Buch lesen: «Miami After Hours»

Chapter 1

Daniel Cobb strode through the glass doors of Cobb Luxury Real Estate, confident and poised in a custom Tom James suit and Ferragamo loafers. He’d started the company with the commissions he’d made while working with his father. Now he was the proud owner of his own thriving and highly sought-after real estate company.

Daniel only accepted wealthy clients looking for the most high-priced condominiums and homes in Miami. Anyone walking through the double glass doors of his agency knew what to expect. A skilled agent with expertise in the marketplace. As head broker, he’d hired only six other agents because he wanted to ensure that his clients received the most discriminating customer service.

Determined to make Cobb Luxury Real Estate the premier firm in Miami for luxury homes, he was at the office early in the morning and late into the night, reviewing numbers and overseeing staff. Along with his commitment to Prescott George, a men’s club he belonged to, that left very little time for play...or for women. Not that he was celibate. He had the odd date or two, which usually ended up with a beautiful female in his bed and a smile on his face. But he had no time for serious relationships.

He’d made sure of that after he’d foolishly fallen for Mia Landers back in college. She’d been petite and adorable, with dark doe eyes and a shy demeanor. Daniel had been instinctively protective of her, but Mia had been head over heels for Ashton Rollins, a fellow student of Daniel’s who paid her no attention. Daniel had thought if he bided his time, Mia would see the light. She hadn’t and had died in a tragic car accident later that year, leaving Daniel alone with his anger and regrets. And his guilt. If he’d managed to keep Mia away from Ashton, would she still be alive? Daniel would always wonder if he could have done more.

After that tragedy, he’d focused all his energy into building an empire. He wanted to own homes around the globe, and that required lots of money, especially if he wanted to travel.

Thanks to the phenomenal last few years, he’d added a penthouse in Key Biscayne to his portfolio. The building housed only three other units and was surrounded by nothing but glass. It was sleek, modern and sophisticated. Just like him.

“Good morning, Myrna,” he greeted the receptionist as he passed by.

“Good morning, Mr. Cobb.” Myrna smiled back at him as he made his way to his all-glass office facing downtown Miami.

Myrna was easy on the eyes, which was exactly what Daniel wanted to portray to prospective clients. However, he wasn’t fooled by the cool blue eyes, slick blond hair and slender figure. At twenty-five years old, Myrna was not only smart and capable, she was hungry for more. He could easily see her obtaining her Florida real estate license and becoming one of his agents. He recognized the drive; he had it himself.

Closing his office door behind him, Daniel walked over to the window and looked out over the bay. He’d always been driven to succeed, but it hadn’t been easy. Even though it appeared as if he came from rich parents, he’d been raised in a middle-class family. And once his parents had divorced, because of his father’s philandering ways, he’d been shuffled between two middle-income households.

Daniel grew up learning the business from his father, Kenneth Cobb, who had a small real estate company in Fort Lauderdale. He’d been required to man the phones during school breaks. If he hadn’t, he wouldn’t have gotten a chance to spend any time with his father, who, when he wasn’t working, was more concerned with the ladies than his only son.

Once he’d graduated from Nilson University with a degree in finance, he’d decided to open his own firm, except he would cater to a select niche of young, hip and most of all wealthy buyers and sellers. Cobb Luxury Real Estate was a frequent poster on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. And thanks to meeting the illustrious Rollins family, a connection he’d made in college, the doors to the rich and famous had been opened to him. Too bad that connection had cost him the only woman he’d ever loved.

“Mr. Cobb,” his assistant, Mary’s voice echoed from his phone’s intercom. “The Archers are here to meet with you.”

“Tell them I’ll be with them in a moment.” Daniel stood up, straightening his tie and smoothing his designer suit even though nary a wrinkle could be found on it.

The Archers were new clients who had been referred to him by the Grants, a couple to whom he’d recently sold an amazing five-thousand-square-foot condo. He was grateful for the referral because the Archers’ price range was six to nine million dollars, which would mean a substantial commission for him.

Daniel swung open the doors and got started doing what he did best. Conquering the market.

