I’m not even sure how long I’ve been hovering by the reception desk when Celeste and her grandfather finally walk in. I’m determined to leave a good impression on him this weekend, but I’m not entirely certain how to pull that off when I spent years getting on his nerves.
Normally, the fact that this conference is being hosted in a Windsor hotel would’ve worked in my favor, but not today. I straighten my tie nervously and take a deep breath before walking in their direction.
Celeste’s eyes meet mine from across the lobby, and the edges of her lips tip up into a secretive smile — one that’s all for me. It’s the encouragement I needed.
We’ve spoken about this, how we’d both try to leave good impressions on each other’s grandparents in an attempt to warm them up to the idea of us. In practice, though, it’s fucking nerve-racking.
I’m only a few steps away when a familiar man steps in front of them, a wide smile on his face. “Celeste, Ed!”
I watch as Ed Harrison’s normally stoic expression turns friendly. “Clifton Emerson,” he says, smiling jovially. I grit my teeth as the two men embrace, and Celeste shoots me a look I can’t quite decipher. Is it concern? Frustration? There’s something more to it, and it doesn’t sit well with me.
My entire body tenses when Clifton fucking Emerson wraps his arms around my girlfriend and pulls her into a tight hug. Thankfully, Celeste keeps it brief and steps back quickly, her demeanor professional. I haven’t forgotten how her mother set the two of them up, and Clifton clearly hasn’t either, judging by the way his eyes roam over my goddess’s body.
“Welcome,” I snap. “To The Grand Windsor Hotel, one of our oldest and most prestigious establishments.”
Why the fuck did I just say that? I sound like some kind of fucking tour guide, or worse, like I’m bragging. Clifton just stares at me while Ed sighs, annoyance rolling off him in waves.
“Zane Windsor, right?” Clifton says, extending his hand. “You’re a hard man to get hold of. I meant to introduce myself at your gala but didn’t get a chance. I’m Clifton Emerson.”
I shake his hand far harder than I need to and watch him flinch. That asshole. He’s still standing too close to my girl, and it’s fucking killing me that I can’t grab her hand.
She shoots me a look that tells me to play nice, and I sigh as I turn to her grandfather. “I took the liberty of upgrading your rooms as a gesture of goodwill. Our families have not been on good terms in recent years, but I’d like for us to turn over a new leaf.”
He glances at the keycard in my hand and takes it reluctantly. “A new leaf, huh? Over my dead body.”
My eyes widen in surprise as he stalks past me, and Celeste looks equally bewildered. I clear my throat awkwardly as I hand her the keycard I had made for her. “This is yours,” I tell her, my fingers lingering over hers when she takes it from me.
“I’m sorry about that,” she murmurs. “He isn’t really a soft-spoken kind of guy, but this was unexpected, even for him.” She glances at Clifton then, who stayed glued to her side, like I’m the one who can’t be trusted around her. Fucking dick. “I appreciate this, Zane,” she says, her gaze conveying her true meaning — she appreciates me making an effort, even if it appears to have been in vain.
“Let me walk you up,” I offer. “You’re on the top floor.”
Clifton grins and places his hand on Celeste’s back. “Oh, that’s wonderful! Me too! I’ll go up with you too.”
Her eyes shoot to mine, and I sigh as I force myself to stay calm. I’m supposed to improve my image this weekend, and I can’t do that if I rip his fucking arm off his fucking body. Thankfully, Celeste swiftly steps away, putting me between the two of them as she walks ahead. I fall into step with her and smirk, my anger appeased. “Such a good girl,” I whisper.
Her cheeks redden a touch, and I’m tempted to kiss her right here in this lobby that’s buzzing with every single industry professional we know. I’ve never felt this insane need to mark someone as mine.
She positions herself in the corner of the elevator, and I plant myself right next to her to keep Clifton away, but the fucker just stands in front, facing her instead of the elevator doors. “We should have dinner together tonight,” he tells her, fucking beaming. “I had such a great time at brunch last time. I followed some of your advice, and it worked wonders.”
I clench my jaw and try my hardest to suppress the memory of the two of them, and the argument Celeste and I had as a result.
“Unfortunately, I can’t tonight,” Celeste says, her hand brushing against mine. “My weekend is pretty packed. I really like to get the most out of conference sessions, so I usually like ordering room service and going over my notes in the evenings.” Her pinky hooks around mine, and I smile to myself, my body relaxing.
“You really are such a good girl, aren’t you?” I murmur.
She looks into my eyes, her gaze heated. “There’s nothing wrong with that, you know!” she replies, trying her hardest to sound peeved.
I chuckle, amused by her little charade. “Didn’t say there was, Celeste. I was just thinking that perhaps you could teach me a thing or two.”
Clifton’s expression hardens. “Agreed,” he says as the elevator doors open. “Room service while we discuss the sessions sounds wonderful. Great way to network, too.”
He’s fucking relentless, and I can’t even blame him. I’d probably behave the same way if I were in his shoes — but I’m not, and he’s not stepping into mine, no matter how hard he tries.
“I’m that way,” he says, pointing to the left with a sour look on his face. He glances at me, seemingly trying to decide whether he should walk Celeste all the way to her room or not, and I just about keep from rolling my eyes.
“We’re that way,” I tell Celeste, leading the way. She nods and follows me in the opposite direction of Clifton, not even sparing him another glance.
“I’m sorry,” she says the moment we’re out of earshot. “I’m not sure why he’s being that way. I haven’t spoken to him since that brunch. I don’t even have his number.”
“You’re not at fault, but I’m still fucking jealous,” I admit.
Her eyes widen. “You’re… jealous? Of him?”
I chuckle at her incredulous expression. Celeste stops in front of her room, and I lean against the wall beside the door, my eyes on hers. “I am, Celestial. Make me feel better. Tell me you’re mine.”
“How about I invite you in and show you I’m yours?” she asks, her gaze drifting around the hallway.
I grin at her as I follow her into the presidential suite. “I was hoping you’d say that, because this room… it isn’t just yours. It’s ours.”
She turns to face me, her lips parted in shock. “You didn’t.”
I shrug as the door falls closed behind me. “Of course I did. There’s no way you were going to stay in a hotel I own without sharing a room with me.”
“Zane,” she chastises, her hand on my chest. “We’ll get caught.”
I lower my head to hers and drink her in. “We won’t. The rooms on this side of the floor are all empty, and I put your grandfather on a different floor. His key won’t even let him up here.” She rises to her tiptoes, a wicked grin transforming her face. She’s fucking perfect. “Besides, I figured your grandfather would’ve ordered you to snoop around. This way, you can do that in peace. I’ll even help you get intimately acquainted with every flat surface in this room, you know, for research purposes.”
She chuckles as her lips brush against mine. “Why don’t you start by pushing me up against the wall so I can see how sturdy it is? You know, for research purposes.”
I capture her bottom lip between my teeth, and her hands find their way into my hair as I do as I’m told. After all, what my goddess wants, she gets.
