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Unless I was totally wrong and she was just a really smart grifter.
But she didn't strike me that way.
While I should have been honest and told her who I was, I enjoyed the anonymity the cover story of being a bike courier gave me.
I was trying to be helpful when I suggested that I could front her money, but at the same time, I was thinking how much I'd like her in my bed. Even when I offered to let her stay in my apartment, I could tell that, homeless or not, she wasn't the type to have wild sex with some guy she had just met in an elevator.
I usually didn't give up easily when I saw something I wanted, whether it was a new vehicle, a new bike, or a new woman – at least, not without a fight. As down as I was on love, I was totally up for sex. I was already busy thinking of how I'd seduce her.
If she took me up on the offer of using the spare bedroom in my apartment, which I honestly hoped she would, I'd be a perfect gentleman. I would do nothing more than offer myself as someone who could help her get back onto her feet again – after I graciously offered to take her off her feet in my bed.
I wasn't going to be controlled by a woman ever again, no matter how sweet and sexy she seemed. I'd learned my lesson well and would make sure to find a wife who truly loved me and wanted my children. But until then, I sure would enjoy the pretty women I met along the way.
I had a shower in my penthouse apartment and then went back to Macintyre Publishing's temporary office, thinking about Ella and her very bad first day of work. When I arrived in my office, Keith came in right behind me.
"Look at you," he said, slapping me on the back. "Grinning like you're right in the mind for a change. Who is she?"
I frowned and gave him a dirty look. "What the fuck are you talking about?"
"You're smiling in a way that suggests you just met your next girlfriend. Don't tell me it was the pretty woman in the elevator..."
"You're nuts."
Irritated that he could read me so well, I went over to my desk and pulled out a file from the drawer, a little more roughly than was needed. Keith's words got under my skin, even though I knew he was right. I was smiling while I thought about pretty little Ella. Specifically, smiling at the thought of her shudders of pleasure while I fucked her senseless.
"Come on, man, spill," he insisted, standing in front of the picture window. "Tell me about her. Kaitlyn said you were caught in the elevator with her for about twenty minutes."
"You don't know what you're talking about – as usual. I was thinking about our upcoming editorial meeting," I lied, not wanting to give in too soon. "Money makes me happy. Having a sense of purpose in life makes me smile. The idea of renovating this old building makes me happy. That's all."
"Yeah, right. Tell me another one. That smile is reserved for one thing and one thing alone: pussy. And I happen to know that you haven't had enough lately. So, spill. Tell me about her."
I laughed finally, because he was right. As usual. Keith knew people. It was his superpower, as we liked to joke. H
e had done his undergrad in commerce before joining the Navy. We served together and when we got out, he joined the publishing company as my chief financial officer.
"She..." I said, remembering her. "She is just about the prettiest little thing I've seen in a long time."
"I knew it," he said and practically jumped on me, punching me in the shoulder. "Who is she?"
"Chill out, man," I said. "What are you? A high school freshman?"
"Nah. I've been saying you need to find someone new for a while. Get someone to lick your psychic wounds, and other things."
He grinned at me and I couldn't help but smile back.
"She's not going to be licking any psychic wounds."
"Oh, yeah? What's her name?"
"None of your damn business," I replied, smiling at his eagerness. "And don't you go nosing around her either," I said and pointed at him.
"Hey, you're going to LA next month. While the cat's away..."
He was right, of course. I was planning on going over to our offices in LA and set up the new office there. Stay there for a week to oversee it. Maybe spend some time with David in the hills around the city, getting right with myself. I didn't have to; I could easily catch a flight there and back anytime I wanted. Still, I didn't like the idea that Keith – or any of the guys in the building – would be hitting on her in my absence.
"Seriously, she's off limits. If anyone's going to do her, I got dibs."
"And how are you going to keep me away from her, when you're in LA?"
