Page 95 of Homecoming

“Darius, you didn’t let me down. Estelle’s is great, and this hotel is amazing.” She looks around, absorbing the atmosphere of tables filled with people seated around the restaurant, the smell of expensive perfume and the lingering aroma of fine wine mixed in the air with the delicious smell of food cooked to perfection.

“Mr. Jackson.” A dark-haired man in an extremely smart navy suit presents a hand to greet him. “I’m so sorry to interrupt your dinner, sir, but I wanted to introduce myself personally. I’m Nicholas, the hotel manager and I’m very pleased to finally meet you at last. And of course, your beautiful guest. Ms. Morgan—enchanté.”

“Nice to meet you too.” Kat genuinely smiles as Darius takes a breath and fidgets in his seat.

“Did you want something only we’re about to eat?”

“No, just… my cousin, Marco, said to introduce myself if you were to stop by.”

“Oh, yeah… Yeah, that’s right. Now I remember… you’re Marco’s cousin’s son—Nicholas. Yeah, sorry. Pleased to meet you.”

“It’s a pleasure sir and if we can do anything for you during your stay, please do not hesitate to ask. This is an exceptional hotel and I’m honored to work here.”

“That’s fine. Now if you don’t mind, we really are about to eat.” He looks up as Ramos, the waiter, places the drinks on the table.

“Mademoiselle, it was my pleasure.” Nicholas speaks with a warm smile before he disappears to one of the other tables.

“What was that about?” Kat frowns. “He’s Marco’s cousin?”

“His cousin’s son but… Marco has a lot of cousins.” Darius sips from the glass of red wine. It’s one of his favorites and he savors the rich, rounded flavor of herbs and dark chocolate. “Marco’s mother was one of fourteen wolf pups. Multiply that out and he has family all over the state—hell, all over the country.”

“And Nicholas is the hotel manager here now?”

“Yup.” Darius tops the glass with more of the wine. “He’s worked his way up—his father was the manager before him. He died recently, and Nicholas has taken over the role.”

“Wow, a real family business, that must be great.” Fluttering her lashes, Kat tilts her head and with a coy smile fills she watches him as her finger delicately strokes the back of his hand. “So, are we going to get the chance to talk tonight?”

“Oh, I thought we might forget about talking and just fuck instead.” He grins. Her hands are soft, and Darius can feel the warmth of her body as he traces his fingers over her wrist and holds against the electrical throb of her pulse. “What did you want to talk about?” He sits back as the waiter serves their food: the red almost raw steak is placed in front of Darius—Kat’s plate is served with the food fully cooked.

“This looks amazing. Thank you.” She looks up and smiles at the waiter.

“Oh, Mr. Darius, sir, I wanted to let you know the owner’s suite has been prepared just as you asked. I’ll get the housekeeper to turn down the bed.”

Darius doesn’t speak, just nods as he again picks up his glass.

“Theowners suite?” Kat hitches her brow. “I thought you said you booked the penthouse we had before?”

“I did.”

“And that’s the owner’s suite?” She stares as he smiles. “Wait…” she hushes her voice. “Darius, do you own this hotel?”

“Not exactly. Not all of it. Me and Marco have a third each with his cousin—cousins son now I guess.”

“Oh wow… that’s how you’re always able to get a table andthatsuite.”

“Well, there have to be some perks to owning a hotel. But just so you know, I did try to get a table at Exclusive’s—that wasn’t a lie. I let you down—I didn’t give you exactly what you wanted. But it seems I have a habit of that.”

“Darius, you never let me down. In fact, you spoil me too much. But you could make it up to me…” she flits her lashes and suggestively licks her lip. “Give me back my place on the team?” she grins teasingly, tilting her head.

“You can look at me like that as much as you want, but you know I can’t do that.”

“I know.” She drops her head in disappointment. “But a girl can try, right?”

“Well, you can try to persuade me all night if you want, upstairs in the suite.”

“I’m not sure that’s going to work, but I guess I can try. By the way, I brought the burgundy, like you requested.”

There’s a low growl and Darius fidgets in his seat, adjusting the hard want pressing against the front of his pants. He looks around, hearing the tinkling sound of crisp white porcelain plates and diamond cut crystal glass. The soft murmur of deep voices and hushed laughter fills the room. “Hurry up and eat that—I need to fuck you,” he whispers.

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