“Why?”

“I have a business meeting.” He looked at his watch. “With some Japanese businessmen. They’re bringing their wives. It would be smarter for me to go with someone.”

“Take Maria.”

“She’s in New York.”

“I see.” I bit my lip. I wanted to know if he lived with her. I was annoyed at myself. There were so many stones I had left unturned. I shouldn’t be this unaware of what was going on in his life.

“So, I’ll pick you up at your hotel at 7 p.m.?”

“I didn’t say yes.”

“You’re staying at the Diva, right?”

“Yeah,” I looked up at him in surprise. “How did you know?”

“Just had a feeling. How’d you like those purple lights?”

“Fine.” I looked away again, feeling uneasy.

“I’ll end the session today at 4.” He smiled and started walking back towards the entrance. “That should give you enough time to get ready and do your hair.”

“Who says I’m going to do anything with my hair?” I raised an eyebrow at him.

“I’d rather you didn’t, actually. You know I prefer it wild and crazy.” He paused by the main entrance and opened the door for me. “Especially when you were riding me and climaxing. It made me feel like Tarzan, with my wild Jane.” He whispered in my ear as I walked past him. “I miss f**king my wild Jane.”

I ignored him and continued walking to the elevator. I was not going to let him intimidate me or make me feel embarrassed. He knew how to push my buttons and was doing everything he could to get a rise out of me. I smiled to myself as a plan hatched in my mind as I walked into the elevator. I would show him who could play a smarter game. I was about to call his bluff, and I was going to enjoy doing it.

***

I walked out of the elevator and into the lobby in a long red dress. It had a plunging neckline and a high slit. I wore the dress with pride, and I knew that my accompanying stilettos made me look hot. I was going for sex appeal tonight and if the looks of all the men in the lobby were anything to go by, I had achieved the look quite successfully. Brandon was sitting on a chair waiting for me, and my heart stopped when our eyes met. I saw the look of surprise, desire and lust as he took me in. Then he smiled at me, a warm, gentle smile that reminded me of when we first met, and I was taken back to the days when we were friends and lovers.

“You look beautiful, Katie.” He stood up and reached for my hand. “I see you’re finding it easier to walk in heels.”

“Not really,” I giggled, already slightly buzzed from the two glasses of red wine I had enjoyed while getting dressed. “I may need to hold your arm as we walk.”

“That’s fine.” He held out his arm for me. “I’ll be your knight in shining armor. I’ll be there to catch you if you fall.”

“Thank you.” I smiled at him and my heart constricted as I remembered the last time he had said those words to me. We’d been in Central Park on a picnic. I’d been expecting him to pull out a blanket for us to lie down under so that we could have a quickie, but he’d surprised me by pulling out some rollerblades. “No way.” I shook my head vehemently. “I have no balance. No way I’m rollerblading.”

“Come on, Katie.” He pulled me up. “It will be fun.”

“I’m going to fall.”

“I won’t let you fall.” He pulled me towards him. “I’ll never let you fall.”

“I’m a klutz, trust me, I’ll fall.”

“I’ll be your knight in shining armor. I’ll be there to catch you if you fall.” He kissed the top of my head and I could hear his heart beating as I lay my head against his chest. I looked up at him and the sincerity and love was pouring out of his eyes. I leaned into him and pressed my lips on his. Our kiss was sweet and special and filled with promises. In that moment, I knew that Brandon would always be in my heart and I would always be in his. We were connected as one.

“Then come on.” I’d laughed and pulled off my shoes. “Let’s go rollerblade before I change my mind.” And we’d spent the rest of the day holding hands and rollerblading through Central Park, and I hadn’t fallen once.

“Shall we go?” Brandon smiled at me gently and I nodded. We made our way out of the hotel and I nearly tripped as he stopped suddenly. “I want to apologize.”

“Oh?” My heart stopped as I held onto his arm.

“What I did today, it was wrong. I shouldn’t have taken advantage of you.”

“You didn’t take advantage of me.” I made a face. “I was willing and able to say no.”

“I couldn’t help myself.” He sighed. “When I saw you in the elevator, I couldn’t believe it. I’d been waiting for, anticipating even, that moment forever. And I just got caught up in myself.”

“I guess no one can say we don’t have sexual chemistry.”

“I want you to know something.” He held my hands and caressed them. “I want you to know that what Maria and I have, it’s not what it seems.”

“She’s not your fiancée?” I asked him hopefully and my heart fell as he shook his head.

“She is, but it’s complicated.” He made a face. “So tell me about this guy you’re dating. Did you say his name was Matt?”