The Property Brokers by Sandi Lynn

Chapter 19

Grant

We walked into Tavern on the Green and as we were following the hostess to our table, I saw my father and Cassandra.

“Well, this is a surprise.” I smiled as I patted my father’s shoulder. “Hello, Cassandra. You look lovely.”

“Thank you, Grant.”

“Cassandra, this is Bella Marcus. She’s a new broker we hired at the company,” my father spoke.

“It’s so nice to meet you, Bella.”

“Thank you. Are you the one who makes those amazing cookies and cupcakes?” Bella asked with a smile.

“I am. I’m happy you enjoy them. Why don’t the two of you join us?”

“Thanks, Cassandra, but we have business to discuss. Enjoy the rest of your evening. Dad, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

We took our seats at our own table and after placing our drink order, we browsed the menu.

“She’s pretty.” Bella glanced up at me from the top of her menu.

“Yes. She is. She seems nice as well. Maybe a little too nice for my father.”

Bella closed her menu just as the waitress walked over and took our order.

“Why do you say that?”

“He doesn’t date one woman very long, nor does he date women his own age.” I gave her a smirk.

“And your mom? Did she ever remarry?”

I stared at her as I held my drink in my hand. “We can talk about her another time. Right now, we need to discuss those apartments.”

As we ate our dinner and talked, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She’d already done to me what she did fourteen years ago. She captivated me and took my breath away. Thoughts of last night still occupied my mind. They had been all day.

When we left the restaurant, I hailed us a cab because I’d sent Mateo home for the night. As soon as the driver pulled up to her building, I held out my hand and helped her out, not letting go. She tried to pull her hand away and as our eyes met, my grip tightened. Bringing my other hand up to her cheek, I leaned in and softly brushed my lips against hers.

“Grant—,” she whispered.

“I enjoyed last night, Bella,” I interrupted her as I stared into her eyes.

She looked away and pulled her hand from mine.

“Last night was a mistake and it shouldn’t have happened. We both were drinking and—”

“I don’t consider it a mistake and the alcohol isn’t to blame.”

“I have to go. Thanks for dinner.” She began to walk away, and I lightly grabbed hold of her arm as she turned and looked at me.

“It wasn’t a mistake, Bella.”

She stared at me for a moment with a sadness in her eyes. The same sadness she had the night before she left Hawaii.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” she said and left me standing on the sidewalk.

I watched as she walked into her building and then I climbed into the back of the cab.

* * *

Myles

“What a wonderful dinner.” Cassandra smiled as she hooked her arm in mine and we walked out of the restaurant. “Thank you, Myles.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Do you think my faucets are fixed?” she asked.

“They better be. I guess we’ll find out shortly.”

Mitch stood holding the car door open and we climbed in the back seat.

“We’re taking Ms. Peters home, Mitch.”

Cassandra reached over and placed her hand on my thigh. I glanced over at her and placed my hand on top of hers while I stared into her beautiful eyes.

“I’m hoping you’ll stay for a nightcap when we get back to my apartment.”

“I’d love to.” The corners of my mouth curved upward.

We took the elevator up to her place and the second she unlocked and opened the door, I went to the kitchen and checked the faucet. Turning the water on and off, I watched for any signs of a drip.

“It appears to be fixed,” Cassandra said as she stood next to me and placed her hand on my back.

“So it does. I’ll go check the bathtub.”

“And I’ll pour us a drink.” She grinned.

After checking the faucet in the bathroom, I saw Cassandra sitting on the couch with a drink in her hand. Taking the seat next to her, she handed me my drink from the table.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She smiled. “Tell me again why you’re still single?”

“I don’t believe I told you a first time.” I smirked.

“True. You didn’t. So how about you tell me now.”

I stared at her for a moment and debated what to say, because she wouldn’t want to hear the truth.

“I had my chance at marriage, and it didn’t work out.”

“Nobody said you had to get married again.” A smirk crossed her lips. “You can be in a relationship without that piece of paper.”

I reached over and took a few strands of her curly blonde hair between my fingers.

“I’m not a relationship type of guy anymore, and I’m happy with my life the way it is. I run a real estate empire and I have a son. That’s all I need in my life. What about you? Have you been in any relationships since your husband passed?”

“I’ve been on a few dates here and there. Nothing serious. I’m not opposed to getting into another relationship if the right man crosses my path. Life throws us curve balls, and my husband’s death was certainly that. But it doesn’t mean I’m going to cut myself off from enjoying someone else in my life. He would want me to move on and be happy.”

“Well, I think our situations are a little different,” I said as I leaned in closer to her lips.

If she was suggesting she wanted a relationship with me, she was going to get hurt. But I didn’t want to worry about that tonight. The only thing I wanted was to get her into bed and enjoy her body.

“Maybe not.” She stared into my eyes as our lips were mere inches from each other’s.

Our mouths met for a soft and tender kiss, and my cock grew harder the second her lips parted, and our tongues tangled. Rose, vanilla, and a hint of jasmine made up her scent. An intoxicating scent which had me turned on since the moment I picked her up for dinner.

“Let’s take this to the bedroom.” She broke our heated kiss, stood up from the couch and took hold of my hand.

The corners of my mouth curved upward as she led me to her room.