The Playboy (Spade Hotel, #1)

by Marni Mann

Because what I wanted was Brooklyn. And only Brooklyn.

“I feel things for her, yeah,” I admitted. “And I’m trying to hang out with her, but she’s not giving me the opportunity.” “So, make the opportunity,” Dominick said.

I squinted my eyes closed, hoping I wouldn’t regret this. “And how do you suggest I do that?” “You’re Macon fucking Spade,” Jenner said. “You find her. You lay the groundwork. And you make her yours.”

“I like where this is going.” I laughed. “It sounds like you’re turned on.” “I am.” “Because I’m talking business?” “Because you’re breathing.”

Macon I can do early, but three hours ago is a kind of early I don’t want to fuck with. When can I see you? Me See me? Macon Yes. As in take you out, spend time with you. Kiss you again.

“When I asked your favorite flavor, sushi came flying out of your mouth. If I’m being honest, I was going to take you to Japan for a couple of days. That’s the best in the world, in my opinion. But I assumed you either had school or work or both, and I didn’t want to keep you from those, especially knowing how important they are to you.” I kissed her again, just a quick peck to get more of her taste, to satisfy that deep need pulsing inside me. “I found the highest-rated sushi restaurant in Hawaii, so that’s where we’re going.” “Macon …” She looked at the private plane, her stare returning to me. “This is far too much. I mean, the clothes were a lot, a lot. This is⁠—” “Here’s something else you need to know about me. When I’m craving croissants, I fly to Paris. I go to Siesta Key in Florida when I want to feel the softest sand under my feet. When I want to unplug from the world, I go to Puerto Natales in Chile. I don’t hold back—ever. I follow what’s calling to me, and I indulge.” I spread my fingers across her cheek. “This is how I live my life, Brooklyn, and how I want to live it with you.” I allowed those words to wrap around her the way my hand was doing. “Those dreams and goals you’ve mentioned are important to you—I know that. And after you graduate, all of them are going to come true. That’s important to me as well, but so is this. This is what you’ll also have if you’re with me—a balance between work and play—and I promise we’ll maintain it.”

“How do you make everything sound so easy?” I inhaled, my lungs so tight that I kept in the air and didn’t release it. He shrugged. “When it comes to you … it is.”

I didn’t think she’d be spending many nights in that hotel room. She’d be at my place, and eventually, once we were both ready, I wanted her to move in. Something I’d never thought would ever happen with a woman. But the nights we spent apart on Kauai, I missed her like hell. I wanted her in my hotel room, and I didn’t see that changing once we were in LA.

She bit her lip and nodded. “Tell me everything.” I huffed all the air I had. “God, the work side of you is so fucking sexy.” “I’m laughing because I was literally just thinking the same thing about you. You’ve always been the hottest man ever, but I’m seriously digging the side of you that talks about Spade Hotels.” Her stare dropped to my chest and slowly lifted to my eyes again. “Business Macon poked his head out not too long ago, but disappeared when you weren’t able to discuss the hotels with me. But right now”—her voice lowered—“all I can see is that delicious beard and

hear your gritty alpha voice and take in the way you’re staring at me, like you want to eat me, and I’m feeling it hard, Macon.”

Macon They need to meet me anyway, don’t they? Why not make our first introduction while I’m naked in your bed? Me Ummm, NO. That nakedness belongs to only ME. Macon That was hot. God, I miss you like hell. The last three days without you have felt like a fucking year.

“Menu is on the table in the living room. Get whatever you want and lots of it. I’ll try to keep you updated and let you know when I’ll be back.” “No, no. I’ll go home⁠—” “Please don’t.” His hand went to my cheek. “Whatever time I get back, I want to be able to sink into this bed and wrap my arms around you.”

A request I couldn’t deny. Because even though I was filled with guilt, even though we should have been talking about the notes and why I’d left them, I wanted to wake up to him too. “Okay.” I nodded. “I’ll stay.”

A few seconds of silence passed before he said, “When I think about my future, Brooklyn, it’s you. That’s what I want to focus on.”

Me I was so worried about what I was going to do post-graduation, and now, I have the best thing waiting for me. Macon LA is going to look so fucking gorgeous on you. Me Macon … I was talking about you. Macon Even better—fuck yes.

The gorgeous woman standing across the living room, having a one-on-one with her mom, was going to be my wife.

“The biggest thing was that I wasn’t looking. I wasn’t planning. I was content with my life and the way things were, and then I spotted her in a crowd of people. This feeling came over me, and I knew I couldn’t leave unless I spoke to her. When I did, something became painfully obvious.” I remembered the feeling well because it was happening again as I looked at her. I took a breath, waiting for it to ease up, and when it didn’t, I continued, “I didn’t want another day to pass by without her in my life.” I made eye contact with both sisters. “I care about her. A lot.”

I know black is your favorite, but red, on you, is mine. When I saw this dress, the only thing I could think of was how sexy it would look on your body. Wear it … for me. Since I probably won’t be able to escape, Jo will be by to zip you up. See you soon, gorgeous. —Macon

I couldn’t get you a dress without the perfect pair of heels to go with it. I can’t wait to see your legs in these. And I can’t wait to see you later tonight wearing only these.

“Poor Macon. He has no idea what he’s in for tonight. The sight of you is going to torture him.” I laughed. “He’s not so good at keeping his hands off me, so I think you’re right.” She held out her fingers for me to clasp, grinning. “Come on. Let’s go ruin his life.”

“And how badly I want you to pick me up in your arms the second we reach your room and fuck me against the door of your suite.” A small chuckle came from his lips as he moved our faces even closer together. “You know what?” “What?” “I’ve met my fucking match.”

“Brooklyn …” I took a deep breath as I scanned her eyes, back and forth. “I love you.” I gently kissed her. “I fucking love you so much.” “You do?” She wasn’t testing me; she wasn’t questioning me. It was as though she knew the answer and was confirming the statement out loud. I still said, “Yes, I do.” “Macon …” Instead of only holding my face, she buried her fingers in my beard. She then placed her thumbs at the edge of my mouth and set her nose on mine, breathing in my air. “I love you too.”

To want to propose when the time was right. That sweet, naughty woman wasn’t going to be my girlfriend forever. I had plans. Of a ring, of a wedding. Of little girls who inherited Mom’s icy blue eyes and boys who inherited my green ones.