Chapter 5
Navigating through the bustling city streets with the cumbersome weight of my luggage was no easy feat, but with the doorman”s help, I managed to hail a cab, grateful for the assistance as I loaded my belongings into the trunk. The journey to Matthew”s apartment passed in a blur of honking horns and flashing lights, the anticipation of seeing his beloved French bulldog, Blackie, fueling my excitement.
As the cab pulled up to the elegant building, the doorman once again came to my aid, helping me unload my suitcases and overnight bag before ushering me inside. The marble foyer greeted me with its familiar opulence, and I couldn”t help but smile as Blackie bounded towards me, his stumpy tail wagging furiously in excitement.
”I missed you too, buddy. Daddy”s off to Dallas, so you”re stuck with me,” I chuckled, sinking down to the floor to greet him properly. Blackie”s enthusiastic barks filled the air as he nuzzled against me, his affectionate gestures a comforting reminder of the bond we shared.
Rising to my feet, I offered Blackie a treat, knowing full well that Matthew kept a stash of gourmet dog cookies in the closet. With a wag of his tail, Blackie accepted the bone-shaped delicacy, scampering off to enjoy his snack near the refrigerator.
Matthew”s apartment was masculine with dark leather furniture and custom beige drapes unchanged since his move two years prior. Stepping out onto the wide terrace, I took in the breathtaking view of Central Park, the city skyline stretching out before me in a mesmerizing panorama.
I had always loved this place, with its spacious rooms and unparalleled views, and there were times when I couldn”t help but wish it were mine. Matthew had even offered one of his bedrooms to me when I talked about living in Manhattan after graduation, but I had promised Sadie that we would share an apartment together. As much as I cherished the idea of living in luxury, my loyalty to my friend outweighed any desire for personal indulgence.
I rolled the suitcases to the two guest rooms, depositing Sadie’s in the slightly smaller one before I moved to mine. It was cool in the apartment because Matthew kept the thermostat at around sixty-five in the warmer weather. I went to raise it since my skin was breaking out in goosebumps.
Blackie followed me around the apartment, and I scooped him up in my arms, trying to avoid his pink tongue as he tried to lick me.
“Want to go for a walk, boy?”
He barked and I put him down. I wasn’t sure when the last time Matt walked him, so I decided to take him out.
It was a beautiful day out as I crossed the street, walking Blackie into Central Park. It was bustling with people out enjoying the weather; mothers and fathers walked with their children in carriages, teenagers hanging out in groups on the lawns, and people throwing balls back and forth.
Blackie was picky but he finally did his business and I picked it up with one of the bags I had stowed in my pocket then deposited it in one of the wire trash cans in the park. I was walking toward the street to go home when I saw the most beautiful sight, Oliver Fox running.
He was dressed in a pair of thin red runner’s shorts and a white tank top. His body glistened with sweat, and I couldn’t stop looking at him. I wasn’t the only one. Oliver Fox attracted admirers everywhere he went, it seemed.
I put my head down, fiddling with Blackie’s leash as he came near. I didn’t want him to think I was staring at him.
“Miss Stewart, how are you?”
I looked up and Oliver was wiping his face with the hem of his shirt. His abs were exposed and I thought I would cream my panties right there when I saw how defined they were.
“Hello, Mr. Fox.”
He grinned. “Oliver, please.”
“You can call me Ryleigh then.”
He kneeled and scratched Blackie behind his ears. He closed his eyes, liking what Oliver was doing. I didn’t know what to say as I gazed down at his muscular body. He stood a minute later after he won over Blackie.
“What’s his name?” Oliver asked.
“Blackie.”
“Is he yours?”
“No. My brother’s. He’s out of town and I’m watching Blackie for a few days.”
“Lucky dog,” he said as he jogged in place.
I couldn’t help my eyes from straying to his sweat soaked body. “Isn’t it too hot for a run?”
He smirked. “Nah. I do it all the time. I should finish.”
I returned his smile. “Have fun.”
“The fun part is after. That feeling of euphoria. You should try it.”
I wrinkled my nose. “Not my thing.”
He chuckled. “I’ll see you.”
I watched as Oliver ran by me, looking at his muscular legs and taut ass. I wondered what it would be like to grab his ass while he was…I shook the thought out of my head. It would never happen even though I could just imagine how good he was in bed. I’m sure he had plenty of practice. I looked down at Blackie and saw he was panting. It was too warm for him to stay out here for long.
I stopped at one of the vendors and bought a bottle of water, pouring some into the other poop bag I had and making a bowl. Blackie lapped the water and when he was finished, I picked him up and carried him home. He wasn’t that heavy, and he seemed to enjoy being in my arms.
