“You just said you got wet looking at him.”
“My pussy isn’t dead! Of course it woke up, but if he was about thirty pounds heavier, had a beard, and a few tattoos, I might have had an orgasm.” She sighed. It didn’t escape me that she was describing her ex-boyfriend, Seth. I wish they’d just figure their shit out and get back together.
“You’re so weird. Let’s finish watching our movie and not worry about wet panties or orgasms right now.”
I clicked on the TV, and Scott was riding a bull. “Disregard what I just said.”
We both laughed and continued to admire the hottie in the cowboy hat.
Haley’s Internet intel piqued my curiosity even higher. Since I’d been abroad, I had only occasionally thought about him but not enough to ask my brother, nor had my brother mentioned him—not that I expected him to. When I was back in my office, I fired up a search engine and typed in his name. It wasn’t that he was a complete stranger, but he may as well have been.
My eyes could barely keep up with the multiple results that populated for him; not knowing which to click first, I went to the same one Haley was on yesterday.
Noah Winston, CEO of Carris Global steps out on the town . . . Billionaire Noah Winston attends a charity event with supermodel, Brook Valentine . . . Carris Global CEO, Noah Winston, cuts the ribbon at the opening ceremony for the Carris Research Wing and Metro-National Hospital . . . Noah Winston, CEO, donates two million dollars to the Star Street Shelter for battered women and children.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of his picture. The man really did defy reality. God, what would dating him be like? Not to mention kissing him. Just the memory of his lips on my cheek in his car caused wings to take flight in my abdomen. Once again, my mind wandered, but I sternly brought myself back to the present. I had more important things to do. Exquisitely Yours needed my focus, and I needed to do some shopping.
The springtime sun warmed my skin as I walked along the busy street. Glancing at the sky with a squint, I couldn’t help but be happy. Although, I knew that was going to change as the day wore on. Ever since I was caught unprepared on that rainy day, I continually checked my weather app and set up notifications. If I were being honest, getting soaked and running into Noah made it all worth it, but I didn’t want it to happen again.
Later in the day, I scheduled an appointment at one of my favorite boutiques. It carried unique clothing by new, up-and-coming designers. My clients would never be caught in the “Who Wore It Better” photos in magazines. But right now, I was in trend heaven on Fifth Avenue.
Just as I was about to pull a few items for a client, my phone buzzed. My skin prickled as I saw “Noah Winston” flash across my screen. I clicked the text icon to open the message.
Noah: Just thought you should know it was going to rain today.
Me: Thank you, but you’ll be happy to know I have my umbrella.
The smile on my face grew like a schoolgirl’s, waiting for his reply.
Noah: I’m glad to hear that. However, if you need transportation, you know who to call.
Me: Uber?
Noah: Funny. Where are you right now?
With my fingers hovering above my screen, I waited a minute. A lady didn’t want to look too anxious, even if she was.
Me: On Fifth Avenue, working.
Noah: Not on a corner, I hope.
Now, I was laughing. Other customers just stared at me, so I decided to set my clothes on the counter and step outside.
Me: Geez! I know it’s been a while, but is that what you think of me? Plus, there aren’t hookers on Fifth. I do my best work on Canal Street.
This was true. I loved shopping for myself on Canal Street in Chinatown. I’d found several little treasures from venders hawking merchandise. Not that I shopped out of the back of minivans; designer fakes weren’t my thing. I had a golden rule: Stay away from fake things, including people—both made me itchy.
Noah: I’ll have to make a note to go there.
Yeah, like Mr. Most Eligible Billionaire would be caught dead on Canal Street.
Me: I need to get back to work. Don’t you have a job?
Noah: Actually, I do have a meeting, but not until seven.
Me: Oh, you work late on Fridays.
Noah: Well, technically, it isn’t confirmed yet.
Me: Ok. You should probably do that rather than text with me . . . you know a hooker. LOL I should get back to work anyway.
Noah: Good idea. So, where should I pick you up tonight?
