Chapter 2

I swing side to side on the chair in my kitchen as I consume a bowl of cereal for breakfast. The main thought in my head is the dinner I was to have with Robert later on. He is a man who never really takes no for an answer. He was progressing faster than I had thought. Especially since he is still hungover on his ex. Chasing her from Malta to Milos the last couple of months. Their relationship has always been toxic but yet they clung onto each other like they were each other's lifeline. Until April one day decided to run away like a thief in the night.

I sigh, shoving a spoonful of colorful cereals in my mouth.

I've seen her pictures. April. She is gorgeous, honey-green eyes that were capable of selling anyone dreams. Her smile warm and genuine like a kindergarten child. I get why Robert is obsessed with her. If I was a man, I would probably chase her around the globe as well.

That is why I cannot understand Robert’s eagerness for us to have dinner. Maybe he is in desperate need for a play thing to keep him company as he tries to locate his ‘love of his life.’

I squeeze my eyes shut so I can rid these useless thoughts. I need to figure out a game plan to crack Robert Hoffman. To earn his trust that he allows me into his home. His dealings. Gather enough proof that will put him behind bars where he belongs. What I do is…draining, but it is for the better good of Germany. That is what keeps me going even during hard days like today.

When the evening rounds around, I am scanning the clothes Benedict and his groons bought me for this mission specifically. At the moment I am in a white rope, hair wet after taking a long hot bath. I still have no game plan, but I know I need to keep Robert hooked for the long run.

I pinch the black basket weaven dress that sucked me in like a corset dress and hard to walk around in. Hopefully, we will not be doing much walking. I make the silent prayer as I set my mind to it, pulling it off the hanger. It is quite heavy.

Soon I have my hair curled, make-up applied, and dress slipped on paired with silver high heels. I grab the gold metallic purse, before staring at the final image from my full-length mirror. I hear the honk of a car and I immediately know that my Uber has finally arrived. I suck in a final deep breath before sauntering out of my temporal rental apartment.

The ride to the hotel is accompanied by the driver's soft playlist. It is surprisingly soothing, but as soon as that tall building comes to view my heart starts to pound against my chest.

      “Enjoy your evening ma'am,” says the driver with a wide grin after the large tip I gave him.

I try to smile at him but it feels heavy on my lips. My steps are small and hesitant. I am trying to buy time to figure out which route to take. Should I act timid and conservative? Or should I be bold and straightforward? Would he view me boring if I go for the first route, and decides I am not worth his time? The other? Will he view me as a loose whore and ditch me soon after?

I suddenly feel like an amature and yet I have taken down worse men than Robert Hoffman.

   “Jennifer Schultz,” Robert muses as soon as he sees me, getting up from his chair.

His arm snakes around me, hand pressing on my lower back, head tucks into the crook of my neck as he draws a deep breath. My body stiffens until his head pops up again, pressing a kiss on my right cheek.

        “You smell absolutely spectacular,” he sighs taking a step back, unveiling his charming smile. “And you also look as beautiful as the first day I met you, if not just a few ounces more,” he adds.

I offer him a small smile, watching him as he walks around me and finally pulls the chair out for me.

     “There is no need for all of this. Should it not be me pulling your chair out seeming as this is a meal for I to thank you for what you did for me the other day,” I joke with a light chuckle.

He also laughs, walking back to his chair.

    “All you need to do is look this perfect,” he gestures to me with a smirk. “Your beauty is thank you enough. Your time is over compensation,” he continues.

I giggle with a blush, swatting my hand dismissively.

    “Your tongue is smooth like butter Mr. Hoffman. I mean…Robert,” I say as if it was a slip of a tongue.

He only stares at me a moment too long, a content smile kissing his lips. For a moment I think there is something wrong with the air conditioners in this hotel as the degrees seem to go up by the second.

He then sits back, snapping his fingers to the staff.

     “I hope you love sea food. I ordered you sushi and prawns. I hope I have not overstepped,” he says when his attention returns back to me.

I cannot say I am not shocked that he has already ordered for us.

    “Of course not. Your actions are quite uhm…” I blush slightly, as my fingers caress the edge of the table. “...endearing,” I complete my sentence.

Robert’s laugh echoes throughout the restaurant, startling other customers who came here for a quiet evening. But all they could do is scowl, and Robert is left unbothered. Unconsciously, I am spotting a smile of my own just seeing the twinkle in his grey eyes. Seeing him warming up to me like this grants me some warmth, and assurance that perhaps I can crack this case if I continue playing to his tune like this.

       “You love a man that takes charge, don't you?” He says with mirth circling his eyes. “Naughty little girl,” he adds, just as the food arrives.

When the waiter attempts to fill our wine glasses, Robert snatches the bottle from his grip and dismisses him as if he was an annoying insect. He leans over filling my glass and then his.

      “Let us hope no one will leave with a wine stain tonight,” he jokes, placing the bottle in the iced bucket.

I laugh, tucking my hair behind my ear as I blush slightly.

     “We can always purchase a new outfit,” I joke back and that makes him laugh again.

      “Something tells me, we will get along just fine Jennie. You do not mind if I call you Jennie? I will call you Jennie,” he says, going on to unpack his eating utensils.

I follow suite and pick the chopsticks off the table, dipping the sushi into the soya sauce before popping it into my mouth. It is silent for a while, each one of us just enjoying our meal in peace, savouring the fine taste of expensive wine.

    “So, Jennie, what do you do for a living?” he inquires, his gaze focused on me.

