Yes, Aiden owned the hotel, and yes, he was used to getting his way; however, it didn’t make it right for him to be so high-handed with her. He didn’t ask where she wanted to stay. He pushed the button for the top floor and simply told her she would be sharing the two-bedroom penthouse suite with him.
“What is it with you and top floors?”
He flashed a smile. “I like being on top.”
Her mind immediately went to sex, and even though she tried, she couldn’t block the image of Aiden naked and sweaty on top of her. She could feel her cheeks warming and bowed her head so he wouldn’t notice.
The elevator doors opened, and they walked into a wide foyer. The suite was gorgeous. Ahead was a large living room decorated with plush sofas and chairs and fresh flowers on nearly every table. To the side was a spacious dining area with a rectangular table of marble and mahogany and a fully stocked bar behind it. The colors in the suite were rich earth tones: creams and browns and bronzes, with accents of black. It was contemporary and masculine yet refined and elegant. But the real attention-getter was the view. One entire wall was glass from floor to twelve-foot-high ceiling, and beyond was the spectacular Harbour Bridge. Cordie was a bit overwhelmed by it all.
The bellman carried in her two bags and deposited them in the bedroom on the left. Aiden had only a small carry-on and his briefcase. He went into the bedroom on the right and opened a door that revealed a walk-in closet filled with clothes. He set his bag on a chest of drawers and came out to a desk in his bedroom, where he placed his briefcase.
Cordie stood outside his door watching him arrange his laptop and some files on the desk. “You don’t ever let guests stay here? Just you?”
“Regan and Alec can stay here, and Spencer, of course.”
“What about Walker?” she asked.
His jaw tightened. “No,” he said curtly.
He obviously hadn’t worked out his issues with his youngest brother. Regan had told her about their troublesome sibling, and Cordie was fairly certain it was all the lawsuits Walker had caused with his careless lifestyle that were weighing on Aiden’s mind. He usually attacked problems head-on. It wasn’t like him to ignore or bury whatever was bothering him, but this was a family matter, and that made it different and more difficult.
“Do you have your schedule for tomorrow?” He asked the question without looking up as he opened his computer and powered it on.
“My schedule?” She almost laughed. Rigid schedules and Aiden were one and the same. “I thought I’d rent a car, get a map from the concierge, and see some of the city.”
“You have a car and driver.” Leaving the computer screen open, he passed her on his way through the living room to the bar. He got a bottle of water out of the built-in refrigerator, handed it to her, and reached for another. “Tell the truth, Cordelia. You’ve got the Rayburns’ address, and you want to drive by, see their house, right?”
She shrugged. “Maybe.”
“They live in a gated community. You’ll have to scale the wall in order to see their house.” He grinned, picturing it.
“That isn’t going to happen,” she said. “And how do you know where they live?”
“I had one of my assistants look them up,” he explained.
“I do want to see them without their knowing.”
“The Gallery Ball will be the perfect time, then,” he said. “Remember, I told you the Rayburns will be attending the ball. It’s a benefit for the arts. They have one every year.”
“And you’re invited every year?”
“Yes.”
“Have you ever gone?”
“No,” he answered. “But I’m a benefactor.”
“Meaning you give them money.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re sure they’ll be there?”
“Louis sent me the guest list I showed you. The Rayburns were on it. So was Simone’s father, Julian Taylor.”
“Who is Louis?”
“One of my managers. He pretty much runs this hotel.”
“Okay, then,” she said. “I’d like to go to the ball with you if that’s all right.”
“Of course.”
Aiden returned to his bedroom, went straight to his computer, and pulled up his e-mails, his plan to get some work done. He could operate at full capacity on three hours of sleep a night, and he had almost eighty messages to get through.
“Cordelia?” he called. He looked through the open door and could see she hadn’t moved from her spot in the living room.
“Yes?”
“What’s the matter? You’re standing there looking frozen,” Aiden remarked. Concerned, he added, “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”
“I know. I was just wondering if I’m going to cringe when I see her.”
“You’ll be fine,” he predicted. “Now, get some sleep.”
Walking toward her bedroom she asked over her shoulder, “When is the ball?”
“Saturday.”
“That soon? That’s only three days away.” She was ready to protest but stopped herself. “I can do it,” she said, deciding she could shop for a ball gown tomorrow, beg for quick alterations—nothing ever fit off the rack—and be ready by Saturday night.
“Two days, Cordelia. It’s Thursday now.”
“No, it’s . . .”
“Time difference,” he reminded her. “Sydney is a day ahead of us.”
She’d forgotten the time change, and she was completely rattled. Only two days to get mentally ready to come face-to-face with Simone. “I’ll have to shop to find something suitable . . . I don’t usually pack a ball gown when I travel.”
“Louis knows who to call. He’ll help you tomorrow. Now, get some rest.”
She didn’t argue. She was tired and out of sorts, but sleep eluded her. Aiden was the reason. She couldn’t stop thinking about him. Boston was going to be her salvation, she remembered. All she had to do was get through this trip. Once she was away from him, she wouldn’t have to see his blond beauty queens hanging on his arm, wouldn’t have to put up with any of that nonsense, and wouldn’t have to constantly pretend it didn’t bother her that he completely ignored her. She would be alone, and that was what she wanted. Right?
When she finally crashed, she slept hard and didn’t wake until after nine the next morning. Her eyes slowly opened and squinted against the bright sun shining through her window. It took her a few seconds to get her bearings, and then she threw back the thick duvet and sat on the side of the bed, watching a tall ship glide its way into the harbor. She detected the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee coming from the next room, but she wasn’t a coffee drinker. She preferred an icy-cold Diet Coke to wake her up. After she showered and dressed in a short pale-pink dress and nude flats, she put her hair in a ponytail and went in search of caffeine. She walked into the living room and came to a quick stop. Aiden was standing by the window with two other men in suits. They all turned when she entered the room. In his black suit and crisp white shirt, Aiden looked refreshed and completely put together. Nothing new about that, she thought grudgingly.
“Good morning,” she said softly. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll just get a Diet Coke and be out of your way.”
“Cordelia, I’d like you to meet Louis. He’ll set your schedule for today.”