Of course, I’ve never been given the code to the private, glass elevator, the one that glides silently straight up to the penthouse on the top floor. As the car ascends, I enjoy the view of the city growing smaller beneath me. Dusk splashes the sky pink and purple as the sun burns into the horizon.
Colin is there waiting when the doors open. Like last night, he’s wearing a suit of impeccable custom tailoring. The dark fabric is countered by a solid, sky blue tie. I pick up a trace of his cologne, a sweet but subtle nectar. “Susie, welcome.”
“Hello, Colin,” I say, leaning into him and planting a polite kiss on his cheek. His rough stubble feels harsh against my lips, but I don’t mind.
“Come,” he says, pulling me back into the elevator. I thought we would see his penthouse, but instead we ride up one more floor, to the roof.
For a minute, we stare out at the sunset without speaking. I’ve seen breathtaking vistas of the city before — from the boardroom of my father’s company headquarters, out the window of countless helicopter rides, and so on — but being here with Colin, my hand in his, the view never struck me as more beautiful.
“I like to come up here at sunset whenever I can,” he says. “That’s the thing about beauty. You never get tired of it.”
“Uh huh,” I reply, lost in his words.
“And sometimes, you can be blinded by beauty, and miss an even greater one right next to you.” He turns to me. “I could look at you all night long.”
Blushing, I turn away. “Thanks,” I say sheepishly.
A slight breeze kicks up and tosses my hair around. Colin laughs and puts his arm around my shoulders. “Come on, let’s sit down.” He gestures toward a small patio table in the roof’s center. Surrounded by heavy, potted plants and angelic statuary, the table is already set with a bottle of red wine and two glasses.
As I sit, he opens the bottle and pours our first glasses of the night. Sipping slowly, I finally break from the reverie of his compliment.
“Do you take all your dates up here at sunset?” I ask. “That’s a good line. Would be a shame to only use it once.”
Colin laughs loudly. “Does that mean I have your permission to use it on someone else?”
“Would you want to?” I snap. His suggestion angers me, even though I know he’s joking.
“No, Susie. I know I’ve got a reputation, but I don’t bring just anybody up here,” he asserts, dropping the levity from his tone. “I haven’t met too many women like you.”
“Oh.” I take a deep breath and relax. “Thanks. But is that really true, Mr. Legend? I would have thought you’d met lots of women like me.”
Colin shrugs. “I meet celebrities, mostly. Musicians, actors, models — I don’t meet many women who run and staff their own charity. When I first came to see you about donating to the center, I didn’t think I’d…”
He stops for a second, as if not sure what to say next. “What?”
“Sorry. I just didn’t expect to meet anyone as fascinating as you, Susie Lexington.”
I blush again and take another sip of wine to try and hide it. “I don’t know, I bet the movie stars and pop stars are pretty fascinating.”
Colin laughs. “Have you ever met any?”
“A few,” I shrug. “At galas, mostly. Sometimes backstage after a concert. They’ve seemed nice.”
He nods, finishing off his first glass of wine and pouring himself more. “Celebrities are just like any other large group of people. Some are the nicest folk you’ll ever meet; some are assholes. I’ve managed and represented plenty of both. I’ve partied until dawn with them, I’ve negotiated contracts all day with them. And yes, I’ve dated several. I swear, Susie, none of them made an impression like you.”
My heart hammers in my chest. I don’t know what to say next and could have died of nerves if not for the interruption of a pair of waiters arriving with plates, place settings, fresh bread, and an appetizer smelling of seafood.
“Thank you,” Colin says to them, nodding. “Do you like fried calamari?” he asks.
“Love it,” I say.
“Then dig in.”
The aroma has woken my stomach, which growls. The first heavenly bite is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and not so hot it burns my tongue. Colin helps himself as well, clearly enjoying watching my own pleasure at the meal.
“Does this mean you’ve ordered for us?” I ask.
He nods. “Do you mind? This is from my own personal chef. I didn’t tell him what to make, just to knock it out of the park. He never disappoints.”
