"Would you like something to drink?" Jay offered, pointing at the glass refrigerator in the corner of the limo cabin, completely stocked with row after row of wine and champagne bottles.
"Yes, that would be great, thank you," I replied.
Unfortunately, I wasn't a big drinker, and I had a low tolerance for alcohol. In laymen's terms—I get tipsy pretty quickly. I decided to pace myself and only drink a little. Just enough to take the edge off.
As he poured the wine, I surveyed the inside of the limo, running my fingers over the wood grain and the brand new leather seats underneath my thighs.
What did he think was going to happen tonight?
I wondered what kind of girl he thought I was? Probably the kind of girl that almost let a man kiss her in the middle of a dance floor without having bought her dinner first.
But I'm not that kind of girl! Or, am I?
I must've been. Who was I kidding? I might not have been that kind of girl normally, but this wasn't a normal night—I was under his spell.
Chapter Seven
Ella
The limo driver rolled down the partition window, and asked, "Where to, ma'am?"
"I don't know. It's up to Jay. Mr. Aston, I mean."
Resting his arm on my shoulders, Jay said confidently, "Driver, take us around the city."
"Yes, sir," the driver said as he rolled up the privacy window.
"Do you just tell people what to do and they listen?"
"In business, I've learned if you pay the help enough, they will do anything you ask."
I was impressed he had done so well for himself but unimpressed at the fact he regarded the help as easily bought. Essentially, he considered me the help—he just didn't know it yet.
Then came the dreaded question—the one I had been waiting for all night.
"So, what do you do for a living?" he asked.
"Well, I—uh..." I obviously couldn't say I was a file clerk after the comment he just made, so I said the first thing that came to mind. "...I'm a doctor."
I cringed when I thought of all the repercussions that would reverberate from those three simple words.
Jay's eyes lit up when he heard my response.
He turned to me, grabbed my hand, and said, "I have always wanted a woman who is just as successful as I am. A woman who has her own money, that's not after mine."
Almost afraid, I asked, "Uh, yeah. What do you do for a living?"
"I'm the CEO of a Fortune 500 company."
Of course, you are.
"We're based in Paris. We're into everything; electronics, pharmaceuticals, and coffee."
"Coffee?"
"Yup. Coffee is a multi-million dollar industry."
"Oh, wow."
His phone rang, and I was relieved, hoping after the phone call the subject of work would pass. I took a big gulp of wine and listened as he spoke over the phone in a different language.
Wow, CEO and another language? Is there anything this guy can't do?
I wanted to tell him I wasn't a doctor—to come clean—but I didn't know how to.
"Yes, thank you for calling me back. I'll give you a call a little later on this evening," he said, hanging up the phone.
"Later on? It's past midnight."
"Not in Japan," he said with a slight chuckle.
He put the phone back in his pocket, and asked, "Where were we?"
Change the subject Ella! Change it now!
"We're in my neighborhood," I said, looking out the window.
"Oh, you live in this neighborhood?"
"What the hell does that mean?" I asked, insulted at what his question insinuated.
"Oh no, I didn't mean it like that. With you being a doctor and all, I just assumed you lived in Manhattan or somewhere a little more upscale. This area is quaint. Trying to stay near your roots?" he asked innocently.
Although I was annoyed with his arrogance, his reasoning seemed logical. If I had been a doctor, like Cooper, I should've been able to afford a more upscale neighborhood.
Or am I making excuses for him?
"Where can we grab a drink?" he asked.
I was about to answer when his phone rang again.
"Excuse me," he said.
"Of course."
"Bonsòir."
Another language?
Maybe this guy should've been awarded Most Likely to Succeed. He was the full package; handsome, rich, and a linguist. Talk about making a girl feel inadequate. I nervously adjusted my dress and cleared my throat as I waited.
He hung up the phone. "I apologize for the constant interruptions. Business never sleeps. It's why I'm only home one weekend a month."
"One?"
"If I'm lucky. I should give up my apartment, and live out of hotels full-time."
"So, no Mrs. Aston waiting for you at home?" I asked, realizing it was a question I should've asked earlier.
"Not yet. I just haven't met the right woman."
"Who's the right woman?"
"I need someone who understands the needs of my work, and won't go crazy if I have to work thirty hours straight, or hop on a flight at a moment's notice."
"A moment's notice, huh?"
"But being a doctor, you must know what I'm talking about?"
"Yes, I totally get it. So busy—all the time—so hard," I stuttered.
I could've just told the truth.
He smiled.
"Oh, here! Right here. That's a great little bar," I said, trying to change the subject, pointing to the lounge located around the corner from my apartment.
The driver pulled up to the main entrance and let us out. "I'll be right here when you're ready, Mr. Aston, sir," he said, tipping his hat.
"Thank you," Jay replied.
We walked through the door. "Wow, it's pretty empty," I noted.
"That's great. Now we'll have alone time."
"Alone time?" I asked coyly.
"So a doctor, huh? I'm so impressed."
Ugh, why can't he let that go?
"Yes. Impressive," I replied, taking a seat on a barstool.
He sat next to me, raising his hand to flag down the bartender. "Two margaritas, please?"
