"Of course." Leonard clicks on the signal light as we head into the bustling neighborhood of Chelsea. "We're getting very close now."
I glance down at my phone and realize there's still not any response from Jax. My heart races slightly at the thought of seeing him again combined with a surprise. I know it's going to be related to his blank check but at least now I'm prepared to offer him something in return.
"Here we are." Leonard pulls the car to the curb in front of an impressive pre-war building on West 27th Street. I survey the exterior relishing all the intricate details that speak of the architecture in this part of Manhattan. This is a neighborhood I haven't spent much time in but its beauty and charm have always been alluring.
"Thank you." I smile at Leonard as he helps me from the car. He leads the way into the building, stopping briefly to shake the doorman's hand. I silently follow him to the elevator and he motions for me to enter before him. I watch as he reaches inside to insert a key and press the button for Penthouse Two and then he pulls back.
"You're on your own now." He waves as the doors close and I take a deep breath realizing that once the doors open again Jax will undoubtedly be waiting for me. I look myself over in the mirror that adorns the entire left wall of the elevator. I pinned my damp hair messily up before putting on a peach backless sundress with white heels. Even though I'm secretly still seething at Jax's unconventional proposition, I haven't been able to stop thinking about his raw power and pull in bed. I want him to be impressed when he first sees me again.
I can tell instantly from his expression when I elevator jerks to a stop and springs open that he is. His hand flies to his chest in response to my withered, "hi."
"Beautiful, you're here." He pulls me into his chest and I melt when I feel his arms encircle me. "I thought about you all weekend. I'm sorry we left things the way we did."
I pull back to look up into his face. "I'm sorry too. I wasn't sure I'd hear from you again."
"I can't stop you, Ivy." His expression softens as he stares into my eyes. "I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever be able to."
The tenderness of his words catch me off guard and I look down from his glance. I had thought about this moment all weekend and had rehearsed over and over again what I'd say. But now I'm frozen, my eyes locked on the walnut planks of the floor, wishing I could just stay in this room with him forever.
"Let's talk about why we're here." He lets go of me and walks across the expansive room to a row of windows. I look past him and out the windows. I'm captivated by the sight of the elaborate architecture of the neighboring buildings. It all speaks of the rich and stunning history of the city.
"This view is breathtaking," I whisper as I follow him across the room.
"It is." His eyes jump with happiness. "But you haven't seen the other views."
"The others?"
He reaches for my hand and guides me across the barren space to another bank of tall windows. The view from these is even more spectacular as my eyes settle on the Empire State Building. "It's so close. It must be beautiful at night when i
t's lit up, "I say in wonder.
"Soon you'll know." His hand brushes against my back as he moves closer to me.
"Soon I'll know?" I repeat back while my mind works to connect the dots. "You're moving here?"
"No." His breath caresses my neck. "You're moving here, beautiful."
My eyes quickly scan the space and I finally drink it all in. It's immense, open and stunning. The walnut floors are warm and rich in tone. The walls are a stark white just waiting for inspiration and the ceilings must be at least ten feet tall. "It's perfect," I say under my breath. "But…"
"No, Ivy. No buts. We're going to figure out a way for you to live here. It's ideal. Come, let me show you."
We move through the space, Jax leading me smoothly by one hand while the other rests on my back. He steers me past the quaint kitchen and through a long hallway. We stop to glance at a bathroom finished in light marble tones. As we pass one bedroom his hand slides lower until it's touching the bare skin at the bottom of my back. "This will be your room."
I turn towards the last doorway and I'm instantly immersed in a lovely inviting space. This is the only furnished room in the apartment. There's an elaborate king sized bed, a gorgeous antique dresser and a large walk-in closet. "It's amazing. It's so big."
"It's perfect." He moves to sit on the edge of the bed, guiding me so I'm standing directly in front of him. "It's your new beginning."
I sigh as I look down into his eyes in the dim light of the room. The blinds are drawn and just one small sliver of light bounces through the corner of the adjacent bathroom window. He's incredibly handsome and I shiver at the thought of being alone and this close to him again. I place my hands on either side of his face, relishing in the soft touch of his skin. His hands move farther down my back and he gently pulls me towards him. I sigh the moment my lips touch his and I'm greeted by the hunger of his kiss.
I fall onto the bed, one of my shoes sliding to the floor with a vacant thud. The noise breaks my focus and I sit up abruptly breaking free of his kiss. "Should we be doing this?" I run my hands over the skirt of my dress desperately trying to compose myself. "I don't think the broker would appreciate us having sex on the bed if they're trying to sell this place." I stand and I'm instantly unsteady. I bend down scrambling to find my shoe which I seem to have inadvertently kicked under the bed. Shit. Now I have to crawl around on all fours to find my shoe? Jax will surely find that sexy.
"Ivy, stop." I feel his hand on mine. "I bought the bed. I had it delivered yesterday."
I sit next to him again, pushing the wayward hairs that have fallen into my eyes back into place. "Why?"
"Beautiful." He sighs deeply as he wraps his finger around a few strands of my hair, playfully pushing them back behind my ear. "You told me that Mark and Liz were together in your bed. I know that has to hurt. I wanted you to have a new, fresh start in every way."
I'm struck by how compassionate and thoughtful the gesture is. I feel tears rising to the surface but I push them back. I don't want him to see me as overly emotional especially, not now. "That's incredibly thoughtful of you." I manage a weak smile. "But, Jax, we need to discuss this. How we can make this work. I won't be a bought woman."