* * *

Real estate agent Angela Trainor rolled her eyes as she watched her potential buyers, the Harrisons, nitpick the modern kitchen of an exclusive penthouse in Bal Harbour. Did they even know what a find this was? Homes like this rarely came on the market, and the fact that she’d found this for them should have been a feather in her cap. Instead they were finding anything that they could wrong with the luxurious condo.

“Do you see the handles on these kitchen cabinets?” Mrs. Harrison turned to her, and Angela immediately resumed her sales persona. “They’re ghastly.”

“Hardware is easily changeable to suit whatever design concept you desire,” Angela responded.

Mrs. Harrison shook her long straight black hair that hung down her back and fiddled with the diamond-studded bracelet on her thin wrist. The bracelet had to cost more than Angela made in a year! And that wasn’t the only expensive bauble she wore. The woman was draped in jewels, no doubt by her wealthy husband who appeared to be about thirty years her senior.

“I don’t know about this, darling,” Mrs. Harrison said, turning to her husband. “You know I want something move-in ready.”

“Move-in ready?” Mr. Harrison chuckled. “Julia, you know as soon as we purchase, you’ll be gung ho to have the entire space redesigned. I’m with Angela on this one. Surely the hardware is a little nuisance we can easily overcome?”

Angela moved in for the kill. “As you know, this neighborhood is considered the crème de la crème by Miami magazine.” She knew Mrs. Harrison was one of those women who cared about social standing among her peers. “And with the amenities like the twenty-four-hour concierge, gourmet market and state-of-the-art fitness center, you won’t find a place quite like this. Come, look at the view,” she said, motioning the couple toward the terrace so they could once again admire the panorama of Miami Beach.

“Give us a few minutes, Angela,” Mr. Harrison said.

Angela nodded and quietly left the terrace to give the couple privacy. With any luck, they’d agree to purchase the penthouse. Her stomach was in knots just thinking about the fifty-thousand-dollar commission that awaited her if the couple accepted the asking price.

She’d never sold a property as expensive as this one. With her earnings from this commission, she would be close enough to the amount she needed to buy her own luxury condo in a new building in Brickell near downtown. Meanwhile she was living modestly in a one-bedroom apartment in Coconut Grove.

The Brickell developer was known for its luxury appointments including gourmet kitchens and sumptuous master baths. Angela couldn’t wait to be the proud owner of one of the condos, which was what had prompted her move to Cobb. She’d known that selling $500,000 homes to middle-class clientele at the larger real estate firm where she’d worked for nearly three years wasn’t going to get her there. She needed the big commissions that she pulled down with Cobb Luxury Real Estate, and now she was finally moving in the right direction.

Of course she had to dress the part and had to upgrade her wardrobe to ensure that Daniel Cobb would take notice and consider her a good fit for his firm. He’d personally handpicked every agent who sold for him, and Angela had considered herself lucky when he’d agreed to hire her. He’d told her she needed some grooming and had vowed to take her under his wing. In the interim, Angela was trying her best to fit in.

Everyone in the office wore designer clothes, and Angela could be no different. She’d taken a portion from her savings and gotten a complete makeover. Her usual brown hair had been stylishly cut by a top hairstylist in Miami and highlighted with honey-blond streaks. She’d gotten a makeup lesson from an artist who worked on the rich and famous, and now Angela knew how to artfully do her makeup to make it appear as if she were barely wearing any.

Changing her clothes was easy, because Angela always had a love for fashion. She’d just had to raise the bar. And she had. She’d raided several designer boutiques until she now had a stylish array of suits, dresses, skirts and tops that bespoke her new role as a luxury real estate agent.

Today, to impress Mrs. Harrison, who would recognize a designer outfit a hundred feet away, Angela was wearing the latest Marc Jacobs dress along with a pair of Gucci sandals that had come on the market a month ago. The entire outfit had cost Angela a substantial chunk, but it would be worth it if she made this deal.

Suddenly the doors to the terrace slid open and the Harrisons walked in.

“Have you made a decision?”

“We’ll take it,” Mr. Harrison replied.

And just like that, all of Angela’s dreams for her future started to come true.

* * *

Daniel watched Angela Trainor drift past his line of vision. New to his office, she was under his tutelage and coming along rather nicely. He’d handed a plum client like the Harrisons over to her with faith that she could seal the deal. He hoped he hadn’t missed the mark.

