Sinful Pleasures

Chapter Two

"It's nice to see you again Blaire. I hear you are well on your way to achieving your dreams. The Mark Hotel is already a great up and coming hotel. You have a great foundation to work with." He slowly makes his way towards the doorway. A sexy smirk starts to play on his lips. I used to love when he would smirk like that. I could feel myself staring at his lips. I couldn't help it. I imagined all the things those lips could do to my body. I could feel heat course through me immediately. My eyes met his and I knew he had caught me staring. I quickly cleared my throat and brought myself back from my daze.

"Hello Damon. I didn't realize you would be here. You were never one for Mother's dinner parties. Is there a reason you are here?" It came out with more attitude than I had intended to use. I couldn't help myself. Here he was, standing in front of me, looking even better than I remembered. Six years after he broke my heart. Six years after he walked away from me. I so much wanted to be pissed off at him. But being pissed off at him had been so much easier those six years that I was away at Brown and my first job after I graduated. Now I remembered why he used to be one of my favorite people, why I loved him so much. "Where is Mother anyway?"

As if her ears were burning, I heard her yell from the dining room. As if she could be bothered to greet her daughter normally. "Blaire! Come say hello to the other guests! Dinner will be ready in 5 minutes!" I rolled my eyes and made my way to the dining room. I was greeted by Lexi's parents, as well as Damon's parents. I loved both couples dearly. They were more my family than Mother was through junior high and high school. I smiled at all of them and brought my attention back to Damon's mother, Claire, when she started the conversation.

"Blaire dear, it is so nice to see you again. Helen told us that you are now the new owner of the Upper East Side's newest hotel. Have you been able to see it yet? I have been wanting to stay there and get a feel for it. I have heard they have many spaces for events to be held there." At least Mother could seem proud of her only child to her friends. Even then, I knew there was something more to this dinner. I just hoped I could find out sooner rather than later. I smiled back at Claire before answering her question.

"I have only been able to see the reception desk and most of my penthouse. I figured staying there would be easiest, at least until I get everything under control. Get a feel for how things are going to go, and see what I will need to change. So far, I have loved what I have seen. My penthouse is gorgeous and exactly how I would have designed it myself. I'm excited to see what I can achieve with it." I could feel myself gushing with pride. I just hope I can pull off what I am set out to do.

Just as a silence fell over us, Mother entered from the kitchen. She looked me up and down and seemed to be okay with my choice of attire. Not that I actually cared. We were at dinner, at her house, with our closest friends. They have all seen me looking a lot worse, or wearing a lot less. "Blaire, why don't you four go to the sitting room and have a drink. The rest of us will join you shortly." She stared at me, as if telling me to not protest, silently letting me know that the reason for this dinner wasn't actually for food. It was something entirely different.

"It is so nice to see you all again. Guys, let's go get a drink. I could use one after this day." I turned and walked down the hall to my Mother's sitting room. I never understood why she needed to stay in this gigantic house all by herself. Father had been dead for 10 years, and I hadn't lived here for 6. I told her all the time to find something smaller. But appearance was everything to Mother. The huge house showed how much she was worth. Not that she was here that often. She did make sure to host a dinner and a party every month to remind everyone who she was. I rolled my eyes to myself just thinking how exhausted that sounded.

Once we entered the room, I headed straight for the bar area Mother had incorporated. I went straight for the whiskey. I filled a tumbler glass half full and downed the hole thing. I welcomed the burn in my throat and instantly felt relaxed. I filled it again and added an ice cube before finding a seat to settle into. Henry, Lexi and Damon followed suit. Lexi found a seat next to me, while the guys sat slightly across from us on an over sized sofa. I was dying to know if they had any insight on this ridiculous "dinner party." So I broke the silence first.

"Is anyone else wondering why we are all really here? I can feel that there is obviously something other than dinner going on here. Otherwise, Mother wouldn't have sent Henry to pick me up, nor have Lexi answer the door." I glanced to see if any of them gave anything away. They had their best poker faces on. I was surprised when Damon was the one to sigh and speak up.

"If I had to guess, I would say this is more of a business meeting. All of us have some type of business degree. Not to mention, you just became the owner of the newest hotel in the area. You know how your mother likes to scheme. Not to mention, my parents told me that my presence was requested by Helen. When did she ever do that while we were together?" Damon raised an eyebrow, knowing I couldn't argue. He was right. Mother loved scheming almost as much as she loved her attention. She had already voiced her opinion on me not being able to be successful on my own. I just couldn't figure out why she would want all 4 of us here. That was when I realized I had been in my own thread of thought. Mother cleared her throat to draw my attention to her.

