ONE
Three months earlier
Emilia
“MIA, YOU SO HAVE THIS promotion locked!” my friend and assistant, Desiree, whispered in my ear.
“Nothing is ever locked, Des. I’ve learned not to get my hopes up, and you should do the same.” I raised an eyebrow and shook my head at her scowl.
“There is not a thing Prada can complain about tonight. We hosted the largest event ever in Thompson Hotel history without a hitch. Hell, I just passed Will Smith by the bar. If she doesn’t make you head of event services, she’s lost her mind.”
My boss’s name was Paula, but she’d earned the unofficial nickname of “Prada,” short for the movie title The Devil Wears Prada. Her appearance and demeanor struck an uncanny resemblance to Ms. Miranda Priestly herself. She even had the same severe haircut. When I came here two years ago, Thompson had the air of being one of Manhattan’s fancier hotels, yet nothing came through the marble-covered lobby other than business conferences. It was my idea to revamp our social media page and website to cater more toward parties and recreational events.
I was met with a hell of a lot of resistance at first, but as inquiries trickled in, our reputation started to shift, and the dollars flowed in. Even before tonight’s engagement party for Senator Stark’s daughter, we’d been booked solid for the past two months. I was never given one iota of credit, but I didn’t need a nod of validation from Paula’s botoxed head to know I was doing a good job. The promotion with a pay increase—that I would gladly take and run. But I made sure not to let myself get carried away with that possibility.
“She can do whatever she wants. Owners have that privilege. It’s a great event, and you guys did a beautiful job. I’ll do a quick walk-through now that everyone is busy with dessert.”
“Okay, fine.” Desiree crossed her arms. “But if you don’t ask for that promotion tonight, I will pull every platinum blonde strand of hair out of your head.”
I laughed and elbowed her side. “Go celebrity watch. Judging by the number of bodyguards scattered all over the place, I’m sure you can find some more.”
“You know . . .” She tapped her chin as her eyes darted back and forth around the room. “I should do a walk-through, too. See you later, boss.” She scurried away, and I strolled right behind her.
Straightening my black blazer over my pencil skirt, I made my way through the still crowded room. I nodded hellos to staff and guests the senator introduced me to earlier this evening. My sore feet ached in my black pumps and the empty seat at the bar in the back of the room called to me like a siren. I considered taking a five-minute rest before I was pushed forward and almost fell onto the floor.
“Oh, God. I’m so sorry—” A smooth, baritone voice pleaded after he caught my arm.
“It’s no problem.” I righted myself as I met his gaze.
A lot of good-looking men passed through our doors, but this one was so gorgeous I wasn’t even sure he was human. Golden eyes locked on mine as he clutched my arm. The short black curls on his head and trimmed scruff on his jaw contradicted the expensive black suit he wore. The entire package was hot as hell, but this was a work event, not a club. I’d never do anything inappropriate with any of our guests, yet a parade of bad things marched through my mind as his tongue traced his bottom lip. I inhaled a long breath and found the most professional voice I could manage.
I squeezed his other arm and stepped out of his hold. “Enjoy the rest of the night.” I offered a smile before I sauntered away.
I slid my hand to the back of my neck and attempted to squeeze the tension away. Shake it off, Mia. Geez. Maybe my friends were right and going this long without a date was starting to warp my brain. Yes, that had to be it. I couldn’t be that into a guy I met for less than five seconds. He was nice to look at, but so were the lily centerpieces on each table. Just something aesthetically pleasing in the room and nothing to be flustered over.
This wasn’t a great event; it was an awesome event. Will Smith wasn’t the only A-list actor in attendance, and I slipped my card into a few famous hands over the course of the evening about a return for another party. Things were finally happening. Three long years at Thompson Hotel and maybe, just maybe, head of event services was within my reach.
I couldn’t hide the twitch of a smile as I did my last lap around the room. I was hyperaware of a pair of sexy eyes tracking me. Since almost knocking me over, he seemed to be everywhere. I was so affected by his presence the last time I glanced his way, gooseflesh broke out on my neck. How was I still hot and bothered hours later? I’d been submerged in work for so long, I didn’t know how to flirt or even strike up a conversation anymore. It was pathetic and sad, but my professional life was doing so well tonight I resolved to worry about my nonexistent personal one later.
“Mia!” My face scrunched up at the shrill voice behind me.
“Hi, Pr . . . Paula.” Damn it, Desiree.
“This is not a bad party. Senator Stark seems impressed.” She pressed her glasses further up her nose as she pursed her lips at me. Paula had what we all referred to as “resting bitch face.” An unhappy scowl was her permanent expression. Even her bob length hair stood perfectly straight and away from her face as if it was afraid to annoy her, too.