Angela knocked on his door even though it was open and poked her head inside. “Are you busy? If so, I can come back another time.”

“No, c’mon in.” He motioned her forward.

As she approached, Daniel couldn’t help but admit she was a fine-looking woman, but then again he only hired the best. He had an image to protect. That’s not to say that he couldn’t appreciate a thing of beauty from a distance. And he certainly appreciated Angela.

She wore an elegant sheath that hugged all her curves, and her shoes were high enough to do wonders for her long, toned legs. Then there were her smooth tawny-colored skin, honey-blond hair that looked like it had been kissed by the sun and those lips that had Daniel thinking thoughts he shouldn’t.

He blinked rapidly, refocusing. “So? How’d it go?”

A large grin spread across her full lips, showing even white teeth. “Slam dunk,” she replied. “The Harrisons want to make an offer on the penthouse. I’m putting together a comparative market analysis so we can negotiate the price.”

“Excellent,” Daniel said. “I knew I made the right decision in hiring you.”

To some, he’d taken a risk. On paper, Angela Trainor was relatively green. With only one year of college and a varied work history, Angela might appear flighty to some. But since obtaining her Florida real estate associate’s license a few years ago, it seemed as though she’d found her calling. She was just the breath of fresh air he needed to ensure the firm stayed relevant.

“Was there ever any doubt?” she asked boldly.

He liked her confidence and tenacity. She would need it in this business. “Don’t get too cocky. This is only your third high-value sale.”

“But it won’t be my last.”

“Ambition is good,” Daniel returned. “You’ll need it because this business can be rather cutthroat, dog-eat-dog, if you know what I mean.”

“I do. This isn’t my first rodeo, Daniel,” Angela responded. “Working at one of the largest firms in the country taught me that I’ll have to make my own luck.”

“Good to hear,” Daniel said. “Now you just have to seal the deal and get to closing.” He knew that just because an offer had been made didn’t mean the sale was a foregone conclusion. Deals could fall apart before closing. Not that it ever happened to him. Daniel took every precaution to ensure that it didn’t.

“Of course.”

“Speaking of deals, I’ve recently signed a new client, a developer that has tasked me with selling out the eighty condos in his building in downtown Miami.”

Angela’s eyes grew large. “Sounds amazing.”

“It is, but it’s a challenge. The lower-end condos go for a thousand a square foot, and the penthouse is fifteen hundred a square foot.”

“Well, if anyone can do it, you can.”

Daniel appreciated her ego boost. “Thank you, but praise is not the reason I’m mentioning it.”

“No?” She quirked a brow and he couldn’t resist returning with a grin.

“I want you to work on the project with me.”

“You do?” Astonishment was evident in her voice.

“Why do you think I plucked you away from that other firm? It was to give you the opportunity to grow and to learn under my tutelage.”

“I’m ready for whatever you want to offer me.” She blushed as soon as she said the words, no doubt because he could certainly take it to mean something other than work. Something like what he could offer her in the bedroom.

Where had that thought come from?

It was his cardinal rule to never date any woman in the workplace. Angela would be no different. He didn’t mix business with pleasure.

He banished the thought and finally replied, “I’m sure you are.” Then he walked over to his desk, procured a folder and handed it to her. “Read this. It’ll fill you in on the development. Let’s plan on putting our heads together on a marketing strategy tomorrow after you’ve had time to digest it.”

Angela nodded and walked toward the door. “And, Daniel?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for the opportunity.”

* * *

When Angela returned to her desk, she was still on cloud nine despite Daniel Cobb’s stern warning not to get overly confident. This was her biggest sale and a chance to impress him.

Over the last six months Angela had watched every move Daniel made. Though he was charming and suave on the outside, she knew he was cutthroat on the inside. He couldn’t have gotten to the top without being a little ruthless. She’d seen him pulverize buyers’ and sellers’ agents alike to get what he wanted. That’s why he was a transactional broker. He worked as a facilitator between the buyer and seller to close the transaction. He didn’t owe either party his undivided loyalty. Nonetheless, she’d seen him use the utmost skill, care and diligence in all his transactions, dealing honestly and fairly with all the clients he represented.