Sadie got to Matthew’s apartment an hour after I did. She was a bit tipsy but all smiles.
“How did it go?” I said as I let her inside.
She slapped her hand to her chest. “Wonderful. I think I’m in love.”
“So fast?”
“I’m kidding… but if Dan keeps this up, I will be soon enough.”
I grin wickedly. “Suppose he sucks in bed?”
“Not the with way he uses his tongue. What did you do?”
“I took Blackie for a walk and met Oliver Fox in the park.”
Sadie raised her eyebrows and sat down next to me. “Doesn’t it seem interesting how you keep bumping into him?”
My best friend loved conspiracy theories. I thought nothing of my chance meetings with Oliver Fox. It was just coincidence.
“Not really. He works in the same building as me and he probably lives around here. Look at these apartments. This is an expensive area. He might even own a penthouse. In fact, I’m sure he does.”
“Maybe it’s karma. You’re attracted to each other so you keep meeting up.”
“I doubt that. It’s more like coincidence.”
“Suit yourself. I’m going to change,” she said.
Sadie rose from the couch as I paged through the magazine I was reading. We spent the rest of the day hanging out on the terrace and sipping glasses of chilled white wine before we ordered food from the full-service kitchen for residents.
Sadie got the black truffle-topped burger she’d been craving, and I ordered an endive salad with broiled salmon. Blackie slept with me on my bed, and I woke up early so I could take him out and feed him before I left for work.
I didn’t see Oliver Fox for the entire week and when I did, I wasn’t paying attention. I was texting on my phone and bumped into him as I walked through the lobby for lunch, knocking me off balance. Oliver reached out to grab me before I ended up on my ass. His strong hands remained wrapped around my biceps until I stopped swaying.
”Are you all right?” His voice tinged with concern.
I should ask you that. I”m very sorry.” My apology hung in the air, heavy with regret.
”You can make it up to me.” His words, laced with a hint of challenge, ignited a spark of curiosity within me.
I frowned, my mind racing to catch up. ”How?”
”Have lunch with me.” His casual confidence in his proposal caught me off guard.
I stared at him in disbelief, my mind struggling to process his unexpected request. ”Excuse me?”
”Lunch, the meal in between breakfast and dinner. Have it with me.” His explanation bordered on the absurd, yet his persistence was undeniably charming.
”I”m not sure.” Doubt gnawed at the edges of my resolve, uncertainty clouding my thoughts.
Stupid brain, engage already.
”When will you be sure?” Laced with gentle insistence, his question pushed me to confront my hesitations.
”Yes.” The word tumbled from my lips before I could stop it, my decision made in a moment of reckless abandon.
”Miss Stewart, you”re not making sense. Are you injured?” His concern, palpable in his brow furrow, drew me back to reality.
”I mean, yes, I”ll have lunch with you. I only get forty-five minutes, so I can”t go far.” My clarification came with a rush of embarrassment, my cheeks flushing with color.
”We can eat in my office upstairs. What would you like?” His practicality, starkly contrasting my scattered thoughts, grounded me in the moment.
”I”m not sure.” My uncertainty echoed in the space between us, a reminder of the chaos swirling within.
”You”re not sure of much today, are you?” His observation, delivered with a wry smile, elicited a reluctant chuckle from me.
”No, I guess not.” I conceded, my admission tinged with self-deprecation.
”What were you getting to eat before I asked you to lunch?” His question, a gentle prompt, nudged me back on track.
”A turkey wrap at the deli next door.”
”A turkey wrap it is. Anything to drink?”
”Water.”
Oliver furiously typed on his phone before he placed his hand firmly on my back and led me to the open elevator. I didn’t know what I should say, so I kept silent. He looked up at me and smiled.
“You’re not very talkative.”
The fact that I was intimidated by his presence had much to do with it. I didn’t understand why he was interested in me.
I shrugged. “I don’t know what to say. Why do you want to have lunch with me?”
A smile played at the corners of his mouth. “Why not? Don’t you think you’re worthy of someone asking you to lunch?”
I tried not to squeak when I answered. “Of course, but you’re Oliver Fox.”
He chuckled. “So I am. What does that have to do with anything?”
“I’m not exactly in your league. You run a corporation. I don’t know where I want my career to go.”
He held up his finger. “Correction, I own a corporation. What are you doing now?”
I caught his gaze. “I work in public relations. I’m not sure I want to continue for long.”
“It’s not satisfying?”
“My boss is not the nicest person. I’ve spent the last two weeks as a glorified gopher.”
Oliver stifled a laugh. “A rodent?”
“No. You know, go for this and go for that. I thought I would be doing more.”
