Fast Track (10 page)

C
ordie knew she would like Sydney, but as it turned out, it was love at first sight. She had done quite a lot of reading about the beautiful city and the friendly people who lived there, and she’d seen countless photos of the special attractions. The Sydney Opera House, a performing arts center and one of Australia’s proudest icons, was featured in many of the photos Cordie had seen, and she’d thought it was pretty, especially with the lights at night bringing it to life, but the photos really didn’t do it justice. Seeing it in person, Cordie was in awe. It was magnificent. And so was the Harbour Bridge.

It was closing in on midnight when they circled the city and landed. A car was waiting to take them to the new Hamilton, which overlooked the harbor. Even though she was determined to avoid Aiden whenever possible, she felt it would be disloyal to stay at any other hotel.

She had made her reservation for a single room, but when they arrived at the hotel, she wasn’t given a choice. She was about to check in at the desk when Aiden grabbed her hand and pulled her in the opposite direction. As they passed through the lobby, every member of the staff smiled, looking genuinely happy to see their boss, and, from the bell captain to the front-desk clerk to the concierge, Aiden greeted each of them by name. Cordie tried to pull away, but he merely tightened his hold and continued on toward the bank of elevators. Unwilling to make a scene, she decided to wait until they were alone to give him a piece of her mind.

Yes, Aiden owned the hotel, and yes, he was used to getting his way; however, it didn’t make it right for him to be so high-handed with her. He didn’t ask where she wanted to stay. He pushed the button for the top floor and simply told her she would be sharing the two-bedroom penthouse suite with him.

“What is it with you and top floors?”

He flashed a smile. “I like being on top.”

Her mind immediately went to sex, and even though she tried, she couldn’t block the image of Aiden naked and sweaty on top of her. She could feel her cheeks warming and bowed her head so he wouldn’t notice.

The elevator doors opened, and they walked into a wide foyer. The suite was gorgeous. Ahead was a large living room decorated with plush sofas and chairs and fresh flowers on nearly every table. To the side was a spacious dining area with a rectangular table of marble and mahogany and a fully stocked bar behind it. The colors in the suite were rich earth tones: creams and browns and bronzes, with accents of black. It was contemporary and masculine yet refined and elegant. But the real attention-getter was the view. One entire wall was glass from floor to twelve-foot-high ceiling, and beyond was the spectacular Harbour Bridge. Cordie was a bit overwhelmed by it all.

The bellman carried in her two bags and deposited them in the bedroom on the left. Aiden had only a small carry-on and his briefcase. He went into the bedroom on the right and opened a door that revealed a walk-in closet filled with clothes. He set his bag on a chest of drawers and came out to a desk in his bedroom, where he placed his briefcase.

Cordie stood outside his door watching him arrange his laptop and some files on the desk. “You don’t ever let guests stay here? Just you?”

“Regan and Alec can stay here, and Spencer, of course.”

“What about Walker?” she asked.

His jaw tightened. “No,” he said curtly.

He obviously hadn’t worked out his issues with his youngest brother. Regan had told her about their troublesome sibling, and Cordie was fairly certain it was all the lawsuits Walker had caused with his careless lifestyle that were weighing on Aiden’s mind. He usually attacked problems head-on. It wasn’t like him to ignore or bury whatever was bothering him, but this was a family matter, and that made it different and more difficult.

“Do you have your schedule for tomorrow?” He asked the question without looking up as he opened his computer and powered it on.

“My schedule?” She almost laughed. Rigid schedules and Aiden were one and the same. “I thought I’d rent a car, get a map from the concierge, and see some of the city.”

“You have a car and driver.” Leaving the computer screen open, he passed her on his way through the living room to the bar. He got a bottle of water out of the built-in refrigerator, handed it to her, and reached for another. “Tell the truth, Cordelia. You’ve got the Rayburns’ address, and you want to drive by, see their house, right?”

She shrugged. “Maybe.”

“They live in a gated community. You’ll have to scale the wall in order to see their house.” He grinned, picturing it.

“That isn’t going to happen,” she said. “And how do you know where they live?”

“I had one of my assistants look them up,” he explained.

