by Adler
Yes of course. He’s bought out the whole first class cabin. I knew it. Wow! Clarke will never believe this! I hop on my phone and text Simone before we have to shut down our devices.
1:35 PM
Me
Clarke! OMG we’re staying at HIS place in the city and I’m sitting with him in first class all alone. He has bought out all 10 extra seats!
1:37 PM
Simone’s Cell
Holy Shit! He wants you all to himself! His place!? Sold out by him first class!? Dani, sounds like Mr. Moneybags Mogul has the Hots for you. I hope you brought your lacy sexy fuck me lingerie! Ha!
1:40 PM
Me
Shut it up. This is a completely professional business trip. He does smell so intoxicating I could just jump him right here! His strong body, tight ass, intense blue eyes and this power he eludes is so extremely sexy.
I start to giggle out loud.
“What is so amusing, Danielle?”
Oh lord, did I just laugh out loud? I turn off my phone and tuck it into the pocket of my handbag.
“Oh, it’s nothing. It’s just Clarke wishing me a nice goodbye.”
“Is he your current boyfriend?”
“Clarke? My boyfriend?” I laugh out loud and turn to him and respond.
“Simone Clark is one of my best girlfriends. We’ve known each other since we were kids.”
“I see,” he says in a casual voice, and for a slight moment, it even seems that he is relieved.
Hold on a minute, did Harrison Towers just inquire into my current relationship status? Yes, I do believe he did! Ha! Clarke is really going to get a kick out of this!
Harrison is engrossed in his work most of the plane ride to New York. I fall asleep mid-way through the flight. A six-hour flight to New York can be rather exhausting.
I wake up to the captain saying, “Ladies and gentleman, we are 20 minutes away from landing, flight attendants please prepare the cabin for landing.
I notice that I have a red airline blanket draped over my shoulders. I know damn well that Angela the perky blonde flight attendant didn’t drape this over me. H.T. just might have a sweet caring side to him.
“Did you sleep well, Danielle?”
“Yes, thank you for the blanket, it was chilly up here.”
“Yes, I want to make sure you are comfortable in my care. If you need anything during our stay, please do not hesitate to ask. If you cannot reach me for some reason, here is my card with my personal assistant in New York, available 24 hours a day. They will get you whatever you shall need at any time.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that, Harrison.”
“My pleasure.”
Oh yes, safe and secure I definitely feel. His looks are so breathtaking and for some reason the way he speaks to me has completely disarmed me. Still, all business and a sexy chill all over my body. I wonder what he’s like in bed. God I bet he can really rock the sheets!
We pull up to a white brick apartment building with huge picture windows on every floor. A green awning stretches along in the front with the name ‘Central Heights’ in gold writing. We ride the elevator up to the 10th floor and exit the elevator. We walk down the hallway and there is another private elevator. Again, he takes out a flat keycard and swipes the keypad to gain access. What is it with this man and keycards? I know that wherever this elevator is leading us will be top notch and no less.
The elevator doors open to a jaw dropping and exquisite loft. At least 20 feet high soaring ceilings and floor to ceiling glass windows. All of the furniture is white and soft to the touch, the floors are gleaming golden bamboo, and there is a large stone fireplace with candelabras at its base.
“Harrison, this is an amazing apartment.”
“Come. Let me show you the outdoor space.”
As he opens the sliding glass doors, I am overcome with the scene. There are no buildings blocking his view of lush trees and a park-like setting down below us. The city skyline rests in the background, and there are people running through the trails and walking their dogs in the park.
“Is that...?”
“Central Park. Yes. I love to run and cycle and this provides me with an opportunity to do both. There is a lot to do during the daytime outdoors and the dazzling city lights at night.”
The deck is large and private. The glass and railing come up to the bottom of my ribcage. The warm August air and slight breeze put me completely at ease. I’m in awe of this luxurious penthouse.
“What do you think of the penthouse so far?”
“It’s just perfect, Harrison. The city views are breathtaking.”
He smiles, “I agree.” He points down the hall and says, “Come, I will show you to the master bedroom.”
Master bedroom? Okay he must be giving me a tour. We walk through the great room of contemporary decor and clean lines, plush couches and glass/mirrored accents. We walk through two great double doors, and the floor is bamboo through the entire penthouse. A soft white rug fills most of the master and a large King size bed sits in the middle. The decor is masculine with feminine touches of silver, ice gray and green. Straight out of Horchow Magazine. It isn’t completely over the top, but comfortable, with a French flare in terms of the furniture. The room is complete with an enormous master bathroom that features a large soaking tub surrounded by candles, luxurious bath products in a basket, a flat screen TV, and one of those drains in the middle of bathroom floor. Of course, it’s an overflow tub, for those long lovemaking sessions in the bath with a place for the water to flow. Dear lord please help me, my thoughts have gone somewhere completely inappropriate again.
