by Jade, Ella
“Thank you, but I can’t.” Sammy turned to Tyler. “I have to get going. Thanks for the drink.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow.” Tyler wasn’t ready for her to leave, but he had to get back to the reception. “Probably sometime in the late afternoon.”
“Okay.” She retrieved her bag from the stool. “Congratulations again,” she said to Coda and Spencer. “Have fun on your honeymoon.”
“Thank you,” Spencer said as Sammy hurried out of the lobby.
“She was in a rush to get out of here,” Coda said. “What did you do to her?”
“What was that all about?” Spencer asked.
“I don’t know,” Tyler said. “I just met her, but she’s shy.”
“She’s cute,” Coda said. “I can’t believe you weren’t more persuasive in getting her to stay.”
“Especially since you have a room upstairs,” Spencer said. “Losing your touch?”
“You interrupted me.” Tyler picked his phone up off the bar and shoved it in his pocket. “She’s not the type of girl who would have spent the night with me anyway.”
“She’s too smart.” Coda laughed as she wrapped her arms around Spencer’s waist. “She’s probably a keeper.”
“There’s something different about her.” Tyler couldn’t get that innocent smile out of his head. “I’m not sure what it is yet, but I’d like to find out.”
“Do you think you can put that off until we get back from our honeymoon?” Spencer asked. “You don’t need any distractions over the next few weeks. You have enough to do.”
“Don’t worry.” Tyler took Coda’s hand and led her back to the reception. “You enjoy Italy with your beautiful bride and I’ll take care of the agency.” And find out all about my Brooklyn girl.
Chapter 2
Sammy practiced her cello, cleaned her flat, and studied for an exam all before noon. She couldn’t sleep the night before, but who could expect her to? She’d gone to that hotel to catch a glimpse of the Cannons. She’d succeeded too. Coda and Spencer were more stunning in person. Tyler was an unexpected surprise. She’d seen him in the tabloids with all of those models and beautiful actresses, but those papers didn’t do him justice either.
Every time she closed her eyes and tried to find sleep, images of his muscular physique flooded her mind. His dark hair and green eyes had dominated her thoughts all morning. She’d never been so close to a sexy, rich executive before. He’d been getting much more attention with the rag sheets since Spencer was no longer an eligible bachelor.
She’d been conflicted since leaving the night before. What would she have done if Spencer and Coda hadn’t interrupted their conversation? Tyler was about to ask her to his room. Could he have persuaded her to go? She’d been so wrapped up in her music and school work the last few years that her teens had gotten away from her. She worked hard to keep her scholarship, because without it she wouldn’t be able to finish her education.
Recently, she’d been offered several jobs as an accompanist for some local singers, and had even done some weddings. Her professors were confident if she stayed her course and focused, she’d have no problem finding work when she graduated the following year.
Now she found herself pacing her tiny one bedroom, waiting for Tyler to pick her up for a date. He’d texted her as he said he would. Then he called and they talked for over an hour. They finally decided to end the conversation and have dinner that evening.
He said casual, so she opted for a pair of faded blue jeans and a dark blue cami top. When she stepped out of her apartment and into the warm spring night, she realized her decision not to bring a sweater was a good one. As she locked her door, Tyler turned the corner. She watched as he came toward her. His dark jeans fit his toned legs just right. His black and gray button-down shirt suited his massive arms and biceps.
When she saw both Cannon brothers standing side by side last night, she noted how much they resembled one another. Tyler was a little taller and his hair was longer, but it was clear they both worked out on a daily basis. They were blessed with strong, attractive genes.
Her stomach tightened as a shiver overtook her when Tyler stopped and grinned. His teeth were so white and his lips...
“Hey,” he said. “You didn’t have to wait outside for me. I would have knocked.”
Of course he would have. He was probably raised to have impeccable manners. She’d never had a guy in her place before. The last time she’d been on an actual date was two years ago.
“I was ready, and it’s a beautiful night.” She walked down the front steps. “I decided to get some fresh air.” She’d hoped the air would help calm her nerves, but now that he stood in front of her, the anxiety increased.
“The night isn’t the only thing that’s beautiful.” He took her hand, leaning in to kiss her cheek. His stubble grazed her jaw, causing another nervous shiver. “You look hot,” he whispered into her ear.
“Thanks.” She looked him over. “You look good too.”
“I parked on the corner.” He led her down the street. “Are you always this shy?”
“I’m quiet, I guess. I’m awkward around strangers,” she admitted before she thought about how silly that sounded. He’d think she was a total goof.
“I’m not a stranger. You said you knew me.”
“I know of you.” She didn’t want him thinking she was a stalker, even if she did know more about his family than she initially admitted.
“What about our phone conversation today? I told you where I went to school, what I do at work, where I like to hang out, and that I love Italian food, especially when Coda’s mother makes it. You know a lot more about me than most girls.”
“You’re a charmer. That I know for sure.”
“Perhaps, but everything I told you is true. What else do you want to know?”
“There may be a few things.”
“Like?” He stopped and waited for her to answer.