Me: Pick me up?
Noah: You’re my seven o’clock. I’m taking you to dinner. If you’d like to go, of course.
I reread the words as a tremor ran through me. Part of me wanted to rattle off my address, the other part didn’t. This was the guy I dreamt about taking me to my prom while I was the furthest thought in his mind. If I wasn’t so stunned, I’d pinch myself.
Noah: I’ll take your silence as a yes. I need to run to a meeting. Text me your address to save me the trouble of searching for it. See you tonight.
Nothing. For some reason, I couldn’t text him back. Just like when he asked me to dinner when I was rain soaked, the protective part of my brain wanted to decline. The other part wanted to throw myself a party and skywrite the fact that the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on asked me out, but neither of those were an option. So, I decided to get back to work.
Emily, the friendliest sales associate in retail, packaged my items, and I was on my way. Noah still hadn’t texted again. Maybe he was just joking, but either way, he didn’t have my address, so I supposed I wouldn’t be seeing him.
By the time I got home, Haley was curled up in the corner of the sofa. Her favorite faded red sweats, paired with a tattered Minnie Mouse sweatshirt, and a pair of fuzzy striped socks with black mouse ears sprouting from her toes was her chosen attire. It must be beauty night, because her face was covered in a turquoise mask and her hair was in hot rollers.
“Don’t you look comfy?” I laughed and set my keys on the table. “It’s Friday, don’t you have plans?”
“Nope. After my last disappointment, I thought I’d stay in and beautify myself.” She glanced at the clock. “I figured you were out. It’s almost six-thirty; you’re late tonight.”
I tossed my tired body on the chair next to her. “I’ve been running around the city today, trying to find just the right attire for a client who loves to critique every outfit I send her. Although, today my degree really paid off when I had to go to the Couture Canine to select an outfit for her Pomeranian.”
Haley’s face scrunched up. Well, as much as it could under the hardened mud on her face. “People do that?”
“Apparently. I’m going to go shower and change into my own comfortable clothes. I’ll be back. Then we can order a pizza or something.”
A hot shower was just what I needed. Steam enveloped me, and it felt like heaven as I smoothed my ginger and brown sugar body scrub on my skin. I luxuriated in the hot beads of water washing over me until they started to cool. Shower time was over.
Grabbing a fluffy white towel, I rubbed my hair to collect some of the moisture before turning it into a makeshift strapless dress. Taking a washcloth, I created a window on the mirror with two swipes. My hair looked as if it had been put into an electrical socket. But since I was staying in, I left it. Having naturally curly hair had always been a pain in the ass. Usually, I would take the time to dry it, use a variety of anti-frizz products to tame it a bit, but after the past few days and the awful weather, it was a lost cause.
I padded across the hallway to my bedroom when I heard the doorbell. Haley shouted, “Margo, did you order dinner?”
Dinner. No fucking way. He wouldn’t just come over. I never sent him my address. I popped my head around a corner. “No, I didn’t. Can you answer the door? I’m in a towel.”
Rollers shook back and forth as Haley gave me a stern, “Not a chance in hell.”
“Fine, then let the bell ring.” N
ot only did it do just that, but was followed up with knocking. “Haley, please?”
I heard her cursing under her breath. Then I heard my delicate roommate say, “Holy shit.”
Chapter 4
I’d like to eat your cookie.
Not exactly the greeting I expected. It didn’t take me long to realize this wasn’t Margo gawking at me. The dried blue clay formed hairline cracks as her jaw dropped. Did I have the wrong address? I looked her over from head to toe, my eyes stopping on her red and white striped socks. Were those Mickey Mouse ears on her toes?
Regaining some sort of normality, I looked up at her and extended my hand. “Hi. I’m Noah. Is Margo here?” The slight tremble of her hand in mine alerted me to the fact she knew exactly who I was, but the stranger nodded silently. “Can you get her for me?” More nodding. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Thank you.”
