by Lola Darling
The meeting takes off from there. An hour and a half later, we have a plan. Two evenings before the gala, we’ll screen films that feature The Rexford, offering hors d’oeuvres from the posh new menu and vintage wines. The night before will be a 1920’s themed evening, complete with servers in period costume, a whiskey bar, and a throwback drink menu featuring cocktails served in the forbidden speakeasy. The gala will feature entrees from the historic menu.
I have pages of notes by the time we’re done, and a promise from the team to get to work on everything immediately. They all exit, heading back to their offices, and I’m left alone in the conference room. I take a minute to look out the windows and gather my composure.
I did it! My first big meeting, and the first time I’ve ever presented something like that. I just hope my ideas are what this place needs—and that Dominic will be proud of me. Excited to tell him about it, I head to his office and knock lightly on the door.
“Come in.”
“Guess what?” I practically bounce as I enter the room, I’m so full of energy, but an unfamiliar voice makes me stop.
“Well, aren’t you just a breath of fresh air?”
It’s not Dominic. It’s Alexander, kicked back in his brother’s chair with his feet on the desk. My excitement fades.
“I’m sorry,” I say, trying to keep my tone neutral. “I didn’t realize you were here.”
Alexander puts his hands behind his head and gives me a wolfish grin.
“Just waiting for the king,” he smirks. “You know how it goes. Then again, maybe you don’t. I can’t imagine anyone keeps you waiting.”
I collect myself. Alexander is an interloper, and Dom definitely doesn’t want him here. Still, I want to know what’s going on with him. “I can come back later,” I offer, and head back towards the door.
But I keep my steps slow enough that he has time to watch my ass as I retreat. I hate using myself as bait like this, but if my plan works, Dominic’s brother might tell me something I could use later.
“Why? Stay. Sit.” He gestures to a chair like he owns the place. Or at least, more than twenty percent. “Let’s chat. I have to admit, I’m curious about you.”
I find that hard to believe, but I play along in the hope of gathering information. “Really? Why?”
Xander gives me a knowing look. “Dominic is…different around you. I’d like to know more about the woman who managed to bring out the better side of my brother.”
Okay, I wasn’t expecting that. I take a seat. Truth be told, I’m curious about Xander, too.
I tilt my head to study him. He really is the opposite of his brother: relaxed where Dom is tense, charming while Dom stays cool at all times. I clear my throat and attempt to steer Xander’s interest away from me. “Dominic seems…complex.”
Xander breaks into a grin. “That’s just a nice way to say he’s a difficult asshole.” His words are light, as if he’s joking. But I can tell, he’s not. “You’re diplomatic, Juliet. I like that about you.”
“He’s not an asshole.” I find myself defending Dom. “He’s demanding. There’s a difference.”
“Is there?” He gives me a look. “We’ve had our disagreements, so let’s just say my perspective is—”
“Biased?”
He laughs. “Perhaps.” He reaches for the drink he has on the desk, a glass of something I’m betting isn’t iced tea. “You should have seen my grandfather fawn all over him. He was always the favorite.”
Now we’re getting somewhere. “That sounds rough, especially when you’re young. Is that why you went off racing in Europe?” I ask.
“No, sweetheart. That was for the beautiful women, like you.” He raises his glass in a flirtatious toast.
I smile and roll my eyes. “Come on.”
He shrugs. “It was something to do. I mean, it’s not like Dom would let me be a part of his empire here.”
I can hear the bitterness in his tone. Interesting. Dom feels like he’s had all the weight of responsibility fall on his shoulders, while Xander resents not having a chance to work at the top. It’s a shame they’ve never been able to find a balance together.
“It’s too bad you stayed away for so long. But now that you’re back, I hope you and Dominic can work things out,” I say honestly.
Xander doesn’t seem to absorb my words, nor their implications. “Do you have siblings, Juliet?”
“No. I always wished I did.”
He smiles at me, but there’s a hard glint in his eyes. “Then you wouldn’t understand.”
“Maybe not.” I take a chance, and add, “But I do understand that feeling second-best could be heartbreaking.”
