Lust & Love

Part 1

I'm nervous. Leaving my home in LA and everyone I know behind to move to the other side of the country. I'm currently half way through the flight on our private jet trying not to overthink what awaits me when we land.

"Isabella, there is no need to worry. You've spent multiple holidays there, you'll feel right at home" my father speaks as he briefly takes his eyes off his work laptop.

This is true. Growing up, my parents and I would spend 2 weeks every Christmas at the family's hotel in Florida. However, since my mother died 8 years ago, I haven't been back. Father has done his best to be around but has constantly been back and forth to Florida with work. Now due to new business deals, he thought it best us move out here permanently. Being 24 I could have stayed in LA, but father wants me to learn more about the family business to one day take over.

To the public my father owns multiple hotels and properties around the US. He also deals in weapons and drugs but that's a need to know.

The hotel I will now call home is a luxury 5 star 30 story hotel right on the beach of Miami. The penthouse stretches across the top 2 floors which is available for family friends only. The top floor consists of the master bedroom and open plan kitchen and living space which opens up to a large terrace and pool area. The bottom floor holds two further bedrooms and a private gym, all sound proofed from the hotel below. There are three restaurants and a casino in the hotel along with the main pool leading onto the private stretch of beach. There's all I'll ever need in one place, it's anyones dream life. But not if you're lonely.

Once we land in Miami, we're whisked off in fathers white Bentley by our driver Lance. I place my head on the window watching the palm trees and skyscrapers as we pass. It's early March so the weather is dry and the heat through the window warms my skin.

Once the Mia Bella, yes named after me, comes into view, a sense of calm comes over me. I see Carson the doorman outside the grand entrance waiting for us. As soon as we step out the car, staff rush to collect our bags and send them up to our Penthouse.

"Oh Miss Isabella how you have grown" Carson takes me into a hug.
"You haven't changed a bit" I laugh, feeling more at home with a familiar face. As my father and I walk through the foyer, staff stop and part, watching us as if royalty which I guess we sort of are. We step into the elevator and ride up to the 29th floor is silent except fathers fingers tapping on his phone. Once doors open, his phone rings.

"Sorry Bella I have to take this" he mumbles as he goes up the stairs to his master bedroom. I stand there for a moment to take in my surroundings. 8 years since I've last been here and it looks exactly the same including my bedroom. I walk up the stairs to the top floor and into the living space. Happy memories flood my mind. The far wall is all glass allowing the sunlight to fill the room. I walk over to the large doors and slide them open, the sea breeze wraps around my long brown hair. Before I can step outside, the elevator dings and my attention is brought back into the kitchen.

Stepping into the room before me is the most handsome man in black suit and white shirt.
"Hello?" I ask shyly. There's a moment of silence as if the sight of me catches him off guard.
"Hi, Isabella, you probably don't remember me but I'm-"
"James. I remember" I cut in. How could I forget such a beautiful face. He smirks and runs his tongue along his bottom lip as his gaze lingers over my body till his bright blue eyes meet mine again.
"You've grown up"

We first met 5 years ago when Father promoted him to CEO to handle both sides of the business here in Miami while father ran LA. But over those 5 years, interaction has been brief, only catching each others eyes at a few of fathers business parties. My body has definitely grown up if that's what he's referring too.

Before either of us could say anything else father finishes his phone call and walks in.
"Ah James, good to see you again"
"Likewise Adrian" they shake hands and father pats his back and suggests for us to sit.
"Isabella, Mr Barnes here is going to be, let's say, your teacher. You'll shadow him and he'll teach you all about the company here in Miami"
"It will be my pleasure, and you can call me James" he smiles at me and the corner of my mouth turns up in response.
They both continue conversation but the whole James focus remains on me.

After a while father excused himself and James goes to leave.
"I'll see you in the office on Monday?" He asks.
"Yes Sir" I reply.
His eyes go dark for a moment and rubs his chin. He then leaves without another word. I may be wrong but I definitely felt some sexual tension. I try to shift my mind and go to unpack. One of the bedrooms on the floor below was always mine when we stayed here so I chose the same to become my own.

The next few days go by uneventfully. I workout, chill by the pool and have dinner with father in one of the restaurants every night. I haven't seen James since the first day, yet I can't shift him from my mind.