CHAPTER 2
That didn’t go as planned. At all.
Maddox had followed Mila back into the party and watched her drift toward her mother. She probably didn’t know anyone else well enough to talk to or simply didn’t trust them. And that may have contributed to her indifferent response to him.
He admired the way Mila’s gown draped along her figure–and the woman had curves–and dipped across her back, exposing her olive skin. Her almost mahogany-colored waves were drawn into a loose ponytail that cascaded along her spine. It almost made him shake his head in remorse that he’d failed to capture her attention already. He should have offered his jacket; it might have melted her faster.
Still, he had no intention of calling it a day. Mila’s nice figure was simply a bonus. He had bigger goals in sight for pursuing Mila Nelson than just winning a date with a beauty.
After finishing what he needed to do in New York, Maddox returned to his home base in San Francisco the next day.
Once he arrived at his office, the headquarters for Great Escape Hotels and Resorts, his younger brother Jalen made a rare appearance at the office.
Maddox still held out a little hope that Jalen might want to be a larger part of the company one day, but at least he was willing to work as a consultant for now.
“You’re kidding, right?”
Maddox turned around to find Jalen looking through a folder he’d tossed on his desk. Maddox swept over and snatched it away. “That’s none of your business. You don’t want to be a part of this, remember?” Maddox had admittedly been shocked when Jalen resigned his position over a year ago. Looking back, he should’ve expected it.
Jalen snorted. “I’m still a major shareholder. Besides, I hardly think anybody’s going to see this as top secret. Mila Nelson? Seriously?”
Maddox ignored the derision in Jalen’s voice. “She’s a good target.”
Jalen flipped through the information in the folder. “Haven’t you gotten sick of dating just for a business agenda?”
Maddox ignored that. “Her mother is marrying Danny Shaw. Mila is the perfect ramp to a good relationship with him.” Danny’s conglomerate owned several luxury brands that could pair nicely with some of Great Escape’s current holdings. Not to mention potential future investments. Building a good rapport with Danny could be a savvy and lucrative move long-term.
Jalen sighed in irritation. “Can’t you think anything normal?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Maddox scanned over his schedule for that day. He was waiting for his assistant, Parker, to confirm something.
“For instance, other men who’ve met her have mentioned that she’s hot. That would be a normal comment to make.” Jalen spun the folder around on the desk.
“Other men like who?” Maddox glanced up. “Roman?” An image of Mila in that figure-flattering gown flashed in his mind, but he wasn’t going to humor Jalen.
“He’s not the only one.” Jalen met his eyes. “That gala produced quite a buzz and a lot of the talk is about Mila. And her mother of course.”
Maddox recalled seeing Danny’s son and daughter in an intense discussion by themselves when he came inside after talking to Mila. He imagined they were also talking about Mila and her mother, but for entirely different reasons. “Are you warning me that I might have competition?”
“No.” Jalen dug his hands in his pockets. “I just don’t think this will be as easy as you think.”
“Why not?” Maddox dropped his hand.
“Well, assuming the mother is a social climber, the daughter could be just as ambitious.” Jalen tilted his head thoughtfully.
“That suits me just fine.” Mila would play along willingly if that was true. He might not have to do much to win her over. “It may make my job easier.”
Jalen stared out the window behind Maddox’s desk. “Or she could be more like Juliet and not care a fig about any of this. In which case, your job will be a lot harder.”
“I prefer to think positive.” Even if his first effort failed, he already had a plan for his next attempt.
Jalen grunted.
“It’s not your problem,” Maddox said. “I’ve got things under control.”
Jalen gave him a look with a smirk on his face.
“What?” Maddox said.
Jalen turned back to the window. “I’m just thinking about Juliet. You thought that was under control too.”
The spot between Maddox’s eyebrows crinkled up. Jalen liked to point out Maddox’s mistake in that department now and again. To her credit, once they’d come to terms, Juliet never mentioned it again.
“Don’t you have something to do?” Maddox asked.
Jalen turned around slowly. “As a matter of fact, I’m heading to the vineyard with Juliet. We have a meeting with our team about expanding the visitor experience.”
Maddox nodded. As much as he hated to admit it, that type of work suited Jalen better than what Maddox was doing. “I’m impressed with how you’re handling it.”
“Thanks.” Jalen glanced sideways. “You should visit soon.”
Maddox paused. “Did Juliet tell you to ask?”
“No,” Jalen said indignantly. After a long pause, he added, “She may have suggested it but I’m asking because I want to.”
Maddox let go of a smile. He did admit that Juliet had been good for his brother. “I promise I’ll visit the vineyard soon. Make an appointment with Parker.”
Jalen nodded and saw himself out. Maddox glanced at the folder on his desk stuffed with facts about Mila Nelson. It was time for another try at winning her over.