Strangers on a Train I
Page 8
“I should say good night.” My voice wavered.
“Wait for me here. I’ll be right back.” He abandoned me but returned quickly holding a small shopping bag. “Yours,” he said, handing me the bag.
With just a glance, I knew what was inside. I took out the Jimmy Choo box and lifted the lid. Inside were the black satin peep-toe stilettos. I was on the verge of crying.
“Thanks.” My voice was watery.
He tilted up my chin with his elegant fingers as I fought back tears. “I thought you might like to have them back. You’re quite a Cinderella.”
In some way, at this moment, I felt like Cinderella. A clock gonged in my head. It was time to leave. That was the deal.
“I’ll walk you to the elevator.” He ushered me out of the room and walked by my side as we traversed the long foyer. There was no physical contact, not even the holding of a hand. Maybe, “maybe” really meant maybe. Or never. I had to remember that this man was afraid of a relationship. Afraid of commitment. I had to accept that. It just wasn’t as easy as I thought.
Ari pushed the button by the elevator, and the gilded door immediately slid open. To my shock, he shoved me into the carriage, straight into a corner. As the door closed, he spun me around and crushed his lips onto mine. The kiss was hard, all-consuming, and passionate. A fire re-ignited in my core and coursed through my body. Oh what a kisser this gorgeous god was.
When the door reopened, he pulled his lips off mine. I was breathing heavily, and my legs were like jelly.
“Thank you for coming tonight,” he said, leaning his body against the door to hold it open.
“Sure,” I said breathlessly.
“Andre is waiting for you outside to take you home.”
My heart sunk. Reality. I was going home.
As I stepped out into the lobby, he placed his strong hands on my shoulders, holding me back. He pivoted me around to face him. My skin tingled from his touch.
“Good night, Saarah.”
My gaze held his as if we would never see each other again. “Good night.” I held back the tears that were threatening to fall.
Forcing myself not to look back, I headed toward the entrance of 1001 Park Avenue. I heard the elevator door close behind me. My heart sunk further. He didn’t ask me out. Or even ask me to meet him for a coffee or something. Clutching the bag with my shoes, I stepped into the starry New York night, unsure if some form of “us” was meant to be.
4
I WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING, with Jo-Jo and reality in my face. I had not slept well. My evening with Ari plagued me, and I’d had a nightmare in which I was Dorothy and his sister was the Wicked Witch of the West. “I’ll get you and your little pussy Jo-Jo,” she had cackled.
As I stumbled out of bed, doubt racked my brain. I had no clue if I’d see Trainman again, or after last night, he’d want to see me. I had to remember this was a man who was fucked up. He had not been in a serious relationship since he’d left his wife and commitment—okay, date—was a four-letter word.
Heading into the bathroom to brush my teeth, pee, and shower (in that order), I decided today was as good a day as any to start looking for a second job to help pay for my mother’s treatments. My plan was to scour the local restaurants, of which there were many, to see if I could get an evening and/or weekend job as a waitress or hostess. The good news was that I had done both before to help pay my RISD expenses. I was an exemplary employee—punctual, hard-working, personable, and courteous—and could expect glowing recommendations from my former employers. Later, I would call my mom, and hopefully, we could share good news.
Dressed in a mid-length, paisley skirt, an oversized navy sweater, and my beloved combat boots, I trotted down the stairs, passing Mrs. Blumberg. She was already carrying two shopping bags full of groceries.
“How vas your date?” she asked.
“Very nice,” I replied with a quick smile. I skipped down the stairs, avoiding further contact with her but pondering my response. Very nice… but.
Upon opening the front door to the building, sunlight invaded my eyes. Squinting, I recalled that for New Yorkers, today, the first day of the three-day Memorial Day weekend, was the first official day of summer. The streets were empty. Families and singletons, like me, had already escaped the rushed, stressful life of the Big Apple by heading to more restful destinations like The Hamptons. Like Lauren and her fiancé, Taylor. Rentals and second homes. Just not me, who could afford neither. And truthfully, I had better things to do than sun on the beach.
Heading east on Forty-Fifth Street, Ari filled my mind. My body ached for his arms, his lips, his tongue, and his member. Sarah, take one day at a time. Truthfully, I wasn’t sure I’d ever see him again. Or if I could survive his threatening sister.
As I rounded the corner to Eighth Avenue, a car honked loudly behind me. I turned my head to see what the commotion was about. Rolling up to me was a midnight blue Bentley convertible. A beyond handsome man wearing a white visor and t-shirt and expensive-looking wraparound sunglasses, was at the wheel. Holy shit!
“Get in,” he ordered.
“I can’t,” I stammered, marching up Eighth Avenue.
The Bentley trailed me.
“Get your sweet ass in the car, now,” barked the driver. He pulled up to the curb and opened the car door.
Torn between stepping into the car, in front of the car, and running away as fast and far away as I could, I opted for the former, against my better judgment.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked after slamming the heavy car door closed and fastening my seat belt.
Ari peeled away from the curb. “It’s a surprise. Ben requested you come.”
Ben? I guess I’d made a positive impression on him. Haha. Score more points for me. I held back a wry smile.
“We’ll be spending the weekend.”
I jolted as Ari picked up speed. I was spending the weekend with this god and his son? I hadn’t even spent a night with him! In fact, I hardly knew him.
Ari glanced my way. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I stammered. Truthfully, I was already regretting getting into the car. I had no clue where he was taking me. I had nothing to wear. I should be looking for a second job. I was freaking out about spending the weekend. And there was this… who was going to take care of the poor cat? Maybe Mrs. Blumberg would.
“Open the glove compartment,” Ari ordered, shaking me out of my mental madness.
I pulled it down. Inside, along with a Bentley Continental GTC manual, was a white visor and a pair of black Ray-Bans.
“Those are for you. You’ll need them.”
I slipped them on. Ari shot me that dazzling, dimpled smile.
As we zoomed uptown, the wind whipping against my face, I began to relax and look forward to my adventure. My guilt and angst succumbed to the joy of being with him. It felt good. So good. At least for now.
We were no longer going to be strangers on a train…
END OF PART 1
Sarah and Ari’s story continues in the steamy and shocking sequel.
SEDUCED BY THE PARK AVENUE BILLIONAIRE
Part 2: Derailed
Available now
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