To console her, I put an arm around her. “You okay?” I asked.
She nodded stiffly.
“Did you just get off shift?”
Her head bobbled as she moaned, “Mm-hmm.”
“This’ll be over soon,” I assured her. Fingers crossed.
Suddenly, she stood up straight as if she’d just gotten a burst of energy. “Who’s that?”
I looked at her then followed her line of sight. When I saw who she was referring to, I stifled a gasp. It was the handsome Dr. Sparrow. So he does live here.
Two more fire trucks arrived on the scene, blue and red lights shining on our faces. Murmurs swept through the crowd. Slowly, those who were really pressed for sleep dragged themselves to the hospital to grab a bed in one of the call rooms. Gnawing on my lower lip, I felt anxiety race through me. I would never be able to rest well in a call room.
I checked the time on my cellphone. It was 10:36 p.m. I was thankful that Deb had handed me the gift of being off all the next day, which meant I could stand in front of the building a little while longer. Maybe we would hear something soon.
“I can’t take this anymore,” Sarah said. “I’m going to the hospital. By the way, the hot guy keeps staring at you. I would claim him before he’s persuaded to divert his attention elsewhere.”
My heart beat quickly as I watched her saunter off all cutesy-like. She was hoping her stroll would make Dr. Sparrow rip his gaze from me and paste it onto her.
I’d been avoiding looking at Sparrow, so I couldn’t confirm whether he had succumbed to her powers of seduction.
Look and see, Pen, part of me kept saying.
Forget about him, my other side said.
Then an optimistic thought came to mind. If Sparrow was tied up in a relationship with Sarah, then perhaps he would be a lot nicer to me. But picturing the two of them making out feverishly made my chest feel heavy.
“When are they going to come out?” a guy named Claude asked.
I hadn’t noticed him standing beside me. I glanced at him then watched what he was observing. One by one, others peeled off from the crowd and headed toward the hospital.
“I guess I should go too.” He turned to me. “Are you coming?”
I gazed down the street toward the hospital anxiously. The thought of sleeping in one of those hard beds in the call room made me feel nauseated. I could stay in a hotel. I had the money Aunt Christine sent me each month.
“Dr. Ross,” someone with a mesmerizing voice said. I recognized the speaker right away. Not only that, but I could feel the excitement his nearness inspired within me.
Slowly, I looked up to see Dr. Sparrow, who was at least five to six inches taller than I was.
I swallowed nervously. “Yes, Doctor.” Gosh, he was so gorgeous. I had to remind myself to blink or else he would think I was some sort of psycho.
Sparrow narrowed his eyes at Claude, who nervously shifted his weight from one foot to the other. Claude and I both got the message that Sparrow wanted to speak to me alone.
“Okay, well… I’m going,” Claude said, walking away with his head hanging.
Then it was just the two of us standing so close that I could feel the heat emanating from him. The fact that he smelled so good made me further notice his black pants, which fit him nicely, and his soft cashmere cream V-neck sweater. I wondered if he was just returning home from a date. I also spotted certain onlookers pretending they weren’t noticing us together. Sparrow was new meat, and that meant his mere presence teased everyone’s curiosity. And I hated that my body betrayed me by reacting to his deliciousness. My vagina throbbed, and my nipples stiffened, reminding me how long it had been since I’d had sex, and not just sex but good sex.
“If you’re looking for a place to land—”
I shook my head adamantly. “I’m just going to stay in a hotel.”
“I know a place where you can stay for the night. It belongs to a friend of mine, and it has all the accoutrements of a five-star hotel and more.” He raised his eyebrows when he said more, and I nearly choked. No way, Pen. Stop being attracted to the man who’s been more of a douchebag than a nice guy.
“Everyone, listen up,” Jamie, the leasing manager, said loudly enough to claim my attention.
I stopped staring at Sparrow and set my gaze on her.
“There was a fire in the basement. As a precaution, we’re not letting anyone in until we know the building is safe and secure.”
I rubbed my neck. Am I flushed?
