Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61248 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
“I’d do it again in a heartbeat if it helped me get to know you.”
It’s right then, that we arrive at my apartment in Central Park. I exit and help Sofia to the sidewalk, and the doorman barely contains the shocked look on his face when he spies her up close and personal with me and for good reason. The last woman I brought home was Anna, and that was a very long time ago now. “Ralph,” I greet, shaking his hand that I pad with several large bills. He’s a tall, bald man with sharp features and a gentle personality. “Sofia will be coming and going on a regular basis. Make sure she’s taken care of.”
“I’ll take good care of her, Mr. Dalton.” He greets Sofia. “Welcome, ma’am. If you need anything, and I do mean anything, I’m at your service.”
“Thank you, Ralph. I appreciate that. And please, call me Sofia.”
There’s a softness in the doorman’s eyes, as if he’s as charmed by her as I am. I think she has a gift with people. They like her. Maybe because she likes them. There’s no hate or arrogance in her heart. Not to mention, Anna was all about formality and her status.
“Can I take your bags up for you?” Ralph asks.
“If you can just knock and leave them at the door,” I say, “that would be great. We also have a pizza that should be here in the next fifteen to thirty minutes.”
“I’ll make sure it arrives,” Ralph says. “Uneaten, of course.”
“I ordered you one, too,” I inform him.
This draws a grin. “You are always too good to me.”
“And yet, you still won’t call me Ethan. You need to work on that.”
“I’ll try, sir. Thank you for the pizza. And I’ll make sure security knows about Sofia and allows her free run of the building.”
“Thank you, Ralph. It’s you who is too good to me.”
I wrap my arm around Sofia and guide her into the building, which is more hotel than residential building, with shiny white tiles that walk all the way up to a security desk. A short, Black man waves our direction. “That’s Eric. He’s a great guy. He owns the security company and has contracts with most of the high-end buildings, and yet, he still works and covers shifts. You won’t see him that often, but you can always ask for him. He says it allows him to stay in touch with what is needed to continue to do well.”
“There’s a lot to be said for seeing how customers react to things. Hearing what customers love in my store helps me define my brand.”
We step onto the elevator, and I punch in the top floor. “You have the penthouse?” she asks, turning to face me.
“Is that a problem?”
“I just… I keep getting reminded that you have a lot of money.”
“Is that really a bad thing?”
“No. No, but I want to make money. I want the Zoey brand to do so well that I can at least afford a place in this building, even if it’s not the penthouse.”
I catch her hand and walk her to me. “Or, you could just stay in the penthouse with me.”
“You’re not stuck with me because you bring me here a few weeks, Ethan.”
“And you’re not stuck with me, either. Staying together is a choice.”
“Yes,” she agrees softly. “I suppose it is. I guess we’ll see.”
The elevator dings with our arrival. “Yes. We will. I, for one, already know what I want.” But I don’t say the words. I don’t ask her to move in with me. It’s too soon. And forever is just a series of days we’ll still be living. Instead, I lace my fingers with hers and lead her into my apartment, where she will share my bed for at least two weeks.
We’ll see where that leads.
Chapter Forty-Two
Sofia
Ashort walk from the elevator and we’re in his apartment, and his place is stunning.
Rich wood floors. Brown rustic leather furnishings. Gorgeous double-pane windows set between dark wood and stretching high and low. But the bar in the center of the room is the show stealer. It’s the same wood as the walls, slightly darker than the floor, and the center is a tan color with a backlight. On either side, there are rows and rows of different kinds of whiskey. To the right is a thick beam that is a rich dark brick with varied colors: orange, tan, green, and brown. The chandelier above the seating area is massive, round, and bronze. As for the kitchen, the room is open concept, and it is, of course, equipped with a giant island that is a wood plank.
“It’s stunning,” I say as he steps behind me.
“Masculine. Too masculine?”
“No. Of course not. It’s beautiful. Did you have a designer?”
“I did. She showed me samples and photos. I was busy at the time and pretty much just told her to do it.”