Dazzling

by Elizabeth Hayley

“Is there anyone who doesn’t?”

  “Two?” the waiter asked.

  “Please,” Derick said. “And I’ll take a cup of coffee.” He gestured to Siobhan. “Tea?”

  She nodded. “Any hot herbal tea you have would be great.”

  The waiter nodded and headed back toward the small bar at the back of the restaurant. The place was beautiful and intimate.

  There were maybe fifteen tables sprinkled around the cozy space. Two of the walls were made of weathered-looking, exposed brick.

  Siobhan couldn’t resist looking around in awe. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think I were actually in Italy.”

  Derick sat back in his chair, his fitted black polo stretching across his muscular chest. She found herself picturing what his chest looked like beneath his shirt. Just the right amount of hair on his pecs, some leading down his chiseled abs to where the top of his tight boxer briefs hugged his hip—

  “When were you there last?”

  Huh? It took her a moment to remember what they’d been talking about. She tried to regain her composure before speaking, though she could feel the embarrassment heating her cheeks. “Italy? Never, actually. I really only know what I’ve seen in pictures and movies. I’d love to go, though. As an aspiring artist, I feel like I should eventually take a trip there.”

  “Only ‘aspiring’? You seemed pretty good to me.”

  Siobhan put her elbow on the table and plopped her head into her hand. “Thank you. But I need to actually sell some of my art before I drop the ‘aspiring.’ Which will hopefully be soon. A few of my paintings will be in a gallery that’s opening in a few weeks.”

  Derick’s face lit up. He looked genuinely impressed. “Really? That’s exciting.”

  Siobhan inhaled a shaky breath. Just the thought of strangers judging whether her art was worth something made her jittery. “It’s exciting, but every time I think about it, I feel like I’m going to pass out.”

  “Well don’t do that, because then you’ll miss dessert,” Derick said, gesturing to the waiter who was approaching with their cannolis and drinks.

  Siobhan leaned back in her seat so the server could place her plate and tea in front of her. “I won’t really faint. But it does make me nervous thinking about it. I’m such a cliché. I moved here because it’s where everyone goes to pursue their dreams, you know?”

  Derick nodded.

  “But now that I’m here, I have to admit that New York intimidates me a little,” she continued.

  “It’s just like any other city,” Derick replied, though she was sure he was just trying to make her feel better. He put some sugar in his coffee and stirred it. “When did you move here?”

  “The middle of March. So I’ve been here almost four months. But I’ve been so busy, I haven’t gotten to really see much of the city yet. Though I’ve seen enough to know that it’s a far cry from Oklahoma.”

  Siobhan saw a spark of excitement in Derick’s eyes. He ran a hand across the short, dark hair on his face, and Siobhan wondered how it would feel against her skin. “What do you say we take dessert to go?”

  Siobhan narrowed her eyes in confusion. “Okay?” she said as more of a question than an answer.

  Derick quickly pulled out his wallet and put two hundred dollars on the table, which Siobhan was certain was way too much for what they’d just eaten, even with a generous tip included. “Ready?” he asked, picking up his cannoli.

  Siobhan nodded, grabbing her dessert and following him out to the street, where he began walking. She hurried to keep up with him.

  “First thing you need to know about being a New Yorker is how to eat on the go. You have to walk with a purpose. Even if you don’t really have one.”

  Siobhan lifted her cannoli to her mouth. “Doesn’t seem that difficult,” she said before taking a bite.

  Derick raised his eyebrows as he chewed. “This coming from someone I picked up off the floor when we first met.”

  Siobhan gave him a playful slap to his arm. “That’s not true! You caught me before I hit the ground.”

  They continued on for five minutes or so, weaving around other people. “Where are we going?” Siobhan asked.

  “You’ll see,” Derick replied. “We’re practically there.” He pointed ahead to a sleek building that seemed to be made up entirely of windows. Siobhan recognized the famous acronym on the side. “The Museum of Modern Art,” she said, more to herself than to Derick.

