The main part of the plane had large cream leather chairs and glossy wooden tables, complete with entertainment systems. Anissa looked around as if she was waiting to see where she should sit.
Leo waved his hand. ‘It’s just you and me, you can sit anywhere you please. There’s Wi-Fi if you need it. Or, if you want to sleep, there’s a bedroom in the back.’
‘A bedroom?’ Her eyes were wide. She looked at the eight large chairs then turned back to him. ‘Leo, just exactly how rich are you?’
He smiled and waited until she’d slipped off her coat and picked a chair then he settled down in the one next to her.
Anissa turned and looked out of the window. ‘Anything to eat or drink?’ She shook her head. ‘No, I’m fine, thank you.’
She seemed a little nervous. ‘Once we take off you can use these buttons to move the seat back and these ones to access the entertainment system.’
She gave a nod of acknowledgment and turned to stare back out the window as the plane started to taxi down the runway.
Leo settled back into his seat and pulled out his two computers. He had multiple things to work on during the flight.
It took Anissa a little time to relax, but eventually she fell asleep for a few hours, waking up when the steward came to ask what they wanted for dinner.
‘How long to New York?’ she asked when she came back from freshening up.
‘Just another few hours. It will be evening there when we arrive.’
She gave a little nod and sat down beside him. He glanced at her entertainment system. She had a popular movie frozen on screen in front of her. The setting? New York at Christmas.
He’d been so engrossed in his work for the last few hours he’d been a poor host.
The truth was he’d asked Anissa to join him on the spur of the moment. Maybe it was wrong but it had made perfect sense in his head at the time. The look on her face had been so sad. Plagued by unhappy memories and feelings of not being good enough. She’d said it out loud. Someone else fulfilling their dream. And it had made his heart twist in unexpected ways.
Because he completely and utterly got it.
He’d always had that feeling of not being good enough. His adoptive parents had never really been interested in him. It seemed as though the ‘idea’ of adopting a child hadn’t really aligned with the reality of it.
The fact was they’d never really been interested in parenting. They hadn’t wanted to go to parents’ evenings, school shows or sports events. And it seemed the harder he’d worked the more they’d ignored him.
As he’d got older he’d realised that their resentment ran deep. They’d often mention the business deals they could have done or the opportunities that had slipped through their fingers because they were tied with a child. And they’d never forgotten to add that his own parents hadn’t wanted him—now something that he knew wasn’t true. It was as if he was supposed to be eternally grateful to them for their sacrifice in taking him.
It hadn’t taken him long to realise what a destructive relationship that really was. College life had opened a whole new world for him. He’d worked three jobs so he could enrol at New York College, support himself and study business. He’d never missed an assignment and had been top of his class the whole way through. One of his professors had even spoken to him about one of the business proposals he’d pulled together, giving him the confidence to know that his plans were solid with a real possibility of success.
Most importantly, at college he’d met friends with families who loved them dearly, and had included him in the mix with open, welcoming arms. He’d watched the relationships between fathers and mothers and their sons, none of them similar to his experience at all. It had made him realise how much he’d missed out on. But it hadn’t allowed him to shake off the internal sense of not being good enough. The one that had been ingrained in him all his life.
So when he’d recognised that same feeling in Anissa, he’d wanted to do anything he could to help her. He’d watched her on the mountain, knew she was talented. But was she being realistic? Was her dream still truly achievable?
He had doubts. But he couldn’t say that to her. Did any potential gold-medal athlete get back to their best after such a severe accident?
She’d been constantly surrounded by the ski life. Had she even sampled the rest of the world? Did she know what other opportunities lay out there?
He’d invited her to New York for partly selfish reasons. He hadn’t really wanted to leave her, and he knew she would be a perfect partner for the ball.
But what could he do for her in return?
He turned towards her as they ate their freshly cooked pasta, prepared on the plane. ‘You told me you’d never really had a proper holiday before. Is there anything you’d like to do in New York? Anything you’d like to see, to do or anywhere you’d like to go?’
She pulled back in her seat a little. ‘Apart from you, there’s only one person in New York I’d like to meet. One of the chalet maids, Chloe, wants me to look up her cousin, Jules. Won’t you be busy? You said you had to go back for work and emergency meetings.’ She gave a smile. ‘Jules is my back-up plan in case you disappear the second we get there.’
He gave a nod of his head. ‘I do have work to do. Business is business. But you are my guest. New York comes alive at this time of year. Christmas is huge. There are a million things we can do.’
She looked intrigued. ‘Like what?’
He racked his brain. He’d been in New York for years but had never really done any sightseeing. He was probably the world’s worst person to show someone around New York. But there was so much to see and do that he could come up with a standard supply of answers.
‘We could walk around Central Park. Visit the museums. Go ice skating. Shop. Then there’s the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center. Times Square. the Statue of Liberty. I’m sure we can find plenty of things to do to keep you busy.’
‘All in a few days?’ She looked a little disbelieving. He hadn’t really specified how long they’d be here—because he wasn’t really sure how long this business would take to conclude.