“Thank you, Paula. Business has been great.” I took a deep breath and decided to go for it after all. “If I was head of event services, I have a ton of ideas that could bring in even more—”
She rolled her eyes and let out a bored sigh. “Your little party tonight went well. This is still my hotel, and I’ll decide what kind of business we bring in. Don’t get in over your head.”
“More than just this little party went well.” My voice raised before I could get a handle on it. My half-Italian temper was bubbling, but I tried to keep it check. “Our event billings doubled this year, and I think we can do even more. If I had that position—”
“There is no position.” Paula narrowed her eyes and cut me off again. “Not for you. You think posting on Facebook about booking an event at my hotel earns you a promotion?” She cackled and shook her head. My mouth fell open as her bony ass strutted away from me.
I uttered a sad chuckle as I moped away. All this time, all the twelve-hour days and weekends dedicated to this job; thinking about all I’d sacrificed made my stomach queasy. Don’t get in over my head? I had a double masters in Marketing and Hospitality. I knew exactly what I was doing. She wanted this place as pretentious and stuffy as she was. I never wanted her validation, but her dismissal infuriated me.
I found myself at the bar and fell into the empty seat. Paula frowned on us drinking during an event, but I was too angry to give a frog’s fat ass what she would say.
“Are you okay, Mia?”
“Yeah, Louie. I’m fine. I’m a moron, but fine. Could you pour me some brandy, please? The good stuff.”
“For you, only the best.” He dropped a napkin in front of me before scooping up a tumbler and filling it with the amber liquid I needed. I pulled the bobby pins out of my low bun and shook my hair out before Louie set the glass in front of me.
“You’re sure you’re all right, doll?” His gray brows pinched as he leaned his elbow onto the bar. Louie was the best. He was my personal fatherly therapist. We’d sit and chat after a late night event, and somehow he always made me feel better. Tonight, though, even his magic was useless. I’d hit a professional dead end, and now I had to figure out what to do about it.
“I’ll have what she’s having,” a buttery timbre noted from behind me. I craned my head and found Mr. Golden Eyes himself settling into the seat next to me.
Louie squinted at me, and I shrugged in response.
“One brandy coming up.” He looked at us and smirked.
“Brandy?” Golden Eyes furrowed his brow. “That’s surprising.”
“Why is that surprising?” My nose crinkled as I set down my glass.
“I don’t know. I would have guessed something sweet.” His mouth spread into a wide smile.
“Sorry to disappoint.” I swished the brandy around in the glass before I took another sip.
“Not disappointing at all. I like when people are unexpected.” He winked, and I was too pissed off to be affected by his mega-watt smile and bedroom eyes. Not too pissed off to notice, of course, but I wanted to be left alone. I rolled my eyes and shrugged.
His brow furrowed as he scooted closer to the bar. “Are you all right?”
“Fine,” I clipped. “Just a little tired of being tired. I’m overworked and frustrated and probably not the best company.” I shot him a sour glare.
“I feel you on that one.” His expression turned serious. “I have been traveling for two weeks straight. I was supposed to go home yesterday, but my boss sent me to this party tonight. The senator is a longtime client of ours, and I’m here for ‘representation.’” He uttered a sad chuckle and shook his head.
“Two weeks? That’s rough.”
“Tell me about it.” He picked up his drink and held it in front of me. “Let’s be tired and miserable together. I’m Derek.”
Despite myself, I let out a chuckle. “Mia.” I clinked his glass with mine.
For the next two hours, we talked about everything and nothing. I knew where he went to college, the name of his first pet. I filled him in on the best restaurants in the city—the ones I used to go to before I became a raging workaholic. His husky laugh and kind eyes made me forget my troubles for a little while. It was easy conversation—share, laugh, try not to stare at the gorgeous man, repeat. The tension pulsating across my shoulders when I first plopped into the barstool was gone. Well, maybe not gone. When he leaned in closer, and his woodsy cologne filled my senses, the tension still pulsed—just lower.
“So, Mia. Are you responsible for this party tonight? You seemed to be in the center of everything.”
“Yes, I was. Thanks, but it doesn’t matter.”
“Why doesn’t it matter?” Derek nodded across the room.
I exhaled and fought off the burn in my nose from unshed tears. “I was sure I’d get a promotion and just found out that not only didn’t I get it, but I probably never will. Nothing will ever happen for me here, and I have to figure out what to do about it.”
I tapped my glass on the bar to get Louie’s attention. I needed a few more pours before I headed home on the subway.
“You are beautiful and obviously smart.” He arched a brow. “I think you already know what you have to do.”
