AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“This hotel’s rich history is its most valuable asset, and it’s one I would protect at all costs,” he says, and I lean in, curious to hear his plans. He displays his next slide — an image of the hotel as it could be, when fully restored to its former Victorian glory. It’s exactly how I envisioned it too, and my heart sinks. We have the same ideas, but he has a far higher budget to make it a reality.
Annoyance washes over me, and I clench my jaw as I sit back, watching him present a proposal I can’t compete with. Zane adjusts his tie in between slides, and my eyes roam down his body. The navy three-piece suit highlights his wide frame, and for one sinful moment, I’m reminded of the way he felt against me when we danced together.
My cheeks heat, and I tear my gaze away, memories of the two of us filling my mind. The way he kissed me when we were eighteen, my bottom lip between his teeth… the way he parted my legs and licked his lips, desperate for a taste. Somehow, I suspect that night would pale in comparison to being with him now. I hate the man, but he knows how to put that body of his to use.
Zane’s eyes catch mine, and he holds me captive with his intensity. “I’d treat her with the love and honor she deserves,” he concludes his presentation. “This must remain a boutique hotel, a place where love is celebrated and precious memories are made. The vision you’ve had for it is one I’d uphold.”
Jonathan looks visibly emotional, and I can’t blame him. Zane oozes sincerity and integrity — it’s what he’s known for. I’m the only one that’s never been extended to, the only one who sees what’s beneath that respectable exterior. My gaze drops to the nail polish I put on last night, a bright orange shade calledNo Stopping Me Now, and I take a deep breath, letting it fortify and encourage me as I rise to my feet.
I could argue that a hotel like the Bellevue would never truly be safe in the hands of a big corporation, but that simply isn’t true when it comes to Zane Windsor, and in all fairness, we’re not that much smaller than they are. I’m tempted, but I won’t stoop to lies. If I win this proposal, I’ll do it fair and square.
So instead of switching gears, I give the presentation I prepared. The one that’s filled with all the details I know he was hoping to see in Zane’s proposal — the specific restorations I have in mind, the marketing plan, the essential renovations. I see it in his eyes — if Zane hadn’t been here, I’d have won him over.
If only I could compete with a Windsor budget. He’ll make an offer so high that Jonathan won’t be able to say no, especially after seeing that he has no plans to destroy his life’s work. Zane can get away with only making a small amount of profit, but I can’t. I won’t be able to offer what he can.
My stomach tightens as I wrap up my presentation, and Jonathan thanks both of us. I can already hear my grandfather’s scathing words. I knew competing with Zane would be hard, but I underestimated how much it would hurt, how helpless I’d feel.
“I’ll be in touch on Monday,” Jonathan promises us, but his eyes are glued to Zane.
I’m on autopilot as I shake Jonathan’s hand and thank him for his time, my heart heavy.Weeks. I spent weeks on this proposal, refusing to give up when Grandpa told me there was no point even making an offer if Zane had his sights on this hotel. I should’ve known better. I’ve grown so much in the years I was away, but right here, right now, I feel like the same teenager that grew up in Zane’s shadow.
My smile slips the moment the meeting room door falls closed behind me, and I draw a shaky breath. Perhaps this is the reminder I needed. We aren’t at school anymore, where the playing field was a bit more even. Attempting to acquire projects Zane is interested in means setting myself up for failure. I should’ve switched gears the second I learned he wanted to make an offer, instead of wasting so much precious time.
The door opens behind me, and I glance over my shoulder to see Zane follow me out, his gaze surprisingly concerned.
“Celeste.”
His tone makes something dark and needy ricochet over me, and I increase my pace as I rush toward the elevator, hoping to escape him and knowing I’ll fail.
ChapterSix
Zane
I rush after Celeste when she leaves the conference room, a hint of worry tugging at me. She seemed discouraged, and the way she looked at me reminded me of all the times I inadvertently hurt her in my quest to gain her attention in high school.
I can pretty much guess what she’s thinking — that I’m targeting her all over again by choosing to acquire this specific project. If I told her I was just as surprised to learn of her involvement, would she believe me? I’m not sure, but I’ll be damned if I let this drive a wedge between us.
“Celeste!” I call, but she doesn’t stop walking, doesn’t even look back. If anything, she just increases her pace and slips between the closing elevator doors before I can stop her.Damn it.
I glance at the door that leads to the stairs. My decision is made in a split second, and before I’m even consciously thinking about what I’m doing, I’m already halfway down the stairs. I’ve waited years for a shot with her — I won’t wait another second, won’t let my own dumb behavior come between us the way it used to.
I reach the ground floor moments before the elevator does, my breathing ragged. The doors open, and Celeste freezes mid-step, her eyes wide with shock. She’s so fucking pretty in that black dress, her wild hair framing her face, tempting me to reach for it, grab hold and never let go.
Her expression shutters closed, and she ignores me as she turns to walk out of the building. I grin and fall into step with her. “What do you think you’re doing?” she asks, her tone annoyed.
“Walking to my car,” I answer cheerily. “I’m parked right next to you.”
She glances up at me, pure exasperation in her gaze, and I chuckle, my heart warming. I prefer this over the listlessness she portrayed when she left the meeting room.
“I loved your presentation,” I tell her, my words genuine. “Your attention to detail is unparalleled.”
Something shifts in her expression, and seeing that defeat written all over her pretty face just tears me apart. She looks away and increases her pace, clearly eager to get away from me.
“Hey,” I murmur, my hand wrapping around her wrist as I pull her to a stop a few steps from her car. “What’s wrong?”
She lifts her face, but she doesn’t look me in the eye. Instead, she looks over my shoulder, a soft sigh on her lips. “Nothing is wrong,” she denies, like I wouldn’t notice the way she holds her shoulders, the way she seemed to lose faith in her own proposal halfway through, her normally fiery eyes turning blank.
I pull her closer and bring her wrist to my chest. “Is this about the acquisition? This hotel will be yours, Celeste. Your vision for it is close to mine, but your marketing plan was stronger.”