  “Yup. You know about art, and I know about New York. I figured it would be a good place to start.”

  “Start what?”

  “Your tour,” Derick answered, holding the door so she could enter.

  “My tour?” she asked, her head drifting back so she could look up at the expansive space. Even the lobby of the museum looked like a piece of art—clean lines, high ceilings, marble and glass surrounding them.

  “Your tour of New York.” He grinned broadly.

  Siobhan looked at her watch. “But it’s almost six. Isn’t the museum closed?”

  “Not for us, it’s not.”

  Chapter 7

  After Derick passed the security guard a handful of crisp bills, Siobhan did her best to show him paintings by some of the more well-known artists: Matisse, Pollock, Monet.

  “This is one of my favorites,” Siobhan said, pointing to The Persistence of Memory by Salvador Dalí.

  “I’ve seen this one. It was in my high school Spanish book.”

  Siobhan laughed. “I think it was in mine too, actually. But I’ve loved it even before then. When I first started to get interested in art, I used to check out books from the library on different artists and read about the paintings.”

  “Nerd,” he elbowed her playfully. “So what did the book say about these lumpy clocks?”

  Siobhan laughed again. “The melting clocks. There are a bunch of theories. Some people thought it had to do with Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, but Dalí denied that. I like the idea that it could mean that time is an abstract concept. It’s not concrete, but it isn’t nonexistent, either. It lies somewhere in the middle of the two.”

  Derick looked from her to the painting and then back at her again.

  “Time is something created by humans,” she continued. “We have to follow a schedule, be somewhere at a certain time—no other species believes that. In a sense, we made it up. But time is also very real. That’s what makes every moment special. Once it’s gone, you can never get it back.”

  Shrugging, she paused for a few seconds. “Except in your memory or a dream, maybe.” She gazed at the painting, barely able to believe she was looking at the real thing. “I think that’s why I like surrealism so much. It’s where fiction and reality meet. It’s also something I could never paint myself. So that alone impresses me.”

  “I don’t get it—how people critique art. It’s like another language. One that I don’t speak. It’s interesting though, at least when you talk about it.” He let his eyes drift away from the painting as he turned to face her. “Though if I’m looking at anything in this building, I’d much rather it be you.”

  Siobhan felt the rush of heat to her cheeks as Derick’s caramel-colored eyes raked over her entire body. She’d noticed him do that earlier, his gaze fixed on Siobhan as if he were there to admire her and not the masterpieces surrounding them. Though she was fully clothed, it somehow made her feel exposed.

  But she didn’t mind it. She actually liked that Derick looked as though he might eat her alive at any moment. She desperately wanted him to.

  He took a step closer and placed a hand on her cheek. The gentle touch sent a spark of electricity pulsing through her body. “Kiss me,” she said.

  Though the request had come from Siobhan’s own mouth, it still surprised her. She usually wasn’t this forward. But if she had to stand this close to Derick again without his lips pressed against hers, she felt like she might implode.

  There was something about this man that had her wanting to act rather
than think, to feel rather than suppress. Before meeting Derick, she’d only felt this kind of passion for art. But Derick ignited a fire inside her that she couldn’t put out even if she wanted to. And she definitely didn’t want to.

  Derick’s eyes grew wide in what she recognized as the same desire she felt in herself. “Follow me.” His voice sounded as if he’d been gargling with pebbles as he grabbed her hand and led her into a dimly lit room.

  As soon as they turned the corner, he was on her, pushing her against the wall in the blessedly empty room. She hoped it indicated the things to come. She didn’t want gentle. She wanted him to ravish her.

  Their mouths moved wildly as a growl escaped from low in Derick’s chest. The sound caused her core to tighten. She was lit up with sensation, an overwhelming need to claim this man who had turned her inside out. Time seemed to slow as neither moved to take things further. The kiss was enough. It was everything.