She slowly released my hand and mumbled, “Come on in.” The stranger moved out of the way and allowed me to cross the threshold. It was a cute apartment, though small, and definitely decorated by women. Pictures of romantic scenes hung on the wall, throw pillows were colorful and neatly placed, and it smelled sweet.
“I’m Haley. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back after I kill my roommate.” She hustled out of the room.
I sat down in the armchair next to the sofa and waited. Hushed female voices, sounded like arguing, came from the hallway.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me he was coming over! Look at me!”
“I didn’t know! I never gave him our address.”
“Just get your ass out there!”
“I’m not dressed!”
That last comment made me lean forward and my eyes moved to the direction of their voices. Margo wasn’t dressed? I heard a door close and then another. I’m not sure how much time passed, but the woman who answered the door appeared. Long dark hair full of waves, no more blue face, and from what I could tell by her T-shirt and leggings, a great body. Just not Margo’s body. Haley’s.
“I’m very sorry for the confusion. You caught me off guard. Margo will be out in a minute. Can I offer you something to drink?”
“No, thank you.” I grinned at her, and I think her body swayed a bit. It was a reaction I was used to; I just didn’t necessarily want it from her. It was her roommate who intrigued me.
Haley sat down. “So, what brings you here? Margo said she didn’t know you were coming over?” I admired her protective voice.
“She didn’t? That’s odd because we have a date tonight.” I glanced at my Omega watch. “Hmm . . . I’m right on time, too.” Awkward silence stretched between us. “So, you’re a Minnie Mouse fan?”
The face that was once blue turned a light shade of pink. “Yes. How could you tell?” she quipped.
I laughed. I liked this woman. “Just a hunch.”
Before she could say any more, Margo appeared, looking drop-dead gorgeous. Her damp hair was pulled on top of her head in some sort of curly knot. Her minimal makeup allowed her freckles to show . . . the dark jeans and purple sweater she had on molded to her body perfectly. She was a natural beauty.
“Hey, Margo. Ready?”
“Noah. I wasn’t expecting you.” When I stood to greet her, the expression on her face was pure bewilderment. Did she think I was kidding when I told her I was taking her out?
My hand went to cover my heart. “I’m hurt. Did you forget we had dinner plans for tonight? I told you I’d be here.”
“How did you get my address? Your assistant, the CIA agent?” It was evident in the way she bit the inside corner of her bottom lip that she was trying to suppress a smile.
I took a few steps toward her. “No, this was all me. When I want something, I go after it. Tonight, that’s you.” Haley sighed and when I glanced at her, she was grinning. I shot her a small smirk and brought my attention back to Margo.
Her deer in the headlights look reminded me of when I saw her so many years ago, sitting at the kitchen table doing her homework. Back then Margo wore glasses, no makeup, and chewed the eraser right off her pencil. I remember when Adam introduced us. Her face turned bright red. After that day, anytime I was at their house, she either avoided me or swiped her lips with lipstick. Until that fateful afternoon when I disappointed her by turning down her request to go to prom. Well, that was then, and this was now.
“There, it’s settled. Let’s go.” I held my hand out to her, but she declined the offering. Interesting.
After a long, drawn out exhale, she said, “I need to grab my purse. You’re hardheaded, did you know that? Not to mention, this is borderline kidnapping.” Margo turned to go back into one of the rooms.
I glanced at Haley, but she just shrugged. “Don’t worry about her; she needs a good kidnapping.” The corners of my lips rose at her comment.
We said our goodbyes to Haley and were on our way.
Margo’s demeanor changed when she saw Arthur. “Hi, Arthur, how are you tonight?”
“Good, ma’am.” He opened the door, and we both slid in.
“So, what’s your pleasure? French, Italian, Chinese? Maybe Indian?” I turned toward her, but she didn’t answer. “Fine, I’ll pick.”
“Do you really want to know? You seem to like making decisions.”
