Million Dollar Devil (Million Dollar #1)(57)

I lead her to the hotel chauffeur who stands with a sign that reads BANKS and motion at him to lead us to the car.

She’s calmer by the time we arrive at the hotel.

“Checking in. Elizabeth Banks.”

I glance around the hotel’s sumptuous lobby and resist the urge to whistle.

“Ahh, yes, Miss Banks, welcome back. We have you for two rooms—”

I reach out and lean on the counter. “One.”

The girl glances up in surprise, then shoots Lizzy a smile. “One?”

Elizabeth remains rooted to the spot, a gorgeous blush up her cheeks. “Two,” she says, nudging me.

I shrug at the girl. “Two.” I look at Lizzy. “Connecting?”

She concedes. “Fine. Connecting.”

“We’ve upgraded you to one of our junior suites, Miss Banks. A king bed with a parlor and the second king bedroom connecting. Enjoy your stay.”

“Thanks.” Lizzy nervously tucks her credit card away.

“I’ll try my best.” I wink at the lady and scoop up my key, leading Elizabeth across the lobby to the elevators.

Connecting rooms.

Fuck yeah.

“JIMMY!”

I turn to spot a lanky red-haired guy dressed in yesterday’s suit.

“Jimmy Rowan. From YouTube? Damn, I thought that was you! I almost didn’t recognize you without the beard. What’s up, bro? I’m starwars601—I comment on your posts all the time. You’re fucking sick, bro!”

I look at Lizzy and suck in a breath.

“I’m sorry,” I say, lifting my chin in the air as pompously as I can manage. “I have no idea who you’re talking about. Have a good night.”

I adjust the collar on my suit jacket, offer Lizzy my elbow, and walk away with her on my arm, saying loudly, “What is this YouTube thing people are talking about?”

Lizzy shakes her head and giggles.





DINNER

Lizzy

I hear a knock on the connecting door of my room as I’m standing in a towel, looking at the travel clothes I just set out on the bed.

I suppose I can wear my leggings and tunic to dinner if I wear my hair nice. But ugh. I hate how travel clothes seem to suck up the smell of airplanes. It’s just not ideal, and I’m stressing like crazy. Presentation is everything in my line of business. I dread that my buyers will think that I’m not taking their time seriously. I’ll just have to explain what happened.

That’s when I open the door and see James, standing there in his travel clothes. “You going to shower?”

“In a minute. I was down in the lobby. Got you something.” He sets a bag down on the bed. Fishes out a toothbrush and toothpaste.

“Thank you.”

“And this.” He pulls out two things he seemed to be holding behind his back. One is a shoebox, the other a long garment bag. He sets down the box and unzips the garment bag. And James holds a perfectly gorgeous ivory-colored dress.

“Oh my god! Where did you find this?” My eyes widen as I register the satisfied male look on his face as he then flips open the lid of the shoebox to reveal the most gorgeous strappy nude heels I’ve ever seen. “James . . .” I’m breathless all of a sudden. Truly touched by the gesture. “James. Let me pay you back.”

“No.” He sets the hanger down and tugs at my towel.

“Yes.”

“No.” More sternly now.

“I’m your boss, Rowan,” I protest while he’s too busy pulling my arms up and sliding the dress over my head, then down my body in a delicious silken cascade.

“I didn’t get it for my boss,” he whispers in my ear. I shiver as he drops a kiss on the back of it, then zips me up, his fingers lingering on my back for a heart-stopping moment. “I got it for my girl.”

I swallow. My heart skipping helplessly in my chest as he steps before me. He always seems to look taller when he’s this close. More and more tempting the more I get to know him. “Now let’s have a look at you.”

It’s hard to get the words out. Because I’m continually amazed by this guy. In so many ways I’ve lost count.

I look down at myself.

I feel heavenly. Feel like a princess. Like someone who’s getting spoiled in the very best way.

“Thank you,” I breathe, impulsively leaning up on my toes and pressing a kiss to his lips. James grabs me by the back of the neck and tilts my head just so . . . so he can kiss me a little more. Then he pushes me back a fraction and studies me almost as thoroughly as I do when he’s wearing our Banks suits.

“Stunning,” he says as verdict.

Another little leap in my heart.

I shake off the daze and beam up at him before I grab his shoulders and usher him to the closet where he hung all his things. “Your turn. We can’t be late. Make me look good tonight, Rowan.”

“Always, heiress.”

I brought the perfect suits for James for tonight’s dinner. It’s the first time we’re out in public, with several of our big buyers. The rest of the next week will be just as full of meetings, but this is it.

This can make or break the way the rest of the trip will go.

After tonight, he will belong to the world.

I don’t even have to be nervous that they won’t accept him. I know they will. I have polished my diamond perfectly.