Built Strong (The Middleton Hotels Series Book 3)

by C. M. Steele

“Truth?” she asked with her nose scrunching up. That wasn’t a good sign, but at least she wanted to be honest with me.

  “Truth is always good, Morgan,” I said. The thought of her lying didn’t sit well with me.

  “You’re my first client.” My eyes opened in fucking shock. I don’t think my brother knew that shit, but I wasn’t going to fuck up our dinner for it. I wanted to get to know her too much to let this get in the way. “I’m sorry, you wanted the truth.”

  “I did, but to be honest, my brother won’t be happy about it. The hotel’s dedicated to his wife. They met there and she was the receptionist,” I informed her. This wasn’t good for Jacob, but at the moment I couldn’t give a shit. It was his fault I was here instead of him or Joe.

  “You mean Harley?” she asked.

  “You know her?”

  “It’s kind of a small place. We went to the same high school.” Well, I could ask Harley more about Morgan. Wait. Did she just say that she went to school together? Something wasn’t adding up.

  “There’s something that you’re not telling me. Like, how old are you?” I wasn’t trying to get pissed at her, but the person who sent her was going to get torn to shreds by me.

  “I just turned nineteen.” Her age was a big problem for me. Not because I was too old for her, but because I was going to have to find out how it would affect the business.

  “Sweetheart, I need to see what’s going on because you’re not licensed to work on the property nor certified at all.” I stared as her beautiful face fell, she looked so innocent. That got my brain running on overdrive. “You’re stunning. Is that why they sent you here? To make me forget all about the hotel and focus on how much I want you?”

  “I don’t know why my sister sent me instead of coming herself. She claims it’s because I’m an amazing designer. I don’t like your presumptions. They are mean and unfair.” Fuck, she looked like she was about to cry. I wanted to kick my own ass. I said I wouldn’t say anything at dinner, and here I was publicly berating her and bringing her to tears for something beyond her control.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to think. What am I supposed to believe? They sent me someone who is inexperienced for a multi-million-dollar deal.”

  “Oh my God. I didn’t think it was that much. I swear I’ve helped on all their projects, but Shayla quit so quickly that my sister didn’t have a replacement.”

  I crossed my fingers under the table, hoping she was better than I was expecting. “Let me see the portfolio.”

  “I didn’t have time to look at it. My sister handed me the file as you called. I ran out of the office to make it here on time,” she warned me.

  This town was small and no real traffic congestion. “Where’s the office?”

  “The next town over,” she replied.

  That was a good twenty miles away. “How many laws did you break to get here?”

  “Only like three,” she joked, trying to stop herself from freaking out. It was no wonder she was a nervous little thing. She wasn’t qualified to work on this project and if she had any of the designs I saw as the plane sat on the tarmac, we needed to switch companies in a hurry. I hated those. They lacked what I expected for a Middleton Hotel.

  I opened the file folder with our name and project on the front, but what I saw inside wasn’t anything like I had saw earlier. This shit was great. The colors were perfect and the sample furniture gave me a good picture in my head. “I have to say that I like the concepts in here, especially the general grey-blue color scheme.”

  “Really?” she questioned, tilting her head in surprise. “I thought the tones were gold?”

  “No. This is definitely grey, like your eye-popping sweater.” I turned the file back around to face her. She looked down and gasped.

  Her hands went to her mouth in shock. I didn’t know what was going on, but I held my breath as I waited for her to say something. “Oh wow. I can’t believe she did this to me.”

  “What do you mean?” The tears were building in her eyes and I ached to reach over and wipe them away.

  “She wasn’t kidding when she believed I could do this. This was my design for you. When we got the contract offer from your company, my sister wanted a backup plan if you didn’t care for Shayla’s work. I didn’t think she’d switch out the work when Shayla left.”

  Seeing the genuine emotion in her beautiful face, I knew that her sister truly believed in Morgan’s ability. “She’s betting a lot on you, Morgan, and so am I. Can you deliver?”