The bartender brought over two large margarita glasses, rimmed with salt and a lime.
"Oh, I already drank a whole glass of wine. I think I…" I said, pushing the glass back toward the bartender.
"You'll be fine. You're with me. I'll take care of you. Drink up," he said, taking a sip from his glass.
His dominance appealed to me, and I could do nothing but submit to his order to drink up. He placed his glass back on the counter then turned toward me, cupping his palm to the side of my neck.
"I'm so glad I ran into you tonight," he said, his thumb caressing my cheek.
"Me, too," I said, gazing into his eyes as he leaned in to kiss me.
I closed my eyes to fully immerse myself in the moment, feeling the rush of heat wash over me as the alcohol permeated my blood stream. I savored the salt from the Margarita which still lingered on his lips.
He stood up, cupping my cheeks in his palms as I gripped on to his wrists, yielding to his passionate kiss. I could feel myself getting moist, and then…
"Hey, girl!" Renae, one of my very good friends whom I hadn't seen in months, hollered as she neared.
I jumped out of my seat, readjusted my skirt, and ran over to give her a hug.
"Wow, you look amazing!" Renae exclaimed.
"Aww, thanks love. When did you get back from your trip?"
"This morning. I called your house, but you weren't there. Cooper—"
I interrupted her before she could say anything else about Cooper. "Yeah, I was getting ready for my ten-year-reunion," I said, shooting her a wink as I motioned to Jay.
She nodded and winked backed. "Oh, hello. I'm Renae."
He held out his hand. "I'm Jay."
She shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Jay."
"We went to high school together," I explained.
"High school, huh?" Renae asked with an impish smile on her face.
"Yes! Jay, this is my old friend, Renae."
She slapped my arm, laughing. "I dunno about old. Girl, stop tellin' people I'm old. I'm just hittin' my prime."
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm one lucky guy being surrounded by two beautiful women tonight."
Renae rested her hand on her chest, looking Jay up and down. "Mmmm, well aren't we the little charmer?"
He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Oh no, ma'am! I only tell the truth."
I laughed. "Do you wanna join us? Jay here is plying me with alcohol in hopes of getting lucky tonight."
"Oh no, I'm not trying to intrude on all that—you two do your thing, I'll see you when you're not so busy." Renae winked.
"Okay lady," I whispered.
Jay turned to me. "Lucky? Is that what you think's happening here?"
"I'm most definitely sure that's what's happening here," I replied, taking another sip of the margarita, taking a seat on the stool.
"And do you have a problem with that?" he asked, resting his hand on my thigh.
Nervously, I took another swig of my margarita. By this point, I was feeling the effects of all the extra alcohol that my slender frame wasn't used to.
"I'm trying hard to stay sober here," I said, placing the empty glass back on the counter.
My eyes widened, as the last gulp sent me over the edge.
"Why?" he asked.
I had no response except for an awkward chuckle.
"Renae seems nice, where do you know her from?"
"I met her while I waitressed at the sandwich shop she used to eat at."
"When were you a waitress?"
"I put myself through school as a waitress."
"Was it hard to go to medical school and work at the same time?"
"I—uh—well you have to do what you have to do, right?" I stuttered.
"Right."
"So how's a beautiful doctor like you still single?"
I shrugged my shoulders. "Just lucky I guess."
"Lucky for me."
"Well—that's enough about me. What's it like to be a big shot CEO?"
"Changing the subject I see. It's ok if you wanna remain an international woman of mystery a little longer," he said flirtatiously, leaning in closer, skillfully grazing my ear with his bottom lip.
The anticipation he induced tantalized me, and just as our lips were about to touch, we were interrupted by his phone.
"I'm sorry, I have to take this."
Turn that stupid thing off.
I plastered on a fake smile. "No worries."
"Hello," he said, walking to the corner of the room, leaving me unsatisfied and alone.
I signaled the bartender for another round of margaritas while I waited. In a flash, there were another two glasses of the green liquid sitting in front of me. Deciding to start without him, I was nearly done with my drink before he sat back beside me.
Jay looked at me, raising an eyebrow. "Oh, slow down there champ. I don't wanna have to carry you over the threshold just yet."
Marriage?
I melted inside. His phone rang again, but this time he dismissed it.
"I'm so sorry about the interruptions. I have to go back to work."
"What?!?! Are you serious? It's like one in the morning," I said, shocked by the abrupt end to our evening.
"I know, but it's business hours on the other side of the world, and I'm gonna need to get out of here to take a conference call from Japan. It needs my full attention, which I can't give while I have that dress distracting me."
His flirtation was duly noted as I took another sip, finishing off my drink. "Okay. I understand."
Picking up his belongings off the counter, he handed the bartender his credit card, and said, "Needless to say; this job hasn't left much hope for a decent love life."
"I see."
"But you know how that feels, being a doctor. Keeping all those crazy hours?"
I nodded and rolled my eyes. "Totally!"
It wasn't precisely a lie. I knew how it felt to watch Cooper work all his crazy hours.
"Are you ready to get out of here?" he asked.
"Yup."