“I heard people are heading to the hospital,” she continued. “Thank you for that. We’ll figure out ways to reimburse you for this night of not being able to live in your condos.” She sounded so tired. “Oh, and make sure you log on to our Facebook page, where we’ll be posting hourly updates, and I’ll text all tenants when I get the all clear for your return.”
“Jamie, come on. What about me? I don’t work at the hospital,” a guy named Pete groused.
“I can set you up in one of the call rooms,” Sparrow said.
I did a double take, surprised he had the fortitude to be so charitable, or the pull.
Pete nodded as if he were an obedient robot. “That’ll be nice. I don’t have the extra cash for a hotel.”
“And anyone else who needs a bed tonight, let’s go to the hospital, and I’ll get you one,” Sparrow, the man who’d only arrived days ago, said.
Chatter broke out in the group. I was still dead set on staying in a hotel room for the night or as long as needed. I could afford it. Then Sparrow took me by the hand, and I felt a business card in my palm.
“Go here,” he whispered in my ear. “It’s within walking distance. The doorman will be waiting for you.”
I was still holding the card as I watched him lead the rest of the tenants down the street. He was like the Pied Piper. They were all so fixated on him that nobody noticed me remaining behind, confused about what to do next.
Chapter Five
Penina Ross
Sparrow’s friend’s place, which had all the accoutrements of a five-star hotel, was only six blocks away, standing where the financial and warehouse districts merged. The neighborhood was way more upscale than the one where I lived. I checked the address three times.
“Is this an apartment building?” I whispered.
It didn’t look like one. One side of the ground floor was a bank. I hadn’t reached the main entrance yet, but I was sure Sparrow had sent me to a place where it was too late to enter. I didn’t know if it was my distrust of him or my instincts, but I wanted to turn back and just get a room at the W Hotel or something. However, I wasn’t the type to give up without following all the way through. Plus, Sparrow was an attending. If he asked why I hadn’t stayed at his friend’s place, I wanted to be able to say that I’d tried but wasn’t able to gain access.
I made it to the front doors, and to my surprise, they did have a doorman, who was wearing a red suit with yellow tassels on his shoulders. He smiled when he saw me, as if he was indeed expecting me. Then he pulled the door open.
“You must be Dr. Ross,” he said.
“I am,” I said quietly.
He pointed toward the lavish lobby, which had black marble floors with gold swirls throughout the grain. The walls, the chandeliers, the French carved gold leaf mirrors, and furnishings were all finished with real twenty-four-carat gold.
“This way, ma’am.”
As soon as I walked inside, he took fast steps to position himself ahead of me. I followed him past the ivory columns and white marble statues of Frenchmen from centuries past. But it was the ambiance that got to me. It felt as if I were walking across the bridge that led to heaven. The air was the perfect temperature, not too cool because of the warm night.
“This is your private elevator, Dr. Ross,” the doorman said then asked me to press my finger on a touch pad and not remove it until the outside of the mechanism glowed green.
Even though I noted that he sounded as if he thought I wou
ld be back, I did as he asked. The doorman programmed a string of numbers and letters into a keypad, the outer ring of the touch pad beeped and turned green, then I removed my finger.
“You’re all set, Dr. Ross.”
My head felt woozy and my mouth, heavy. The environment was so comfortable that I wanted to fall asleep where I stood. I didn’t have the energy to explain that I would only be spending one night in wherever I was going, so we said our final good nights.
The elevator smoothly climbed up the building. The numbers counted upward to the penthouse floor, and when the doors slid open, I was taken aback by the sheer scale and extravagance of the space.
