Billion Dollar Stranger - Stephanie Brother Page 0,32

to be delivered to Nicole’s hotel room. Dictating the card to Sandrine is an experience I’d rather forget, but I know I have to make it heartfelt to stand a chance of Nicole getting in touch before she returns to England.

I don’t want her to leave without saying goodbye. I need to see her again, just once, and then I’ll move on as I always do.

I won’t fuck her again. I won’t break my own rules, but I would kiss her and eat humble pie for my idiot of a brother.

Nicole deserves that much.

15

NICOLE

After I leave Aaron’s condo, I manage to hail a cab and return to the hotel. At the reception desk, I explain that I want to change rooms, and they’re happy to allow me to move up a floor. I have a feeling Aaron will try to apologize in person. I think I’ve seen enough to know that Aaron isn’t the type to let someone walk away without trying to get the last word in. He’s a control freak through and through.

I don’t want to see him again, especially as it would likely involve him trying to worm his way back into my affections. He tried to tell me he didn’t know that man was watching – whoever he was – but I don’t believe him. Aaron has proved himself to have numerous kinks: bondage, a predilection for inflicting minor pain, and sensory deprivation. I suspect that voyeurism is another of his sexual fetishes. Maybe the man on the stairs wasn’t supposed to reveal himself, but Aaron certainly knew he was there. He blindfolded me so that I couldn’t see we had an audience.

The thought of someone watching while Aaron fucked my face. I’m so mortified. And all the things we said to each other, the games. I clasp my face with my hands. Ugh.

Three hours after settling into the new room, there’s a knock at the door. I drop my Kindle and scramble off the bed to look through the spyhole. There’s a busboy outside holding a huge bouquet of flowers.

I open the door and ask for the card. Inside the envelope is a message from Aaron.

Nicole. I didn’t know my brother was there. He lives in New York and didn’t tell me he was visiting. I’m so sorry to have put you in such a position. Upsetting you was the last thing I wanted to do. Please call me before you leave. I want to see you if you’ll allow it. Aaron x

I stare at the card, then at the three dozen beautiful roses that he’s sent me. They smell amazing, almost exactly like my grandmother’s garden. The whole thing makes me want to cry again.

“Can you do me a favor?” I ask the busboy. “Can you arrange for these flowers to be delivered to the offices of AHP with a note? The cost of the cab can be added to my room expenses.”

“Sure,” he replies, shifting under the weight of the stupidly beautiful blooms.

I return to the desk near the window and the complimentary paper and envelopes in the dressing table drawer. I write a quick note to Aaron, hoping he isn’t back in the office until tomorrow because, by that point, I will be long gone.

The busboy takes everything with a small shrug of his shoulders and makes his way back to the elevators. He’s probably going to tell the concierge that I’m crazy.

I don’t sleep well, despite drinking most of the newly stocked mini bar, pretty much everything except for the whiskey. The taste would bring back too many memories. I’m back in worry mode, dwelling on past mistakes and hurts, considering a future where I’m too fearful of letting anyone close to me.

I regret pushing aside my sensible limits to experience something more frivolous. Look at where it’s gotten me.

Hurt again.

Disappointed again.

The worst thing is that I’m now even less hopeful of finding someone trustworthy than I was before Aaron. I’ve moved backward.

On the way to the airport, I stop at a mall to get the trainers for Maya. The flight back to the UK is long and sad. I watch every film available to try and take my mind off what has happened. I know that Aaron’s received my message by now. I know that I’m never going to see him again. It’s how I want it to be, and how Aaron intended it to be at the start, so why do I feel so empty?

16

AARON

I pick up the small