entirely. “I’m not using her, and she’s not using me.”

“Is she your … girlfriend?” Dallas said with hesitation. It seemed weird coming from his lips. Konrad had never thought someone would ask him that question.

He’d also never thought he’d say he was in love. But here he was. “I want her to be.”

“Damn. Well, that’s a first.” Dallas shook his head in disbelief.

“I can’t really do anything about it right now though. Not while she’s my temp.” How would they get around it? He couldn’t request another temp. That would seem as if Scottie was unsuitable. And she wouldn’t let him hire her, which probably was for the best. She’d have to get a job elsewhere. “Are you hiring?”

Dallas laughed but stopped when he realized Konrad was dead serious. “In corporate? I’m not sure. Wait … are you seriously asking me?”

Konrad leaned back in his chair. “Not really. It would be so much better if she had a permanent job somewhere.”

“Though, does she really need one?” Dallas glanced at his screen following an email notification. “How serious are you about her?”

“I think fairly to moderately.” Konrad shook his head. “No, more. Severely serious.”

“Well, just move her into your place.”

Konrad had already thought of that, but he didn’t think it was the time to ask. Something told him she would reject the idea, which he admired. Most women he’d bedded would jump at the chance to be the queen of his penthouse.

The phone rang before Konrad could answer. It was Jacob. Konrad put on his business hat and focused on the hotel he intended to buy. However, the idea of Scottie living in his penthouse didn’t leave his mind once.

****

Konrad stayed at Halman Hotel for the rest of Wednesday, discussing the new boutique hotel. He’d felt good about the purchase. They’d agreed to go to Dallas the next day to discuss terms and meet with Jacob’s team. A whole day without seeing Scottie would be torture. Because of that, he’d planned a romantic evening as soon as he left Halman.

He took out his phone to send a text.

Me: Schatzi—I’ll not be back to the office. But, I’m picking you up at eight tonight for the best night of your life. Thoughts?

Immediately, she responded.

Scottie: You know my thoughts.

He smiled. If she only knew his.

Me: I do.

Scottie: See you at eight.

“What are you smiling at?” Dallas walked over from his mini bar, two glasses of scotch in each hand.

“Scottie.” Konrad took the glass.

“My God. You are in love.” He shook his head and drank. “Damn love is taking my friends.”

Konrad laughed. “You’re next, Dallas. I can feel it.”

“Nah. I’ll say Tylund is. I swear he and Mel act like an old married couple.”

Konrad shook his head. “No. It’s you. You’re next. I’d bet my Mercedes on it.”

“Hmmm. I’ll take that bet. I need to add a Mercedes to my collection.”

“And if you lose? What do I get?” Konrad took a sip, savoring it.

“To keep your Mercedes.”

“That’s not fair!” Konrad laughed. “You have to give something up.”

Dallas thought a moment, setting down his glass. “I tell you what. If I lose, I’ll let you buy me out on the hotel.”

“That’s a big wager, Dallas.” Konrad didn’t think Dallas could be serious.

“Love is a big wager.”

Indeed.