“There is no ‘we’ Colton. This is all on me.”
“Where is his father?”
She smiled sardonically. “That’s a whole other story.”
“Okay, enough revelations for today. The driver will be here any minute.”
Ellyn paced and he wished he could take her into his arms. He wanted to protect her from things like this. He wanted her to know she wasn’t alone. Being a benevolent employer, he did his best to help his employees when they were in trouble. She wasn’t his yet, but that didn’t matter. He had a heart and a wallet to back it up.
His phone rang. Marcia. “Hello.”
“Boss, did you sign those papers?”
“I did that yesterday and didn’t give them back to you. They are on my desk.”
“You coming back to the office?”
“I don’t think so. Feel free to leave early if you want,” he said.
“I’ve got a half hour of work then I’ll leave,” she said.
He disconnected. Ellyn was still pacing. Finally, the driver arrived. Colton ushered Ellyn into the back of the vehicle.
“Let’s take Miss Johnson home, Paul.”
His driver looked from Ellyn back to Colton. “Is that okay, Miss?”
So his driver was more concerned about Ellyn? How chivalrous of him.
“It’s fine, Paul,” she said then stared out the window.
She clearly didn’t want him to come. She fidgeted and looked out the window during the whole trip. The traffic in midtown was especially hairy. At one point Paul said, “I’m trying me best to get us out of here, but I think there are some roads closed.”
“I appreciate all of your efforts, Paul,” Ellyn said.
She drummed her fingers on her leg. Colton took a hold of that hand with his. “We’ll get there.”
She nodded then continued looking out the window.
“I mean it, Ellyn. We’ll sort it out. I’m here to help,” Colton said.
She smiled, but she didn’t look as if she believed him. He wished she could see into his heart. She’d understand that she was part of his company now and that was akin to being part of his family. He wouldn’t let her down.
“I’m guessing others have let you down,” he said. “I’m not going to.”
“It’s okay, Colton. I’m used to it.”
His heart broke as his anger rose. Not anger at her but anger at those men who had let her down in the past. He had so much work to make up for them. He was more than willing to restore her faith in men and humanity in general, whatever it took. Finally, they were heading out of Manhattan. Then, he knew why she hadn’t wanted him to know where she lived. They were heading for the Bronx. If he could tell, not the nicest part either. All of her misgivings about him fell into place. He’d bet she was a single mother raised by a single mother.
Well, at least she as going to sign his contract and get herself out of this hole.
“You sure you want to see this?” she said.
“I don’t care where you live, Ellyn. I only care about your future,” he said. “And I can offer you a much better one than your past.”
*
Ellyn cringed as Paul pulled up to her apartment building. She saw it through Colton’s eyes and it looked even more dilapidated. This was why she hid it from him.
“Just drop me by the front door, Paul,” Ellyn said.
The sooner this car was out of the neighborhood, the safer Colton would be.
“Circle the block or something, Paul. I’m getting out with Miss Johnson. We may need you.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m here to help,” he said. “Please don’t be too proud to accept it.”
She was too proud. And independent. He was just helping her. He wasn’t doing anything wrong. Derek would benefit, she had to remember that. She sighed, “Okay.”
Colton followed her out and up the rickety steps to her third floor apartment. To his credit, he wasn’t out of breath when they reached her place. Ellyn opened the door to find Derek curled in a ball on the couch. Shalia looked wide-eyed at her.
“He hasn’t moved and he refused to take a bath,” she said.
She gasped when she saw Colton.
“I’ll take it from here, Shalia. Thanks for calling me,” Ellyn said.
Shalia grabbed her purse then left. Ellyn sat down next to her son. She stroked his head. He was on fire.
“Come on, Derek. We need to get you into the tub.”
“No,” he said, his voice weaker than she ever heard it.
“Let’s get him to the doctor’s,” Colton said.
“I don’t have a doctor. We use the emergency room,” Ellyn said.
He had no idea. He couldn’t. He had money and health insurance.
“Then we’ll take him to the hospital,” Colton said. “Get his coat.”
He squatted down in front of Derek.
“Derek, this is Mr. Hamilton,” Ellyn said. She wasn’t sure what to call him.
“I’m going to be your mother’s boss in a way. Right now, I need you to get your coat on and let me carry you outside. Would that be okay?” Colton said.
He didn’t touch her son, he just looked at him. Derek glanced at her then back to Colton. He then nodded. Ellyn helped him with his jacket. Colton then lifted the boy as if he were precious cargo and carried him out of the apartment.
“I’m sure he can walk,” Ellyn said.
“He’s very warm, so I doubt it,” Colton said. “He’s pretty light. Don’t worry about it.”
But she did worry about it. She worried that Derek might latch onto this male who could be a father figure. He so desperately needed one. How long would Colton be in her life? Until she wasn’t useful to his company? She would still sign the contract, but she knew she’d have to put away a lot of money for that eventual day when she couldn’t model anymore. Because of Derek, she had to think like that. She had to plan for the worst-case scenario. That was a big part of being a parent. You had to be prepared.
