Heartless: Episode #2 (3 page)

5.

DANIEL

Subtlety had never been my strong suit. Being an aggressive businessman often spilled over into other aspects of my life, if I allowed it. When I saw something I wanted, I would go after it with vigor.

The minute Elizabeth had walked away last night, I’d cursed myself for blowing it with her, and I’d vowed to make it right. I knew that not going upstairs with her was the right thing to do, but I hadn’t even fucking said a thing about it to her. I’d let her walk away, thinking that I wasn’t interested. I’d make sure she knew that was the furthest thing from the truth.

I was interested.

I was all in.

A woman like Elizabeth wouldn’t stay single for long, and for the life of me, I had no fucking idea why she still was. I assumed it had to be on her end because there was no way that guys wouldn’t hit on her every time she left the house. She was gorgeous, and that wasn’t even the half of it.

Then again, we were talking about men in Los Angeles, and they were a different breed altogether—pussies, as I liked to call them, or pretty boys who cared more about their own wardrobe and hairstyle than any real man should. Most of them would have a hard time handling a successful woman like Elizabeth.

It was a good thing I wasn’t most men.

The sound of knuckles rapped on my door three times before it swung open without me saying a word. I didn’t even have to look up from my computer to know who it was.

“James.”

“Daniel,” he said before moving over to the full-sized couch and spreading out.

“Don’t you have work to do?” I tried to sound authoritative, but he only laughed.

James and I had been buddies since our freshman year at Stanford. We had been assigned to the same dormitory on the same floor, but we weren’t roommates. After a few too many beers one night, we’d realized that we were cut from the same cloth, as my mother would say. We had both been raised in affluent families, but we were determined to make names for ourselves without any help from our parents. It was a pretty typical story, if you asked me, but the difference between James and every other spoiled rich brat I’d met throughout my life until then was…he’d actually meant it.

When it came to the girls at our college, we were each other’s perfect wingman. My dark hair contrasted James’s blond locks, and girls were usually attracted to one of us immediately, depending on their hair-color preference. It was that easy.

He was smart as hell, too, so I’d liked him immediately. When we’d collaborated on our first business venture to develop a new cell phone app, he’d willingly taken a backseat to me. He’d said that when it came to the meetings and convincing people to take a risk on a couple of nineteen-year-old kids, I had an ability to charm money out of rich guys’ wallets better than anyone he’d ever known. He’d included his dad in that compliment.

In that moment, I’d trusted him not to fuck me over, and he’d been working for me ever since—although it was usually in a business-partner capacity. There wasn’t a single venture or business move I’d make that didn’t involve James.

“How was LA?” he asked between yawns.

“Warm.”

“Isn’t it always?”

I looked up at him as his eyes closed, and I searched for something on my desk to throw at his head. Settling on a pen, I chucked it across the room, and it landed square on his forehead with a
dink
sound.

Nailed it.

“Ow! Fucker!” He sat up, rubbing the red mark with his hand.

“Sleep in your own office. What do you want?” I knew exactly what he wanted.

James was the only person in the world who knew almost everything about me. There was very little I kept hidden from him.

“How was the Santa Monica meeting? Are we in or what?”

I groaned. “It’s a pretty groundbreaking idea.”

“Then, what’s the problem? Why the groan?”

“There’s a flaw in their basic system. It’s a minor issue, but it’s definitely a deal-breaker. I asked them to send me their business proposal and projections, so I could look them over one more time.” I left out the part where I’d walked out of the meeting as if my ass were on fire.

“Want me to check it out as well?”

“I do actually.” I nodded. “As soon as I get it, I’ll forward it to you.”

“Sounds good,” he answered.

He made no moves to get off my couch. I waited for the reason he’d really barged in, but he remained silent.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake, just ask already.” I stared at my best friend and tried to hide the smile forming on my lips.

He leaned back and howled out a laugh toward the ceiling. “Did you see Elizabeth or what?”

“Of course I fucking saw her. I told you I was going to.”

“And?” He waited.

“To be honest, I thought she was going to kick my ass. She scares the crap out of me sometimes.”

He howled again.

“Dude, stop howling. Serena’s going to think you’re dying, and she’ll come rushing in here to save you.”

Serena was my assistant—my very-married, very-mom-of-three assistant. It had been a requirement of mine to hire someone I wouldn’t be tempted to fuck when we worked late hours. I never fucked my employees, but sometimes, shit happened. So, I had taken that extra layer of precaution and made sure my assistant was not only
not
my type, but also not available. I never touched married women—ever.

“So, she didn’t get the roses?”

“Oh, she got them all right. They were sitting on her fucking desk when I walked into her office.”

“Ah, hell. This is great.” He continued laughing at my expense.

“Fuck off.” I was half-tempted to throw another pen at his head to get him to shut up.

“When do I get to meet her?” He leaned forward as he clapped his hands together and started rubbing them back and forth as if he were concocting an evil scheme.

I snarled, “Never.”

He threw his hands up in surrender. “Now, you know what it’s like not to have every girl fall at your feet. Can’t blame me for thinking that shit is funny.”

I didn’t. I completely understood, but that didn’t mean I liked it. “I like her.”

“I know.”

“A lot,” I added for emphasis.

“I’m aware.”

“So, what do I do?”

“Send more roses,” he said with another guttural laugh.

“I already did.”

“Fuck, Daniel. I was joking.”

“Either be helpful, or get the fuck out.” I glared at him, but it was no use. Trying to stay mad at James was like trying to stay mad at a puppy. It just wasn’t possible.

“Don’t get pissy. Let me have my fun. I’ve never seen you like this before, all riled up over a girl.”