I’d been walking down marble-floored hallways with high ceilings, passing signed contemporary art pieces that looked expensive. I peered into four enormous bedrooms, which contained large beds made-up with fluffy and luxurious bedding, sleek furniture, and floor-to-ceiling windows, which showcased killer views. Next, I peeped my head inside a grand salon that had a full bar with its own illustrious city views, a fully equipped home theater, a dining room with a huge table and leather chairs and a crystal chandelier above it. I made it to the kitchen, which nearly took my breath away. It had expensive appliances, tall white cabinets, two side-by-side subzero refrigerators and chef’s ovens, warming drawers, a cappuccino station, a tall wine refrigerator a and a long marble island with a tall arrangement of fresh flowers on top. A card with my name on it stuck out. I pressed my hand over my mouth and gasped into my palm. After a moment of being immobilized, it was as if I’d been given a shot of adrenaline as I darted over to open the envelope. A handwritten note was inside, but it wasn’t Sparrow’s writing, because I had observed his handwriting earlier while reading his charts.
Thank you for saving a life. Please make yourself at home. In the main living room by the telephone, there is a menu for twenty-four-hour room service. Order whatever you like. Personal essentials are in each bathroom. However, if you find that something is missing, please call the concierge, and they will accommodate your requests. J. Sparrow.
I couldn’t pick my jaw back up, at least not yet. What a surprising turn of events. But the jury was still out on whether he was a dick or not. People were complex. Every bad guy had a good side, and every good guy had a bad side. It was the percentages that determined their character. Something told me that in the upcoming days, I would get to learn all there was to know about Dr. Sparrow. Yet for the moment, I chose the bedroom with the white duvet on a king-size bed with a cherry wood frame. The room also had luxury carpeting, two cozy upholstered chairs in front of an electric fireplace, and a long dresser with a large mirror above it. The space felt inviting, as if it called my name, which was why as soon as I stripped out of the clothes I had put on in a rush, I climbed into the bed, curled up under those luxurious sheets, which felt like heaven against my skin, and went straight to sleep.
I gasped and sat upright, hand against my chest, catching my breath. I thought I’d heard something and felt a presence near. However, as I looked around the room, I had no doubt I was alone. I’d slept so hard that I had to take a moment to remember exactly where I was and how I’d gotten there.
“Sparrow,” I whispered.
I had bitten the bad witch’s poisoned apple, or in the case of Jake Sparrow, the wizard’s apple. I wanted to crawl back under the comfortable linens and close my eyes, allowing the fuzziness to ease out of my head, but I was so eager to go on a deeper exploration of the penthouse that I pushed the covers off me and sat up on the side of the bed.
“Whoa, Nelly,” I said and sat still until the wooziness went away.
When it was gone, I opened the curtains to let the afternoon light in. Wow, what a magnificent view of the city it was. I stood there for a while, watching traffic shoot down the street and the river flow in the distance.
Then my phone beeped, alerting me that a text message was waiting for me. I located my cellphone in the bottom of my purse. I had a text from Jamie, informing tenants that the fire had been started by an electrical issue, and because of that problem, we wouldn’t be able to return for at least another twenty-four hours. She apologized for the delay but would make herself available to answer any questions.
I groaned as I rolled my eyes. Truth be told, I wasn’t missing my place much after the night of sleep I’d had.
Then I saw a second text message from Dr. Sparrow. It wasn’t shocking that he had my number. I was sure he’d found it on the list of neurosurgical residents.
Stay as long as necessary. J. Sparrow.
I wanted to respond with the first thing that came to mind, which was You must have very rich friends.
Then I had to stop and ponder. Why the sarcasm, Pen? What do I actually want to voice to him? What is it about the whole ordeal that makes me so uncomfortable and grateful at the same time? Then the answer came to me.
Are you the friend this swanky place belongs to? I typed.
My heart was beating fast as I stared at the send button. I had such a good thing going on there. Then I caught a glimpse of the time on the screen.
I inhaled sharply. It was 2:05 p.m. I had slept for over fifteen hours. Holy shit. I hadn’t done that since before medical school. Suddenly, I felt so energized. I could’ve skipped to the hospital and worked another full shift plus night call. Yet I didn’t have to report to my shift until 5:45 a.m. the next day.
So I scratched my head, thinking. Do I want my snarky question to offend Dr. Sparrow and make him ask me to leave?
