Manhattan Millionaire: Book Three in the Kendall Family Series Page 5

  “Is this the project you wanted to speak to me about?” I ask.

  “It is, but I’d rather wait until dinner to talk business.” After carefully slipping the record back into its place, he spins back to face me with a dimpled smile and both hands stuffed in his pockets. “First we’re starting the day off as friends.”

  “Where is your grandmother? I’d love to stop by and meet her.”

  Nolan’s gaze narrows on mine. “Today?” When I nod, he lifts one hand to scratch at his neck. “We have a full day of sight-seeing on the agenda.”

  “Agendas are meant to be broken,” I insist with a click of my tongue. “Besides, I have an appointment with a real estate agent at the end of next week. I’m more thrilled with the idea of meeting the woman behind the legendary Leona’s.”

  This time Nolan’s smile spreads wide enough to reveal every last sparkling white tooth in his beautiful mouth. I swear I feel an ovary combust.

  Chapter 5

  NOLAN

  A sharp tug rips through my chest when we find my 76-year-old grandmother sitting in the recliner in the corner of her stark room, eyes closed. She looks 20 years older as she’s lost too much weight in recent months after refusing to eat regularly. The olive-toned skin on her face is nearly transparent, hallowing her cheeks. The room’s temperature is uncomfortably hot, reminding me she’s nothing more than skin and bones.

  Her long white hair has recently been styled into a braid on top of her head and she’s wearing one of her favorite sweatshirts from a trip to London back in the 90s. The quilt made out of her concert t-shirts, gifted by her best friend Ruth decades ago when they were both still well enough to travel the world together, lays across her lap, the edges clutched in her frail fingers as if she’s clinging to the memories. The scent of gardenias—her favorite flower—hovers in the air, and Elvis’s “A Little Less Conversation,” one of her all-time favorite songs, plays quietly from the wireless speaker I brought shortly after she was admitted. Grams once mentioned Elvis had actively pursued her in his younger days, though I could never decide if she was joking or dead serious.

  For a sliver of a second I worry she’s dead. Then I see her thin eyelids flutter, and my stuttered heart resumes beating normally.

  Sofia’s hand rests on my arm, reminding me for the first time in months that I’m not coming for a visit alone. Sharlo would come here a lot with me before James entered her life, and Avery always had an excuse why she couldn’t come along. She had only met Grams once. God, I’m such an idiot for not seeing Avery wasn’t good for me sooner. What the fuck am I going to do about her threat to kill the Vegas deal?

  “Should we come back later?” Sofia whispers.

  “Tony, is that you?” Grams calls out, finally opening her eyes. I breathe a sigh of relief when her beautifully dark irises come into view, but wonder who in the hell Tony was to her. It’s the first time I’ve heard that name come up as far as I can remember. My grandfather died from a stroke shortly after I was born, and she’s lived on her own since, although I know for a fact she didn’t spend all her remaining nights alone. She was once beautiful and full of life, attracting the attention of many men…especially the rockstars she met over the years.

  “It’s me, Grams,” I say even though I know she won’t completely grasp who I am, “I brought a friend for you to meet.”

  She stares blankly at me for a moment before her eyes narrow as she cranes her neck for a peek. “Edward? Who’s that behind you?”

  I wipe at my face, knowing it’s useless to correct her. For weeks she called me by my deceased uncle’s name, which doesn’t make any fucking sense when she more often than not believes she’s still a teenager in high school. I guess there’s no logic to Alzheimers, and that’s what makes it such a shitty disease.

  “Just roll with whatever she says,” I tell Sofia in a low voice. “It’s easier for her that way.”

  Sofia passes me to cross the carpeted floor and crouch at Grams’s side. A kind, sweet smile upturns her lips. “Hi, Leona. My name’s Sofia. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Grams’s face lights up as her shaking hands reach out to hold one of Sofia’s. “Edward,” she says sharply, glancing my way, “It’s about time you brought your fiancée by, you bonehead! She’s fucking gorgeous!”