I stood up but quickly had to grab onto his shoulder, the alcohol making my legs feel like noodles.
"Oh my, tomorrow isn't going to be a good day for me," I said.
"No, it doesn't look like it." He chuckled.
We walked out the main door to find his driver patiently waiting outside.
"29 Furman Avenue," I mumbled, climbing into the back of the limo.
As soon as Jay sat down, I laid my head on his shoulder, instantly falling asleep.
Not two minutes later, I woke up to Jay jostling my shoulder as the limo pulled up to the curb. "Wake up, Ella."
Jay looked at the rundown building, and asked the driver, "Are we here?"
"Yes, sir."
"Wow, we're here already," I said, lifting my head from his shoulder.
"Yeah, it looks like it, unless you gave him the wrong address. Did you give him the wrong address?"
I looked out the window. "Nope, this is my place."
"Ok, well, I guess that settles it. You're home," he said, stepping out of the car.
I grabbed on to his outstretched hand, planting my feet on the curb as best I could.
"I know this might be forward, but I would love it if you would come to visit me in Paris when I go home in a couple days. I could show you the sights, and we could spend some real time together. Women like you are so hard to find—beautiful, with a career that compliments mine. I just feel like we have so much to offer each other," he said, shifting a wisp of hair from my face.
"Paris?" I asked, still trying to get my bearings.
"I'll buy you an open-ended ticket, and have it delivered to your apartment tomorrow."
"But—"
He interrupted. "No, don't decide right now. Think about it. It's a big decision, and you'll probably have to make sure you can get time off work. It's probably hard getting time off at the hospital, but I promise I'll make it worth your while."
"Worth my while? Time off?" I echoed.
Stop copying him!
"It's the city of romance, and hopefully we can create some of our own," he whispered before gently kissing my lips.
My brain was caught in a whirlwind of emotion. Between the kiss and the invite, I had no clue how to respond.
I pointed at my apartment building. "Well—this is me," I said, trying to change the subject.
"Yes, it would seem so." He smiled.
His phone rang in his pocket.
"I'm sorry," he said, pulling it out to check who it was.
"The conference call?"
He nodded. "I'm sorry, I have to go."
"I understand," I whispered.
He leaned in and kissed my cheek, then quickly jumped in the limo without another word.
"Umm, okay, I guess I'll talk to you soon," I said, half waving through the tinted window.
He rolled the window down, and said, "Plane ticket. Tomorrow. Hopefully, you'll be getting on the plane with me."
I smiled and parted my lips, but before I could reply, he turned and began to speak to someone on the phone. "Yes, hello, I'm here. No, I wasn't doing anything important. I'm all yours."
Nothing important?
He rolled up his window, without giving me a second look.
"Will you be okay here by yourself, ma'am?" the driver asked.
"Uh—yeah, I live just upstairs. I should be fine. Thank you," I said, rocking back and forth on my heels.
"Well, it was a pleasure meeting you, ma'am. Have a good evening." He tipped his hat then made his way over to the driver's side.
Although I was disappointed Jay hadn't offered to walk me to the door, the culmination of ten plus years of pining away for him, afforded him some leeway—at least in my eyes. After all, he was handsome, rich, and Jay Ast
on for goodness sake—what more could a girl ask for? Apparently, a ticket to Paris, according to Jay.
This could be my life now—in love, living in Paris.
The driver pulled off, leaving me tipsy and alone on the curb. I took in a calming breath and made my way to the main entrance, squinting as I fumbled with my keys to get the door unlocked.
These were the times I wished we lived on the first floor. Slowly, I climbed each wobbly step, making sure not to fall. Making the morning headline was the last thing I needed. I could see it now:
DRUNK WOMAN FALLS DOWN STAIRCASE, AFTER CONFERENCE CALL RUINS DATE
I traipsed into the apartment instantly relieving my feet of the cumbersome three-inch heels, before dropping my purse on the floor.
Heading for my room, I stopped halfway, too excited to keep the news to myself. I turned and headed to Cooper's room, lightly tapping on his door.
He must be asleep already.
I pushed the door open and sauntered over to his bed.
"Cooper," I said, rubbing his shoulder.
"Hmm?" he mumbled.
"Wake up," I said, trying to sit on the bed in the tight dress, which wouldn't cooperate.
Without thinking, and probably because I was as drunk as a skunk, I slid off the cumbersome material and flung it by the window. I had to have been drunk. Why else would I have undressed in front of him?
I sat down next to him, only wearing a strapless lace bra with its matching panties.
"Cooper, wake up. I have something to tell you."
All of a sudden he shot out of bed, gripping onto the side of my arms. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I said a little startled.
"You scared me half to death," he said, staring straight into my eyes.
"I'm sorry. I just wanted to tell you about the reunion," I whispered, looking down at his hands.
"The reunion," he echoed, looking down at my scantily clad body.
"Yes," I said excitedly.
"Where's your dress?"
I looked over at the floor by the window. "It's over there."
"Have you been drinking?"
"Only a little." I chuckled.
Addicted To You: A Last Chance Romance (You and Me Series Book 2) Page 5