‘Don’t forget the charity ball,’ he added. ‘You’ll love it.’
She gave a nervous swallow. ‘Yeah, a ball. I’ll need to find a ballgown. Might have forgotten to pack one.’
Leo sensed her hesitation. ‘Don’t worry about that. We can sort that out when we land. Keisa, my PA, will know exactly where to send you.’
She held his gaze for the longest moment, immediately making him think that he’d said the wrong thing.
But eventually she peeled her gaze away and continued with the pasta. ‘Sounds good,’ she said quietly.
Leo licked his lips. This might be a little tougher than he’d first thought.
As the flight prepared to land, Anissa stared out of the window, watching the bright lights of New York appear beneath them. He’d always loved this part.
The feeling of coming home.
But this time? It was a little different.
This time he felt unsettled. Where, exactly, was home?
* * *
First it had been the plane. Then the mention of the ball. Then the throwaway remark about brushing her off onto his PA.
This had been a bad idea. This was a very bad idea.
But as New York had emerged beneath the smoky clouds she’d felt a tiny spurt of exhilaration. If everything else was a disaster, at least she had a few days in a whole new place. A few days to do things that a normal tourist might do. It could even be fun.
A car had been waiting for them at the airport and after their suitcases had been put in the trunk they’d set off into the city. Leo had squirmed for a few seconds.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.
He pulled a face. ‘This is going to come out all wrong.’
She shifted unco
mfortably. ‘Well, whatever it is, just say it.’ Had he changed her mind about her being here?
‘I forgot to book a hotel for you.’ He pulled his phone out of his pocket. ‘I’m sorry, I’m so used to being on my own and I was so busy thinking about my business deal that I didn’t plan ahead.’ He gave his head a little shake. ‘In my head it makes sense to stay in my penthouse, but now that we’re here... I realise how presumptuous that sounds.’
She understood. She understood completely. They’d already seen each other naked and now he was feeling awkward about where she should sleep.
‘We’ve done everything back to front,’ she said quietly as New York flashed past outside.
‘I can book you into a hotel,’ he said quickly. ‘I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.’
‘I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable,’ she replied quickly, because the truth was, right up until this second she hadn’t thought about any of this. It had just flown off her radar, just like it had his. And now he was mentioning it...well, it was making them both feel uncomfortable.
He sighed, as if he realised just how stilted this all sounded, then turned to face her and put his hand on his chest. ‘Anissa, I asked you to join me in New York because I wanted you to join me. But I don’t want you to feel any obligation to me whatsoever. This is supposed to be fun. My penthouse is big. I have three separate bedrooms and you’re welcome to sleep in any one them—alone. Please don’t think that by asking you to come I have any other kind of expectation.’ He gestured to the streets flashing past outside. ‘Or I can book you into any hotel you choose.’ He nodded slowly. ‘I’m sorry. I should have thought about this sooner—I guess I’m just so used to being on my own. You decide. Do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.’
She took a few seconds to think then met his gaze. ‘Thank you for being so honest. The truth is, as a stranger to a new town, and someone who is not used to travelling alone, I’d probably feel safer staying at your penthouse—as long as you don’t mind someone who is most comfortable padding around in thick socks and huge pyjamas.’ She gave him a smile. ‘Glamour is my middle name.’
‘You’re sure?’
She nodded, as a feeling of relief spread through her. ‘I’m sure.’
He sighed and sagged back against the leather seat. ‘Thank goodness. My first guest at the penthouse and I thought I’d just made a big faux pas.’
‘I’m your first guest?’ Now she really was surprised.
He nodded. ‘Sure. I’ve had other friends visit over the years, but they’ve stayed at hotels. Probably because I’ve been so wrapped up in the business.’
Half an hour later the car slid into an underground parking area and Leo took her to a private elevator.
Seconds later they emerged into a glistening penthouse. It was like something out of a film. The tinted glass windows stretched from floor to ceiling, laying the city out before them. The floor was a dark slate colour and the furnishings cream and glass. It was immaculate—like a place where people didn’t actually stay.
And, while it was beautiful, it struck Anissa that there was nothing about this place that said ‘Leo’ to her.
The kitchen was open-plan, looking into the sitting area with large leather sofas and an extremely expensive-looking dining table and chairs.
She walked over and ran her fingers along the table. ‘You get to sit here every morning and eat breakfast looking out over New York City? It’s quite a view.’
‘It is, isn’t it?’ He gave a slow nod. ‘I should take more time to appreciate it.’
He strolled through to the kitchen and opened one of the glossy white cabinets. ‘This is the most important thing.’ He waved a package at her. ‘Coffee pods. There’s a whole variety in there so just pick your favourite.’ He stood in front of a fancy machine that probably cost more than she earned in a month, flicking a few switches and pressing a few buttons as he slid one of the pods into place and slotted a latte glass underneath. ‘This is all you need to do. Simple. Right?’
She blinked as the liquid frothed into the cup and hid her smile. ‘It seems simple,’ she agreed. ‘But I feel as if I should come with an equipment warning.’