“Well, enjoy it while it lasts.”

“You plan on getting over her soon?”

“Fuck no. I plan on getting under her—among other things.” I smirked.

6.

ELIZABETH 

Barbara knocked on my open office door before waltzing in, carrying another vase spilling over with all white roses.

“My God,” my voice breathed out at the sight of them.

I wasn’t sure what it was about white roses, but when the first bouquet from Daniel had arrived, I had decided that they were my new favorite flower. I had also agreed that any lingering anger from the night before was officially gone as of this moment. It’d all stemmed from my ego and pride anyway.

“Seriously, Elizabeth, if you don’t marry this man, can I?” She placed the vase on top of the drawer of files behind my desk.

Spinning my chair around, I reached for the card, wondering what it would say this time.

All I see is you.

I swooned, out loud, before handing the card to Barbara to read.

“You should probably at least call him this time to thank him.”

“You’re so helpful.”

“I’m here all week.” She winked and closed my office door, leaving me alone.

It was her subtle way of telling me what to do.

Staring at my cell phone, I debated between sending him a text or calling him. Texting seemed too impersonal at this point, but after our phone call this morning, I wasn’t sure how much more of his words I could take hearing.

Fuck it.

I dialed his cell phone number and held my breath with each ring.

“Elizabeth,” he breathed my name into the phone.

Part of me melted into my chair. “Thank you for the roses, Daniel.”

He laughed slightly. “I’m impressed.”

“Why’s that?”

“You actually called me the day you got them this time. Unless…” He stopped mid-thought.

“Unless what?”

“Unless you only called me so that I wouldn’t show up at your work again. Are you trying to keep me away from you?”

It was my turn to laugh. “No,” I admitted honestly.

“Good. Have dinner with me tonight then,” he said.

My breath caught in my throat. “Tonight? Where?” I started looking at the door as if he’d bust through it again at any moment.

“At The Penthouse.”

“In The Huntley Hotel?” I wondered.

“You’re familiar with it?” he asked, his tone delightfully surprised.

“Of course.”

The Penthouse was one of my favorite restaurants to entertain in Santa Monica. It was eighteen stories up and had the most incredible view of the coastline on one side and the city on the other. Not to mention, the food and atmosphere were amazing.

“It’s beautiful there,” I added.

“It’s a date. I’ll pick you up at seven.”

I sucked in a quick breath. “Actually, I’ll just meet you there. You know I live only a few blocks away. It will just be easier.” After last night, I wasn’t ready for any more home-related expectations.

“Have it your way.” He didn’t fight me on it, which surprised me. “See you tonight.”

He ended the call.

Oh my gosh, I had just agreed to a real-life date with someone and not just any someone—him
.

Please don’t break my heart. Please don’t break my heart
, I silently prayed to the gods above, hoping like hell they were listening.

****

I stepped into the lobby of the hotel, my red dress inching higher with each stride. Grabbing the bottom of it, I gave it one final tug, willing it to stay put against my thighs. He came into view, and he looked incredible in navy blue suit pants, a lighter blue shirt and a matching navy tie. The man was simply stunning to look at, and boy did I enjoy looking.

Watching his face light up at the sight of me made me feel sexy and wanted—two things I hadn’t cared about in so long. As we walked toward each other, his right hand moved from behind his back, and a single long-stemmed white rose appeared.

“For you.” He handed it to me before bending down and sweeping me into his arms in a tight hug. “You look beautiful.”

My cheeks warmed with the combination of being touched by him and by his compliment. “Thank you. You look very nice yourself.” I sniffed at the rose, loving that this was quickly becoming our thing.

We have a thing.

WE HAVE A THING!

Deep breaths, Elizabeth.

Daniel extended a hand toward the hotel elevator. “Shall we?”

I moved toward them, his hand resting firmly on my lower back.

We reached the eighteenth floor and stepped out into a plethora of candlelight.

A hostess immediately greeted us upon our exit. “Reservations?”

“Alexander, for two,” Daniel said.

She smiled. “Right this way, Mr. Alexander.”

We followed as she led us around the enormous bar and toward the part of the restaurant that faced the coastline. Although, in the dark, we couldn’t see it.

The table sat in the corner, away from other people, and I realized that Daniel had most likely requested that arrangement, so we could have some sense of privacy. I scooted into the comfortable bench seat, and Daniel sat across from me in a baby-blue plush chair.

I started to laugh.

“Why are you laughing at me?” He veered forward, his face glowing in the candlelight.

“Because you’re so manly, but that chair is so girlie. You look ridiculous, sitting in it.” I continued to giggle.

He leaned back. “You think I’m manly, huh?”

“Compared to the chair,” I fired back.

“My Elizabeth, always so sassy.”

I swooned—silently and to myself, but I still did it.

“I’m sorry again about last night.”

“I’m over it. Let’s not talk about it anymore.”

I wanted to be done with it. He’d apologized, and I’d forgiven him. It was time to move on.

“You’re incredible, you know that?” he complimented.

“You’re all right,” I teased.

Our waitress appeared, and I was thankful for the break in the awkwardness.

“Good evening. My name’s Heather, and I’ll be your waitress tonight. Can I start you off with something to drink?”

Daniel nodded at me, and I glanced at the wine menu. “I’ll take a glass of your dry Riesling.”

“Make it a bottle,” he interjected.

Heather smiled at him. She was charmed by the sight of him, the same way I had been. Only, it had taken her all of two seconds.

“Of course. Would you like to hear our specials?”

“Just the wine for now. Thanks.” He dismissed her. It wasn’t rude, but it wasn’t overly friendly either.

I watched as Heather’s smile dropped a little before she turned away.