Chapter 31 You’re part of my world now
You’re part of my world now
Kazimir
I tap the chauffeur’s shoulder. “I’ll open the door for the lady.”
“Very well, sir.”
I step out, straighten my jacket, close the door before circling the back of the vehicle to Harley’s side to help her out.
She emerges from the car wide-eyed. “Wow.” Her gaze lifts, taking in the building with the preserved historical facade.
I close the door to the car and tap on the hood.
The chauffeur waves and drives off.
“I’ve heard of The Fifth, but never imagined I’d step inside this iconic building,” Harley says.
“Aren’t you glad I asked you to be my fake girlfriend? I helped you cross something off your bucket list. You’re welcome.”
She laughs. “Having you as my fake boyfriend has its perks, such as having the appropriate wardrobe for such a momentous occasion.”
I give her a onceover. “That dress was designed with you in mind.”
“Thank you.” The smile that blooms on her lips is as spectacular as a bouquet of peonies in spring.
She bats her eyelashes in a coquettish way at me.
She’s all sunshine again.
Harley’s chat with her best friend didn’t lift her mood from last night.
She was still closed off. Since I’d promised Grazie Mille’s owner I’d drop by the restaurant after yesterday’s scare to make sure the brunch service would go smoothly, I was sitting in the back of a taxi by nine a.m., heading to Manhattan.
Even if I had stayed home, I doubt Harley would’ve opened up.
I hired a chauffeured car to pick her up and drive her to Grazie Mille.
When I slipped into the back seat, my heart stopped for several beats before kicking back to life.
Dressed in white, she’s an angel.
Draped in red, she’s a femme fatale.
“Like last night’s dress––and everything else you bought me from Saks––it’s beautiful.
” She brushes her blonde hair curled in loose waves off her shoulders.
“Since I’m not tall, I always worried midi dresses would dwarf me, but Judith assured me it was all about the cut.
She promised an A-line would elongate my body.
She was right. This red lace dress with appliqué does exactly that. ”
The scarlet color makes her hair and eyes pop.
My favorite part is the bodice of the dress. Damn, I want to remove those thin straps with my teeth. “Judith knows her stuff.”
She nods. “And the strappy nude heels she recommended complement the dress.” She extends a foot, showcasing dainty toes painted red.
Red dress. Red lips. Red nails.
The lady in red is a vision––as breathtaking as a timeless movie star.
An image of Harley wearing nothing but those heels on her feet as her legs dangle over my shoulders as I drive into her pussy, flashes in front of my eyes.
Fuck.
I shake my head, dislodging the inappropriate thought.
“Nice heels,” I say.
She responds with a radiant smile.
My cock responds with a twitch.
Down, boy.
She tilts her head to the side and her smile falls. “It just hit me. There’s no red carpet. No photographers. I gather today’s luncheon is more low-key than last night’s dinner.”
“The owner of the building vetoed it,” I say.
“The gathering of crowds would block 5th Avenue, which would require police officers to be present on the premises. It’s a big pain in the butt.
The photographers will be hanging out on the rooftop.
The photo ops are better up there, anyway.
The rooftop offers unparalleled views of New York. ”
“I can’t wait,” she says. “You know the owner of the building? Is he a hockey fan or a customer at one of your restaurants?”
“You’ll never guess which is his favorite Creamy Heavens ice cream flavor.”
Her cheeks flush, competing with her dress. “You’re pulling my leg.”
I shake my head. “No, Logan Ellison buys half a dozen pints of Harley’s Java Jolt at a time.”
Her eyes are huge.
As will be my cock if I don’t stop sliding into the gutter, slamming Harley with a jolt of my own.
I clear my throat.
“I met him through the business club I’m a member of.”
“The same high rollers club you met Max Keller at, who enlisted your help to assist Grazie Mille’s owner.”
“Yes.” I arch a brow. “Someone’s been paying attention.”
“As your social media manager and public relations liaison, I’d be doing a shitty job if I wasn’t on top of things.”
The sudden image in my head is of Harley on top of me, cowgirl style.
I blink the bouncing image away.
“Your official start date is tomorrow, and already you’re hitting it out of the park,” I say.
She nods. “You live in a world that’s foreign to me.”
“Guess what, Goldilocks? You’re part of my world now.”
Something I can’t quite read veils her eyes.
“Other than offering a jaw dropping view,” I say. “The Fifth offers a unique experience you’re unlikely to find on any other rooftop in the city.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense.” Her eyes sparkle with excitement.
“During the colder months, you can reserve a heated igloo, complete with fake fur blankets—”
“Heated igloos? No way.”
“You have to see it to believe it. After the recent renovations, the owner went all out. The outdoor movie nights inside custom-built igloos for the winter months are a crowd favorite. Each igloo has a flat screen TV encased in a box, made to look like an old-fashioned 60s style television.”
“That sounds awesome.”
“When it snows, it gives a reverse snow globe affect.”
She shakes her head. “Unbelievable.”
“We’ll have to come back when the igloos are up.” The suggestion slips from my lips before I can think better of it.
She arches a brow as if to say, this fake relationship is temporary. Winter is a lifetime away.
“Let’s go upstairs,” I say, putting an end to the awkward moment.
“You’ve made big promises. I can’t wait to see if you’ve oversold The Fifth rooftop bar.”
“Here’s the deal,” I say. “If you’re not absolutely satisfied, we’ll give you your money back. No questions asked.”
She cracks up.
Making her laugh is my new favorite hobby.
I extend a hand.
She tucks her clutch under her arm and takes my hand.
Like every time I touch her, it’s like sticking my finger in an electric socket.