Seven Nights of Sin (Penthouse Affair #2) novel Chapter 12

Presley

So far, my experience of London hasn’t made it past the view from the hotel room window. Although you really can’t call this a hotel room at all. First, it’s much larger than Bianca’s entire apartment.

There’s a formal entryway with crystal vases containing fresh-cut flowers, gleaming marble floors, then a formal sitting area with teal-colored velvet chairs and elegant paintings on the wall. The living room boasts a gray sectional sofa and a large flat-screen TV. A bar area is beyond that, with a wall of windows that overlook the city, and then a private bedroom with a massive adjoining bathroom. The bed is positively oversize, and the slate-colored carpeting is the plushest I’ve ever felt. This place is a dream. Bored, I’ve already filled my cell phone’s camera roll with pictures of its opulence.

I don’t know why Dominic’s wealth still surprises me; he is a billionaire, after all. But I guess I haven’t wrapped my head around that just yet.

Sighing, I sit perched on a tufted stool in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedroom, gazing out at the bustling city below. I’m not complaining. It’s a spectacular view. Our hotel stands tall, towering over the dense fog of the city. The skyline here is so different than that of Seattle. But even though the buildings are different sizes and shapes, the blue-gray hue of the city reminds me of home.

So far today, I’ve napped and eaten room service, twice, and surfed the channels on the TV—amused by the posh accents of the newscasters—and have been content, for the most part, to sit taking in the view. But it’s been hours since Dominic took off to do his business in the city, and I’m getting increasingly antsy as the minutes tick by.

I’m not used to napping during the middle of the day, nor am I used to having so much downtime to myself. Even before college, I’ve always operated at 110 percent, balancing my studies with work and a social life.

I never knew it would be so hard to actually relax. My only excuse is that there is quite literally nothing for me to do here but laze around.

If I’m going to be confined to the hotel, I may as well make the most of it. The freestanding bathtub is massive with all sorts of bubble bath concoctions to choose from. I select the one called Peachy Clean, listening to the satisfying glug-glug-glug as I pour it into the steaming water. One foot at a time, I submerge myself in the bath.

Holy shit. This is heaven.

I let my back slide against the warm ceramic, an involuntary sigh escaping my lips. As a twenty-something always on the brink of breaking the bank, I never have the luxury of taking a bath. My morning routine is simple—get up, take as fast a shower as I can, and get out. My showers aren’t even enjoyable, since I’m usually saving the hot water for Bianca, cognizant of my couch-surfing status. To make it worse, the pipes in her building are old and finicky. I’m lucky if there’s decent water pressure.

I sink deeper into the bubbles, willing this moment to last forever. I can barely remember the last time I took a bubble bath . . . God, I must have been only five or six years old. Our mother always bathed Michael and me together, probably because we were so inseparable at that age.

Michael.

I should buy him a present while I’m here. He’ll totally flip out when he learns I’ve been to London. What should I get him? More importantly, how will I explain this trip? I can’t exactly tell him that I’m accompanying my megalomaniac boss on a business trip as his fake plus-one.

No, I’ll just tell Michael what he wants to hear. It was a work trip. I was chosen to accompany my boss. (I’m his intern, after all.) We stayed in a fancy hotel with huge windows and complimentary room service—in separate rooms. I had a lovely time.

At least that last part is true so far.

Once I’m clean and shaved and my fingers look like pale little raisins, I wrap myself in a towel and re-enter the bedroom to get dressed. It’s already past six o’clock. Is tonight the night to wear lingerie? Should I put it on now? Is it something women usually change into later in the evening? So many questions about one tiny article of clothing.

“Worry about it later,” I grumble to myself.

I take the time to dry my hair but don’t bother with any makeup. Then I slip on a pair of leggings and a loose T-shirt. There’s exploring to be done first. I’m not supposed to leave the building, but surely there’s some wiggle room in that restriction.

On the first level of the hotel, I find a tiny gift boutique that sells pleasant and affordable little trinkets, ranging from functional to simply ornamental. I find a magnet for the Royal Ballet. Perfect. It’s just within my budget too.

Should I get anything for Bianca? What about for Dom’s girls?