Unlocking Desire (18+ only)

Chapter 8: Miss Romano and penthouses

"You look stunning sweetheart" Mia's mum Helen looked at her daughter as she slowly descended the stairs in their town house in her stiletto heels.

Her mother looked beautiful herself, her toned curves highlighted in the silver jumpsuit she was wearing.

Mia had gone for dark red velvet that hugged her curvaceous form. The reserved hem line that reached mid thigh was well balanced with the slightly more scandalous v- of her neckline that held her breasts in a way that teased the eye but didn't give too much away. She paired off the look with dark smoky eye makeup and sheer lipgloss, her curls loosely hanging down her back. She wanted to feel like a goddess that night.

"Thanks Mum so do you." She said giving her mother a kiss on the cheek as they proceeded to do some final touch ups in the lobby's wall length mirror before the chauffeur pulled up outside in a matter of minutes.

They got into the sleek car in a huff of expensive perfume and Mia found that the closer they got to the hotel the more nervous she got at the prospect of seeing Hunter.

She had no idea what to even say to him but she knew that if she wanted to get over her weird "thing" for him that made her heart squeeze she would have to forget their little argument so they could go back to being platonic best friends.

By the time they pulled into the hotel's front entrance Mia's leg was bouncing at a violent rate. Her mother would have noticed if not for being occupied by a business related call that had lasted the whole ride.

Mia's door opened and she was kindly helped out by a concierge and led to the large double doors which opened for the two elegant women.

"Mrs Romano, Miss Romano, May I take your coats?" A man in uniform asked with an air of practiced charm and Mia smiled politely. She was itching to see her father.

They were led to the elevators and were escorted on the ride up to the penthouse.

Diamond Crescent hotels was a chain of five star resorts and hotels that Mia's father's brother had been running for decades. It was a family run business, and Mia's father did his part in a way, by hosting all his exhibitions and lavish parties exclusively at the Diamond Crescent hotels all around the world.

It worked in both of their favors, Mia's Uncle's hotels became notorious for hosting the world renown artist and photographer Edward Romano, getting an overflow of media attention and exposure, and in return Mia's Dad got a family discount.

The hum of voices and jazz music mingling together floated into the elevator as the doors pinged and opened to reveal the New York Diamond Crescent penthouse.

The space had the usual vibe of Edward Romano's exhibitions, dimmed warm lighting that was mostly consisted of the artistically arranged spotlights hitting the different art pieces that adorned the walls and corridors. The smooth as milk voice of a jazz singer poured over sequined guests in designer heels and couture embroidered suit jackets as they milled in and out of the intricately designed archways and alcoves that connected with each other in a way that ensured that anyone walking in groups would be separated and come out the other side having experienced Romano's art with a fresh eye and with a fresh set of people.

That's what her dad had always sought to achieve with his exhibitions. He wanted his guests to experience the art around them, to simmer in the atmosphere like they were reliving a sexual awakening. Edward Romano was a romantic, you could tell from just glimpsing at some of his pieces that were a little more out there in their depiction of sexuality and desire.

Mia wished she didn't know this about her father, however being told at thirteen that your parents were separated and sleeping with other people but still appearing as a couple to the media was the surest way of seeing them as not just your parents but as mere human being with desires and flaws.

It made the concept of love and relationships very precarious to her, which was why she held so tightly to her relationships with Hunter, Minnie and the gang, because they were the only thing that felt solid in her life.

Mia made her way through the main walkways, avoiding the maze route and heading to the far end of the main living area where a bar had been set up in front of the wall-length windows that showed the breathtaking view of the city lights that reflected through the crystal glasses gracefully rotating the room on the arms of slender waiters.

She sighed frustratedly, as she still couldn't see her father amongst the guests around the bar area. She was about to turn a corner to check the balcony when a warm hand wrapped around her arm and turned her around.

"Mia,"

Hunter stood before her, his cautious eyes looking down at her and she immediately felt the air rush out of her lungs.