  But eventually, the heat simmering between them called for more. His mouth left hers, and he nuzzled into her neck, his facial hair tickling her skin as he sucked hungrily on her flesh. Her body seemed to melt against his.

  “I love the way you taste,” Derick rasped against her skin.

  Her response was a soft moan that she released on an exhale as Derick’s hand skated up her flowing, navy-blue tank. Even the things he says are hot.

  “This okay?” he asked.

  “Mm-hmm. More than okay.” She inhaled deeply, trying to take in as much of him as possible. The smell of soap mingled with the hint of sweat on his skin—a combination she thought she’d never get enough of.

  As his hips ground against her, she felt his erection on her abdomen. She brought her lips back to his and lost herself in the kiss.

  She wanted him to keep going, ease the wet ache between her thighs that had been there since last night. She was sure this would be enough if she wrapped her leg around him and he kept the pressure right where she needed it.

  “We should probably take this somewhere else,” Derick said, pulling back slightly and looking around. “I’m not sure I can keep doing this with that statue of David watching.”

  Siobhan glanced at the two-foot-tall sculpture Derick was pointing to. “That’s definitely not David.”

  “It’s the statue of some naked guy. That’s close enough.” Derick put a finger under her chin and gently lifted up her head to make eye contact.

  God, he’s gorgeous.

  “My place?” he asked softly before giving her a light kiss.

  Siobhan let out an audible exhale. “I can’t.”

  Derick looked apologetic. “I didn’t mean…We don’t have to…”

  “Oh no. That’s not what I meant. I want to. Like really, really want to. You have no idea.”

  Glancing down at his cock still straining against his khaki shorts, Derick gave her an amused grin. “I’m pretty sure I have some idea.”

  “Right.” She shook her head as if trying to clear it. “I just can’t right now. I need to pick up my neighbor’s daughter from gymnastics and then start getting ready for work.”

  Derick cocked his head to the side and put his hands on her biceps. “I don’t feel like that’s going to be as much fun for you as what I had planned.”

  “Probably not,” she said, deflated. As the two of them straightened their clothes, the heat between them cooled just enough to make Siobhan thankful that they couldn’t take things any further. She liked Derick and was interested in knowing more about him than just what he looked like naked.

  Chapter 8

  Siobhan shifted in her seat, a mixture of discomfort and excitement coursing through her. She and Derick decided to meet up on the following Tuesday since Siobhan didn’t have to work, and they wouldn’t be combating tourists visiting for the weekend. Derick had picked her up at 8:00 a.m., greeting her with a smile and a driver standing beside a black Escalade. At least that’s what Siobhan thought it was called.

  Derick explained that he had a lot planned, starting with a quick stop to his favorite coffeehouse before they headed to the Statue of Liberty. He seemed so excited, Siobhan was surprised he wasn’t vibrating.

  “I figured we’d eat quickly and then begin our tour.” Derick smiled as he spoke, and Siobhan calmed at the sight of it.

  On their way to the ferry after breakfast, Derick pointed out some of the local sights, most of which Siobhan still hadn’t seen. Derick explained that he’d tried to hire a boat to take them out to Liberty Island, but only the ferries were allowed to dock there. He’d already reserved their tickets, and Siobhan was flattered by how much forethought he’d put into the day, though she was thrown a little off-center by the idea that he’d tried to hire a private boat to get them to the island.

  Siobhan tried to maintain her excitement, but Derick’s apparent wealth was distracting her. She’d known Derick had money. The Stone Room was renowned for attracting wealthy men. But Derick had never seemed like the men who frequented the place. He seemed down to earth. More like her.

  But, as they began to climb the 377 steps to the crown of Lady Liberty, she was thinking less about Derick’s attempted indulgence and more about how she wished she’d done more cardio since moving to New York.

  After they’d looked around for a bit, and Derick had bought her a stuffed replica of the Statue of Liberty, they caught the ferry back and continued their tour.