"I can see that you are all trying to figure out why we are all here. I'm glad to see that we raised bright children." Mother smirked at all of us. I couldn't wait to hear her explain herself. I stared at her while I downed my glass of whiskey. I crossed my arms and waited for her to continue. "Why don't we head to the bigger office? The others are already waiting for us there."

Mother sauntered out of the room without waiting to see if we followed. We all exchanged glances, but followed Mother to the next room. We were all too eager to know what was going on. I had a bad feeling that whatever it was, it included Damon. I don't know if I was ready to really face him yet.

We entered the office to find Damon's parents (Claire and Daniel) as well as Lexi's parents (Alexander and Angela) seated on one side of the huge desk situated in the middle of the room. If this wasn't looking more like a business meeting, then I don't know what else it would be. The four of us took the seats across from them while Mother sat at the head of the table. I glared at her, waiting for her explanation. She had a smirk on her face, like she had just played me. I internally cursed her.

"Damon was right when he said this was for business. Since you announced taking over The Mark Hotel, the five of us have been discussing multiple things. First off, I believe you should co-own the hotel with Damon." She quietly watched multiple emotions flash across my face. Shock, Sadness, Anger. Shock and sadness for the fact that I hadn't even ran the hotel for one day and she already didn't think I could do it on my own. Anger for her even suggesting Damon be my partner. Not that I should have been surprised. She was never one to really care about my feelings. She didn't care that Damon broke me into pieces right before I left for Brown. She wasn't even here. She was away in London at some fashion show. Lexi and Angela were the ones who tried to mend me back together. I chanced a look at Damon to find him just as shocked as me. I quickly turned my attention back to Mother.

"You said you were discussing multiple things? Damon helping me is just one. What else have you discussed? And even though I love Lexi and Henry dearly, why exactly are they here?" I quickly started to become annoyed. I wish I had just bailed on this dinner. I wish I would have just told Henry that I wasn't feeling well and just wanted to rest until I had to start my new position on Monday. I was starting to wish I had found a hotel to run outside of the Upper East Side. Then I wouldn't have had to deal with Mother at all. I was surprised when Lexi's father, Alexander, was the one to answer my question.

"We thought that Lexi should be your head of Human Resources. She has already been the head of HR at the mall where your Mother has her store. Her boss continuously praises her. I think she would be a good asset to your team." I heard Lexi gasp and quickly apologize to me. I would never have blamed her. This had Mother's name written all over it. I looked at Lexi as she started quickly word vomiting.

"Blaire I swear I didn't know anything about this. You definitely don't have to give me a job just because we are best friends and our parents want you to. I love my job I have now. You are free to choose whoever you want." I giggled to myself as I realized how nervous and upset Lexi was to be thrown under the bus like that by her father. I know she would never do something like this. If I was being honest with myself, I was already planning on asking her to work at my hotel. Not because she is my best friend, but because I know she is damn good at her job. I smiled at Lexi as I saw her glaring at our parents. I loved her so much.

I smiled softly at Alexander before I started to address Lexi. "It's okay Lex, I have been planning on asking you to come work for my hotel since before I came back. I know that you are damn good at your job, and if I want the best hotel in the Upper East Side, then I have to have the best working for me. I would have asked you even without our parents input." I turned toward my Mother. "Now, is there anything else that you want to bombard me with while we are all here? The decision to hire Lexi was a no brainer for me. As for the decision with Damon, I would like to get a feel for my hotel myself before making that decision. Damon, why don't you at least come in tomorrow morning with Lexi and you can get a feel for it with me."

I saw Damon let out a breath that I don't think he was aware that he was holding. I looked into my eyes to see if I was serious, or only giving our parents a show. Even though we had been apart for 6 years, we could still read each other perfectly. "Yes, Blaire. I can be there at 9:30 if that works for you. Mother, Father, I won't deny that I am pissed at you for doing all of this behind our backs. Let me just remind you all that we are grown adults, not teenagers anymore." Damon glared at all of them. I couldn't help but smile.