“And you know me so well from almost knocking me over and talking to me for a couple of hours?” I smarted as I raised a brow.
Derek laughed before turning toward me. “I . . . may have noticed you earlier and . . . watched you. I found it hard to take my eyes off you. And call me crazy, but I may have seen you notice me back.”
I narrowed my eyes, not wanting to acknowledge that he caught me.
“Mia, if you think this isn’t the place for you, go somewhere that is.” He shrugged. “Easier said than done, of course.”
“You’re right.” I dropped my head and nodded. “Endings and beginnings are hard, I suppose.” Louie, God love him, refilled my glass before I even had to ask. “So, enough about me. Why are you miserable and on the road?”
“I work for my family.” He rolled his eyes and inched closer. “Here is where you have it better than me. I can’t quit them completely. I have ideas, but get pushed aside a lot because I’m still the little cousin in their eyes. Doesn’t matter that I’m almost thirty and have a business degree. I suppose I’ll get there eventually. Just sucks to work so hard and not have anything to show for it.” Derek let out a deep sigh and took another sip. Watching his full lips wrap around the rim as he took a drink confused me. I never had a twinge of jealousy for a glass before.
“So maybe you and I are both at a crossroads.” I raised my newly-filled tumbler. “Let’s have another toast. Here’s to leaving it all behind and getting on to a better path, without bitchy bosses or overbearing relatives. Live for today.”
Derek laughed and shook his head. “I knew it.”
“Knew what?” I felt a little silly holding my glass midair for so long. Even that little rejection was too much for my battered ego today. I pulled my glass away, and Derek dropped his hand on my forearm. The simple touch set off a butterfly storm in my belly. Something about this guy was making me lose both my senses and faculties.
“You are beautiful and smart, with a little fire. I like that. And you’re right.” Derek lifted his glass. “Let’s toast. Live for today. Leave the shitty job, kiss the pretty girl.” He tapped my glass with his and I froze.
“Um, excuse me?” I looked around at the vacant ballroom. The only ones left were the cleaning staff. I crawled out of the throes of my pity party as the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I didn’t know even know his last name. I shouldn’t have had the overwhelming urge to delve my tongue into his mouth to see if he tasted as sweet as he looked.
“I said,” Derek feathered his hand down my cheek and grazed his thumb across my bottom lip. “Live for today. Leave the shitty job.” He inched closer as he cupped the back of my neck. “Kiss the pretty girl.”
His mouth sealed over mine, and I should have pushed him away. I shouldn’t have kissed him back or threaded my fingers through his hair. I definitely shouldn’t have forgotten where I was and sucked his bottom lip between both of mine. My heart drummed in my ears as I tilted my head to deepen the kiss. When Derek moaned into my mouth, realization of where I was—and what I was doing—barreled over me. I jerked back and looked up at his hooded eyes.
“Wow,” he whispered as we broke apart.
“I . . .” The room spun as I chased my breath. “Look, Derek, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have—”
He shook his head. “I’m not. I’m sick of doing everything for everyone else. Tonight, I want to do what I want. Be with who I want to be with.”
I rolled my eyes. “Seriously? You just met me.”
“Tell me you don’t feel a pull between us.”
But I wasn’t sure what we had was what you’d call a ‘pull.’ All-consuming lust? Sure, I’d agree with that. I knew exactly what he was suggesting. And the scary part was, I was totally considering it.
“Where are you from?” My eyes trailed his fingers as they drifted along his stubbled jaw and across his full bottom lip. I never had a one-night stand. And when I said never, I meant never ever. A drunken hookup with my ex over the holidays was the last male contact I had. Ashamed of hitting rock bottom, I’d forced myself to remain solo ever since.
A night with a beautiful stranger who couldn’t take his eyes off me? Why should I deny myself? I wouldn’t have to worry about the fallout as he was an out-of-town guest. Yes, I worked here and tomorrow’s walk of shame in my place of employment would be awkward, but not enough to deter me from the craziest thing I was about to do in my twenty-eight years.
He ran his tongue along his teeth as his eyes locked with mine. On anyone else, it would have been a gawky toothpaste commercial type of move. But when he did it, my panties almost evaporated. The air whooshed out of my lungs, and the breath I tried to inhale back was shaky. A cocky yet humble smile spread curved his mouth.
“California.”
Bingo. Far enough.
“Louie!” I gulped the rest of my drink and slammed it onto the bar harder than I intended. “Close us out!” I waved him over, and a laugh bubbled out of Derek’s broad—and probably ripped—chest.
“Where do you want to go?” Derek squeezed my hand.
“What floor is your room on?”