I handed it over to him and broke his concentration. At that point I knew he knew that I wasn’t wearing anything underneath the dress.
“Erika, maybe we should go back to my place for some drinks. I live just around here. It’s just a few minutes’ walk,” he said, and he looked tired.
“What? Why? I mean, I thought you were having a good time,” I said as I stared into his deep eyes.
I thought for a minute, if it was safe, but I was sure for some reason that he was a nice guy. And, I had always heard good things about him from his brother and the news.
“What about your car?”
He tossed me his keys and said, “I’ll send someone to pick it up.”
I nodded and we started walking toward his place. I kept on thinking what his house looked like. Maybe Conner lived in a gaudy apartment, the walls filled with expensive art and endless rooms.
Chapter 11
Conner
As we reached the door, the door attendant opened the door for us as he said, “Good evening, sir. I hope you had a splendid evening.”
“Good evening, Arnold. Thank you,” I replied, and I pulled out a couple hundred-dollar bills from my pocket and shook his hand. “Have a good night.”
I saw that she noticed how I tipped Arnold. I just wanted her to think I threw money around. It would be easier to have her fall for me then. We got into the elevator, and I pressed the button for the penthouse suite.
“You live in the penthouse?” she asked, and then went on to ask how I managed to get a place in such a new building.
“Yes, I own it.” I knew she wanted to ask if I owned the suite or the entire property. I thought that would be another chance for me to show off and impress her. “I own all of it, in case you’re wondering. Not just this building, but the three on each side. I like investing in property.” I even felt like an asshole saying that, but this was the kind of lifestyle Brian said she liked. So, it was going to help.
“Wow, you sound really obnoxious right now.” I couldn’t believe Erika said that. It made the elevator ride slightly awkward. As I unlocked the door and revealed my apartment, the first thing I could sense was her confused reaction. “This is it? It’s so simple.”
The apartment wasn’t cheap or anything. I mean it was in perfect condition, all of it white and grey. The kitchen was immaculate, and each room to the right had floor to ceiling windows, portraying the beautiful New York skyline.
“Yes, this is it. Don’t you like it?” Brian might have been right about Erika, but then she said, “I love it, but I expected so much more. I’m so glad you’re not that kind of a guy.”
Confused again, I walked over to the kitchen counter and made my way to the wine cellar. I opened the cabinet and displayed a selection that could rival any bar in New York. “What would you like to have?” I asked, smiling at her.
“I’ll have what you’re having, Conner.” She tilted her head and smiled at me.
I must say she was really a beautiful and attractive girl. If she was any other girl, she would have been in my bed screaming my name an hour ago. I was hesitant taking any move and initiating something physical.
I casually walked over to the cabinet with the glasses in it, reached for two that were a gift from the company that built this place. I poured a double of Hennessy in each one and walked over to Erika. She had taken her heels off and was seated on the kitchen island. I handed her a glass and sat on the barstool that accompanied the counter. I pulled off my coat and unbuttoned the top two buttons of my shirt, allowing me some room to breathe, but simultaneously taking away Erika’s breath.
“Tell me about your family?” I asked.
“My dad was a newspaper editor, and Mom was a school principal. They both live in San Francisco, where I was born. I moved to New York to study, and once I finished my studies, I decided to stay and pursue my career here.” Her eyes brightened and a smile spread on her face when she talked about her parents. I could tell she loved her family so much, and that made me very happy. “My parents mean the world to me.” I felt that way about my grandparents. “What about you, how is your relationship with your parents?”
No one had ever asked me before, so I didn’t have a thought-out answer.
“Brain must have already told you about them.”
“Not much.” I nodded and looked at her.
“My dad was a real estate tycoon, and now both Mom and Dad are in India, doing some sort of charity work and meditation.” I had never talked to anyone about my parents before, but as I spoke, Erika began inching closer to me until she tripped and fell off the counter. I immediately grabbed her and for the first time she was in my arms. Her skin was softer and more supple than I had imagined.
“Maybe we should go to the couch?” Erika agreed, and I walked her over to the couch. As we sat next to each other, our eyes interlocked. My arm had already made its way around her, and she blushed and rested her head on my chest. Alcohol was taking its effect.
“Conner, can you call a cab for me?” I was surprised as I wasn’t expecting this.
“Are you sure?” I asked, and before she answered, she was already asleep on my chest.
I took her in my arms and carried her into my bedroom. She looked so beautiful, and I fought the urge not to kiss her pulpy pink lips. I placed her gently on the bed and covered her with the satin sheet.
She was sleeping so peacefully, I stayed there for a while staring at her beautiful face. I was never attracted to someone in the first meeting like that and it was making me restless. After all, she was my younger brother’s girlfriend.
I went back to the kitchen. I was surprised we had finished a full bottle. I picked up her purse and her phone. As I touched her mobile, its screen flashed a message and it was from Brian. But, I turned it off and slipped it into her purse. I walked back to the bedroom and placed her purse on the bedside table. She had shifted to the other side and I couldn’t stop but stare at her cleavage. My member suddenly twitched, and I just wanted to slip inside her comforter and do naughty things to her.
I walked outside the room before the beast inside me awoke completely. I went inside the guest room. As I closed my eyes, I kept thinking about her.
I knew I was falling for her.
Or maybe it was lust taking over my senses.
Chapter 12
Erika
I woke up disoriented, covered in sheets on the bed I couldn’t recognize. I was afraid I had done something I would regret. I lifted the sheets to check, but I was fully dressed. I sighed with relief. I didn’t want to sleep with Conner on the first day and then forget everything.
As I reached for my purse and pulled out my phone, I noticed it was turned off, and I didn’t remember turning it off.
Could Conner have gone through it? Maybe he’s more like his brother.
I saw numerous unread messages from Brian, demanding for me to come see him, threatening me if I didn’t.
I walked out of the room, expecting Conner to be making breakfast. I forgot I live in the real world, and those fantasies weren’t for me. I searched for Conner and I saw that one of the room’s doors was open. I peeked inside to see him, lightly knocking on the door. And what I saw next made me swallow hard.