“Of course I do. I would like to point out that, technically, you never declined my invitation.” With her mouth open but silent, I took a moment to study her lips. They were full and tinted a light shade of red. What I wouldn’t give to taste them. I leaned forward, close enough to enjoy her scent, but didn’t touch her. “You smell like cookies.”
Like a shot, she pulled back. “Cookies?”
I leaned across the space she put between us and gave a dramatic sniff. “Yes, like . . . what is that? Gingerbread?”
Margo rolled her eyes. “Oh, that’s just my body scrub.”
“Well, you smell good enough to eat.” God, I couldn’t believe this was the same Margo from my past. What an idiot I was back then. Granted, her brother would have kicked my ass, but still, the bruises would have been worth it.
She scoffed. “It’s a good thing we’re going to a restaurant, because I’m not on the menu.”
A hearty laugh flew out of my mouth as I rested back in my seat. “You haven’t changed, Margo. You’re sassy.”
“Sassy?” She shook her head. “Are you sure you’re remembering the right person?”
“Of course, I am. Don’t you remember when I was at your house and you called me a jerk?”
Margo let out a laugh. “Which time?”
“See . . . sassy.” I winked, and we both relaxed.
After about twenty minutes, Arthur pulled up to my favorite restaurant. “We’re here.” Margo leaned forward to look out my window to see where we were.
With my hand on her lower back, I escorted her into Interfusion, a small Italian and Asian fusion café. It wasn’t a fancy place, but it was one of my favorites. I just hoped she would like it as much as I did. At this point, I wasn’t sure what to make of her. Not to sound like I was bragging, but most women flocked to me. Not to mention, when I asked them out, it was as if they had won the lottery. Granted, my net worth rivaled some of the jackpots, but that was beside the point. But not Margo. Nope, she was making me work for it, and oddly, I was enjoying myself.
Margo and I stood in the small vestibule as we waited for the hostess to return to her station. When I looked at Margo, she was scanning the small restaurant. “I hope you like this type of cuisine.”
She shrugged. “No worries. I’m easy.” Margo bit her lip and started fiddling with the strap of the small purse she was holding. “You know what I mean.”
“I do like easy.” Margo rolled her pretty green eyes, causing me to chuckle.
“Hello, Mr. Winston.” The perky hostess was all too friendly before she walked us to the table in the back. This restaurant didn’t have ordinary menus, just specials. Tonight, I knew their featured ingredient was ginger. Granted, if
I didn’t like what was offered, they always made an exception and made me my favorite. But when our waitress came to the table, she took one look at us and just stared.
“Hi. I’m Becky, and I’ll be your server.” When she noticed me, she merely glanced at Margo before returning her attention to me.
“Ladies first,” I said, nodding toward Margo.
Margo ordered the rice noodles with lime and avocado crème sauce. Her cocktail of choice was limoncello infused with ginger and mint. Neither of her selections appealed to me.
“And for you, sir?”
“Ginger sea bass, a goat cheese salad with pancetta, and I’ll have three fingers of Chopin please.”
Becky nodded and left us alone. Chatter from the other patrons filled the air but we were silent.
“So, you’re into ginger, too?” Margo said as she took a sip of her water.
“For some reason, I’ve begun to crave it.”
Margo studied me for a minute. “I read you’re the CEO of Carris now; your parents must be thrilled.”
Was she reading up on me? Nice. I liked that. “My grandfather wanted me to take over. When he passed, it’s what I did.” Not wanting to discuss my parents, I skirted around the issue.
“You should be proud.”
Becky brought our drinks. I raised my glass, and Margo followed suit. “To old friends and getting to know each other.”
Margo brought her glass to mine and gave it a small clink. “I still can’t believe I’m sitting here with you.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re you, and I’m me. You’re gorgeous, successful, and to be quite honest, a dream come true for most women.” Her eyes looked to the side. I followed her gaze to find our server looking at us. “See. Case in point. Becky would be more than happy to go out with you, and you wouldn’t need to resort to kidnapping.”
Hard Love Page 3