“You will sleep here, Danielle. I will take the second bedroom next to the office.”
“Oh please, Harrison, I would be more comfortable staying in the guest bedroom.”
“No, I insist. Besides, this is the best room in the apartment.”
“Well thank you, this is just lovely,” I say softly.
“It is my pleasure, Danielle. Now why don’t you take some time to relax or freshen up? I have a conference call that I will make in my office. I have made reservations at a quiet Italian restaurant that is right around the corner for 8:00 PM. We can go over your thoughts for the Portland property over dinner.”
“Yes, that sounds good, Harrison. I’ll be ready by 7:45.”
“If you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask or call Eleanor’s number on the card I gave you. She is familiar with the apartment and is an excellent guide for the city.” He turns and heads towards his office, which has tall glass doors and a large wood desk with an iMac on the desk and two flat screens on the wall.
I close the double doors and sink to the cool hardwood floors. Good lord what this man has done to me! Now where does this ‘Everything happens for a reason’ fit into play!? Alright, enough over thinking things, I’m just beside myself that I’m actually working with Harrison Towers.
Hold on, hold on. I’m in New York in an over the top penthouse with Mr. Mogul himself and I’m sleeping in HIS master bedroom!? Clarke is going to die. I mean I’m dying! Wait... So no presentation? Just a discussion? All these materials I brought and he doesn’t even want to see? He just wants to discuss it over dinner. Even better, I won’t be so nervous!
My phone vibrates in my handbag next to me on the floor.
“Clarke!”
“Holy hell, Danielle, what’s the latest?”
“Clarke,” I whisper, “I’m in Harrison’s master bedroom in New York City!” My hand smoothes over the slick bamboo floors where I sit, still propped up against the oversize doors.
“Um, okay and where is Mr. Wonderful... Wait, are you snooping?” she bursts out with amusement.
“Simone, he gave me his bedroom for the duration of our stay. He said he insisted!”
“Stop it! Well he’s a smart man and what a gentleman move to make. That would for sure make the panties drop if it were me!”
“Clarke, I can’t believe you wou
ld even think that,” I say in disgust, “This is strictly a professional trip.”
“Girl, some men don’t care if it’s business or what you have going on, as long as they get some!”
“Okay, Clarke, there’ll be no nasty bed scenes going on in this all white penthouse... this is just inappropriate conversation.
“Ooooooh the penthouse. Simone likes!”
“Yes, you wouldn’t believe this place. I’ll snap some pics on my phone to show you when I get back.”
“No, send them over!”
“Oh no, I know better than that. They’ll be all over In Touch Magazine by the time I get back to Portland if I send them to you. God knows you’ll post them all over Facebook and bam worldwide!”
“Okay, okay I’ll wait. Be safe, use lots of protection and have lots of adult fun, Dani!”
“Bye, girl.”
“Ciao, Bella, don’t forget, men like it all tidy, girl. Everything smooth and ready for pleasure city!”
I nearly fall over when she says that! “Mind your manners! Goodbye, Clarke.” I seriously can’t believe that crazy woman.
Oh, Simone, what would I do without that girl. I unpack my things and open up the large mirrored closet doors. Hangers lined neatly in a row and beautiful built in cabinets with drawers. Two plush white robes hang in the closet with the monogram H.G.T.
Hmmmmm, I wonder what the G stands for, interesting.
I slip into the warm shower of the shower and the water flows over my anxious body. I must be in there for what seems like an eternity trying to relax and come back to reality. I can’t believe I’m showering in his shower and I’ll be sleeping in his H.T. signature sheets. I can’t help but think about how many women he’s brought back to this place. Is this his fuck pad away from home? From there I start to think about Bradley and his double life away from me. Are all men the same?
I grab a plush towel off the heated towel bar on the wall and wrap myself up as I step out of the shower. I think I’ll throw on a cozy robe from the closet and take a little power nap to recharge my batteries.
I’m awoken to a firm knock at my door.
“Danielle, are you finding everything alright?”
Shit, I spring up from the bed. What the heck? Oh my, it’s Harrison.
“Yes, Harrison, thank you. I should be out shortly.”
“No rush, take your time.”
I glance at the clock on the bedside table. It’s 7:30 PM. Shit! I jump up and grab my flat iron from my suitcase and slip into my cream-colored snug fitting sheath dress and gold heels. I quickly straighten my hair and create a quick evening look. Smokey eyes and pale peach lips. Perfect.
I walk into the great room and Harrison is on the deck facing Central Park, holding a glass of wine.
“Good Evening,” I say in a soft and rather nervous tone.
“Good Evening, Danielle.” There is a short pause as he looks me up and down.