There’s silence. Xander doesn’t acknowledge my comment at all. But when he swivels in the chair to pour another drink, I feel like he knows exactly what I’m saying.
“Dom likes to shut me out—always has, but I’m going to prove him wrong this time.” His face is determined when he turns back to me. He raises his glass. “Cheers to difficult assholes.”
But he’s not looking at me – his gaze is behind me, to someone in the office doorway.
I know even before turning who it is. Dominic stands there, hands in his pockets, looking pissed.
Guilt washes over me. Sure, I’m not doing anything wrong, but I can tell from the stormy look on his face that Dom thinks I’m fraternizing with the enemy.
“There’s a problem at the Paris hotel.” He gives Xander a sharp glare. “We’re leaving immediately.”
Alexander sets down his glass. He actually looks pleased. “Great. I’ll get my bag and—”
“Not you.” Dom dismisses him with a snort. “The last time you stepped foot in that hotel, you left ten thousand dollars worth of damage and a harassment lawsuit. I’ll be handling this alone. With you, Juliet.”
Wait, what? Did he just say…Paris?
“Go home and pack,” he adds, giving me a private smile. “Our flight leaves tonight.”
Chapter Eighteen
I barely have time to rush home and pack before a driver is at my door to take me to the airport, where Dominic’s private plane is waiting for us. I can’t believe it. My nerves are racing as I walk up the steps and into the plane’s luxurious cabin. I have no idea what to expect except that I’m going to Paris.
Paris!
Dominic is already waiting in the cabin.
“Welcome aboard.” He takes my bag with a smile and leads me to the rear of the plane. It’s truly incredible, with plush, recliner-looking chairs, polished wood accents, and glass-topped tables. Leather bench seats line the space beneath the windows. There’s a flat screen television, and beneath it, a…
“There’s a fireplace in the plane,” I say dumbly. It’s gas, I’m sure, but still. There’s a fireplace. Inside the plane!
“There’s one in the bedroom, too.” He opens the door at the back and I gasp. There’s a private room in there with a massive bed.
“This is definitely an upgrade,” I crack, nervous. “The last time I flew anywhere I was jammed in the middle of a row with some kid kicking the back of my seat for three hours straight.”
“You don’t have to worry about that here.”
Dom puts my bag down and pulls me in for a kiss. I melt into him, gripping his shirt as his palms trace my shoulders and down my arms.
“Do you have any idea what I’m going to do with you in Paris, Juliet?” His voice is a throaty whisper.
I shiver with anticipation.
“All the ways I’m going to fuck you…” he continues, sliding his hands down to grip my ass. “How much you’re going to love it, how you’re going to be begging me for more?” Gently, he palms my breast through my blouse, pebbling my nipple and making me gasp.
“Is that a promise?” I whisper, feeling light-headed.
“An absolute promise.”
There’s someone approaching down the aisle, but I can’t resist leaning up and murmuring in his ear. “I can’t wait to earn my Mil
e High Club badge.”
He grins. “I like how you think.”
The sound of someone clearing their throat breaks the moment. “Mr. Rexford? We’re ready.” It’s the flight attendant.
“Excellent.” Dom releases me. “Come then,” he tells me with a wink, “We’ll find our seats for takeoff.”
We get settled in the main cabin, although it’s like no airplane cabin I’ve ever been in. The chair is so wide, I can probably curl up and sleep in it. I buckle up, and try to ignore the butterflies in my stomach.
“Something wrong?” Dom asks.
I flush. “Planes…aren’t my thing. I’m fine once we reach altitude, but taking off rattles me.”
“Don’t worry. This pilot is one of the best. It’s very safe.”
“I know,” I say, trying to brush off my anxiety. “It’s just a stupid phobia.”
Dom takes my hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. I hold on tight, bracing myself. The engines rev up, getting louder as the seconds tick by.
“You really are scared?” He frowns.
“It’s nothing. Ignore me.” I gulp.
