Built Strong (Middleton Hotels 3)

“I’m starving, so as soon as possible.” How did I know he was going to say that? I wasn’t ready to meet the man with a panty melting voice or to even discuss the file, since I had like two seconds with it before he called.

“I can be there in thirty minutes.”

“Perfect, see you then. Please bring all that you have on the hotel. Thank you,” he said, hanging up on me. I tried not to hyperventilate, not that I ever had before, but this guy could make that happen. I stood up and looked down to see what I was wearing. I had a cute grey V-neck sweater and black pants with grey flats. Thank goodness, at least I looked semi-professional. My sister was with her client in the meeting room, so I left her a note. Then I took the file and my purse and drove my old pickup to Reese, hoping it didn’t break down.

The ride was a little bit slower than I expected because of the rain, but I got there with five minutes to spare. I parked down the street so he couldn’t see which vehicle was mine. I entered Rose’s Diner, and there he was. I hadn’t looked up any of the Middleton brothers, but I could tell this was Julian.

He had sharp, dark eyes that immediately caught mine. He stood up, taller and broader than I expected. He had that Texas businessman look about him - a pair of jeans with black cowboy boots and a nice black jacket with a white dress shirt and the collar open. All he needed was a cowboy hat and you’d know he was straight from Texas. I looked for the big buckle, but then I realized that I’d moved my gaze to his lower half and lifted my eyes before I could be caught.

He walked toward me. “You must be Morgan,” he said.

“Yes, Mr. Middleton.”

“Julian,” he corrected me. His hand moved to the small of my back and directed me to his table. His simple touch sent shivers through my body and I nearly tripped over myself. He pulled out the chair for me to sit. Everyone in the room had their eyes on us and I was mortified.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his brows knitted in concern.

“Nothing, but these people will be gossiping by morning. Your southern manners are showing and they probably think this is a date.” I blushed as I said it, feeling like I was flirting with him.

“Let them. You’re the most beautiful date ever.”

I felt my face heat up with his compliment. Why did he have to be so damn attractive and charming? Was it an act or did he bring his game with every female? Shaking off his praise, I replied with a roll of my eyes, “Please.”

The waiter came to our table just in time to offset the growing sexual tension I could feel pumping across the table. “Hello, can I start you off with something to drink?”

“Just water for me,” I said. My appetite flew out the window the moment he called. The second our eyes met, I knew I wasn’t going to be able to think, let alone eat or drink anything. I wasn’t old enough for alcohol anyway, even though I could really use one. Occasionally, I would drink a few with my sister when we were at home, which wasn’t against the law, but I couldn’t in public.

“Can I have a scotch on the rocks?” he asked.

“Yes,” the waiter said, leaving the table.

An awkward silence passed for the next two minutes, so I assumed it was my job to start off. After all, he was the client and I had to impress him with my design skills. “I know that this is unorthodox for an employee to quit with such an important assignment, but I promise I’ll do what I can to make it work.”

“We’ll definitely work it all out,” he said with his eyes staring at my lips. Oh no, please tell me that’s not why Shayla quit. The thought of him looking at Shayla the way he was me actually hurt, which flipped on my anger switch, but I had to remember the importance of this deal.

Taking a calming breath, I regained my composure. “Mr. Middleton, I don’t know what you’ve discussed with the previous designer, so I’d like to hear your take on the remodel design.”

“I’ve never spoken to the designer. My brother asked me to take over. I have very little information at this point. This meeting may be a waste, work wise,” he said, sitting back in the chair.

“I’m sorry,” I said.

“Don’t be. I don’t know how it works at your company, but things at mine are delegated so we can focus on our areas. And this was just to ease my brother’s mind.”

“Thank you, I was just handed the file about forty-five minutes ago.”

“Yes, well I only got your name after I landed.”

“So why are we having dinner?” I asked. He rushed this meeting and now was telling me that it was a fruitless event for the business. What was the point? Besides getting to drool over hi

m, there wasn’t any purpose to the meeting.

“Because I’m hungry.” His brows wagged suggestively as he gave me a crooked smile laced with intent that turned my face into a freaking tomato and my body into a puddle of need.

Chapter 3

Julian

Any doubts I had about this meeting flew out the window the moment she walked through those doors. My instinct told me it was her. My heart thundered deafeningly in my chest as her eyes met mine. That voice on the phone had struck me as melodic, but the woman it belonged to was like a piece of heaven in a curvy package. I felt like I had to do all I could to make sure I could monopolize her time. She walked in petrified of the meeting. If she had as much notice to prepare as I had, I understood why. But when our eyes met, her fear was gone. I saw interest and desire. I wasn’t experienced, but I knew what the former looked like. I’d seen it many times over.