Holiday Hoax (Windy City Holidates #3)

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

IAN

Today has been one of those days where everything that could go wrong, did. The only thing getting me through the endless meetings and calls with overseas vendors was thinking about the easy company I’ll have for the evening. I did manage to drop Mia’s name a few times throughout the day, though. Lending more legitimacy to our relationship as well as mentioning her work at the gallery.

Derrick even suggested having a dinner party at my penthouse for the entire board after Mia helps me pick pieces for the space. I had a nice bottle of scotch sent to his house as a token of my appreciation. I’ve had several assistants over the years, and none of them have been remotely as sharp as he is. If he ever figures out how vital he is to my business, he’d easily have me by the balls to renegotiate his contract.

Now, as a cherry on the shit sundae that today has been, traffic is a nightmare, so I tell my driver to let me out a few blocks from the gallery. It’ll be faster on foot.

Wind whips between the buildings with its icy fingers cutting through the wool of my suit jacket. I’m not dressed for a walk, but that can’t be helped. It was clear this morning, but as the day has gone by heavy clouds have gathered over the city, threatening rain. At least it’ll be warm where I’m going, the thought brightening my mood.

As soon as my hand wraps around the handle of the front door, my eyes find Mia through the glass. The immediate happiness I feel is instantly tempered by the sight of Sloppy Simms leering down at her while they stand at the front desk. She seems to be showing him something in a brochure, but his eyes are locked on her face.

I rip the door open harder than necessary and stalk across the space between us. She looks up at me and smiles as I approach. Her lips are still parted in a smile as I pull her body away from him and cover her mouth with my own.

Her cheek is warm and smooth as I cup it with my palm. I feel her surprised gasp and swallow it down as my tongue slides against hers. Her body stiffens with shock for several seconds, and then she decides to play along, melting against me and tilting her head to give me better access.

I know this kiss is just fake.

But, fuck me, is she good at it.

It’s the type of kiss that consumes you. That erases the world until it’s just the two of you and your bodies become one. If we were alone, I’d have her pinned against the nearest flat surface while my hands wandered up her thighs to discover what secret delights she’s hiding under those prim clothes.

The sound of high heels on tile breaks the spell between us. I don’t drop my hand until after we’ve broken apart. Her eyes are round and her cheeks a deep shade of pink, but it’s the way her lips look that makes me want to say fuck it and kiss her again.

“Hi,” she finally manages to say.

“Hello, love.” My voice is deeper than usual, the words flowing over gravely lust on their way out of my body. “Sorry to interrupt.”

Not one bit sorry, actually.

She gives me a knowing smile. “I was just finishing up. You remember Eric Simms from a few weeks ago, right?”

I turn and look him up and down dismissively. “Yes. Nice to see you again.”

The look he gives me is anything but kind. Sylvia walks down the short set of steps toward the front desk.

“Hello, Ian.” She pats my arm as she walks past. “Why don’t you and Mia go upstairs to look at the new inventory? I’ll finish up the paperwork with Mr. Simms.”

“That sounds lovely.” I hold my hand out for Mia to slide hers into, letting out a relieved sigh when she does. She played along, but I’m not sure how she’ll react once we’re alone.

She pulls me toward the back of the gallery and into a small room with just a table and two chairs. “What was that?” she whispers as she closes the door.

“A kiss.”

“Yes, but why?”

“He was leering at you, and I knew who it was before I even had the door open.”

“He was not leering at me.” She rolls her eyes. “That kiss was over the top.”

I shrug.

“That’s it?” She shrugs, mocking my own. “Just a shrug?”

“Yeah.”

“This is my place of work.”

“Sylvia didn’t look like she cared.”

“She’s a professional.”

“So am I.”

“Yes, and so am I. Professionals don’t kiss like that in their place of business.”

“I’m sorry I flustered you.”

“I’m not flustered.” Her cheeks are still stained red, even as she lies to herself.

“It’s okay. I am, too. I wasn’t expecting it to be that intense.”

She deflates and presses her palm against her cheek, a small smile crossing her face. “It was intense.” She slides her hand from her face to behind her neck. “Do you think he bought it?”

“From the daggers he was staring into the back of my head, I’d say so.” I smirk.

“Good. Hopefully this is the last time he comes by.”

“Did he finally buy something?”

“Yes. Thank god.” She runs a hand down her dress, as though it needs to be smoothed out. “Let me grab a tablet, and we can get started.”

An hour later, and I’ve purchased four pieces of art from the same artist. Three paintings and one mixed media sculpture, all of which are perfect for the blank spaces in my penthouse. We hammered out the delivery and installation date, which Mia will oversee on my behalf as I’ll be out of town.

We decided to walk to a pub down the street, but I notice that she’s limping the more she tries to keep up with me.

“Why are you limping?” I ask, slowing my pace.

“I bought these shoes online, and they’re really stiff on my heels. I’m definitely going to have blisters.”

I reach inside my jacket to pull out my phone and call my driver.

“What are you doing?” she asks.

“Calling my driver.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, it’s just another block.”

“Walking with blisters is ridiculous when I can have a car here in under two minutes.”