“Let’s see if we can’t distract you…” Dom pulls a blanket down and spreads it across both our laps. I’m confused, until his hand disappears under the blanket and caresses my thigh. By increments, he slides his hand higher, pushing up the hem of my skirt in the process.
I swallow hard. “I’ll need a lot of distraction.”
Dom laughs.
“I didn’t mean it like that!” I exclaim, but he just leans over and envelops my mouth in a firm kiss. I try to relax, but I’m completely aware of his hand still stroking upwards between my bare thighs. Dom gently nudges until I move my legs wider apart under the blanket. I catch my breath, now not sure whether my heart is racing in fear – or desire.
The plane starts to taxi down the runway and I grab his arm, feeling silly. But Dom’s fingers don’t stop. They trace from my inner thigh to the edge of my panties. I let my thighs part a little more, relaxing – until the hostess passes us. I tense up.
“All buckled in and set for takeoff?” she asks.
“Ready to go,” Dom answers, still tracing up my inner thigh. She moves on, and takes her own seat at the back of the plane.
“Dom…” I shift in my seat, glancing over at her. My body is demanding, but my brain is screaming abort, abort! “We…could always just talk.”
“Not as fun.” He makes lazy circles on my skin, and I close my eyes to sink into the sensation. I fight to keep it together.
“I wanted to explain, about Alexander.”
“No.”
His fingers slip under my panties and rest at the top of my mound. Damn him. I reach beneath the blanket to grab his wrist, arching into him just a little.
“But…”
His finger glides between my pussy lips, tracing a line between them without going deeper. Licks of delicious heat uncurl in his wake, my legs falling completely open. Dominic groans low and leans into me, and I shiver as his breath touches my ear.
“My brother quits things as fast as he starts them. He’s insignificant and a problem, and not worth talking about. Not when I have more important things to focus on…”
He touches my clit, presses against it until a burst of pleasure goes through me, and I nearly buck off the seat. My fingers wrap around the back of his hand as he starts to stroke me with fierce, quick, relentless touches.
“Oh my God,” I breathe before clenching my lips together in an attempt to stay quiet. The way he’s touching me is perfection and the pressure inside is building fast and intense.
“Keep your hand on mine while I make you come.” His voice is low, commanding. “Do you like this? The way I’m touching you?” He kisses the edge of my ear.
I nod and dig my nails into the back of his hand. He slows his pace, finding a soft-yet-firm rhythm that quickly carries me away. I turn my head, silently begging for his kiss. He presses his mouth to mine and I’m both frustrated and soothed by it.
I want to let loose and I can’t.
“You’re so hot, baby. So wet. Just for me,” he whispers into my panting mouth.
He thrusts two fingers into me, slides back up to rub my clit and then thrusts again, harder. I dig the fingers of my free hand into the arm rest as he kisses me again, alternating thrusts and strokes until the flickers of orgasm threaten to burst.
“I can’t wait to fuck you. Hard. Fast. Have you suck me off, your hot mouth on my cock.”
It’s so good, I can’t hold it back. Release slams into me and I hang onto him, to the seat, squeezing my eyes shut and pressing my lips together to keep from crying out. I hear Dom laugh softly.
He’s a delicious bastard.
A dirty talking sex God, and he’s going to pay for this.
“I would have loved to hear you scream.” He slowly slides his hand from between my legs and I feel drunk and weightless.
“By the way, we took off a few minutes ago.”
What? I glance to the window and see clouds. Dang, that worked really well. I readjust in my seat and move my skirt down. He looks amused as I kiss his cheek. “You’re an excellent distraction.” I tell him.
The flight goes quickly, and I barely notice the hours tick by between dozing off and watching Game of Thrones on Dominic’s iPad while he works from his laptop and takes calls. I lay down to take a nap, but I don’t realize I’m sleeping until Dominic wakes me. “We’re here.”
Outside, the airport lights shine brightly. We’re taxiing across the tarmac to the arrival gate. Apparently I missed the landing, too.
We disembark, and head through customs before a driver meets us at the curb. I watch out the limo windows as we head to the hotel.
