Free The Hotel 2 (The Billionaire Seduction) by Lola Darling Page A

married when I first slept with
him? I feel sick. “That’s about the time we met.”
    “So?”
    “What do you mean, so?”
I echo. “Were you still with her when I met you?”
    I’ve been trying not to
think that I was just an intern to him, just a fuck. It’s
changed now, I know, but I still can’t shake that feeling.
    Dom looks reluctant. “I
don’t have time for jealousy, Juliet. Lillian and I were over a
long time ago. She’s my past. And I need to move forward.”
    “But in all the time we’ve
spent together, you never once thought to bring her up?”
    Dom is blank. “Why would
I?”
    Because that’s what
people in relationships do! I want to scream it at him, but I don’t. He never promised a
relationship. He never promised anything. My eyes sting and I know my
composure is going to slip.
    Then Dom softens. I see real
regret in his eyes as he reaches to take my hand. “Juliet,
Lillian was a hard time in my life. Everything about our marriage
was…difficult. I wanted to put it behind me, start over.
That’s why I didn’t tell you. You were a chance for a
fresh start. To wipe the slate clean.”
    His words strike through me,
tugging at my heart. We both take a step at the same time, but he
touches me first. I lean into the warmth of him, letting it chase
away the pain and the doubt.
    “I’d like to start
over with you.” Dom says, cradling me to him. “Be my date
to the gala tomorrow night.”
    “You mean not as your
intern?”
    “My date ,
who also happens to be a brilliant intern.” He smiles.
    He loops a hand around my neck
and leans down to kiss me. It’s sweet and heated and leaves me
breathless.
    I pull back to catch my breath,
realizing that I’ve crumpled the card in my hand. I show it to
him as he slowly sets me down.
    “You know, Rexford, this is
the first time you’ve actually apologized to me.”
    “Hopefully, I won’t
have to do much more of that.” His smile is humble and
apologetic and the lightness inside me feels like it has no end.
    Apparently Dominic and I didn’t
need Paris to be happy, just the dimly lit hallway in my crappy
building.
    “So, will you be my date?”
    How could I refuse?
    “Of course I will.”
    I can’t wait to see how
good starting over is going to be.

 

Chapter Eleven
     
    The gala is the social event of
the year – just the way we planned it. People are lined up
outside, press is everywhere. As Dominic and I get out of the limo in
front of The Rexford, I hear the click, click, click of cameras, see
the flash in the corner of my eye. I’m nervous, but I focus on
him as we enter and head for the ballroom. He looks amazing in a
fitted tux, with a green pocket square that matches my dress. It’s
one slip of fabric, but leaves no mistake that he and I are together.
For the first time, I’m not afraid to display what’s
between us.
    He doesn’t seem worried
about it, either, as he keeps me intimately close to his side.
    The grand lobby is flooded with
Chicago’s society, mingling and perusing displays set up along
the walls. Dominic heads to the middle of the room, but I pull back
as something catches my eye.
    “Look at this.”
    A series of blown up canvases are
artfully lined up on the wall, each displaying handwritten book
entries from famous guests. I sourced them all after hours spent
combing the old guest books Dominic loaned me.
    The Rexford is my second
favorite palace. -Grace Kelly.
    That one is my favorite, followed
by Al Capone’s scribbled signature taking up an entire page.
    “The event is a hit!”
Sheila from the PR company greets me with a socialite hug and an air
kiss on each cheek. “These guest book entries and the
blueprints from the original hotel were incredible ideas, Juliet.”
    I’m elated and feel like
I’m floating. “I can’t take all the credit. The
team did great work.”
    “We did. I hope we get to
work together again soon.” She raises her champagne glass in a
toast and moves away to speak with