‘What do you mean?’
She sighed and waved her hand in front of her stomach. ‘It’s like I’ve got an internal magnet. Dishwashers, coffee machines, computers, microwaves all seem to die in my presence.’
He laughed. ‘Really?’
She nodded. ‘And that’s before I touch them.’ She wagged her finger. ‘So, don’t say I didn’t warn you.’
He glanced at his watch. ‘Then let’s leave coffee. How about wine? Even your internal magnet can’t mess with a bottle opener.’ He lifted two wine glasses down from the cupboard. ‘What would you prefer, white or red?’
She paused for a second. ‘Actually, my favourite is blush. Do you have any?’
He looked amused. ‘Hmm, blush. Interesting choice. Yes, give me a minute.’
He pressed a button and a whole wall of the kitchen slid back to reveal a hidden wine rack. Anissa felt her eyes boggle. Really?
He selected a bottle from the rack and turned back, opening it with the corkscrew and pouring a little into one of the glasses. ‘Care to check?’
Anissa laughed. ‘Honestly? It looks like the right colour, so I’m sure it will be fine.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘How the other half live, eh?’
She watched as Leo filled both glasses and they walked over and sat down at the table. She looked out at the array of glistening lights.
‘So, teach me about New York,’ she said.
He gave a nod and pointed, ‘That’s the Empire State Building, over there is the Rockefeller Center, there’s a giant Christmas tree down there and a skating rink we can visit.’ He gave her a nod. ‘There’s also a really cool bakery on the other side of the street.’
‘I like how your brain works.’ She smiled as she took a sip of her wine.
‘Over there, and down a bit, is Times Square. It’s more fun at night. I’ll take you there and you can climb the stairs and see where the ball drops at New Year.’
‘Oh, yes. I’d forgotten about that.’
‘There’s another Christmas tree at Bryant Park, one at the Met and another at the Natural History Museum.’ He looked at her carefully. ‘And if you like shopping, there’s always Fifth Avenue.’
She gulped. ‘I’m not sure I’ll be shopping on Fifth Avenue, window-shopping maybe. But not actual shopping.’
Leo opened his mouth as if he were about to say something else then quickly closed it again. Thank goodness. The last thing she wanted was for him to offer to meet her shopping bill. Not everyone had his income, and although Anissa had savings, she always worked hard to stay within her own budget.
And shopping on Fifth Avenue was way above her budget.
‘What about Central Park?’ she asked. ‘I imagine it’s going to be beautiful at this time of year, all covered in snow.’
He nodded. ‘We can do Central Park but beware, it’s a lot bigger than some people think. And it will be cold. Very cold.’
‘As cold as Mont Coeur?’
Leo nodded. ‘On a par. The trouble with New York is that every time we have snow, half the city grinds to a halt. Flights get grounded at the airport and some of the public transport stops working.’
Anissa looked out over the snow-dusted city. ‘But surely the snow is no big surprise?’
He shrugged. ‘You’d think. But every time there’s a heavy snowfall there are problems.’
Anissa stood up and looked out the window. ‘I like New York in wintertime. It’s pretty.’
He moved next to her, his wine glass still in hand. ‘So do I. I guess it’s just been a long time since I stopped to notice.’
Nerves were starting to work on her. Either that or it was the combination of jet
lag and wine. All of a sudden she was conscious of him standing next to her in his fine knit black jumper and black trousers. Conscious of the rise and fall of his chest. The heat emanating from him. They were side by side but she could see his reflection in the window. In Mont Coeur, Leo Baxter had been handsome. Here? In his own environment, there was something else. An assurance, a confidence that hadn’t quite seemed so natural in Mont Coeur. Now he was back on his own turf it seemed to ooze from his pores, drawing her in like some kind of magnet. She almost laughed out loud. Maybe she did have a magnet inside her, and instead of being repelled by another, it was just heightening the attraction.
But her curiosity was sparked. What had hampered Leo’s confidence in Mont Coeur? Was it the family business he’d referred to? He’d told her a little, but she was sure there was more to the story. She hadn’t really noticed it to begin with, but now they were here, she could see the difference in his personality.
This apartment was beautiful—a showpiece even. But she was still struck by how little of him there was here. It didn’t exactly feel like a home. When she closed her eyes and thought of home her mind went immediately to her mum and dad’s house in Austria. Set on a hillside, with old trophies of hers scattered across the shelves, a sofa with two mismatched chairs and a whole array of family photographs, it really was a different place.
She gave herself a mental shake. Each to their own. Who was she judge a billionaire on his apparently impersonal home—particularly when he was letting her stay?
He turned towards her and raised his wine glass. ‘How about a toast?’
She smiled and nodded. ‘What did you have in mind?’
‘To New York. To new beginnings.’
She tilted her head. New beginnings for her or new beginnings for him?
She held up her glass and clinked it against his.
‘New beginnings,’ she agreed as she turned and looked back out over the city. Her heart beat a little quicker.
New York. A world of new possibilities.
He strolled through to the kitchen and opened one of the glossy white cabinets.
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