“I can’t believe I’m in Paris.” I meant to think it, but I say it out loud. Dominic leans against me to look out the window, too. He doesn’t say anything, but I feel him smile.
We head through the city, and I’m gawking at the gorgeous old buildings and chic tree-lined boulevards, a pastel blue sky dotted with picture-perfect clouds sweeping overhead. Eventually, we turn across a square and The Rexford Paris comes into view. I swear, my heart jumps into my throat.
“Holy shit.”
Dominic laughs at me. “Wait until you see the inside.”
I’m craning my neck to see when my door opens and a man in white gloves helps me out. The hotel stands, imposing, with a view of the River Seine. It’s gorgeous, classical architecture with arched windows, massive columns and a carved marble statue at the entrance.
Dominic joins me on the front steps and takes my hand.
“Ready?”
When have I ever been ready for anything with this man? I’m constantly taken by surprise when I’m with him. I nod and he speaks to the porter in French—surprise!—before leading me up the steps. I’m about to ask him if he’s fluent, but the words die on my lips.
I can’t believe what I’m seeing. The lobby is an airy masterpiece of French Regency design with gilded molding and cream and light blue walls. Elaborate rugs create a walkway over a parquet floor, leading to a formal seating area with deep red loveseats and mahogany chairs.
“Marie Antoinette is going to pop out any minute, isn’t she?”
He looks up from his phone and attempts a smile. My attention returns solely to him. He’s been on and off his phone for most of the flight. Whatever problem brought us here must be big.
I was hoping I could drag him straight to bed and return the come-your-brains-out favor, but he’s here for business, not pleasure.
“Everything okay?”
He sighs. “I’m sorry, Juliet, but this issue won’t wait. I was hoping to have some time to show you around, but I need to meet with everyone right away. Jean Luc will show you to our suite. Anything you need, just let him know.”
I’m disappointed, but I realize just how tired I am all of a sudden. Even with the nap on the plane, my internal clock is all over the place. It’s five AM in Chicago
right now, and my body is screaming out for sleep. “That’s fine,” I tell him. “I’ll take a rest, you go take care of the company.”
The concierge shows me to the suite. I nearly drop my purse when I walk in. It’s…awe-inspiring. High ceilings, elegant artwork on the walls, incredible views. Jean Luc gives me a tour through the four room suite, filled with billowing lavender curtains, teardrop chandeliers and antique furniture. “Is there anything madam requires?” he asks, his accented words charming me.
“No, thank you.” I stop in the middle of the room, wondering if I’m supposed to tip him, but Jean Luc has already retreated, closing the door behind him.
I wander to the windows in a daze. A serving cart has champagne on ice, a bowl of fruit and a truffle tower.
This. Is. Crazy!
So crazy that I can barely keep my eyes open. I go lay down in the bedroom and spread my hands over the embroidered satin coverlet. The coolness of the fabric is soothing as I close my eyes…just for a minute…
“Juliet.”
Something warm touches my lips. Dominic’s sexy scent wraps around me, and I’m both comforted and aroused. “Mmm,” I mumble.
“Open your eyes.”
I do, and find his smiling face staring down at me. He kisses me, gathering me to him until my breasts press into his chest. We roll over on the bed, kissing like a pair of horny teenagers until my stomach rumbles loudly.
I pull away, mortified, but Dominic only laughs.
“Perfect timing. I have dinner planned.”
I sit up and realize it’s dark outside. “Dinner? What time is it?”
“Almost midnight. Come on, sleeping beauty. Let’s go.”
Midnight? I’d been sleeping for hours! All the restaurants must be closed by now. “Wait,” I brush the hair from my face. “We can have dinner this late?”
He reaches a hand to help me off the bed. “I’m a Rexford, remember?”
Chapter Nineteen
This is a dream.
It has to be.
I’m on a private boat, with a gourmet dinner laid out in front of me as we cruise down the River Seine. The water glitters, reflecting the lights of the city and the moon above us in the dark sky. It’s beautiful and amazing, and I’m completely enchanted. It’s like a dream come to life.