“I do want to see them without their knowing.”

“The Gallery Ball will be the perfect time, then,” he said. “Remember, I told you the Rayburns will be attending the ball. It’s a benefit for the arts. They have one every year.”

“And you’re invited every year?”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever gone?”

“No,” he answered. “But I’m a benefactor.”

“Meaning you give them money.”

“Yes.”

“And you’re sure they’ll be there?”

“Louis sent me the guest list I showed you. The Rayburns were on it. So was Simone’s father, Julian Taylor.”

“Who is Louis?”

“One of my managers. He pretty much runs this hotel.”

“Okay, then,” she said. “I’d like to go to the ball with you if that’s all right.”

“Of course.”

Aiden returned to his bedroom, went straight to his computer, and pulled up his e-mails, his plan to get some work done. He could operate at full capacity on three hours of sleep a night, and he had almost eighty messages to get through.

“Cordelia?” he called. He looked through the open door and could see she hadn’t moved from her spot in the living room.

“Yes?”

“What’s the matter? You’re standing there looking frozen,” Aiden remarked. Concerned, he added, “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

“I know. I was just wondering if I’m going to cringe when I see her.”

“You’ll be fine,” he predicted. “Now, get some sleep.”

Walking toward her bedroom she asked over her shoulder, “When is the ball?”

“Saturday.”

“That soon? That’s only three days away.” She was ready to protest but stopped herself. “I can do it,” she said, deciding she could shop for a ball gown tomorrow, beg for quick alterations—nothing ever fit off the rack—and be ready by Saturday night.

“Two days, Cordelia. It’s Thursday now.”

“No, it’s . . .”

“Time difference,” he reminded her. “Sydney is a day ahead of us.”

She’d forgotten the time change, and she was completely rattled. Only two days to get mentally ready to come face-to-face with Simone. “I’ll have to shop to find something suitable . . . I don’t usually pack a ball gown when I travel.”

“Louis knows who to call. He’ll help you tomorrow. Now, get some rest.”

She didn’t argue. She was tired and out of sorts, but sleep eluded her. Aiden was the reason. She couldn’t stop thinking about him. Boston was going to be her salvation, she remembered. All she had to do was get through this trip. Once she was away from him, she wouldn’t have to see his blond beauty queens hanging on his arm, wouldn’t have to put up with any of that nonsense, and wouldn’t have to constantly pretend it didn’t bother her that he completely ignored her. She would be alone, and that was what she wanted. Right?

When she finally crashed, she slept hard and didn’t wake until after nine the next morning. Her eyes slowly opened and squinted against the bright sun shining through her window. It took her a few seconds to get her bearings, and then she threw back the thick duvet and sat on the side of the bed, watching a tall ship glide its way into the harbor. She detected the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee coming from the next room, but she wasn’t a coffee drinker. She preferred an icy-cold Diet Coke to wake her up. After she showered and dressed in a short pale-pink dress and nude flats, she put her hair in a ponytail and went in search of caffeine. She walked into the living room and came to a quick stop. Aiden was standing by the window with two other men in suits. They all turned when she entered the room. In his black suit and crisp white shirt, Aiden looked refreshed and completely put together. Nothing new about that, she thought grudgingly.

“Good morning,” she said softly. “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’ll just get a Diet Coke and be out of your way.”

“Cordelia, I’d like you to meet Louis. He’ll set your schedule for today.”

A young man with sandy hair and handsome hazel eyes came forward to shake her hand.

Aiden nodded toward the other man. “And this is Cavanaugh. He’ll be your driver while we’re here.”

Cavanaugh was either a fitness trainer or a bodyguard, and she was betting on her second guess. He was tall and as solid as a hundred-year-old oak and had the neck to prove it. He, too, came forward to shake her hand. Then he gave her his card with his phone number.

“Keep this with you, please. I’ll be in the lobby,” he explained. “Whenever you’re ready, call or text me and I’ll bring the car around.”

She didn’t feel it was appropriate to argue because Cavanaugh was following orders, but she did not need a driver. It seemed a waste of his time to wait around for her.

“Aiden, may I have a word?”