  They arrived at the Empire State Building a little while later. The elevator was crammed with people as it ascended the 102 stories. Derick put his back flush against the wall and pulled Siobhan to stand in front of him. He left his hands on her hips, and she couldn’t resist leaning back into him.

  “Maybe we should just spend the day on this elevator,” he whispered.

  She turned her head so she could see him out of the corner of her eye. “I don’t think that’s what I was promised when I accepted this date.”

  The elevator dinged as they reached their destination. Derick sighed as he grabbed her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “Guess I’d better keep my promise. Come on,” he added with a smirk.

  They walked around the observation deck for a bit, looking through the coin-operated binoculars. Derick held something out to her.

  “What’s this?” she said, as he dropped the object in her palm.

  “A penny.”

  She laughed. “What am I supposed to do with this?”

  “Drop it over the ledge,” he said, as if it were obvious.

  She narrowed her eyes and looked at the coin in her hand. “Why?”

  “Because it’ll kill someone.”

  Siobhan’s eyes flew up to his. “What?” She may have said it a little loudly, because all of the people in their vicinity turned to stare at them.

  Derick, the bastard, just started laughing. “You’ve never heard that urban legend?”

  “That it’s customary to commit homicide when visiting the Empire State Building? No. I must’ve missed that one.”

  He laughed again. “People used to say that if you threw a penny from this high up that it’d kill someone if it hit them. Mythbusters disproved that theory though. But it’s still supposed to grant you a wish.” He ran his fingers over the fence in front of them. “Too bad you can’t actually throw the pennies over anymore. We’ll have to settle for leaving them on the ledge.”

  Siobhan toyed with the penny in her palm. “I don’t believe in wishes. I make my own luck,” she said with a wink, even though she meant every word.

  “Suit yourself,” Derick said, as he closed his eyes and was still for a second before putting his penny on the ledge. He looked at Siobhan. “You’re going to be sad when I get my wish, and you don’t get yours.”

  “What was your wish?”

  “Drop your penny, and I’ll tell you.”

  “That’s blackmail,” she grumbled. But she complied anyway, wishing that her upcoming show would be profitable. She nearly laughed out loud at her wish. Then she placed the penny on the led
ge and put her hands on her hips. She turned to face Derick again. “Okay, fess up.”

  Derick moved closer to her, and the baby-blue T-shirt he was wearing brushed up against her white tank top. His hands wrapped around her waist as she slid hers up to wrap around his neck. “To kiss you on top of the Empire State Building.”

  Before she could reply, his lips were on hers. The kiss was gentle, a slow glide that was electrifying in its sweetness. She wanted more. She always wanted more with him.

  Too soon, he was pulling back, and her body craved his with an intensity she hadn’t felt with anyone before. “Why are we always somewhere public when I kiss you?”

  “Not sure. But it’s a trend we should stop.” Siobhan was embarrassed by how breathless her reply sounded.

  “What was your wish?” he asked.

  Siobhan hesitated a moment. She didn’t want to tell Derick her wish—whether because she didn’t want to admit how greedy she was or because she didn’t want to jinx it, she wasn’t quite sure. “If I tell you it won’t come true,” she said with a smile that she hoped would convince him she was kidding.

  “I told you and mine still came true.”

  “I like to play it safe.”

  They looked at each other for a moment longer before Derick nodded, took her hand, and led her to the lobby.

  “Are you averse to food carts?” Derick asked as they exited the building.

  “Food carts? Um, no. Why?”

  “Because I figured a tour of New York wouldn’t be complete without getting food from one. And I know of a really good one.”

  They ate lunch as they walked past the buildings. She was so caught up in the New York scenery, she hadn’t even noticed they’d arrived at the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink until Derick asked her if she could skate.

  Siobhan couldn’t help but laugh. “No. I’m way too uncoordinated to skate.”

  “Well, this is a New York City must. You have to get on the ice once the rink reopens.”

  “So not happening.” She turned toward him and realized how close they were standing. Almost as close as they’d been at the Empire State Building.