Page 57 of Mistletoe Mistake
“You'resmiling.”
When I glanced over to the mirrored elevator wall, I was surprised to see he was right. I hadn't even realized it, so I quickly pulled the corners of my mouth back down.
Jackson laughed. “I didn't mean you should stop. It just surprised me, that's all.”
I tried to find a reasonable excuse for my uncharacteristic good mood. “I’m thinking about the hotel. I'm excited to get moving on it so we can stop wasting our time.”
“Uh huh.” He sounded unconvinced. “And it's got nothing to do with the redhead who's designing it?”
His words brought memories of Gemma to my mind in an instant: her body beneath mine the night before, her muscles giving way to my oiled hands, her thighs tight around my dick, and the amazing orgasm I'd had, followed by the peaceful feeling of sleeping beside her in the bed afterwards. Then, there was the way she suggested a shirt and tie combination for me this morning that I'd never put together before, or how we laughed together over our morning coffee. Before I knew it, my lips had started curling upwards again.
“That's what I thought.” Jackson's grin made me pull my lips tighter together, flattening them once more.
I hated nothing more than when he got a chance to gloat. “Let's just go.”
It didn't take long to walk over to the Anchor office, and I found myself looking up at the Christmas lights along Jermyn Street, the wreaths hung on the lampposts, and for the first time in years, I didn't feel like I wanted to tear them all down. I simply wondered idly if Gemma liked them. It seemed like the kind of thing she’d like.
It had only been four days since the first time we'd visited the Anchor office, which was nearly impossible to believe. So much had changed since then, and now, hopefully, we were about to make our business partnership official. The office bustled with energy as we walked in, and the receptionist had clearly been waiting for us. After taking our coats, she ushered us into Gemma's office where Gemma and Holly were waiting.
A rare moment of uncertainty gripped me as I tried to decide how to greet Gemma. Everyone in the room knew we were sleeping together, but we were still there to discuss business. Luckily, Jackson took the lead, giving both Holly and Gemma a kiss on the cheek, so I followed suit. Still, I couldn't resist letting my hand trail down Gemma's back and across her perfect ass as I pulled away.
When we were all seated around the table, Gemma opened a file folder on the table in front of her and removed a document, sliding it across the table towards us. “Here is the signed contract, gentlemen. We are delighted to accept your offer to work with Stamer Hotels.”
She and Holly both beamed at us, and my smile in return was intentional and sincere, unlike my subconscious one earlier. Jackson told them how excited we were to work with them, and we both meant it. The document in front of me didn't only signify a positive development for my hotels; it also meant that Gemma would be in my life for the next three years, one way or another, and the thought pleased me immensely.
Next, she reached down to the floor and picked up another hard-covered folder. “Now, let's take a look at some initial ideas we've had for your hotel.”
For the next hour, we reviewed their initial sketches and ideas, and they exceeded even my highest expectations for what we might see at this stage. I didn't love all of the ideas, but there was plenty to work with, and it certainly had the individual style that I had been looking for. Nothing about it could be called computerized or soulless.
A knock at the door startled all of us, and a young woman stuck her head in. “Gemma, you asked me to let you know when it was five o'clock?”
She smiled at the woman at the door. “Thanks, Denise. Have a good weekend.”
“You too.” She disappeared again, closing the door behind her.
Gemma turned to the rest of us, still wearing her smile. “I knew we'd get too caught up here if I didn't put a time limit on it. What do you all say to a quick drink to celebrate?”
Surprisingly, I felt an irrational annoyance at that suggestion, and I could only guess it stemmed from not wanting to share Gemma's time outside of the office. I was getting used to having her to myself. However, Jackson and Holly quickly agreed, so I had no reason to argue. Gemma led us to the pub that was practically next door to the office and we all toasted our new partnership. I noticed that Gemma didn't have a beer like the rest of us, opting for a soft drink instead.
When I questioned her about it, she leaned in close to me. “I think keeping my wits about me when you're around is in my best interest.” Her eyes sparkled with promise.
Once the drinks were finished, Jackson and Holly suggested dinner, but to my relief, Gemma declined. “Cole and I have tickets to the theatre tonight, so we're just going to grab something quick, but I'll text you later, Hols, about Sunday.”
We said goodbye in front of the pub and Gemma and I began walking in the direction of the theatre. However, I had another destination in mind. “I’d like to make a stop before we eat, if you don’t mind.”
Gemma’s eyes registered her surprise, but she quickly agreed. “Sure. Where to?”
“You'll see.”
I'd studied the map earlier to be sure I knew where to find it, and as we approached the neon lights of the store, Gemma's pace slowed. “You want to go in there?” she asked, sounding uncertain. “What if someone sees us?”
I simply smiled. “I'm counting on it.”
The store was simply called The Sex Shop. That was one of my favourite things about the Brits: they always got right to the point. Before she could ask any more questions, I went up and knocked on the door, which was quickly opened for us, and Gemma hurried inside. She still didn't look completely convinced as I led her first over to the wall full of handcuffs and other restraints.
“I don't want to hurt you again like the other night,” I explained. “We should find something fit for purpose. What do you like the look of?”
Gemma glanced around the mostly empty store. Only two other people were in there with us, by design. “Couldn't we have just bought stuff online?”