“What do you want to do?”
“I’m finding myself. I might want to do something different. My roommate Sadie works in marketing, and she loves it. Maybe I should try it.”
“I have openings at my company if you want to apply. I’m sure we can find a spot for you.”
The elevator dinged on the top floor of the building. Oliver held the door and let me step out into the opulent offices of Fox Asset Corporation. The place was filled with tons of glass and dark marble floors. The front reception desk was curved and made of rich mahogany wood, topped with a slab of granite as dark as the floors.
Oliver led me through the offices until we got to his on the corner of the floor. It was massive and had a wall of bookcases with tons of books. Every square inch of shelves was filled with books. Oliver had a long conference table with high-backed leather chairs on one side of his office. On the other was a sitting area with a contemporary white leather sectional bigger than my apartment”s.
Next to that was a smaller round glass table with four white cushioned elegant dining chairs. Oliver’s desk was of carved wood, at least six feet long and four feet wide. On it sat three oversized monitors, stacks of folders, and a lone keyboard and mouse.
To say I was in awe was an understatement. Was this how a billionaire lived, surrounded by expensive and elegant things?
“Your desk is beautiful.”
“Thank you. It’s antique. I need space to work.”
He shut the heavy wooden door behind me and ushered me to the couch.
“This place is bigger than my apartment.”
“I like it.”
I didn’t sit down, instead walking to the windows overlooking the city. You could see everything. From there, I went to the bookshelves, fingering several of the books, mostly about business. Oliver stood behind me.
“You read all these?”
“You don’t think so? I like to read, especially if it helps my business.”
I felt inadequate around this man. “Oliver, why am I here?”
“You like to put your cards on the table right away, don’t you?”
A fit of inferiority hit me, and I looked at the floor.
“I don’t understand what you want with me.”
“I want you. Is that a good enough answer?”
I met his penetrating gaze. “It sounds a bit irrational. Why? You can have anybody you want.”
Oliver touched my shoulder. “But I don’t want just anybody.”
“We’re worlds apart when it comes to life. You’re a good fourteen years older than me.”
Why the fuck was I talking him out of dating me? This man wanted me.
He smirked, “You’ve been doing your homework on me?”
I felt my face heat as embarrassment took hold. “No, I haven’t. It’s obvious you’re older than me.”
“Why? Do I have wrinkles? Is my paunchy belly and arthritis giving me away?”
Paunchy belly? Not from what I saw the other day.
“No. I doubt you have either. How old are you?”
I knew exactly how old Oliver was from the information I found on the internet. He was thirty-six years old.
“You tell me. I’m sure the numerous articles you read stated my age.”
I bit my lip. “I didn’t read many.”
“So you do admit to reading up on me?”
If we were going to start a relationship, the best solution was the truth.
“Yes, I have. I was curious after our meeting at graduation,” I said softly.
He raised his eyebrows. “You never heard of me before then?”
I stared out the window. “I did, but I never looked you up.”
“I’m not sure if I should be flattered or offended. Which is it?”
“Neither. Did you look me up after graduation?”
“I did. I have contacts at Columbia. I know you graduated with a 3.5 GPA, pretty respectable.”
“Is that all you inquired about? Or do you know every little detail of my life?”
“No. I’m not a stalker.”
“Are you sure?” Now it was my turn to smirk.
As we continued our banter, we were interrupted by a knock on the door.
“Come,” Oliver said. I don’t know why, but the way he said it made my belly clench. His voice was smooth and seductive. In walked a man dressed in a navy blue business suit with brown hair that had silver at the temples. He was carrying a silver tray with a cover. He nodded at Oliver and placed it on the dining table.
“Thank you, Henri.”
The man stood at attention, his hands behind his back.
“Do you require anything else, sir?”
“No. We’ll speak after lunch.”
“Yes, sir.”
Henri backed out of the room, closing the door as he exited.
“Who was that?”
“One of my assistants.”
“One?”
He stepped closer, and his cologne enveloped me like a hug. I wondered what it would be like to be in his arms or to feel his weight on top of me. I blushed at the thought.
“I have three. My business is very complicated and too much work for one person to assist me with.”
“Then how do you handle it all?”
His tone was authoritative. “Because it’s my responsibility to know all aspects of my company. You’re quite inquisitive.”
“It’s part of my nature.”
“I like it. Please sit down.”
I took my seat at the table, and Oliver remained standing.
“What kind of water would you like?”
“Excuse me?”
“Water? I have a few types. Sparkling, spring, and flavored.”
“Sparkling is fine.”
