Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Tyler
Sleep? What’s that? It’s what I need now, but instead of crawling into bed, I’m standing outside the Empire State Building, waiting for Emmet.
I’ve had a busy day. Zeke and I walked Sandy first thing.
She was very appreciative of having two people willing to throw her ball.
Next, Micah made us all a lavish breakfast, and then we headed into Manhattan to see the sights.
I’ve never walked so much in my entire life.
Yes, we could have taken the subway, but there was so much to see above ground, that we didn’t bother.
Now, my feet are about to fall off, and I’m bone tired. But the moment I see Emmet walking toward me, I’m so excited, I bounce on the balls of my feet.
“If you need anything, call,” Micah says.
“Or send an SOS text message,” Rett says.
“Yeah, we’ll call you and pretend there’s an emergency or something,” Zeke says in a tone that suggests he’s had to use that method to escape a date before.
I laugh. “That won’t be necessary. Do you want to stay and meet Emmet?”
“We’ll leave you to it,” Micah says.
“Have fun!” Rett and Zeke chime.
Micah puts his arms around their waists and steers them away, just as Emmet reaches me. He’s just as dreamy as I remember. More, because today he’s wearing an elegant suit.
“Were they your friends?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“Have you had a good day?”
I smile and nod. “We’ve seen so much! Although Times Square is smaller than I was expecting.”
He chuckles. “Underwhelming?”
“No! I just imagined it would be huge.”
Emmet hooks his thumb toward the entrance to the Empire State Building. “Still want to go to the top?”
“Yes, please.” I widen my eyes. “Oh, I didn’t mean that you should pay, I can pay for myself. I could pay for both of us, if you’d like? I mean… you’re showing me around New York, but that doesn’t mean you should have to foot the bill or anything.”
He takes hold of my hand, silencing me, which is a good thing, because I might have rambled on for ten minutes if he’d let me. “It’s my treat. Relax, Ty. You’re not on a plane anymore.”
No, I’m on a sort of date with a gorgeous guy, and I’m still making a fool of myself.
My cheeks are blazing hot as he leads me into the building and buys tickets to the top. We have to wait to get into the lift. The doors are fancy and in an Art Deco style.
“You’re not afraid of heights, are you?” Emmet asks as we step into the lift.
“Me? No. I love heights. I’ve been rock climbing a few times. Indoor rock climbing, that is. And bouldering. That’s a lot of fun. I’ve been up the Eiffel Tower too. That was stunning.” Stop talking, Ty. “Are you afraid of heights?” Would he have suggested the Empire State Building if he were?
He chuckles and shakes his head.
I guess he thought a fear of heights might go hand in hand with a fear of flying.
The lift is fast and smooth. As we ascend, a video plays above our heads, showing the building being constructed. It’s fun, but disorientating enough for me to grip Emmet’s hand tightly. Not that he seems to mind. He smiles at me and strokes the back of my hand, just like he did on the plane.
When we get out of the lift, we ignore the displays and head straight onto the viewing platform. It’s a warm day, but up here, the wind is chilly.
“Wow.” I gaze at the city with wide eyes. “It’s an awe-inspiring view. So different to the view from the Eiffel Tower. Which makes sense, as New York and Paris are very different cities—” I bite my tongue.
“I’m glad you’re impressed.”
“I am. It’s stunning up here. I can see so far.”
“It helps that it’s a clear day.”
“Yeah, I bet.”
Emmet is staring at me, rather than the view, which makes me blush all over again.
“Shouldn’t you be staring at it too?” I ask.
“I’ve been up here plenty of times. But the expression on your face is new.”
My face becomes hotter. “Oh? Like what you see, do you?”
“I like what I saw when I first bumped into you.”
“I bumped into you.”
He shrugs. “We bumped into each other, and I’m glad we did.”
He brushes his fingertips over my jaw. Electricity zips across my skin in response to his light, playful touch.
I tug my fingers through my hair. “So… uh… is this a date?”
“I hope so.”
I bite my lower lip and focus on the view again. “It’s a pretty amazing first date.”
“It’s only just begun. The city is ours to explore. What do you want to do?”
“I dunno. I did a fair bit of sightseeing earlier, with Rett, Zeke, and Micah.” I yawn, but I manage to stifle it with my hand.
“I’m so sorry. I couldn’t sleep last night, so I’ve been running on empty all day.
Rett suggested we cut the afternoon short and go back to theirs so I could nap, but I figured I’d get over the jetlag faster if I stayed awake until bedtime.
Now I’m not so sure that was a good idea.
” I sag my shoulders. “Some first date. I’m going to be yawning all evening. ”
“I don’t mind.”
I stare at him incredulously. “Seriously? First, I’m a basket case on you during the flight. Now, I’m exhausted. I wouldn’t be shocked if you made an excuse to leave and blocked my number.”
He lets go of my hand, steps close, so our shoulders are brushing, and then puts his arm around my waist. “I’m not going to do that, Ty. You’re sweet and, unless I’m very much mistaken, would benefit from having a Daddy.”
My breath catches in my throat. “I definitely needed one during the flight.”
“And now?”
My heart is pattering fiercely. I stare into his dark, kind eyes.
Hooking up with someone when I’m so far from home is risky, but every fiber of my being wants to trust Emmet.
Sure, it could be my cock talking. He’s fucking gorgeous and so patient.
He made me relax enough to sleep on the plane.
I want to know how he’d make me relax in the bedroom.
“I still need a Daddy,” I whisper.
He angles himself so we can more easily face one another, bringing us even closer together. “Would you like me to be your Daddy while you’re in New York?”
“Yes.”
He smiles and, damn, do I want him to kiss me with those luscious lips. Instead, he draws me closer to him. “In that case, let me keep you warm while you enjoy the view. You’re looking a little chilly.”
“I’d like that.” I lean my head on his shoulder and marvel at the city.
I’ve never considered myself a lucky person, but I’ve been exactly that over the last twenty-four hours or so. Bumping into Emmet is like winning the lottery.
We wander slowly around the observation deck until we’ve done two full laps.
“Do you want to go even higher?” Emmet asks.
I widen my eyes. “Higher?” I squeak.
“Yes. I got tickets to go to the one-hundred and second floor.”
“One-hundred and— What floor is this?”
“The eighty-sixth.” He points up. “Shall we?”
I nod like an enthusiastic puppy.
We take the lift even higher, where the view is more spectacular, and the wind is chillier.
There are fewer people this high up, which suits me fine.
We take our time seeing New York from every possible vantage point.
Emmet points things out to me, including the general direction of his apartment over in Brooklyn.
Will I get to see it? I can imagine him living in a swanky bachelor pad.
“There are two things you need to do while you’re in New York,” he says.
“Oh? Do tell.”
“Eat street hot dogs and go to a comedy show.”
“Sounds fun.” To be fair, I’d go anywhere with him. Yes, I’m in lust. Who wouldn’t be?
“Unless there’s something you’d rather do?”
I shake my head. “I’m happy to follow your lead.” I glance around. No one else is nearby, but I lower my voice to a husky whisper, just in case. “Daddy.” It’s oddly natural to call him that, even though I’ve never had a Daddy before.
He grins, and his eyes twinkle in the early evening light. “Let’s grab food. I know a great place.”