“I don’t know.” That wasn’t true. She wanted to know everything about him. “Where do you and your brother get all of those muscles?”
“Hmm...checking out Spencer too? He’s married.” Tyler winked. “We’re seriously into martial arts. We’re both third degree black belts. We train every morning together before work and three hours on the weekends. It’s a fantastic workout.”
When her gaze traveled along his body, she had to agree. There wasn’t an inch of him that looked neglected.
He pushed the button on a key fob as they approached a sleek, black Mercedes.
“Sweet ride,” she said as she looked it over. No one in her neighborhood drove anything like that.
“Thanks, I bought it last month.” He opened the door for her. “It’s my grown-up car.”
“I don’t even have a non-grown-up car.” She giggled.
“I like when you do that.”
“What?”
“Giggle.” He playfully tugged on the end of her hair. “It’s adorable.”
Her heart fluttered when he smiled at her, and he tossed the hair over her shoulder. Total charmer.
When she slid in, she took in the scent of new leather. Where she came from, people didn’t often buy brand new cars, and if they did, they weren’t like this one. As she looked around at the electronic dashboard and all the gadgets, she wondered how much something like this cost. Probably more money than she’d ever seen.
Tyler got in the driver’s side door as she buckled her seatbelt. “There’s a new pizza place downtown I thought we could try, unless you wanted something else.”
“Pizza is great.” Relief washed over her when she realized they weren’t going to some fancy Manhattan haunt. She worried she wouldn’t fit in with his crowd. He was into the club scene from what the social pages said. That wasn’t her thing.
“It’s the newest hot spot. Always packed. I heard they have fantastic food.” He pulled out onto the street. “They have salads and pasta too if you don’t want pizza.”
“It
sounds perfect.” She was impressed that he’d put that much thought into where they were eating. It wasn’t as if he had much time to plan their date.
“The cello, huh?”
“Yeah, I’ve been playing since I was nine.”
“That’s cool. My father played the piano for the New York Philharmonic. Spencer picked up his talent. He didn’t go, but he was accepted to Juilliard.”
“Wow, I wanted to go there, but I didn’t get accepted.” At first she had been crushed when she didn’t receive an acceptance letter from Juilliard, but a few days later she got into the conservatory. “I love my school, so it’s all good. You’re not musical?”
“No.” He laughed. “Spencer got all that. I got the good looks.”
“Your dad must be proud of both of you.”
“He passed away years ago.”
“I’m sorry.”
“My grandfather stepped in and kept us in line. He founded the agency and taught Spencer and me everything we know. Having him around was a huge help to our mother after our dad died.”
“Grandparents can be great. Mine raised me.”
“Your parents?”
“I never knew my dad. He died before I was born. He was a musician too. He played the guitar in a band.”
She didn’t talk about her dad often. Her parents weren’t married, and he died months before her mom gave birth to her. A few years ago, she’d found her birth certificate and learned his name, but she never took it any further than that. Not until she found herself in the lobby of the hotel the night she met Tyler. It was the name on her certificate that had drawn her to the Cannons in the first place.
“Coda’s dad was a musician. I can’t remember if he played an instrument or if he sang, but he was in a band too. Small world.”
“We’re all connected somehow, right?”
“What about your mom?”
“She died when I was ten.” Getting to know new people usually led to the inevitable family talk.
“Wow, Sammy.” When he reached for her hand, the heat rushed to her cheeks. His gesture was unexpected, but sweet. “I’m sorry. That must have been hard.”
“She wasn’t very stable.” Sammy didn’t like to discuss her mom, but Tyler’s presence soothed her. “Prescription drugs got the better of her. I try not to think about it too much. My grandparents are my parents. I’m very fortunate to have them.”
“Do they live in Brooklyn?”
“They still have the house, but most of the time they are in Florida. My grandfather’s sister lives there, and they enjoy the warm weather and the beach. They come back a few times a year. I visit them when I can.”
“They did a good job with you. You seem to have your shit together. You’re a lot better off than I was at your age.”
“Seriously.” She rolled her eyes. “You’re twenty-seven and you run an ad agency. I’d say you have your shit together.”
“No, Spencer runs the agency. My grandfather likes to have final say on everything. I’m still learning, and I’ve only recently become serious about it. I was a partier. I barely made it out of college, and when I did, my grandfather made me intern for a year before he trusted me with anything.”
“You’re not into the whole club scene anymore?”
“I still like it, but it’s getting old.” He laughed as he pulled into the valet line in front of the restaurant. “Maybe I’m getting old. The agency has exploded in the last year and we’re really busy. That doesn’t leave much time to party. Most of my friends are settling down now too. That makes it hard when I’m looking to hang out on a Friday night.”
A man opened her car door for her as Tyler handed his keys to another man. She slid out of the car and smiled as Tyler came around and took her hand. She admired the chic storefront with the large tinted windows and spotlights shining on the entrance. There was a long line to get in, but Tyler bypassed the waiting diners and walked in through the large double doors. No one stopped him.