“I can deal with the pain. I can’t deal with the hunger.” She tugs on my arm, sliding hers through mine to pull me along. “I want a big, juicy burger and greasy fries.”

When was the last time I went out with a woman who ordered that? Probably never. It’s refreshing to watch as she digs into the food without a worry in the world for what I’m thinking. Honestly, it’s kind of hot to watch.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” She dabs at her mouth with the paper napkin.

“You just look beautiful.”

A laugh burst free from her body. “Calm down. No one is here to put on a show for.”

“I meant that.”

She blushes. “Thank you. Here I was thinking you were just amazed by my ability to down a burger and fries.”

“Honestly that, too.” We both share a laugh at that. “I’m planning on throwing a dinner party at my penthouse once all the art is installed. I’ll invite all the board members.”

It’ll be while my parents are traveling; otherwise, they’d expect to be invited. I don’t want to subject Mia to my mother’s meddling. Especially not when Mom has a habit of being intentionally rude to people she doesn’t think are good enough for her children. If Nico wasn’t good enough for Stella, I’m sure she’d think the same of Mia.

The more time I spend with Mia, though, the more I think there could be something here. Something beyond the fake dating we’re doing. That kiss felt fucking real. Surely, she felt it, too.

As we finish dinner, I text my driver our location to come pick us up. She winces as she stands, gingerly taking each step in measured strides. I glance down as she steps around a table in front of me and frown at the sight of her bloodied heels.

“Give me your feet,” I command as soon as we’re seated inside the car.

“What?”

“Your feet.” I pat my lap. “Now.”

“Why?” She eyes me suspiciously.

We only have limited time in the car now that traffic has died down for the evening. I instructed the driver to take us the long way to her apartment, but it won’t be enough time. So I reach down and pick up her ankles, gently setting her feet in my lap before removing the damn shoes from her feet myself.

Her eyes are as round as they were following our kiss earlier. “You’re really taking all the liberties you want with me today, aren’t you?”

If only she knew some of the thoughts I’ve been having. Instead of replying I press my thumb to the arch of her foot and begin to massage it. Her body sags as she groans. She situates herself sideways in the seat and rests her temple against the headrest.

“Feels good, doesn’t it?” I ask as I continue to rub the aches away.

“You have no idea. I used to have a massager that I’d slide my feet into at night after work, but it broke six months ago, and I haven’t been able to replace it.” She moans as I apply deep pressure. “But you’re so much better than a massager.”

I know she’s talking about feet, I do. But my mind travels to different places. Sexier places.

“I pride myself on being better than any battery-operated device.”

She turns her face into the leather to hide the way her cheeks flush at the innuendo. “That was dirty.”

Her foot brushes my half-hard cock as we round the corner to her building. I muster all my self-control to battle back the swelling desire I feel for her. She tries to pull her feet from my lap as the car pulls up to the lobby doors.

I grab her shoes and drop them on the front seat. “Dispose of these while I take Miss Mattia up to her apartment, please.”

“What?” She yanks her feet from my lap, and I let them drop. “Those are new shoes.”

“I’ll buy you new ones.”

She rolls her eyes. “I need them to get up to my apartment. I’m not going to walk across a Chicago sidewalk barefoot.”

“I know.” I slide out of the car and grab her hand.

“What are you doing–”

Her question is cut off when I sweep her up into my arms and begin walking toward the doors. Her arms move around my neck as her jaw drops.

“You can’t be serious. Put me down, Ian.”

“On a nasty city sidewalk?” I arch a brow in challenge.

“Yes.”

“Out of the question.”

I carry her through the door. The doorman looks up to greet us and then pales.

“Miss Mattia, are you injured? Should I call an ambulance?” he asks.

“No. I’m fine, Charles.” She reassures him with a smile. “My friend is just being ridiculous.”

“Charles, hit the elevator please?” I ask, gesturing with my head.

“Of course, sir.”

He hovers nearby, fretting. The elevator doors slide open, and I step through, turning to make eye contact with him. “Would you mind hitting the number?” I ask.

“Yes, sir.”

“Thank you, Charles,” I say as the doors slide closed.

“You can put me down now.” She wiggles against me, trying to escape my hold. “I’m probably getting heavy.”

“Not even remotely. Stop moving.”

A mental image of pressing her against the wall, my hands cupping her ass while her legs wrap around my waist enters my mind unbidden. Lust rides a wave through my veins until I feel my cock swell against my trousers. I smile down at the sight of her scowling at me.

“This is embarrassing.”

“This is chivalry,” I correct her.

She scoffs but finally relaxes in my arms.

“You’re lucky we didn’t get the slow elevator.”

“I could hold you in my arms for as long as I need to.” That statement punches me in the gut with the truth behind it.

“Okay, Tarzan, put me down so I can open my door.” She rolls her eyes but laughs as I make quiet gorilla noises and set her down.

Before she’s even set foot in her apartment, her phone starts ringing with a FaceTime call from Nico. She goes to reject it, but her thumb slips and hits accept. I don’t have time to move out of the frame before Nico and Stella’s faces fill the screen.

We all stare at each other in shock.