"If that is all, I would like to go back to my place and start getting everything unpacked. I would like to relax more before Monday as the new owner. It was a pleasure seeing all of you. Mother." I nodded at her before making my way to the front door. I heard my friends follow me not long after. This dinner drained me and I was now more exhausted than before I arrived. I think I might need to make this hot bath happen when I get home. I could hear Mother not far behind us. I rolled my eyes as I knew she wouldn't let this Damon thing go yet. I stopped right inside the foyer and turned to look at her.

"Mother, I will let you know when I make a decision. Please, just leave it alone." I glared at her, daring her to challenge me on this. She looked shocked that I would give her attitude but quickly brushed it off. She rolled her eyes before smiling at Damon, Henry and Lexi. They were well aware of how fake she could be. I'm not sure why she still tries to act like a normal, nice mother.

"Fine Blaire. But I would a decision sooner rather than later. It was great seeing you all again." Mother waved to us as we turned to leave. Lexi wrapped her arm through mine as we went into the breezy night. Summer was quickly coming to an end and the fall weather was already making itself at home. Fall was my favorite season. And after that conversation, I happily welcomed the chilly breeze. We all stopped by Henry's car before departing.

I don't know what I would ever do without them. Even Damon. They all gave me knowing looks to let me know they weren't entirely shocked that our parents were scheming behind our backs. I couldn't help but laugh to myself. "Well, that was a great welcome home to me. Nothing like typical Mother, trying to control my life by showing she doesn't think I have what it takes to be successful on my own."

I leaned into Lexi for the hug she was subtly offering me. Damon rolled his eyes. He knew first hand how Mother was. She did it the entire time we dated. "Blaire, none of us are shocked by how your mother acts anymore. It is her fault that she can't see how amazing and brilliant her own daughter is." I looked at Damon, trying to read his expression. I saw nothing but love and admiration in his eyes. I don't know if I would be able to work that closely with him at the hotel. Between the hurt coming back to surface as well as the old love, I don't think I could handle it.

I tried to hide a yawn and they all laughed at me. I couldn't help but join them. Take away all the drama that Mother has tried to cause in the short time I have been home, I was truly happy to be back. If only to prove her wrong, and be close to my friends again. I smiled at Lexi and Damon before turning to Henry. I now wish I had just driven myself so I wouldn't have to try and talk to anyone else.

"Henry, I am completely exhausted. If I don't get home soon, I will fall over dead right here in Mother's lawn. Then she would undoubtedly use that to make her point more on how I need Damon's help to run my hotel."

We all laughed and said our goodbyes. Henry opened the door for me as I slid in. I couldn't wait to get home to peace and quiet. And that gorgeous tub. Thankfully, Henry knew to just leave me to my thoughts on the drive back to my place. I honestly didn't know what I was going to do. I knew that Damon could really help the hotel. But I wasn't sure if I could handle it emotionally. I wasn't going to rush my decision though. I was going to make sure I took my time, and only based my decision on what was best for the business.

I wasn't even aware that we made it back to The Mark Hotel until Henry was opening the car door for me. I smiled lazily at him as he laughed at me, realizing I was still in my own little world. He grabbed my hand and helped me out of the car. He walked with me inside the hotel and stopped beside me. I went to say goodbye and hug him when instead, he cleared his throat. I raised my eyebrow, curious as to what he was going to say.

"Blaire, I have one last business proposal for you. I just want to be clear that your Mother has nothing to do with it, and that is why I waited until now to say anything." He studied me to see what kind of reaction I would have. I guess I had a confused look on my face because he decided to continue. "Let me be your financial advisor here."

I must have groaned out loud, because he suddenly became nervous. Why was this my life right now? I have been back home for a handful of hours, and have had 3 proposals thrown at me before I was even able to get a feel for my own business. I know Henry meant well, but I suddenly became annoyed.

"Can I please just figure out my own business first? I know you mean well, but this whole day is starting to piss me off. I will get back to you once I figure out what all I need to do myself. Now, I am going upstairs and soaking in a steamy hot tub with a bottle of wine. Thanks for the ride and goodnight."

I turned and walked toward my elevator. I was already feeling bad for my attitude toward Henry. It wasn't his fault. I knew I would hire him. But I wanted to figure things out first. Why wouldn't anyone just let me act as the damn owner before making decisions for me? I quickly hit the button for the elevator and walked in. I started relaxing the closer to my floor that I got. When the elevator finally opened, I was frozen in place. I wasn't expecting anybody once I got back. When I saw him standing there, casually leaning against the table in the middle of the foyer, I lost all train of thought. My body quickly became hot and I could feel my heart rate increase.

"Damon, what are you doing here?"