“Of course I came,” Lana said. “I had to know what this was about.”
She treaded the line of professionalism and flirtation. After all, she didn’t know why Ken had invited her here. The man ordered wine and cheese for a snack, but they were in a conference room, not a bedroom. The signals were so mixed it was a good thing she wasn’t coming in for a landing.
Even if that landing was his lap.
“I promise not to take up too much of your time.” Ken leaned against the table, his black and white Glashutte watch enticing Lana to gaze at the strong hands that had touched her whole body the night before. We’re both mature adults. We can handle this. “I know you’re busy. Everyone with an agency in the tristate area wants you on board.”
Hmph. He had no idea. Lana thought she would have to work harder to get these good ol’ boys to hire her on to their firms. So far she felt like a princess whose hand was up for marriage to the highest bidder of a neighboring kingdom. Daddy Roger would want pure gold for her golden head at this point. At the end of the day, I decide where to go work, but he’ll try to influence me based on his own interests. Lana wasn’t stupid.
“Yes. I am busy. Yet I took time to come see you when you requested. A man who claims to no longer want to hire me.”
“I thought we established not to mix business and pleasure.”
“We have. Glad you’re honoring it.” At this rate, Ken Andrews was the one person at the conference Lana could relax around. The most he might want from her was companionship. That wouldn’t be terribly hard to deliver after knowing how he could do a girl. “What’s this about, then?”
Ken leaned back. The wine and cheese plate arrived. Red wine as bitter as it was sweet hit Lana’s palate with brie cheese squares. Lana didn’t want to mention she hadn’t had dinner yet. The cheese would have to sate her until she could order room service.
“You’re not going to ask why I had you come meet all the way out here?”
Lana shrugged. “Because we fucked last night and you don’t want the whole conference to know.” If they were caught having a conference like this at the original hotel, people would talk. At first they might assume they were doing business, but Lana knew she was a sexual specimen to be talked over if there ever was one. “Such an honorable man.” She picked up another piece of cheese and tapped it against the table. “My only other piece of curiosity is wondering why this hotel. How did you secure a room like this at the last minute? Why, Mr. Andrews, do you have a friend who works here?”
His cunning smile went nicely with his dark facial hair. “You could say that. I own this hotel.”
The cheese piece crumbled between Lana’s fingers. “What?” she asked in disbelief. Him? Owned this hotel? On Fifth Fucking Avenue? He had to be joking! He may have been the lead manager at Lois & Bachman, but he did not make that kind of money unless…
Unless…
He was already filthy rich even without the prestigious title.
“That’s right. I own this prime piece of real estate. Got it for a steal a year ago. I’m a firm believer in spreading out my investments.”
“I… wow.” Lana knew her real estate. That included her Fifth Avenue real estate. Even if Ken got this for “a steal,” it still had to cost at least tens of millions of dollars. Possibly a hundred! Okay, maybe not that high… “What are you doing working at Lois & Bachman? You could afford to run your own firm!”
“This is the only piece of property like this that I own. I’m testing the waters, so to speak. I don’t have many concrete dreams, Lana, but having a wide real estate portfolio is one of them. And yes, I am definitely considering running my own firm when I feel that I am ready. Although ideally I would like a partnership with someone who can complement my skills. Haven’t found that person yet.”
“Impressive.” Lana had dreams like that too. One day, when I work my way up to the top, I’m going to own my agency and tell people like me what to do! Lana was fantastic at sales, but she was even better when in control of every little detail. “I’m saving up my money to buy some hot properties too. There’s a bubble coming and I want to get in before everyone else does.”