Derek had his head on Colton’s shoulder as they walked down the steps. His eyes were closed and Ellyn hadn’t seen him this lethargic, ever. He was really sick. She had no idea how she was going to pay for this visit but she’d figure it out eventually. The hospital would take payments. She’d just paid off their last visit.
Colton stopped on the last step. “It’s okay, Ellyn. Don’t worry.”
She smiled at him, but there was no mirth behind it. Colton stepped out onto the sidewalk and his driver was at the end of the block. He stopped the car and hopped out to open the door for his boss. Colton slid into the car, settling Derek next to him. Ellyn climbed in with her son between them.
“Thank you,” she said.
He reached across and squeezed her hand. “I haven’t done anything yet.”
Derek was snuggled up against Colton. Ellyn kept her hand on his side as Paul took them to the hospital. He then dropped them off at the emergency department. Colton carried Derek in and his help warmed Ellyn’s heart. She couldn’t carry her son anymore. She didn’t know how she would have gotten him here without Colton’s help.
“You have your insurance card?” the receptionist asked.
Of course, that was the first thing they worried about. Were they getting paid?
“No, I don’t have insurance.”
The receptionist frowned as if she’d just eaten a pickle. “Have a seat. Someone will see you in a few minutes.”
Colton put Derek down on a chair. “I’ll be right back.”
Ellyn watched as he strode to the desk. He pulled out his wallet. She couldn’t leave Derek there but she didn’t want Colton to pay for this. Damn. He handed the woman his credit card. She handed it back to him a few minutes later. A part of Ellyn was humiliated by the transaction. She couldn’t even pay for her son’s medical care. How awful a mother was she? Colton came back, but didn’t comment on what he did.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said.
“Do what?”
“Yes, I did. You can pay me back when you’re working.” He waved a hand. “It’s nothing.”
***
Colton had hoped she hadn’t seen what he did. He knew that Derek would go to the bottom of the list because he didn’t have insurance. He’d be seen, but it could be hours. It was only money, but he figured he could feel that way because he had it, a lot of it. Ellyn would eventually, when her career took off.
“You’re still going to sign me?”
He turned to her. “Of course. Nothing’s changed, Ellyn.” He brushed a hair from her face. “I still want you. Professionally and personally.”
She blinked but her gaze didn’t leave his. “Really? I lied to you.”
“You were embarrassed.”
She sat back in the chair, her arms crossed. “Well, if I’m coming clean, here goes. Shalia and I snuck into Doug’s party.”
Colton laughed. It came out deep and full. “Really? How?”
“We stole glasses from the kitchen then filled them with ginger ale to mimic champagne. We told the guy at the door that we’d stepped out for a cigarette and got lost. Our dates had our invites.”
“I’ll have to warn Doug about that.”
Her eyes widened. “You will?”
“I won’t let on how I know.”
She put a hand on her mouth. “I won’t be able to look him in the eye.”
“Where’d you get the dress?”
Ellyn looked away with a frown. Guess she wasn’t ready to reveal everything. “I stole it from someone who stole it,” she said.
He laughed again. “Maybe that’s not funny to you but it is to me.” He put a hand on her chin and brought her face around to look at him. “You don’t have to do that anymore. You’re going to be big and make lots of money.” He shrugged. “Besides, I’ll buy you your next dress.”
“I can’t ask that of you.”
“I can’t get a present for my girlfriend.” He’d said it out loud. He was making a stand.
“Girlfriend? I thought you didn’t mix business with pleasure?” she said.
She was right. He didn’t usually. “I know, but I’m making an exception. If you’ll have me, Ellyn.”
“Uh. You’re sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure. You make it sound like an odd idea,” Colton said.
“We come from different backgrounds. We have so little in common.”
“Movies. We both love movies. And television,” he said.
He hadn’t thought he would need to convince her so much. Most women just fell into his arms. He was making the right choice, he didn’t want a sycophant, he wanted a partner. Ellyn would be that. They’d be a power couple when she hit it big.
“Doesn’t that seem flimsy?”
He closed his eyes for a moment. She was not going to make this easy was she? “Ellyn, I really like you. I really want to be with you. Just please believe me.”
She blinked. “Uh, okay.”
“Okay? Don’t sound so excited.”
“It’s all coming out of the blue.”
“Were you not in the same photo shoot that I was? Didn’t we share a kiss that melted everything around us?”
She pressed her lips together. He’d bet she was remembering that kiss. There was something here and he was not going to let her go. He wanted to know what could happen. They could be good for each other. Ellyn remained quiet. Had he imagined their attraction?
“What do you say, Ellyn, you going to give me a chance? I want to prove to you that all men are not dogs.”
She shook her head. Was she actually going to turn him down? Was Colton Hamilton III not going to get the girl? What universe were they living in? This just didn’t happen.
“You leaving me hanging, Ellyn. Please answer me. Can we give this a go?”
She took a deep breath and brought herself straighter in her chair. “You’re a great guy, Colton.”
That didn’t start out well at all. He wanted to cross his fingers but that seemed childish at the moment. “But?” His heart beat in his chest as he waited for the rest. What reservations could she have? What misgivings did he have to convince her weren’t real? This was going to kill him. He’d wanted her the moment he’d seen her. Was she going to dash his hopes?