  I enter the room, chuckling to myself as Sofia’s gracefully arched eyebrows shoot up to her hairline. All at once she’s looking my way and giggling behind her free hand as a dark blush fills her cheeks. I should’ve warned her that Grams was a wild one back in the day and has lost her filter along with her mind.

  “Language, Leona,” I scold half-heartedly. “You’re going to scare her away.”

  Grams rolls her eyes before giving me the kind of scolding glare that once kept me on my toes. “We’re all adults here. No need to be so uptight.” When she swings her eyes back Sofia’s way, she’s beaming in a way I haven’t seen in months. “It’s so nice to meet you, dear. I’ve been dying to hear more about your wedding plans. The Astoria has a beautiful ballroom, but if you ask me, a reception in Central Park would be kick-ass for a live band. Give me a little extra time and I’ll see about getting a band that will blow your guests’ minds!”

  I inwardly groan. Fucking Alzheimers. She can remember details about my uncle’s failed engagement from thirty years back, but forgets that her grandson stopped by just three days ago.

  I’ve used every resource available to try to get my hands on the experimental drug that is said to stop the ugly disease in its tracks, but every time I thought I was close, I was told it’d be available to the public within a few years’ time and I would simply have to wait. It seems ridiculous there isn't a single low-paid employee that I couldn’t bribe into slipping me a supply. Grams doesn’t have a few years.

  “You’re right, Leona,” Sofia tells her in a soft voice. “Central Park would be lovely.”

  “You’re going to make such a beautiful bride,” Grams continues, reaching out to stroke Sofia’s cheek. “My boy is so lucky to have found you. I can tell by that twinkle in his eye that you make him happy.”

  “Let’s go for a little walk outside, Grams,” I suggest, ready to be done with the engagement charade. It only reminds me of Avery’s threat and the opportunity I’m missing out on now that Sofia is back in the picture. “I’ll grab your coat.”

  As I’m rummaging through the little closet in search of Grams’s down coat, I feel Sofia move in behind me a second before her jasmine scent invades my senses.

  “You okay?” she whispers. “I’m sure it’s hard when your own grandma doesn’t remember you.”

  “I’m fine,” I insist, pulling the down coat from its hanger. “I should’ve warned you she sometimes swears like a sailor. And I’m sorry about the wedding thing. She’s gotten worse lately.”

  Taking the coat from my hands, Sofia’s lips bend with a little smile. “It’s okay. She’s sweet, and I’m capable of handling a lot more than you could possibly know.” When our fingers brush over the coat, my dick throbs in response. I never doubted the attraction between us, but I’m sure as hell not going to fuck with her in any way as long as Avery’s threat is hanging over my head.

  I have to find a way to execute the Vegas deal without Avery’s father.

  After a brisk walk around the property with Grams, followed by an hour of listening to her reminisce about her childhood in Vegas, she was called away to lunch. Sofia didn’t stop talking about our visit as I spent the rest of the afternoon showing her around lower Manhattan. I can’t deny that it was a good feeling to see her so animated about meeting Grams.

  By the time we’re seated for our dinner reservations, however, I’m ready to worship this beautiful woman for showing interest in the person who’s most important in my life. Why did she have to come into my life again after I became involved with Satan’s spawn?

  The soft glow of the Italian restaurant lights highlights Sofia’s perfect lips and the soft lines of her jaw. Sitting toget
her around a small table with a white linen tablecloth and candles with violin music drifting from hidden speakers feels way too fucking intimate. And staring at her gorgeous face has done nothing to calm the hard-on building in my jeans.

  “Let’s talk business,” I blurt as she’s in the middle of recreating Grams’s story about spending an afternoon shopping with Madonna in London back in the 80s.

  “Okay,” Sofia answers, seeming a bit shocked by my bluntness.

  “Sorry. It’s just this Vegas deal has been grating on my fucking nerves and I want to ensure everything is as it should be.” When remembering my conversation with Avery, it’s difficult not to scowl. “I don’t want it to fall apart.”