“I thought it was a pizza place,” she whispered.
“It is, but I told you it’s a hot spot.”
“Mr. Cannon.” An attractive woman with long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes greeted him. “We have your table.”
“Thanks, Meg,” he replied as they walked down the hall and through the main dining room. Tyler led Sammy up a flight of stairs and into a secluded room. There were only a few other tables filled with patrons.
Meg sat them by the floor-length windows that surrounded the room and overlooked Times Square. Sammy took in the view. Even though she lived in the city, she didn’t get into the heart of it often. She’d been busy with school and recitals the last few months, and now she was focusing on picking classes for her final year of school.
“Thanks, Meg,” Tyler said when she placed menus in front of them.
“Let me know if you need anything.” She smiled at them both, but turned her attention back to Tyler, letting her gaze linger a little longer than necessary before sauntering away. Sammy couldn’t blame her. He was something to look at.
“I thought you said you’d never been here before.” She looked around the dining room. “It’s cool.”
“I haven’t.”
“Meg knew you and we didn’t have to wait for a table.”
“You’ll never have to wait for a table when you’re with me.” His grin displayed his sexy confidence. “Her family caters lunches at the office. She works for them and she just got a job here. I called her and asked if she could get us in.”
“Used all that Cannon charm?” Sammy could picture him smiling and complimenting Meg as he maneuvered a reservation out of her.
“What else?” He shrugged. “If you got it...”
“And you know you have it.”
“Don’t you like my charm?”
“More than I should.” She glanced at the menu as she thought about how quickly she’d become taken with him. They’d only seen one another twice and had one phone conversation. That was all it took to get hooked on Tyler Cannon.
That could be dangerous on so many levels.
AFTER DINNER, THEY walked along Broadway. Every time they passed a marquee featuring a musical, Sammy’s face lit up. In a matter of hours, she’d managed to captivate him. He liked her fresh outlook and upbeat personality. She seemed to drop her shyness by the time they’d finished eating.
“I want to see that one.” She pointed to an illuminated theatre. “I’ve heard it’s fantastic.”
“It was very good.”
“You saw that one too?” She shook her head. “You’ve seen them all.”
“Pick one.” He leaned against a brick wall at the corner of the crowded block, waiting for her answer.
“What?”
“Pick a show, and I’ll get tickets.” He extended his hand for her. “We’ll go next weekend.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to take you to a show.” He pulled her against him. “You can tell me tomorrow, and I’ll make sure we have tickets.”
“I... Well...” She looked down.
“What is it?” He tilted her chin and stared into her stunning dark eyes. “You seemed really excited to be here, so I thought you’d want to come back and see a show.”
“I do.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“There’s no problem.”
When she looked up at him, he had to fight back the urge to kiss her. He’d been distracted by her full lips all night.
“Tonight has been amazing. First, I got to ride in your car, and then we ate at one of the trendier restaurants in the city. I must sound crazy to you because this is your life, but I’ve never...”
Living in an environment where money wasn’t an issue and he could have anything he wanted sometimes made him forget that not everyone was used to that sort of thing. He hadn’t thought he had been over-the-top tonight. Their date consisted of pizza and a stroll around the city, but maybe it was too much.
&n
bsp; “I get it.” He tucked her hair behind her ear before resting his hand on the side of her face.
“You do?”
“I can’t hide the fact that I have money. My family is wealthy, but I try not to think about it, especially now that I’m older. I know during my early twenties I partied and lived excessively, but I’m trying to tone it down.” He didn’t want to minimize his financial position, but because he’d always had money, he never really had to think about it. He realized that wasn’t the case for Sammy. “My mother tries to ground me. My grandfather makes me work for my position in the company, so I do earn my paycheck.” He grinned. “I’m sorry if I overwhelmed you tonight. I didn’t mean to.”
“You didn’t overwhelm me. I’m being silly. I don’t get out much.” She laughed, but he detected the awkwardness in her smile. “I had a great time tonight, and I’d love to see a show with you next weekend.”
“So, it’s a date?” He leaned down, closer to her mouth. “Because I really want to see you again.”
“Me too.” When her breath swept across his lips, his control slipped away. “I’d love to.”
“I’d love to kiss you.” Placing his hand on the other side of her face, he lowered his head, focusing on her mouth...those lips. “Can I?”
She nodded as she softly exhaled.
Once they connected, he lost awareness of everything else. The commotion of people walking by them, cars making their way down busy 42nd Street, and lights strobing from all four corners of the intersection faded into the background.
Her soft lips and warm, vanilla-scented skin dominated his every thought. Darting out his tongue, he sought hers with the eagerness of a needy man. She kissed him with just as much enthusiasm, gripping his shirt when he nipped at her bottom lip, which only served to fuel his desire.
The uproar going on in his pants quickly reminded him he was on a street corner, in Manhattan, where hundreds of people were passing by. Not to mention the paparazzi that was never far behind, especially when he was about to screw something up and embarrass his family and the agency. That hadn’t happened in a long time. With Spencer out of town, he couldn’t afford any mishaps.