Oliver went to a cabinet next to the bookcase and pushed it. It popped open to reveal a refrigerator. He removed two bottles of Perrier and opened them before he came back to the table. He lifted the cover of the tray to reveal two white plates: a turkey wrap and a roast beef sandwich on a soft roll with a side of au jus.
“That looks good,” I said.
A smile danced on his lips, “Would you like a bite?”
“No, thank you.”
I took a small bite of my turkey wrap. I was surprised that the turkey was fresh, not deli meat. It was subtly spiced and juicy. Oliver watched me as I chewed.
“What?”
“You take such small bites.”
“I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be.”
“How can I not?”
“You either want to have a relationship with me or not. I’m not asking anything of you other than to get to know me before you decide.”
“But you’re Oliver Fox.”
He put his sandwich down and stared at me with his beautiful sapphire eyes.
“I’m just a man.”
I sawed at my bottom lip with my teeth. “You say it just like you’re an average Joe. You’re not.”
He laughed. “Get to know me before you judge. Are you dating anyone?”
“No. Not right now. I’m surprised you didn’t know.”
“I told you, I’m not a stalker. I know basic information about you.”
I had only eaten half my wrap before my nerves got the best of me. I put it down on the plate and sipped my water.
“Finished?”
“I had a big breakfast,” I lied.
He clasped his hands together. “I’d like to take you out to dinner this weekend.”
“I have plans,” I lied.
“Then lunch.”
“I’m busy.”
I was losing control with Oliver, and I couldn’t. Once he found out about my nightmares, he would be done with me anyway.
He let out a frustrated breath. “Ryleigh, why are you making this difficult?”
“I’m not. It’s not every day that a millionaire asks you on a date.”
“I’ve had lots of millionaires ask me on a date.”
He didn’t correct me. I knew he was a lot more than a millionaire. Oliver Fox was well diversified and had several billion dollars in assets. He was the perfect catch but I didn’t think he was for me.
My mouth suddenly felt dry, and I took a gulp of water. “I bet. I’m sure women throw themselves at you.”
“They do, but I’m not that kind of man.”
I snorted. “I saw many images of you with plenty of different women. It seems you don’t want for dates.”
Oliver leaned back in his chair and gripped the arms. “I thought you didn’t check me out? How do you know I’ve dated plenty of women?”
I shrugged. “I saw pictures, that’s all.”
“I won’t beg. Either you want to go on a date with me or not.”
He reached into his pocket and withdrew a thick, cream-colored business card, sliding it toward me. It had Fox Asset Corporation’s logo in black and all Oliver’s contact information, including his personal cell.
“I expect you’ll keep these numbers confidential. If you change your mind, call me. I’d like very much to take you on a date.”
“You’re throwing me out of your office?”
“No, but if you check the time, your lunch hour is almost up.”
I glanced at the clock on Oliver’s wall and saw that it was nearing the top of the hour. I had four minutes to get back to my desk. I rose and so did Oliver.
“Thank you for lunch. It was delicious.”
“I hope we can share another meal together soon. Don’t break my heart by waiting too long.”
“I’ll let you know soon. Thank you.”
He walked me to the elevators, not touching me and he made no moves to shake my hand or kiss my cheek. Oliver stood in front of the elevators as the doors closed and then he was gone as the car descended.
I was flustered when I got back to my desk. I sat down and held my hands together to stop them from shaking. I put Oliver’s business card to my nose, smelling his citrusy cologne on the paper. Candice came into my cubicle to ask me to get Beatrice some coffee and I nearly jumped out of my skin.
“What’s up with you? You’re very pale. Are you okay?” she asked.
“I’m fine. Just tired.”
“You know how Beatrice likes her coffee. Meet us in her office.”
Candice walked out and I silently cursed. Two weeks and I was just an errand girl. What a waste of an Ivy League education.
I was still nervous when I left the office for the day. Sadie was waiting for me in front of my building so we could walk to the subway together. I dropped my purse when I got to her, spilling half the contents on the ground. She helped me recover everything and when she handed it to me, I dropped it again but this time it was zipped.
Sadie narrowed her eyes at me. “What happened at work?”
“I’ll tell you when we get home,” I said quietly.
“Now. Tell me now,” she demanded.
“Home.”
We started walking to cross the street and the black car that I’d seen Oliver slide into the week before pulled up to the curb. The back window opened, and Oliver’s handsome face came into view.
“Ladies, can I give you a ride home?”
“Absolutely,” Sadie said. She didn’t hesitate and I had no choice but to join her. The driver got out, the same hulk of a man I saw before with slicked back black hair, a graphite gray suit and a thin mustache. He opened the back door and Oliver stepped out to let us into the car. Sadie glanced at me, and I gave her a weak smile. When we were on our way, Oliver turned to me.