Derek stirred but didn’t wake up. He put a hand on the boy’s shoulder to comfort him. He knew this boy was part of the package but he remained undaunted by that fact. Colton held his breath, willing her to give him the answer he wanted.
Finally, she turned to him. Her face had a stricken look on it as her lips formed a frown.
“Colton, I’m thinking that I don’t want to mix business with pleasure. So no, I can’t be your girlfriend.”
CHAPTER 7
With the antibiotic prescription in hand, Ellyn and Colton took Derek back to their apartment. Ellyn was uncomfortable, but Colton had seemed to take her rebuff in stride. He wasn’t angry.
Well, he wasn’t showing any signs that he was angry. Traffic was heavy since it was now rush hour.
“I don’t travel during this time. I forget how many cars there are on the road,” Ellyn said.
“I wait until after this is done, myself,” Colton said.
Ellyn stared out the window. She wasn’t sure what to say to Colton. He’d been so generous to her and Derek today. Then she told him she didn’t want to date him. She did, but she really thought that she should concentrate on her career.
The man was sex on a stick with his jet black hair and fierce blue eyes. How could she turn him down? But she didn’t want her career contingent upon his feelings. Or hers. That could be dangerous.
Once she’d had a taste of the good life, she didn’t think she’d want to be back in the Bronx. Also, she wanted to work on her terms and be successful on her own terms. No one else’s.
She wasn’t one to live by someone else’s rules.
She’d lost too much of herself in her relationship with Derek’s father. She didn’t want to be defined by the man she was with and she’d thought that Colton would overshadow her.
On the other hand, he would be a great role model for Derek. Ellyn was torn, but she had to stick to her decision not to date him.
Paul, the driver, turned onto her street. In front of her building were many police cars and an ambulance.
“What’s going on?” she said.
A chill went through her. Things had been quiet. The neighborhood was due for something to happen. Why did it have to be today?
“I’ll go see,” Colton said.
He was out the door before she could stop him. What if it was dangerous? What if something happened to him? She’d never forgive herself.
She looked down at Derek, asleep on the seat. She couldn’t leave him.
“Can you see what’s happening?” Ellyn asked.
“Colton is talking to a police officer,” Paul said. “He’ll find out what’s going on. No one refuses Mr. Hamilton.”
Ellyn stifled a snort. She had. And on the same day he’d done so many nice things for her. Guess she was not the average person. Growing up in this neighborhood had made her tougher than most.
Certainly tougher than the average Manhattanite.
Colton strode back to the car. He slid in, closing the door lightly. Derek didn’t stir. He had his head on her lap and his feet by Colton, who didn’t seem to mind. The doctor had said Derek had a dual ear infection.
Poor kid.
“There’s been a shooting,” Colton said. “You and Derek cannot stay here tonight.”
“They aren’t letting us back in our building?”
“Not yet, but I’m insisting that you come home with me. It isn’t safe.”
“Uh, I live here. We’ll be fine,” Ellyn said.
He turned his gaze at her as if he couldn’t believe what she said. “Ellyn, please. Think of Derek. This isn’t safe.”
Ellyn shrugged. “There are shootings here once a month. We’ll be f
ine.”
“I’m begging you, Ellyn. Don’t go home. Come with me.”
She sighed. He was going to be insistent. “We don’t have clothes.”
“I can get you clothes.”
Oh, crap. “Really? You don’t think you’ve done enough for us today?”
“Ellyn, you’re going to make me money. Besides, I like you and Derek. I want you to be safe. I’ve got plenty of room. We could wander around my place for days and not run into each other.”
She looked at Derek, sleeping peacefully between them. The boy moved his feet onto Colton’s lap. All the man did was put his hand on her son’s ankle. The act seemed protective.
She had to admit, she wouldn’t sleep tonight knowing someone had been shot. Might be nice to feel safe. Even if it was for one night. With her new career, she would bring that to Derek’s life.
It was her responsibility, not Colton’s. “One night.”
“Okay. We’ll start there.”
“Start?”
“I have an idea, but we can talk later. We need to get your contract signed before I start giving orders,” Colton said.
“Giving orders?”
He waved his hand. “Just routine stuff.”
“No one orders me around.”
“It will all help your career and your son. No worries.”
Ellyn was having second thoughts as Paul turned the car around. She hadn’t had anyone tell her what to do in ages. She wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. Giving someone else power had only happened once. Derek was the result. As much as she loved her son, she wasn’t sure she could give up control that easily.
Hopefully, she and Colton would not butt heads too often. She would take advice.
“I’ll take what you have to say into consideration, but I don’t appreciate being commanded.”
He flashed her a wide smile. “I’ll remember that, Ellyn. I’m sure we’ll get along fine.”
***
Colton watched Ellyn as her eyes widened at his apartment. Penthouse, really. Four bedrooms, one of which he used as an office, but it had a bed in it also. He would put the sleeping Derek down in there.
Right now, he wanted to see Ellyn’s reaction to his home. He was not sure why it was so important, but he wanted her to like his place. He hadn't done much decorating, but he’d made it homey.
How To Marry A Billionaire: A BWWM Billionaire Romance Page 7