Chapter 5
Charlie
Servers walked around with trays of champagne and appetizers while I greeted my guests.
“Hey, Charlie.” Kyra, one of my interns, smiled, walking over to me.
“Hi, Kyra. Thanks for coming.”
“I hope you don’t mind, but I invited my cousin. The problem is I didn’t know she’d bring her two best friends. Well, I should have known since they’re attached at the hip. I’m sorry,” she whined. “I just wanted my cousin to meet you.”
“It’s fine, Kyra. Don’t worry about it. Go and enjoy the party.”
I glanced over and saw Chase and Lila step off the elevator.
“Wow, Charlie. Look at this place.” Lila smiled as I kissed her cheek.
“Thanks, Lila. I’ll have Chase give you the grand tour.”
“I can’t wait to show her your gaming room.” Chase grinned.
“You boys and your toys.” Lila smirked.
“Excuse me, wife, but those toys let us live the luxury lifestyle we do.” Chase’s brow arched at her.
I laughed. “Go grab some champagne and show her the room.” I patted Chase’s back.
As I was walking away from the elevator, I heard it ding. Turning around, I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“Marley?” My brows furrowed.
“Oh, hey, Charlie.” She grinned. “Fancy seeing you here. You also work for Penelope’s cousin’s boss?”
“Something like that.” I smiled.
“These are my best friends, Penelope and Olivia.”
“It’s nice to meet both of you.” I shook their hands.
“Wow. Check out these digs.” Olivia scanned the place. “Oh, I see champagne. Come on, girls.” She grabbed Marley’s and Penelope’s hand.”
“I guess I’ll talk to you later.” Marley smiled.
A smile graced my lips as I watched Marley being dragged away by her best friends. I couldn’t believe she was here.
“Uh, did I just see Marley, the barista?” Chase walked over.
“You sure did.”
“What the hell is she doing here? Did you invite her?”
“No. I’m guessing she’s the friend of Kyra’s cousin.” I tipped the glass of scotch to my lips.
“I seriously can’t believe Kyra would invite people to your party,” Chase said. “That was really ballsy of her.”
“In this case, I’m happy she did.” I smirked.
I couldn’t stop staring at her as she stood in the middle of my penthouse, sipping champagne and talking with her friends. Pouring myself a glass of scotch, I walked over to where she stood.
“Having a good time?” I asked.
“Yeah, I am.” She smiled. “This place is really cool. So, which rich guy here is the homeowner? I’d like to personally compliment him on his fabulous living space.”
“Ah.” Kyra walked over. “I see you girls have met my boss, Charlie Stone.”
The corners of my mouth curved upward as I stared at Marley. She cocked her head with an arch in her brow.
“You? You live here? This is your party? You’re Kyra’s boss?”
“Yes. Yes. Yes. And yes.”
“You own Stone Game Ventures?” Her eyes narrowed.
“I do.” A smile crossed my lips. “Do you like to play video games?”
“I do, sometimes.” She smiled.
“Good to know.” I winked and walked away.
Marley
I swallowed hard as I could feel the heat rise throughout my body.
“That man wants you, girl,” Olivia said.
“Stop it.” I blushed. “He does not.”
“The hell he doesn’t,” Penelope said. “Did you see the way his sexy eyes stared into yours? Even I was mesmerized.”
“Welp, it’s too bad our girly here is on a dating/sex hiatus.” Olivia smirked, hooking her arm around me.
“Yeah. Too bad.” I tipped the glass to my lips.
“I bet he has a king-size bed and performs outstandingly in it,” Olivia said.
“Stop it.” I put my hand up.
“Why?” she whispered in my ear. “Is Moaning Marley ready to come out and play?”
“Oh, my God! Knock it off.” I playfully smacked her arm.
“You know you want to see what’s going on under those fine pants he’s wearing,” Penelope said.
“I bet it’s HUGE,” Olivia said.
“And thick,” Penelope added.
“You two need to stop right now!” I pointed. “I bet it is, too.” I grinned.
“Ha! We knew it.” Olivia laughed.
When the server walked over asking if we’d like another glass of champagne, we each snagged another glass. As I slowly sipped it, I stared at Charlie from across the room.
“I need some fresh air,” I said to the girls.
I stepped onto the terrace and rested my arms against the railing, staring out into the brightly lit city of New York. Suddenly, I felt a hand on my lower back.
“Enjoying the view?” Charlie’s voice spoke.
“I am.” I glanced at him.
“Me too.” He smirked. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“Just tonight? Not the other times we’ve run into each other?” My brow arched. I rendered him speechless and laughed. “Just kidding. Thank you for the compliment.”
“To answer your question, no, not just tonight.”
“Thanks.” I blushed. “You do have a really nice home. The décor is beautiful. Did you decorate it yourself?”
“No. I hired Adalyn Grant to help me.”
“She’s one of the most sought-after interior designers in New York.” I smiled.
“She and her husband Harrison are good friends of mine.”
“Nice.” I held up my glass.
“Your glass is almost empty. Can I get you another?”
“Sure. Why the hell not?” A smile crossed my lips.
“Let’s go inside, and I’ll pour you something a little stronger.”
We walked back inside the penthouse, and Charlie had to say goodbye to some guests before he poured me another drink. I was already feeling the effects of the glasses of champagne I consumed and wasn’t sure if drinking anything else was smart.
“We saw you talking to Mr. McBillionaire out there.” Penelope smiled, grabbing my hand.
“Attention, everyone,” Charlie spoke, standing in the middle of the room. “I want to thank everyone for coming tonight. I hope you all had a good time. Speaking of the time,” he glanced at his watch, “the party is over.”
“Who does that?” Olivia snarled in my ear. “Who just kicks everyone out of their party?”
“Billionaires who’ve had enough?” I shrugged.
“Come on, girls. Let’s continue this party at home.” Penelope grinned.
“Let me say goodbye to Charlie,” I said, walking over to where he stood. “Thanks for having us. It was fun.”
“Are you leaving already?” he asked.
“Well, yeah. You just announced the party was over.”
“I didn’t mean for you and your friends. I do believe I still owe you a drink.” A smile crossed his lips.
“We should really go.”
“Or you can stay and do some shots with us.” Chase hooked his arm around me. “Right, Lila?”
“Yeah. Stay. It’ll be fun with just us.”
“Okay. Why not?” I smiled.
After the last of the guests left, Chase walked over to the bar and grabbed a bottle of tequila.
“Tequila shots, anyone?” He grinned, holding up the bottle.
“Yeah!” We girls shouted.
“I’ll get out the salt and limes.” Charlie smiled.
We gathered around the island and did shots of tequila.
“Let’s dance!” Lila shouted, putting on the song Truth Hurts by Lizzo.
The four of us started wildly dancing around the living room, jumping up and down and twerking while singing the song.