  All at once she becomes rigid and her expression falls flat. And so help me, it’s a serious turn on to see her professional side exposed. “Perfectly understandable considering you did propose a business dinner.” Crossing her arms on the table, her lips turn upward with a polite smile. “So tell me where you currently stand in acquiring the property.”

  “It’s two hundred acres on the edge of the Strip. I’ve settled on a price with the seller, and we’re hashing out minor details with his attorneys in Vegas before they draw up the final purchase agreement. Who’ll pay property taxes, who pays for demolition, any equipment they’re going to throw in, etcetera. Things are moving quickly—the casino on the property now is set to go down by the end of the month. If everything goes as planned, I’ll have my construction crew in there the next day.”

  “Sound like it’s all under control. Who’s your attorney now?”

  “It’s technically not my attorney, it’s someone Avery’s father hired. I’m not convinced they have my best interests in mind. Avery’s father stands to make a lot of money on this deal as the realtor. I’m interested in hiring my own attorney to ensure my vision doesn’t get lost in the mix.”

  “It’s a reasonable request to hire an outside party,” Sofia agrees, nodding, “and smart. That kind of practice isn’t normally how this kind of thing goes down. I don’t know how close you are with your girlfriend’s father, but it’s also important that you protect your interests incase the deal—or your relationship—goes south.”

  Wanting to tell her that Avery is not my girlfriend, I draw my lips into my mouth. It’s best not to mess with Sofia until all ties with Avery are severed. And if Avery knew I was interested in Sofia in any way…Jesus, I don’t even want to imagine the kind of backlash Sofia would receive.

  “I’ll pay whatever rate your firm asks,” I say instead. “Just let me know what you need from me.”

  “I can’t actually represent you in this matter, Nolan. I’m a corporate attorney.”

  I sit back in my chair and grin. “Perfect. My corporation is acquiring this property.”

  “I can’t practice law in Vegas either. I just passed the bar in New York.”

  “I looked into Nevada’s laws last night when I couldn’t sleep. They consider it an exception if you’re acting as in-house counsel for a company doing business there.”

  “Aren’t you resourceful.” Her lips bend with a smirk as she sets her hand on the table between us. “Give me your phone so I can enter my personal number and email. Once I’m able to confirm that I can legally represent you in Nevada, you can forward the contact info for the parties involved and I’ll request they send me everything they have so far regarding the purchase. My office will draft a retainer agreement for you to sign and we’ll get the ball rolling. I’d imagine at some point we’ll want to schedule a visit to the seller’s legal team in Vegas to finalize the sale.”

  I navigate through my phone to the contacts and pass it over to her. While her fingers expertly fly across the screen, she bites down on the corner of her lower lip until she’s finished. It’s incredibly sexy, and total hell on my control not to bite her lip myself. I’ve never felt this strong of an attraction to a woman. She’s smart, funny, bold, and unafraid to speak her mind. But I need to let her go. At least for now.

  The only way this night can end is with me ending up alone, beating one off in the shower.

  “All set.” She hands the phone back, grinning, then reaches for her glass of wine. “I look forward to helping you realize your grandma’s legacy.”

  I hold my glass up to clink with hers. “Cheers to our professional endeavor.”

  Christ. It’s going to take a hell of a lot of willpower to get through this “professional” relationship with the intelligent and sophisticated woman smiling back at me.

  After dinner, I take her back to James and Sharlo’s place where we exchange an awkward goodbye at the door. A dark, unrelenting part of me wants to drag her back to my place and fuck her senseless even though I know it can’t happen for a handful of reasons. So I end up throwing her an awkward smile with a promise to be in touch.

  Rather than going home to jerk off, I leave a message for Avery to call me once she’s awake. It was fucking cowardly to let her walk all over me at the airport and I refuse to continue in a relationship that never grew beyond a meandering spark of attraction. In one day alone with Sofia, I feel more alive and inspired to honor Grams’s spirit. Even if nothing were to ever happen between us, being with her has been an eye-opener of what could be, rather than what I’m stuck with.