“How was the rest of your day?”
“It was okay,” I said in almost a whisper.
“Miss Fulbright, Ryleigh tells me she’s too busy this weekend to have lunch or dinner with me. Is that true?”
I almost died right there on the back seat. I glanced at Sadie and pleaded with her to say I was busy.
“I know she has a couple of things going on.”
“I was hoping she would join me for dinner tomorrow night.”
“I told you, I have to check my schedule.”
“And I told you I hoped I didn’t have to wait too long.”
“You only asked me a few hours ago.”
“I can be impatient.”
“I noticed,” I mumbled.
Sadie sat there gaping as we continued our banter back and forth. Fifteen minutes later, we pulled up in front of our building. I had no idea how Oliver knew where I lived but an explanation would have to wait until we were in private.
Oliver stepped out and offered his hand so he could assist both Sadie and I from the car. He grasped my elbow as Sadie started to walk to the entrance, leaning into my ear and whispering.
“Don’t torture me too long. You have my number.”
His lips brushed against my ear, causing tingles to rush down to my core. He let me go and waited until the doorman opened the door and I was safely in the lobby. I watched the car pass by us before I turned around to join Sadie at the elevator.
She grinned. “You have some explaining to do.”
“Upstairs.”
She couldn’t ask me anything else because other residents had joined us. She started badgering me as we walked down the hall before we got inside our apartment. I kept silent until the door was closed.
“What the hell was that all about?” she demanded.
“I had lunch with Oliver today.”
I kicked off my shoes and padded to my room with Sadie hot on my heels.
“You had lunch with him? Where?”
I pulled out a tank top and shorts from my dresser. “His office. He took me up there and ordered food to be brought in.”
“Am I missing something? Why?”
“He wants to date me.”
I started unbuttoning my dark blue blouse and Sadie grabbed my hands.
“Did you just say he wants to date you?”
I nodded. “Yes. He made it perfectly clear what his intentions are for me.”
“And what did you tell him?”
“I said I need to think about it.”
She let my hands go and sat on the corner of my bed. “What do you need to think about? The man is a God in more ways than one. He’s fabulously rich, handsome and from what I can see, polite.”
“He’s also much older than me and more sophisticated. I’m afraid I would lag behind and… I don’t know, embarrass him?” I trailed off.
She chastised me. “Are you serious right now? You’re well read, Ivy League educated and smart. It’s not like you haven’t been places.”
Sadie was right about that. My parents had taken my brothers and me to many places. I’d been to several countries in Europe, Asia and South America besides Canada, Australia and Mexico. I could speak three languages although my French was not the greatest, but I was fluent in Spanish.
“He’s older. Fourteen years older. In four years, he’ll be forty and I won’t even be out of my twenties.”
“You’re crazy. That man seems stuck on you. I saw how he was looking at you. What could it hurt to go on a few dates with him?”
The truth was that Oliver Fox scared me. I was afraid of the effect he had on my body when I was in his presence. I knew if I fell for him, it would be hard and fast. If we broke up, I would be devastated. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to deal with the aftermath.
“He can have his pick of women.”
I removed my blouse and Sadie scowled, “You wore that bra?”
It was a basic white cotton bra with matching panties. Usually, I wore the set to work out but today I didn’t feel like wearing lacy lingerie.
“What’s the problem?”
She groaned loudly when she saw my panties as I removed my skirt.
“You had lunch with Oliver Fox and wearing that?”
“Jesus Christ, Sadie, I wasn’t fucking him. It was lunch,” I huffed.
“But you never know. It could have escalated.”
I shook my head. “I refuse to allow myself to fall that fast for him. If I decide to date him, we won’t be having sex anytime soon.”
She threw up her hands. “You’re out of your mind. I could only imagine how hot he is in bed. I barely know the man, and if he offered, I would sleep with him right now.”
“You have more confidence than I do.”
“So? Are you having dinner with him this weekend?”
“I don’t know.”
I went to my closet and placed my clothing in the basket at the bottom before putting on the shirt and shorts I selected.
“Have dinner with him and see how it goes. You two might just hit it off.”
“Maybe. I’ll call him later.”
Sadie rose and went to her room to change. I was taking a bottle of water from the refrigerator when the lobby phone rang.
“Hello?”
“Miss Stewart?”
“Yes?”
“We have a delivery for you.”
I frowned because I wasn’t expecting anything. “What is it?”
“It looks like flowers.”
“I’ll be right down.”
Sadie came out of the bedroom in the same outfit as me except her tank top was yellow.
“What was the call for?”
“I have a delivery.”
She smirked at me as I opened the door.