  “I know I can. I didn’t have money for school and my sister needed help at the studio.”

  “That’s all I need to know. This is better than the shit I saw on the plane. I was looking at some gaudy shit. This place shouldn’t look like the Waldorf. It should have a quaint beauty all its own.” I looked at her glossy eyes and felt that I was right. I’d bet on it. She could do this, but I still wanted to have a talk with my lawyers and brothers.

  “Excuse me. Are you ready to order?” the waiter asked, setting down our drinks.

  “Morgan?” I asked, wanting her to go first. I hadn’t even seen the menu.

  “Um, I’ll have the apple pecan chicken salad,” she said, smiling up at the waiter. A moment of jealousy passed my eyes and slammed into my chest. It was stupid and immature, but I wanted her smiles.

  “And for you, sir?” he asked me, but I didn’t take my eyes off Morgan.

  “I don’t know. I actually have been so preoccupied with my date that I couldn’t concentrate on the menu. I’m from Texas, your best steak will be great with a baked potato or something.” She looked at me with those pretty eyes and her mouth parted again. Fuck, I was trying to still the throbbing in my cock.

  The guy nodded and walked away, which was good because I wasn’t even acknowledging him anymore. She was busy eyeing me suspiciously.

  “Is there something wrong?” I asked, knowing she was probably put out by what I said, but that didn’t change that despite everything between us, we wanted each other. Her body language was a dead giveaway, but she was looking a bit angry at the moment. Somehow, I still found her undeniably beautiful, even with the scowl.

  “I’m not going to trade sex for the contract. I don’t care what my sister loses. My integrity is priceless.”

  “You don’t have to get bent out of shape. I’m not giving you the contract in exchange for sex. I saw what I liked in the folder. And something about you tells me that you’re too honest for your own good.”

  “So…the whole distracted thing wasn’t true?” she cautiously asked.

  I blew out a breath and took a drink of my scotch. “Now, I didn’t say that. The first thing I thought when you walked through the door was how much I wanted to kiss you like a woman should be.” She turned beet red, embarrassed by my admission. “This contract actually puts me in a shitty position with you. I can’t touch you, no matter how much I want to take you back to the hotel and make love to you all night long.”

  “You, sir, are a bit much for me,” she said, shaking her head.

  “The feeling’s mutual, Morgan. And call me Julian.”

  “When do you want to meet again for the hotel design plans?”

  “We haven’t even finished this meeting,” I reminded her, although I knew she was well aware of it. I saw the distance she was reaching for, but I wasn’t about to let that happen.

  “I’m sorry. I’m trying to maintain professional.”

  “Can I ask why?”

  “Because that’s what I’m here for. I’m not the ‘fall into bed with a millionaire’ kind of girl.”

  I bit my lip and clenched my fists in irritation. It wasn’t at her, but with myself. The thought of her with another man pulled a pre-historic caveman out of me. I wanted to fuck her and let her know that sleeping with other men wasn’t going to happen. “I’d like to hope not,” I bit out, rubbing the back of my neck. Thankfully, it came out mildly. I didn’t want to come off as crazy as I felt.

  We
sat in silence for a bit longer before I grabbed the file again. I didn’t say a word as I looked through it. Within minutes, I decided many of these things were completely perfect for what I envisioned. “I’m in meetings for the next two days, but I want to get this wrapped up and moving along before I go back home. We can meet on Wednesday afternoon or Thursday morning.”

  “I’m available for either, so I suppose the sooner the better. Wednesday will have to be okay,” she said, taking her cell phone out of her purse.

  “My call will go until one. Please meet me at the hotel at one-fifteen.” She nodded as she made a note in her phone then placed it back in her bag. Just then, the waiter came back with our plates. It smelled fantastic and I was dying for a steak. Her salad looked a bit sad in my opinion, but she wasted very little time taking a bite. My eyes and the rest of me resented that fork as it slipped past her lips.