  Restless and frustrated, I settle in front of the TV with a beer before deciding to text Sharlo.

  Did Sofia have anything to say to you about today?

  I figure she’s sleeping until my phone eventually dings with a reply.

  Are you hoping for a report that she’s glowing like the sun and professing her utmost love?

  Rolling my eyes, I peck out an answer.

  Just wondered if she had a good time.

  Then, as an afterthought, I add:

  I ended things with Avery last night.

  A second later, my phone buzzes with her incoming call. “About bloody time!” she shouts the moment I answer.

  “Avery didn’t get the fucking message. She threatened to have her dad kill the Vegas deal before kissing me and rambling off some bullshit about a wedding.”

  “You mustn’t let her bully you into continuing with this charade. I knew setting you up with her was a mistake the moment she bought those god-awful curtains for your flat.”

  “She’s not giving me a lot of options to work with.”

  Sharlo releases a long, grunt-like sigh. “Until you sort things out, perhaps you should avoid Sofia. Wouldn’t want to send mixed signals, would we?”

  “Give me some credit, Shar. You heard what we said last night. We’re nothing more than friends. And I’m planning to hire her as my attorney to make sure Avery’s dad doesn’t fuck me over.”

  “Can’t remember the last time a friend looked at me with darkened eyes and a walking hard-on. Perhaps I need to choose my mates more wisely.”

  “Is it that obvious?” I grumble, running my fingers through my beard.

  “Sweetheart, you can’t hide a thing from me. And besides, I knew you fancied a go with her back when you first met. There’s nothing wrong with pursuing something with Sofia once you’re absolutely sure you’re a free agent. In the meantime, tread lightly. It seems whenever the Kendall siblings want something, they pursue it with passion and determination. As much as I love you, if Sofia were to get hurt—”

  “I’m not going to fucking hurt her,” I promise, vowing to myself that I’ll do everything in my power to stay true to my word.

  “Right, then. In that case, I’ll expect you for dinner tomorrow night around seven with a bottle of smoky red. Simply because you’re in a peculiar situation with your ‘mate’ doesn’t mean we’re foregoing the tradition of Sunday-Funday.”

  Throwing my head back, I sigh. It’s going to take more than wine to survive another “friendly” ordeal with Sofia.

  Chapter 6

  SOFIA

  When Nolan breezes through the front door on Sunday evening as Sharlo and James are preparing dinner in the kitchen, my insi
des coil tightly with the sight of him in the black pea coat from the day before with designer jeans and a dark blue button-down. It was rather difficult to fall asleep after he had dropped me off the night before because I was still reeling from our non-date. Though it involved nothing more than a condensed tour of Manhattan, visiting Leona, and dinner, it was nearly perfect. We’re so well suited to each other, making it unnecessary to worry about uncomfortable silences and polite conversation. I was more relaxed around him than I have ever been with any other man.

  And that scared the living shit out of me.

  After throwing his coat on a hook, he starts for me with a bottle of wine in hand and this sexy little grin, his russet eyes alive when they catch light from the living room chandelier. For a sliver of a second, I allow myself the sick little fantasy of imagining he’s my boyfriend, and all those muscles and tanned skin are mine to enjoy. When my eyes flicker down to the Rolex on his arm and the big, strong hand holding the bottle, I shiver with the idea of his touch.

  “Sofia,” he greets me warmly, bending in to kiss my cheek. His lips leave a scorching trail in their wake that makes me a little lightheaded.

  “Nolan,” I mutter, momentarily flustered. I’m not sure if it’s his cologne or the warmth of his body that turns my insides to jelly, but all at once I feel incredibly weak. Then, remembering how laid-back we were with each other the day before, I smile. “Did you have a chance to visit Leona today?”

  “I stopped by on my way here. She was having a good day.” With a grin slipping across his lips, he adds, “She even asked what I had done with the pretty blonde that stopped by last time.”