Taking another calamari and nearly fainting, I nod. “I’ll bet.”
“So, tell me, Susie: what led you to start your center?” asks Colin.
“My mother,” I reply.
“It must have been hard, growing up without her.”
“That’s just it, though: it wasn’t. I was only a few weeks old when she passed, so I never really knew her. Hearing about her growing up made me sad, but not the way I would be if she’d been a part of my life.”
“I see,” says Colin. “And with your father’s wealth, you didn’t have much to worry about.”
“Right. But I realized, what if he wasn’t rich? What would we do? That’s the situation many of the center’s clients are in, so we do for them what we can.”
“I’m sure your mother would be proud of you, Susie. To have inspired you in such a way. It means something good has come out of her passing.”
“Thanks,” I say, wondering if that is what she would think. Dad has never mentioned it, though talking about her is so painful for him, I try not to bring it up. Even after more than twenty years, I still hear the catch in his voice when she comes up in conversation.
“Susie, I’ve met so many young men and women born to obscene wealth. They might be willing to cut a check to a charity, but when they do, it’s usually to show off. None of them go as far as you. None of them care the way you do,” explains Colin. “That makes you something special.”
“Colin-” I start.
“I mean it, Susie. I’m just a little shocked that…” He trails off again and looks out into the night sky.
“What?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m surprised you’re single. How has some lucky guy not scooped you up yet?”
I laugh and shake my head. “Don’t get me started.”
“What’s that mean?”
Before I can answer, the waiters return with bowls of a pink soup that steams in the cool evening air.
“Lobster bisque,” notes Colin. “Give it a minute to cool.”
“It smells incredible,” I say, twirling my soup spoon, not wanting to wait.
“First, tell me what you meant before. Have you had trouble with men? Forgive me if this is a sensitive subject, but I just have to know how I could possibly be so lucky.”
“Oh, stop,” I say, giggling. “It’s just that… I haven’t met the right guy.”
Colin nods and sips his wine. “Sounds like you’re being picky.”
“I’m here with you, no?” I quip.
“Ouch,” Colin laughs. “But seriously, you can afford to be picky, Susie. Someone like you shouldn’t settle. And who cares if people know you’re-”
“A virgin?” I interject. How could he tell? “I think it matters.”
Colin’s eyes widen as if a bomb just went off in front of him, but he recovers quickly. “I was going to say ‘single,’ Susie. Nobody cares if you’re single.”
“Oh,” I squeak.
Please, shoot me now.
“It’s been a lovely night, Mr. Legend,” I say, getting up. “I’ll be jumping off the roof of this building now. Are there any safety nets I should be aware of?”
Rising from his seat, Colin takes my hand. “Please, sit, Susie. It’s totally fine. Don’t be ridiculous.”
I shake my head. “I have never been so embarrassed-”
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Come on, have d
inner. If you don’t feel better, you can jump afterward, alright?”
A smile breaks across my face, despite myself. “Well when you put it that way…” I sit back down and try the bisque. Oh god.
“Worth living for?” Colin asks.
“You know it is.”
He sighs, tasting the soup for himself. “Yeah.”
We eat quietly, watching the skyscrapers light up as night swallows the city.
Finally, Colin says, “Hey Susie, mind if I be a little presumptuous?”
“Go ahead.” I figure I’ve already been mortified beyond belief; how could he make it any worse?
“If you are so upset about… your situation… I can help.”
I snort, laughing. “How noble of you.”
He chuckles briefly, but then his expression hardens. “I mean it. I’m not one to brag, but… You know my reputation. I know what to do when I’m with a woman. I could make your first time the kind of experience that’s worth the wait.”
As he speaks, I feel the throbbing grow between my legs. I can feel the pounding of my heart. His brilliant green eyes fixate on mine.
“Wouldn’t you like that?” he adds.
I gulp. “Yes, I would.” My voice is barely a whisper.
