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CHAPTERSIXTEEN
BLAKE
I was trying notto stare at Nell like she had three heads, but the question that had come out of her mouth had me so completely perplexed I didn’t think I was succeeding.
I struggled to get a grip on myself, rearranging my features into one that wasn’t one of complete and utter shock and allowed myself to give her a small smile.
“Back to my place?” I echoed, just to confirm that I had heard her correctly.
Nell nodded, giving me an uncharacteristically shy smile. “If that’s alright with you.”
“Hell yes, it’s alright with me,” I grinned at her, my heart racing at the thought that I was about to have her entirely to myself, in my penthouse… alone. I didn’t take my eyes off her as I said, “to my place Jeffers, please.”
“Absolutely,” Jeffers said, and I could hear the smile in the man’s voice.
I squeezed Nell’s hand, knowing we didn’t have any reason to continue holding onto each other. But not wanting to let go anyways.
Jeffers made it back to my place in record time, pulling up in front of the high-rise building I lived in.
I climbed out of the back seat first and held the door open for Nell, never once dropping her hand.
As she stepped onto the sidewalk, she stared up at the tall building and then looked at me with a grin.
“I should have known that you lived in some massive, luxurious monstrosity,” she joked.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could have sworn I saw the quick flash of a camera, but once I glanced in that direction, there was nothing to be seen. I turned my attention back to Nell, and she was still regarding me, her soft brown eyes dancing.
“You really should have.” I winked at her, and she laughed as I tugged her forward.
The doorman held open the door for us, dipping his hat in greeting as we passed.
“A doorman,” Nell snorted as we made our way through the lobby. “Of course.”
“It’s all a part of the package, baby.”
I winked at her, and she rolled her eyes, but it didn’t stop the smile that spread across her lips.
She followed after me, and I led her to the elevator designed specifically for the penthouses. I swiped my key fob, and the doors opened, allowing her and me to climb on.
When they shut behind us, we were suddenly encased by mirrors on either side. I could see infinite Nells all watching me with open interest as the elevator soared ever higher.
My hands twitched with the need to reach out and touch her, and it was a world-class show of restraint when I didn’t.
For what it was worth, she appeared to be as uncomfortable as I was as we waited for the doors to open into my home. The elevator finally stopped, letting out a cheerful ding as the doors pulled apart to reveal the space beyond.
I tried to see it from her eyes.
Light hardwood floors, white walls with large, ornate paintings, and windows that spanned the entirety of one wall, giving a panoramic view of the city beyond.
“Blake,” she breathed as she dropped my hand and began walking through the space, the sound of her heels clicking off the floor. “This is beautiful.”
She stopped before the windows, staring at New York City as the lights of it sparkled and shined as if only for her.
I walked up behind her, satisfied when I heard her breath hitch at my proximity.
“I’m glad you think so,” I murmured, close enough now that I could feel the heat rolling off her body but not close enough that we were touching.
I peered down at her. She was still facing out the window, and I used this moment to study her neck's beautiful, graceful curve. The lines of her body arched and rolled underneath the oil-slick fabric of the black gown.
