Claim Me: A Novel

awake. I sit up, confused. I didn’t even know that hotels had doorbells, but apparently the I’m-richer-than-Midas executive suites do, because that is definitely a bell—and it is definitely not being answered.
    “Damien?” I expect to hear his reply from the bathroom, and when it doesn’t come, I slide out from under the downy spread and stand up, my body both languid and sore, as if it’s not entirely sure how it’s supposed to feel after last night’s adventure.
    Another buzz makes me jump, this one followed by a brisk voice announcing, “Room service!”
    The thought of coffee gets me moving. “Just a sec,” I call back, then cast about for something to wear. I spy a robe draped neatly over the back of a chair, which is good considering the state of my dress. Damien put it there for me, of course. But where the hell is he?
    I hurry out of the bedroom and through the dining area to the door. Although the waiter must have been out there for at least five minutes, he’s not in the least bit ruffled. “Good morning,madam,” he says as he wheels the cart in and starts to distribute the food to the now clean-and-tidy dining table. Damien really has been busy this morning.
    The waiter is uncovering each plate as he moves it from cart to table, and I realize that I am starving. There’s coffee, orange juice, eggs, toast, a waffle, fruit, and enough bacon to feed a small army. There’s not enough silverware or cups for an army, though. In fact there’s one coffee cup, one juice glass, and only one bundle of silverware wrapped in a black cloth napkin.
    I may be slow this morning, but I’ve finally clued in on reality—Damien has skipped out on me.
    “Will there be anything else?”
    “No,” I say. “Thank you. Do I need to sign a check or something?”
    “No, ma’am. But I do have this for you.” He reaches into the breast pocket of his jacket. He pulls out a small envelope and hands it to me. “Mr. Stark asked that this be delivered with your breakfast.”
    “Oh.” I take the note, surprised but pleased. “Thank you.”
    I hold on to the envelope until he’s gone. The paper is thick linen, and the name of the hotel is embossed on the back flap. It’s sealed, and I unroll the silverware and use the knife to loosen the flap. I pull out a small sheet of the same linen paper. It’s folded over, and when I unfold it I see Damien’s neat, precise printing.
    My darling Ms. Fairchild
,
    Enjoy your breakfast. If there’s something you would prefer, simply call room service. I didn’t know what you were hungry for. Personally, I woke up hungry only for you, but as you looked so lovely, I thought I would let you sleep. I need to be in San Diego for a six o’clock breakfast meeting with a troublesome business partner, but I’ll be back in LAby eleven. Stay in the room. Shop in the gift store. Utilize the spa. Whatever you want
.
    I will see you in a few hours, and the rest of Sunday will be ours. I look forward to a delicious next encounter
.
    I must confess that I have never picked up a beautiful woman in a hotel bar before. Having now met you, I wonder what I’ve been missing all these years …
    I will see you later. Until then, imagine me, touching you
.
    Yours
,
Damien
    P.S. I suggest you wear something other than the shredded blue dress. Check the closet
.
    I am smiling so wide it hurts, and I hug the letter to my chest and sigh, then collapse onto the bed and replay every decadent moment of last night. Then I spend the rest of the morning doing as Damien suggested. There’s a darling floral-print sundress for me in the closet, along with a cute pair of Yellow Box flip-flops. I wear those downstairs and have a mani/pedi at the spa. Once my nails are dry, I wander the lobby and buy both Damien and myself oversized Beverly Hills T-shirts and matching baseball caps.
    After that, I sit by the pool with a magazine and drink two Bloody Marys while I read all about the latest celebrity antics in what will surely turn out to be a futile attempt to impress Jamie with my Hollywood knowledge. The magazine has only one small picture of Damien and me, and I immediately decide that this particular publication is a million times more responsible than its competitors.
    At eleven, I still haven’t heard from Damien, so I go back to the room to wait. The vodka goes to my head and I must drift off, because the next thing I know the mattress is shifting, and I’m opening my eyes and seeing the most