Colin gets up and drags his seat next to mine. He pulls me in for a kiss that isn’t gentle and loving: it’s hard and passionate. He holds me tightly, and I feel the heat of his body blazing against mine. Down below, I feel something thick and solid pressing against me. Even through both our clothes, it’s hard as steel.
I let myself fall into rapture as we kiss. When his hand wanders down my back and squeezes my bottom, I moan and tremble, aching for more. His fingers press into my skirt, finding the wet undergarment beneath. He rubs softly at first, allowing the pleasure to build, but already I can feel a wave of bliss on the verge of erupting.
“Colin,” I say, lips slipping from his.
“Mmm…” he hums, not stopping.
“I don’t think we should,” I mumble, looking to the roof entrance. What if the waiters show up with our next course? They could arrive at any second.
Colin abruptly withdraws his hand from my crotch. “If you’re not ready, we can wait, baby. If I’m going to be the first to claim you, I want it to be perfect.”
“Thank you,” I say, taking a deep breath.
He laughs. “I’ve got a reputation to uphold, remember?”
“Oh, ha ha. You’re very sweet, has anyone ever told you that?”
“Never.”
We stare at each other and grin as the waiters bring out our main course: grilled lamb with garlic butter and a side of truffle creamed spinach.
“I hope you’ve got more to offer than great food and snappy lines, Mr. Legend.”
“Don’t you worry, Ms. Lexington. I hope you’re ready to discover a bliss so intoxicating you’ll be begging me for more.”
“Oh I am.”
Why wouldn’t I be?
Water drips down my legs as I rush across my bedroom, my towel threatening to slip off. I heard my phone sound off while still in the shower, and if it was Colin, I didn’t want to miss it.
But it’s Allison, which I see before the phone slips from my wet grip and hits the floor.
“Susie? Did I catch you at a bad time?” I hear from under my bed.
Reaching underneath, I lose the towel completely and slip off the side of the bed, tumbling to the floor.
“What was that?” Allison asks, hearing my whoop and the thud. “Susie, what’s going on?”
“I’m fine,” I say, projecting my voice so she’ll hear. I take a second to sigh. The carpet beneath me feels really nice. I’ve never been naked on the floor, so I never noticed until now.
“Sorry,” I say as I finally get the phone. “What’s up?”
“Bad news. Florence had to call out. She can’t cover the night shift.”
Damn.
If she can’t do it, the job defaults to me.
“I know you’re seeing Colin tonight…” says Allison.
“It’s fine,” I interject. “Really. Colin will understand. He says he can get busy unexpectedly, too.”
“Oh, good.”
Allison pauses, and I get the sense she’s building up to a Serious Question.
“Come on, out with it. I still need to call Colin to reschedule.”
“Okay. I want you to tell me what he says after you speak to him. I can’t help worrying he’s pressuring you.”
“Oh my God, Allison,” I huff. “Again? He’s being totally great about the whole thing. He insists he wants me to be ready.”
“I know, I know. I’m sorry, Susie, but this just seems really fast. Three dates in three days?”
“The first one wasn’t a date,” I remind her.
“Two-and-a-half dates,” she corrects.
I sigh. “What can I say? It’s the weekend. After tonight, I probably won’t see him again until this Friday. I don’t know how I’m going to make it.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but if you’ve waited this long…”
“Bye, Allison,” I say, laughing. “Text you later,” I add before hanging up.
I start to look for Colin in my contacts to call him, but I stop. Stalling to build up my nerve, I finish toweling off and wander into my closet, wondering which outfit I would have chosen for tonight. However, I soon realize I’m just browsing mindlessly — I’m too depressed by the thought of not seeing Colin. At the same time, spending the night alone at the shelter is always boring; if it didn’t need to be done, I wouldn’t bother.
Enough, Susie.
“Call Colin,” I tell my phone, and in a second it’s ringing.
“Susie!” he answers, sounding surprised to hear from me. “What’s up?”
“I have to cancel tonight, Colin,” I say, forcing myself not to beat around the bush. “Our night manager had to call out, so I have to work at the shelter tonight.”