“In case I forget to tell you this evening, you look beautiful.”
“Thank you, Harrison.”
“Shall we?” He holds out his arm for me and we make our way to the elevator to the main level and out into the warm summery air of New York City.
“We are going to Calabria which is on the corner. It is one of Upper East Side’s best-kept secrets. You will enjoy this, Danielle.”
As the elevator opens, he places one hand on the small of my back, sending shivers all the way up my spine and in places I had forgotten get so sensitive. He extends his arm while stepping out into the busy street, and I interlock our arms at the elbow. What a gentleman. I know that I sure need the help walking in these ‘come fuck me’ heels. I noticed when he was eyeing me up and down his gaze paused at my high heels for longer than a second. You could just see the images playing in his head.
“Mr. Towers, buonasera, a pleasure to see you, sir.”
“Marco, come stai?
“Bene. Bene, grazie. Who is your date for the evening?” Marco asks Harrison.
“Ciao Marco, mi chiamo Danielle,” I answer.
“Awww and she speaks Italian very well,” says Marco.
I think that’s amusement on Harrison’s face.
“Come; let me show you to your table.”
“I didn’t know you spoke Italian,” Harrison says quietly.
“I could say the same for you, Mr. Towers.”
I turn to see the big grin on his face and those dimples come alive. The look of a challenge is written all over them. He likes the give and take. I can give it. Let the games begin.
“I don’t meet many women in Oregon who can speak Italian, I am impressed.”
“Harrison, I have to keep on top of my game dealing with clients and vendors from Europe.”
“Aw, I see. Have you ever been?”
“When I was young, yes. I deal mostly with Italian furniture vendors in Florence and Milan over the phone. I really would love to visit again someday.”
“You would love Positano, Danielle. The small intimate design shops, exquisite decor and furniture boutiques. It is truly an enchanting city.”
“It sounds wonderful.”
“So tell me, have you worked up some grand plans for my Portland property?”
“Yes, Harrison, I didn’t bring my storyboards to dinner with me but...”
“Danielle, there is no need for them. I know your taste and I have seen your work. I am sure it is going to be top notch. I would, however, like to see the final sketches when those are complete.”
“Oh yes, I did bring those.” I set my oversize clutch on the table and pull out my iPad.
“I’ve downloaded all of my sketches, here take a look,” I say as I hand him my iPad.
He stands up and moves his chair so it is now sitting directly by my side. I can feel my body starting to heat up, my pulse beating out of control and my hands trembling. He knows exactly what he is doing to me; I can just feel the smirk on his face as he waits for me to pull up my sketches. It’s been a very long time since a man has made my body tighten up and my pulse quicken like this.
“Here they are... Just scroll through room by room.”
“Hmmmm, the water feature in the entry is just the way I had envisioned it. I like how the natural colors are warm but the ice blue is a nice touch, Danielle. Oh, the master. Now the master must have his and her closets,” he says adamantly.
“Yes, of course.” Okay so he is picturing this place with a ‘her’ in there.
“So would you like me to contact your significant other and get her input on storage and design?”
“That won’t be necessary Danielle. There is no one at this time to consult. In the meantime, I can use it for storage.
I let out a long sigh of relief, “Good, storage. That is a great idea.”
Yes! No girlfriend or fiancé. I was secretly hoping for that answer. Of course, why should I care anyway? I quickly remind myself my ‘no men’ rule and especially no mixing business with pleasure.
“Please, just design the closet the way you see fit.”
“Yes, I’ll get right on that, Harrison.”
“Everything looks wonderful so far, I am very impressed, Danielle. Slate floors, high-end cabinetry and accents, I love the crown molding at the ceiling and floors. I must say, I would prefer built ins in the master bath, closets, and all bathrooms. Please also add lots of storage in the pantry and built ins in the office closet. I would like to add some sort of artwork to be placed over my safe. As you deal with Italy on a regular basis, please research that for me as well.”
“Of course,” I say quickly as I jot this down in my smart phone.
“I will have my builder email you the dimensions on that project.”
“Buonasera Signore, Signora. May I bring you some wine and our cheese plate to start out with?”
“Yes, please do. We would like your finest Red Cabernet.”
“Right away, Signore.”
“So, Ms. Austen, no longer Mrs. Pyne. Enough business for the moment
, what is your story?” he says with an arch of his brow and that smirk.
I am taken a bit off guard. Why should he want to know my personal life? “My story?
Let’s see, I was born and raised in Cannon Beach on the Coast. I’m the only child. I have two wonderful parents who have been married for 31 years. They’re the artsy types who live and breathe the creative world. They just opened up Canon Breeze Gallery in the city, so that’s keeping them busy. Mainly my mother.”
He sits back in his chair facing me now, and the scent of his body wash is turning me on.