I took in a deep breath through my nostrils in an effort to control my impulses, and as I forced the air out, I tapped Send. Once my sassy question hit the airwaves, I hurried into the kitchen to scavenge up something to eat. As soon as I stepped into the spectacular space, I gasped while coming to an abrupt stop.
“No way,” I whispered.
I so wish I hadn’t sent that message.
Warm chafing dishes held a delectable continental breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, and blueberry crepes with a side of chilled cream. Another fresh bouquet of flowers was on the island. The previous night’s bundle had been white roses, but the new ones were pink.
Then my phone dinged. Shit. He replied.
“Please don’t make me leave,” I repeated.
I pulled my shoulders back, ready to take the consequences of my actions like an adult.
The penthouse belongs to a friend. Enjoy yourself. J Sparrow
All the tension in my body released as I sighed with relief. I could stay. I shook my hands thankfully above my head, eyes to the sky. Yes, I can stay.
Chapter Six
Jake Sparrow/Asher Christmas
I focused on Si’s hand. Around the hospital, everyone knew him as Simon Brown, chief of surgery. His fingers were pinched together, and he shook them as he said, “Are you out of your mind? Have you gone bonkers for shit?”
I settled deeper into the hard leather sofa, arm stretched across the top, legs spread wide, feet planted firmly on the ground, trying to convince him I wasn’t sweating what he should’ve been concerned about. I had made a mistake by inviting Dr. Ross to the penthouse. The thought of her roaming the halls made me eager to get home for once. I wanted to see her—no, I needed to see her.
“It’s already done, Si,” I said. “Plus, I can handle her.” I sounded overconfident, but I knew better than to interact with a woman like Penina Ross without having my guard up.
Dr. Ross was one of the most beautiful women I’d ever laid eyes on. Sensuality dripped from her pores. I wasn’t that guy whose dick got tight every time he spied an exotic and natural seductress of her caliber, but her come-fuck-me quality was unmatched. I was shocked as hell to be that drawn to her when I first saw her walking toward me. Every woman I’d been in a relationship with came with a warning sign I’d seen at first sight. Crazy was in their eyes, proving they were indeed the windows to one’s soul. Penina hadn’t possessed the same quality, though. It was usually women like her I ran away from, fearing co
mmitment and accountability. And before I’d seen her, I wasn’t looking to get involved with another woman, not for a long time.
Si had suggested I take an apartment in her building to help blend in with the others.
“A single doctor, new in town, would live in the boarding hold, at least for a couple of weeks. We maintain a furnished, temporary apartment. Stay there. Show your face. Blend in,” he had said.
I sniffed. “The boarding hold? That sounds like a fucking roach motel.”
Si tossed me a key. “You’re on the top floor. Give it a look, then move your shit in there, and be happy, Ash. Oh, sorry, Jake.”
I hadn’t smoked in ten years, but the apartment, which wasn’t that bad but not my style, was freshly painted, and whoever had done the work left a pack of cigarettes and a lighter on the counter. Living in a small place like that with not even my ex-girlfriend, who was more of a friend than a lover, to keep me company, made me want to have a smoke for old times’ sake.
I bet Dr. Ross thinks I fucking smoke. I don’t smoke.
“Did you just say you can handle her?” Si scoffed.
“I am handling her,” I replied.
“Dr. Ross isn’t a bimbo.”
I sniffed bitterly. That was a fucking low blow, and we both knew it. Si was drawing a comparison between the sexy doctor and my ex, Gina Jones.
I shifted out of my relaxed posture to sit on the edge of the sofa. “Let’s leave Gina out of this.”
Si pounded the top of his desk. “No, Gina’s not in this whole fucking scenario. It’s my ass on the line here, Ash.” Then he poked a finger in my direction. “Not yours. You’re a fucking billionaire, Dr. Sparrow. But me?” He jabbed himself in the chest. “I get exposed for helping you change your identity, and I lose my fucking career. I worked hard for it—fucking hard for it.”
Seduction (The Secret Billionaire Asher Christmas Duet Book 1) Page 4