“Does this schedule ever wear you out?”

He stretches his legs out, his tall frame taking up half the backseat. Everything about him commands my attention. His suit. The strong jaw framing his handsome face. “I don’t have anything else to do with my time, although I’m hoping that changes soon.”

The way he’s looking at me—eyes glossed over, touching his lower lip—defines the meaning of his words. It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. His words from the other night ring through my head. It’s one of those moments where I’m not sure what to say, so instead, I stare out my window. The movement probably says more than I ever could. After all, the possibilities play in my head too. I just won’t admit it.

I relax back into the seat watching New York City fly by my window. I’ve always wanted to come here, but I envisioned seeing the Statue of Liberty and walking through museum after museum until I couldn’t stand to be on my feet any longer. I’d also get one of those frozen hot chocolates from Serendipity; I’ve always wondered if they are as good as they look.

“What’s going through that head of yours?” Pierce asks, breaking through my big city dreams.

“Frozen hot chocolate,” I answer.

He doesn’t say anything until I glance over at him. “Have you ever had one?”

I shake my head. “No.”

“We might have to change that.”

We spend the next several hours in meetings, going over budgets and design concepts with Wade Adams. After ten minutes, I knew I wasn’t going to be a fan of his. He’s on some sort of power trip over Pierce, displaying a constant stream of arrogance and defiance. There’s obvious history between them, and I’m starting to wonder why we’re even here.

“If I have to spend ten more minutes with that asshole, I’m going to punch him,” Pierce remarks as we climb into the waiting car. We just finished our tour of the site, but made plans with Wade to meet one more time before we leave tomorrow. It’s safe to say neither of us is looking forward to it.

“Do you need me to hold you back?”

He laughs, eyes wandering my small frame. “Good luck with that.”

“There are ways to distract you.” The glimmer in his eyes tells me that it wasn’t the best choice of words. “What’s the plan now?” I ask, hoping to lead his mind on a detour.

“We have a couple hours before our dinner reservation. I thought we’d check into the hotel, and then you can take a nap or attempt to make yourself even more beautiful than you already are. It’s up to you.”

He’s smooth . . . really smooth.

He’s sexy and intense, yet harmless. He hints, but he doesn’t push. He’s not the type to take what I haven’t offered.

“Where are we staying?” I ask.

“Four Seasons.”

He doesn’t spare an expense. I’ve only ever heard about it but never stayed anywhere like it. Not even close.

The car pulls in front of the sleek and elegant high-rise hotel. “This is amazing,” I say, all but pressing my forehead to the window.

Pierce slides across the seat until his body touches mine. I glance over, noticing him look out the window right along with me. “Wait until you see the inside.” He whispers the words so close to my ear, I feel his warm breath against my skin.

“What are we waiting for then?”

The driver shifts the car into park and comes around to open my door. “Go on inside, miss, and I’ll send your luggage in with the bellman,” he says as I step up onto the curb.

“Thank you.” I smile at him, watching Pierce slip money into his hand.

The revolving door opens to something just as magnificent—a multi-story entry, columns, and patterned limestone floors. Even if I’d had twenty years of design training at the best schools, I couldn’t have come up with this.

“What do you think?” Pierce asks.

“I don’t think I ever want to go back to Chicago.” It’s the truth.

“We could arrange that too.”

I tug my lower lip between my teeth. “Let’s revisit that at the end of the night.”

I’m joking, but I’m not. Chicago is nice, but New York City is magical. The culture. Everything.

While Pierce checks us in, I stay back, looking at more of the décor and people. New York is so diverse. In this lobby alone, I hear several languages, see different types of people. I could spend hours, listening and observing.

“Ready?” I jump, holding my chest as I glance over my shoulder at Pierce.

“You scared me.”

“I’m sorry.” He smiles, swiping his thumb across my cheek. “We’re on the thirty-fourth floor.”

A million thoughts flash through my mind. He wouldn’t have booked us for the same room, would he? My gut reaction is to offer to get my own, but there’s no way in hell I can afford this place.

“Do you need help up with your bags, sir?” a bellman asks.

Pierce glances at the two small suitcases being swallowed by the oversized cart. “I think I can handle it, but thank you.” He hands the guy some cash and picks up our bags like they weigh nothing. “After you,” he says, nodding toward the elevator.

I walk on shaky knees, my mind still taken with possibilities and how I’m going to react to each one. When the door opens, I step inside, with Pierce following me close behind. To my dismay, the elevator closes with only the two of us within its four walls.

“Did someone steal your voice?” he asks.

“Are we both on the thirty-fourth floor?” I blurt, looking up just long enough to see his bewildered expression. I’ll stick to memorizing every inch of the limestone floors.

“Of course” he answers, matter of fact.

Shit. For the rest of the ride up, I fidget with the strap on my purse. I hate being pushed into uncomfortable situations.

I concentrate on the climbing floor number lit above the door. The elevator moves faster than normal—too fast—then it jerks, coming to a stop with a bright thirty-four blinking up high.

“Are you going to get out?” I’m standing like a roadblock in the center of the elevator, caging Pierce and our bags in the corner.

One foot in front of the other, Lila.

“It’s room 3410,” he announces from behind me.

I look up to make sure I’m going in the right direction then get lost in my own inner madness again. It’s a crazy place where I seem to spend a lot of my time lately.

3406

Shit.

3408

Double shit.

“Here we are,” he says. I stand like a woman of stone as he sets the luggage down and grabs a key card from his pocket. The door opens to a light, airy room, accented by oversized windows and beige and white fabrics. It has a spacious living area on one side and a king bed on the other. My panic hits a high . . . there’s only one bed.

“Will this room do?” Pierce asks, opening the curtain a little wider.

I swallow. I’m not good at this—the games and the lies. Crossing my arms over my chest, I carry my heavy feet to stand in front of the window that looks over the hustle and bustle of the city. “No,” I finally answer, my voice just above a whisper.

I sense his presence behind me. His warmth. His strong masculine scent. And when I’m about to turn and face him, his fingers curve around my upper arms then slowly slide down. “Are you cold?”

I shake my head, but his hands stay on me, continuing to cover the chill that doesn’t exist.

“Are you hungry?”

“No.”

“Do you want me to order you a bottle of red wine?”

Tempting, but I shake my head again. Being alone with a guy like Pierce with alcohol flowing through my veins would have consequences—especially with one bed. “I think I’m just tired.”

He squeezes my arms one last time then releases me. “I’ll leave you alone to get some rest. Meet me at the hotel steakhouse at eight. Reservation is under my name.”

I spin around, confused. “Umm . . . where are you going?”

He looks at me with narrowed eyes. “To my room.”