He was recently featured in Miami magazine as an industry star. Everyone knew who Daniel was, including lots of women. Since she’d arrived six months ago, Angela had seen lots of wannabes sashay into Cobb’s offices trying to meet Daniel or have him show them property personally. She was sure most of them were either in the market to be a Mrs. or looking for a good time, and Daniel certainly fit the bill.

Angela tried not to notice how handsome Daniel was, but she’d failed miserably. Not only was he irrepressibly charming, but he had killer features: chiseled cheekbones, a broad nose, a strong chin and sumptuously full lips. And those eyes...

His eyes dared any woman to look into them and not get burned by their dark brown intensity. Angela always made sure not to stare too closely at him for fear she’d get tangled in the web of attraction like so many women before her.

And then there was the body. She was sure there was a vast expanse of steel-toned chest, rock-hard abs and powerful thighs underneath those designer suits he wore. They were enough to make any woman’s knees wobbly at the prospect of a passionate encounter with the man. Angela shook her head. She mustn’t think that way.

Daniel was her boss and he would remain only her boss, even if he was wearing the heck out of a Tom James suit.

“Angela.” Myrna snapped her out of her musings.

“Yes?”

“You interested in going to lunch? Daisy will cover me while we go out.”

“I just got back to the office,” Angela responded.

“C’mon,” Myrna pleaded, “I’ve been stuck in here all day and I need a break. I can’t wait until the day when I can get out of the office and start showing houses.”

“All right,” Angela conceded, and grabbed the Prada purse that was hanging over her chair. She tossed it over her shoulder and followed the statuesque blonde out of the office, uncaring that she had the attention of the owner of the establishment.

* * *

Once they were seated at an open-air bistro facing the bay and enjoying the warm day in early May, Myrna wasted no time getting to the real reason she’d asked Angela to lunch.

“You have to tell me your secret,” Myrna stated.

“What secret?”

“How you got Daniel to notice you,” Myrna said, sipping on her iced green tea. “I’ve been trying for months, but he just looks right through me as though I’m not there.”

Angela laughed. “As if that were possible.” Myrna was gorgeous and she knew it. Every man sitting outside was giving her sideways glances. Was she really so disturbed that Daniel wasn’t one of them?

“It is,” Myrna said, pushing her Asian salad around on her plate. “I want to be an agent same as you one day, but the state test is god-awful. I’ve failed twice.”

“I’ve heard it can be difficult,” Angela responded, though it hadn’t been for her. She’d passed on her initial try and never looked back. Why? Because she’d finally found what she wanted to do in life after floundering in endless jobs for close to a decade. A career that would showcase her brain for business.

“You have no idea,” Myrna said. “And when I finally pass, I want Daniel to give me a shot, a real shot at working for him. To see me as something more than just a pretty face to wow clients when they walk through the door.”

“Do you really think that’s why he hired you?”

“C’mon, Angela,” Myrna stated, reaching for her bottle of Evian water. She unscrewed the top and drank liberally. “We both know my looks got me the job. But they won’t get me my dream job. You’re so lucky.”

“Yeah, I guess I am,” Angela replied. “But it wasn’t always this way.”

“What do you mean?”

Angela wasn’t about to share her story with Myrna, who was known to gossip in the office. She couldn’t tell her that her parents, both academics, saw Angela as a disappointment because she wasn’t more like her sister, Denise, who was working on her PhD. “I mean that sometimes you have to start at the bottom and work your way up.”

“Is that what you did?” Myrna snorted. “Yet somehow you caught Daniel’s eye.”

“Not in the way that you mean,” Angela said. “He has a new project that he wants me to work on with him.”

“And is that all he wants you to work on?”

Angela raised a brow. “What are you talking about?”

“C’mon, you must know Daniel Cobb has a reputation. He’s quite the ladies’ man, or so I’ve heard.”

“And from whom have you heard that?” Angela queried.

Myrna shrugged. “Around. People talk. And word on the street is that Daniel has an aversion to commitment. So all I’m saying is that I hope this venture is on the up-and-up and that you need to be on your guard. A man as suave and charming as Daniel Cobb just might sneak up on you.”

Angela sat back in her seat. She highly doubted that. She had her eye on the prize. Getting out of her small yet expensive apartment and into one of the luxurious condos she’d set her sights on two years ago when she’d begun saving. And no man, including Daniel Cobb, was going to get her off her game.