  I had to distract myself, so I focused on my steak, taking my time cutting it and savoring the first bite. It was pretty good and my stomach remembered that it had been empty. I managed to take another bite before looking up at her. “What first interested you in design?” I asked, wanting to learn more about her.

  “It’s kind of a family thing. It started off with my parents and then continued with me and my sister.”

  “Really? You mentioned your sister gave you the assignment. Do your parents still work at the studio?” I wondered if they had retired already.

  “No, my parents died three years ago.” Fuck, I just had to open my big mouth.

  “Wow, I’m sorry. How? A car accident?” I guess I didn’t know how to shut it.

  She shook her head. “They were out on a hiking trip when they were killed. It was one of those rare serial killers out there in the wilderness. They weren’t his only victims, but they were the ones that mattered to us.”

  “Did they catch him?” Fuck, I would lead the manhunt myself if it was my parents. Even the thought filled me with rage.

  “Yes, he was sentenced to death. He’s still alive, stealing oxygen from others, and I hate him.”

  “I’m truly sorry, Morgan.” Damn, I wanted to hold her close and take away the soul stealing anger that I felt at her words.

  “Thank you, and that’s kind of why my sister and I stick together.”

  “At least you still had her these past few years, right?”

  “Yes, although I was close to being a ward of the state. It’s nuts how politics work, but my sister told them it was a waste of money and funds to argue about my life when I was going to be kicked out of state housing at seventeen anyway. They agreed and my sister gained guardianship over me.”

  “Do you want to finish design school?”

  “I’m not sure anymore. I went for a short time and thought it was terrible. Maybe it was that school or something, but I’ve been in the industry since I was a little girl and that wasn’t the best way for me to learn.”

  “Your work speaks for itself from what I can see.”

  “It’s just a small sample. There is more to see if you’d like. This would be my first project if you’re satisfied with it.”

  “I am, and I would love to see more of your work. The last ones were not to my liking at all.”

  “Me either, but she was the most educated one on the staff.”

  “Well, that’s not everything.”

  “Thank you, Julian.”

  “Say my name again,” I demanded.

  “Julian?” she repeated, a bit confused about my request. My cock was pressing against my jeans, constricting my blood flow and sense, but I didn’t give a fuck.

  “Wow, it’s sounds perfect from your lips. Even when you say it as a question.”

  “We are getting away from work again,” she warned me.

  “And? I thought we covered all that already. I don’t want you to pretend that this is just business. You know it’s not.”

  “Maybe, but it should be.”

  “It doesn’t have to. I want you and I know you want me. What difference does it make that I’d like you to do the project as well?”

  “Are we done here?” the waiter asked, interrupting our conversation.

  “Yes, we are,” she said. Of course, I couldn’t argue.

  I paid for the dinner, then we walked toward the exit.

  Chapter 4

  Morgan

  We managed to get through dinner without me caving to his flirting. I wanted to believe what he was saying, but I'm young - not dumb.

  "Let me walk you to your car,” he stated.

  "It's fine. I can walk myself,” I argued. I didn’t want him to see my truck, that was why I parked far away from the restaurant.

  He slipped his hand around my waist and pulled me against his chest. The heat between us grew exponentially. "Yes, you can, but I'm not going to let you,” he growled, looking down into my eyes.

  I bit my tongue because I needed the contract and my need to close the distance and kiss him was taking over. Our mouths were inches from each other and I could feel him leaning closer, closing the gap. I turned my head and said, “My truck’s down the street.”

  “Look at me, Morgan.” I pulled my gaze to his. “I’m going to walk you to your truck, but first I’m going to kiss you.” His mouth pressed down on mine. The connection was instant and demanding as he slipped his tongue into my mouth and claimed my soul. My hands moved on their own volition into his hair, pulling his face closer. His arms tightened around me as his hands stroked my back. Our kiss deepened until he stepped back, leaving me panting and moving forward to steal more.