He was flipping through some papers but paused to look at her. “What do you need?” he asked impatiently.

She turned back to Louis. “Did he say you’ll set my schedule?” she asked, wondering what exactly that meant.

Louis handed her a sheet of stationery with times and locations listed. “I took the liberty of making an appointment for you at Chasnoff’s dress shop first. It’s quite exclusive and isn’t open to the public,” he explained. “It’s by appointment only, and you’re scheduled for eleven o’clock this morning. The owner has been given approximate specifications and should have a good selection of ball gowns for you to try on.”

“By ‘approximate specifications’ you mean measurements?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Who came up with my measurements?”

“I did,” Aiden said, grinning. “I guessed.”

She didn’t know what to say, but the bell saved her from the awkward conversation. Louis opened the door for a waiter who pushed in a cart filled with food. He went to the dining table, set two places, and proceeded to lay out a spread worthy of a king. Besides the usual breakfast fare of eggs, bacon, scones, yogurt, and granola, there was a huge bowl of every kind of fruit imaginable.

Louis handed Cordie a card with his cell phone number, and then he and Cavanaugh left. She immediately headed to the refrigerator to get her Diet Coke. She put ice in a glass and carried the bottle over to the table and sat. She didn’t realize how hungry she was until she took a bite of the buttery scone.

Aiden joined her. “I’ve got meetings all day,” he said as he poured himself a cup of coffee from the silver carafe. “But I wanted to talk to you before I left.”

“Okay. What would you like to talk about?” she asked as she popped a plump, ripe strawberry into her mouth.

“The Rayburns,” he said. “They’re a prominent family here in Sydney, and their status comes primarily from Simone’s family owning Merrick Enterprises. Craig and Simone are a power couple. Craig Rayburn works for Merrick, and he’s become quite wealthy because of it. From the lifestyle he lives, he certainly knows how to spend money.”

“Which is probably why Simone married him. Money is important to her. It certainly wasn’t because of his looks. Though it’s cruel of me to say, he reminds me of a bulldog.”

Aiden laughed. “I think the photo of the family that Alec found was fairly recent . . . and now that you mention it, he did look a little like a bulldog.”

Serious once again, Aiden continued. “Craig and Simone have become pillars of the community. They’re major benefactors to half a dozen institutions, everything from hospitals to universities. They’re often seen together at various functions. By all accounts, the Rayburns are a model family, and the sons treat their mother like a queen.”

Cordie pushed her plate away. The thought of Simone surrounded by an adoring family made her suddenly lose her appetite.

Aiden continued. “You’re about to drop a grenade into their lives. We need to anticipate their reaction.”

He’d included himself in the plan, and she thought that was terribly nice of him. Aiden could actually be very considerate and kind when he wanted to be. In fact, on numerous occasions she’d seen him come to the rescue of someone who needed help. Yes, he was domineering and bossy, but when he let his guard down, there was definitely a softer side to him. Maybe it was jet lag, but right now all she could think about was kissing him. She suddenly realized she was staring at his mouth, so she closed her eyes and took a breath. Get a little control, she told herself.

“Are you falling asleep on me?” Aiden asked, shaking her from her fantasy.

She laughed. “Just jet leg.”

“Did you hear what I said?”

“About the grenade? Yes, I did.”

“I don’t like going in without a plan, so you’ve got until tomorrow night to decide exactly what you want to do. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

She watched him pick up his cell phone and keys, slip them into his pocket. He opened his briefcase and deposited the papers he’d been reading earlier. “If you need anything, just ask Louis.” He snapped the case closed and walked out the door.

Cordie checked her watch. It was almost eleven, so she went to her room and called for the car. Cavanaugh was waiting just inside the lobby doors. It was a beautiful day, a bit on the chilly side, in the high fifties, and she was glad she’d carried along a lightweight coat. Cavanaugh reminded her that it was winter now in Sydney, which made her smile. Compared to winter in Chicago and Boston, Sydney was Utopia. Traffic was just as congested, though. It took a long while to get to the dress shop. There wasn’t a name on the door, and there wasn’t a front window with pretty dresses on display. It was almost as though Chasnoff’s was hiding the fact that it was in business.