I clear my throat, grabbing the glass of wine to take a sip, just to wash down the prawns I was munching on. I lick the essence of wine remaining on my lips, noticing how Robert’s eyes follow the movement of my tongue.

     “I am a masseuse,” I respond, blinking up at him politely. “And you?” I ask just to seem somewhat interested.

Robert chuckles shaking his head slightly as he busies himself with cutting up his steak.

     “I own this hotel for starters. A few more other hotels and restaurants. An investor to many start-ups and some well known businesses. However, Hoffman Enterprise is my baby. I built it from the ground up while I was nineteen and completing my business degree in Oxford,” he looks at me all smug, clearly impressed with himself.

I swallow hard, suddenly the sushi being an impressive sight to look at. A bitter taste tingling at the back of my mouth. Rich people like Robert irk me. He grew up in a standard home that managed to take him to fancy boarding schools since he was an only child. They gave him the best opportunities to make something out of him. Sure, his brain was what earned him a scholarship to Oxford University. Nonetheless, he chose to become a scumbag, a dirty, ruthless businessman. The things I would do just to have his upbringing. The opportunities he had.

Yet still, I manage to fake a smile at him, and say, “you have done a remarkable job for yourself. Actually, it seems you have made quite a remarkable name for yourself.”

Robert squints, leaning forward as he narrows his vision down to just me.

    “Were you pretending to not know who I am or you really have no clue?” He asks, looking extremely curious.

I delibarate this question in my mind, trying to find the safest answer. I end up settling for a more believable one.

    “I would be lying if I say I had no clue who you are, Mr. Hoffman. Who would not know the multi-bilionnaire businessman, whose businesses lay across the whole of Germany outpouring to the other neighbouring countries. However, I will not lie and say I am familiar with you. I do not really pay much attention to the elite. What is the point when they are most likely not going to spare me a single glance even if I knelt beside their table asking for crumbs?”

Robert blinks at me. One moment looking speechless, the next looking amazed.

   “I would surely notice you Miss Schultz,” he declares, making me laugh.

    “Do not flatter me Hoffman. If I did not make a fool of myself by spilling wine on you, would you have noticed the lonely old me by the bar?” I tilt my head to the side, but bite my bottom lip to appear sexy as well as intrigued all at once.

   “Oh sweetheart, what matters is that we are here now. Having dinner. And you have my full attention. Tell me what you need and you have it. The world is your oaester now,” he swoons at me.

I giggle, turning back to my plate.

    “You have a way with your words,” I mutter taking a sip.

Robert laughs, also turning his attention to his plate. He pauses his action to cutting his steak and peeks up at me. I quirk a brow up with a taunting smile, that makes his huff out a laugh.

     “There is something about you Miss Schultz, that keeps pulling me in. I would love to know you better. Spend more time with you,” he says.

       “Me?” I fake gasp, pressing a palm to my chest. “What about me could possibly intrigue a man of your statue?” I inquire.

He shrugs his broad shoulders. Leans back to his chair with his glass of wine in hand which he tips up to his lips. His eyes hold something dark and dangerous in them as he looks at me like his new favourite project.

    “I also don't know. But I guess time will tell,” he answers, and his eyes drift from me to the band playing on stage. “Would you like to dance Jennie?” He inquires placing his glass down.

I almost choke on the piece of prawn in my mouth. I have not yet answered but yet I hear his chair screech against the shiny floor. He walks around the table, stopping right beside me and thrust a hand forth.

    “Dance with me,” it is not a question, a proposition, nor a request, but just a stern and non-negotiable demand.

I swallow the spit in the back of my mouth as I grab his offered hand. I make my way to standing up but stagger a bit. He manages to support me by using his other hand to press my lower back so I can catch my balance, as a soft chuckle of amusement escapes his lips.

    “Sorry, it must be the wine. I do not drink often,” I say and it is not a lie.

Robert only chuckles as he leads us to the dance floor. A few couples already swaying. When we come to a stop, he fixes his grasp on my  right hand, lifting our hands up a bit. His other hand coils around my waist, palm pressing firm on my lower back pulling me close to his frame. I can feel his hard muscles even with our clothes on, that how close we are to each other. His gaze locks with my own, before we starts stepping, back, forth, right.

Back, forth, left.

It goes on like that for a while, until he presses me even closer to him making my breath hitch as a surprise gasp escapes my mouth. He doesn't say anything, and just tightens his grip on my waist, fingers digging slightly into me. I can feel his heartbeat against me. His cologne the only scent I am aware of. His warmth engulfing me like a blanket in winter. His grip centering me and keeps me standing and following the movement of his feet.

    “You smell so feminine, like a mixture of vanilla and cocoa butter,” I swear he almost purs from how content he sounds.

All I can do as a response is scrap his back with my nails. Clearly he felt the gesture as a warning hum bubbles in his throat.

    “Do you feel it?” He suddenly inquires, making me frown.

I peer up to look at him to show him my clear confusion.

He pushes his hips forward, and I feel his bulge pressing against me. I fist his blazer with my left hand as my steps stagger and he holds me up with a light chuckle.

      “What else would you expect when you have a stunning woman pressed up against you and smelling like heaven,” he says, growling slightly towards the end.

My heart race as my eyes dart around.

    “How about we eat dessert. I feel like caramel pudding,” I say pushing him gently away from me.

I hear him chuckle as he follows me back to the table. My heart never seizing it quick pace.