AllFreeNovel
Share Us
But why the sharing? Why give me those tempting glimpses? Had I really heard what I thought I heard?
Could Martin Skellin be interested in more than just sex from me?
My journey into the unfamiliar continued.
The high-rise Martin lived in was luxurious, a property owned by his father, he explained. The doorman and front desk clerk greeted him by name. The lobby was perfection, modernly appointed with Carrera marble floors and a gleaming crystal vase with fresh-cut flowers.
On the ride up in a private glass elevator that overlooked the waterfront, I stared out at the view, but I could see Arturo’s reflection. Watchful, he stood in front of us with his hands clasped in front of him, facing the reflective polished chrome door.
When Martin turned and moved behind me, I knew his bodyguard could see me just as clearly as I could see him. But he gave the illusion that he didn’t, pretending not to notice his boss moving closer.
I did my part to facilitate the illusion, pretending not to anticipate the brush of Martin’s flesh over mine as he removed the black cashmere coat from my nearly bare shoulders. The coat had been zipped inside the bag from Nordstrom, along with the Dolce & Gabbana dress, and studded sandals by Louboutin.
“It’s a lovely view,” I said nervously, staring at the water. But Martin’s eyes were on mine.
“Yes, it certainly is.” He lowered his head and pressed his mouth to my skin.
My legs trembled as he skimmed his firm lips from that sensitive spot where my shoulder met my neck, then upward to just beneath my ear. “But you are lovelier.”
The man knew what he was doing. My blood rushed like liquid fire in my veins.
“Thank you.”
He didn’t respond, just stared at me a moment longer, at us. In his suit and camel hair coat and me in my dress, we looked like a real couple in our reflection.
When we reached the top floor, the elevator dinged and Arturo stepped out, murmuring something about checking the apartment.
Martin took my hand. “This way, my dear.” He tugged, and I followed where he led.
Stepping inside the wide-open space of the penthouse apartment, I barely noted the click of my heels on the hardwoods, too stunned by the expansive views out all the floor-to-ceiling windows. Wispy clouds and twinkling stars broke the darkness of a velvet-black sky that formed a canopy over a dark ocean.
“Wow.” I moved forward, taking in the chandeliered lighting over a huge dining table by a kitchen with an oversize bar and a granite-topped island.
The couch, the upholstered elements, the rich oriental rugs spread throughout, it was entirely unexpected. Furnished in earth tones with warm metals, coppers and bronzes, it was a surprising contrast to the black-and-white color scheme accented by chrome and brushed stainless steel in the club.
“Do you like my home, Addy?” he asked, coming up behind me.
I nodded. “It’s different from the lobby downstairs, different from Winston’s.”
“Yes,” he said, turning me to face him. “Those places aren’t me. They were done to project an image. This is my space. Me.”
I could like him here in this space.
“Why did you bring me here?” I asked softly, my heart racing as I noticed that we were alone.
The door to the private elevator, the only access to his penthouse, was closed. Arturo had ridden it back down. I imagined he stood guard in the lobby, and wondered if he was ever off duty.
“You know why.” Martin’s voice was as velvety as the night sky.
I blinked at him as if in a dream as he reached up to remove the pins I’d used to hold up my hair. Whisper-soft strands falling around my shoulders, I placed my hands on his chest, noting his eyes flare.
His body was warm, and he was solid muscle. This wasn’t a dream.
“This is the first time you’ve touched me of your own accord, my darling.”
Instantly, this didn’t feel like a bargain like before. It felt serious and important. But I didn’t trust my judgment. Not anymore.
I decided to forgo making plans and analyzing him for the rest of the evening. What harm would it do to take a night off? After all I’d been through, didn’t I deserve a little indulgence?