“Ahh, sorry to hear that. Is it a lot of work?”
“No, not really. It’s mostly just a matter of being there, in case anyone calls for third shift temp jobs. It’s really boring.”
“Hmm, that’s a shame. I was going to take you to Jean-Georges.”
I smile to myself. “It’s okay. I’ve been there.”
“Of course, but I was looking forward to it.”
“Can you take a friend?” I suggest, not wanting him to miss out more than he has to.
“Perhaps, but I have a better idea: why don’t I keep you company at the center? Maybe I can even help out.”
Oh God.
It’s a perfect idea; it even makes me mad I didn’t think of it.
“Colin Legend, are you asking to donate your time to charity on a Saturday night?” I ask.
“Not a chance, Lexington. As long as you’re there, then I’m the one who’s really benefiting.”
Wow. Yeah.
“Oh, that’s a relief,” I reply, snickering. “I don’t know if Colin Legend’s reputation can survive a little selflessness.”
He chuckles. “It would be pretty bad, no question. My publicists would be furious.”
“There’s no pleasing them, is there?”
“Nope,” Colin agrees.
I wonder what mine would say if she found out I was dating Colin. I’d probably be on the phone, getting grilled for hours after every date. I’d long for the days when it was just Allison bugging me. Mentally, I scowl, realizing it will have to happen eventually, if I want to keep seeing Colin.
But it’ll be worth it.
“Okay. Why don’t you meet me at the center later?” I propose. “I’m going to head down there now.”
“Sure, Susie. See you then.”
—
Colin arrives at the center at exactly the time he was supposed to pick me up for our date. The center always feels so empty at night; sometimes, it even feels creepy, when it gets quiet. I’ve been known to jump in fright when the phone rings and I’m barely ma
naging to stay awake. I grin, realizing I’ve never been so excited to work an overnight at the center before.
Of course, I’d feel silly sitting at the reception desk all decked out for a hot date, so I had dressed normally, if above average. I opted for a tight, white tank top that might be a bit cool for the evening, but it shows a nice amount of skin. I also picked out my hottest pair of skinny jeans after checking myself out in the mirror enough times to be sure they looked okay.
I didn’t stop to think, What if Colin dresses like usual for out dates? That thought entered my mind after I left, and it was too late to turn back.
Thankfully, he had the same idea as me.
“Hey, Susie,” he says, slipping his cell phone into the pocket of his khakis.
“Hi,” I say, barely managing to get the word out before he pulls me in for a kiss. Pressed against his chest I feel the hard buttons of his robin egg blue shirt. His breath tastes minty fresh, enhancing the effervescent aroma of his sporty cologne.
“You shaved,” I say with a note of regret after breaking from his embrace.
“Yeah,” he sighs, sweeping his fingers across his now smooth chin. “It was getting too prickly.”
I shrug. “Well, I think you still look pretty good.”
He laughs. “Oh thanks. So, I can stay then?”
I grab the undone collar of his shirt in my fist and pull him into another kiss. “Yes, you… can stay,” I mumble. “If you earn… your keep.”
His hand slides down my back and clutches my bottom. I yelp as he gives my cheeks a squeeze, sending a wave of pleasure through my body.
“Come on,” I say, taking his wandering hand in mine and guiding him past the center’s entrance and through the security doors.
“You look good, Susie,” he says as we walk. Leading the way, I can feel his eyes taking me in from behind.
“Thanks,” I reply. “You do, too.”
He catches up to me. “I mean it. You always look incredible, but you don’t need a nice dress and heels to turn heads, Ms. Lexington. You’re a natural beauty.”
My cheeks burn, and I have to take a deep breath to still my heart. “Maybe you should see me without any makeup.”
He sets his hand on my shoulder and stops. “I’d love to see you without anything at all. And not just your body bared to me, Susie. Your heart and soul. I want to know everything about you. I don’t care if it’s your deepest dreams and desires or a list of what you had for breakfast this month. I want it all.”
The Virgin Heiress: A Billionaire & Virgin Romance Page 3