  “Morgan,” he whispered, holding me by my arms with his forehead pressed tenderly against mine. “Let me take you to your truck, or I’m taking you to the hotel,” he growled. I nodded, trying to bring myself back to the real world. With a short, sweet kiss, I was hooked. I thought I could fight it, but my longing for him was inexplicably insatiable.

  He took my hand and walked me toward my truck. It was the only one still parked there. He stopped, spinning me to look at him. When I met his gaze, he shook his head. “How did you make it here alive in that thing?”

  “It runs.”

  “Give me the keys,” he said. I handed them to him and he walked around to the driver’s side. After twisting the key, the engine didn’t turn over. He tried for a minute before giving up, then hopped out and locked the doors. “I’ll drop you off at home.”

  “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

  “Why? Do you live with some guy?” he asked, looking at me like I better say no.

  “Of course not, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe.”

  “Safe? What do you think’s going to happen?”

  “I don’t know. You’ll seduce me?”

  “I want to. Believe me, I do, but that’s not going to happen unless you want it. If you send me on my way after I drop you off, I still want to meet to go over the plans. It’s my brother’s project, and you’re the only local interior design team.”

  “Please take me home, Julian.” He groaned after I said that and took my hand. “If it’s too much of a bother, I can try to start the truck myself.”

  “The fuck you will,” he said, stopping in his tracks. “I want you, and when you say my name it does things to me.” He lowered his gaze and I followed it. His cock was pressed against his zipper. “So please, don’t give me anymore shit about getting home on your own.”

  We were in his rental car and I could feel the tension between us. It was consuming my thoughts. "Julian, please tell me it's not about the contract."

  "I told you, Morgan, this is just about us,” he said, kissing my hand before driving off down the road. I gave him my address and he plugged it into his phone. The drive home was filled with silence. The farther we drove, the more I was thinking about inviting him in. It was just me in my parents’ old house. Megan had moved above the shop because she worked so many hours that it was easier for her.

  He pulled into the driveway and I got out of
the car as quick as I could. He didn’t stay in it though. Instead, he turned off the engine and stepped out. He met me at the front of the car and took my hand, walking me all the way to the door.

  “Thank you, Julian.”

  “Thank you, Morgan. I don’t know why Shayla quit, but what I do know is I’m so glad she did.” His smile was real to the max and unnerving. I pulled out my keys and shakily tried to unlock the door. He took it from me and strangely, I noticed a shake in his as well. Once the door was open, I stepped inside and hit the security alarm.

  “Good night, Julian,” I said, leaning to kiss him goodbye.

  “Good night, my Morgan,” he whispered, taking my mouth and kissing me until my body turned to mush. He stepped back and commanded, “Go before I carry you inside and make us one tonight.”

  I paused staring at him, unwilling to take a step back into the house. “Did you not hear me?” he asked, his voice thick with desire.

  “I heard you, but I don’t want you to go.” I moved toward him, needing the heat of his body on mine.

  “Fuck, baby. You’re making it hard to walk away.”

  “Then don’t.”

  “Morgan, if I fuck you tonight, there’s no going back.”

  “I don’t care,” I sighed. My hands pressed against his chest, feeling his heart race as fast as mine.

  He moved so quickly I found myself over his shoulder and being carried into the house. He turned around to lock the door, then asked, “Where to, Morgan?”

  “Upstairs, first door to your right.” I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, but I felt the burning need to have him show me. He marched up the stairs with me, making it look effortless, and seeing that made me wetter. I didn’t know if I should tell him the truth or wait until he figured it out himself.

  Chapter 5

  Julian

  My brother was going to be pissed, but I was way past caring when I opened her bedroom door. I saw that light purple bedspread with a gauzy canopy and I wondered how innocent she was. At nineteen, there was no guarantee, but something about this room made me think of a sweet, innocent beauty.