“I appreciate that.” He captured her mouth with a kiss, then brought the phone down for her to see. “There’s a hotel in Chicago that was designed by the same architect as The Sterling. They look nearly identical.”
“Yer right. I dun’t remember every detail about yer hotel, but if ye showed me that one and said it was The Sterling, I’d have believed ye.”
“Everyone’s been there except me. Luke and Lexi were there last year. Then Tristan and Laney went back to meet with their facilities people to share information on their recent renovation.” He thumbed through more pictures. “It’s called The Dynasty.”
“I like that. But I like The Sterling better.” She pushed her back into his chest, resting comfortably with him in the chair. Zero desire to move. Ever.
“God, you’re so sweet. Not to be weird, though, I think I overheard my mother tell Luke I may have been conceived there.”
“Yer kidding?” That delicious nugget made her sit up. “Then we have to go. I want to see this place.”
He smiled at her. “It’s another partner hotel, so we can stay for free.”
“Who owns that hotel?”
“A woman named Sara Singer. She’s in the process of negotiating with Lexi to be their general counsel as well as The Sterling’s.”
She remembered Lexi’s email had a Sterling exchange. “Both yer sisters work for the hotel?”
He nodded and twisted his fingers. “I feel like I’ll end up working there, too. I was close. I liked doing PR for the place. Then I met Sandra and she lured me to L.A.”
“Do ye wish ye never went?”
His eyes swept over her. “Getting ripped apart by critics is crushing, Sabine. It nearly destroyed me. I’m only now coming back around.” He took a harsh breath and stroked her cheek. “But I like that it brought you into my life.”
Only, she had no intention of staying in his life. And vice versa. He’d take all that heartache for a few days with her? Wow.
“How long does it take to get to Chicago?”
“It’s an all-day drive.” He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For dragging you all over the country. While I wait. Wait for this heartbreak. I have a bad feeling.” His voice turned low. “I’m worried it’s gonna be a blow I may not recover from.” He gently lifted her off him and stood, his height overwhelming her. “Sabine. I need a favor from you.”
“No.”
“No, what? I didn’t even ask you.”
“I know what yer gonna say.”
“How?”
“I know ye.”
“How can you know me? You just met me.”
“And do ye stick yer cock into every mouth ye just met?”
“Usually.”
Her throat closed. “Nice try. I know what yer doing.” Whether it was true or not, the Gray she knew wouldn’t have answered so bluntly, or coldly.
Her skip fee was dwindling. All she’d have was the one hundred grand. And only if Luke didn’t ask for it back. It slowly dawned on her that she was sticking around with Gray because she was falling for him.
“Ask yer question, Grayson.”
“After Chicago... I want you to...leave me.” His breathing went harsh. “I’ll get my mom to buy you a ticket back to L.A.”
A chill ran down her spine. “Grayson, please tell me yer not thinking of doing something stupid there.” She found it hard to breathe.
Choosing to go to the hotel where his life began to... She couldn’t even think of the words.
“Of course not. I wouldn’t do that to my mother. My family.”
“But yer hiding from them. Scaring them.” She pulled his hands away when he tried to cover his face.
“I told you, my mother knew where I was and why I wasn’t talking to anyone.” He stepped back, his voice taking an edgy, angry tone. “My brother’s just a bossy pain in the ass who can’t stand not getting what he wants.”
“I saw genuine worry in their eyes. Ye wouldn’t take their calls, let alone get on a video chat. I did.” She slapped her chest. “I saw what this is doing to them.”
And it crushed her because she could only imagine how her family had been handling her being away. By delivering Grayson to his family at least a few sets of eyes would stop crying.
“I need to know about this part. I won’t go home like this. A complete and utter failure. I’m dying inside.”
“And so are yer brothers.”
“Sabine, I know they’re worried about me. And the concerned look on their