Thunder boomed in the sky and I cringed, jumping into the air. If I wanted to make it back to Brooklyn before the skies opened up, I knew I was going to have to hurry. As quickly as I could, I darted down the street, looking for the subway entrance. I still wasn’t all that familiar with Manhattan, but I could have sworn there was a stop somewhere around here.
Cold droplets started falling from the sky, dripping on my face and shoulders. I groaned as I felt the thin fabric of my dress start to soak through. It was a cold rain, especially for early autumn, and I couldn’t risk getting sick – what would happen at work?
The light spatter of rain turned into a heavy shower and I yelped, running down the street in my low heels as quickly as I could. Puddles were forming all around me and despite my best efforts to stay dry, I landed in a deep one that sent rain splashing all over my legs, soaking me to the knee. By the time I reached the intersection, I was chilled to the bone.
“Come on, come on,” I begged, staring at the pedestrian walk signal and desperately wishing it to change. I could finally see the subway sign – I was only a block away – and I knew I had to get there as soon as possible or risk catching pneumonia.
A sleek black limousine pulled up at the curb. I groaned. Was this asshole going to stay parked here and block traffic? What the fuck was going on?
The back door opened and I rolled my eyes, waiting for some rich executive to dart out into the rain while cursing his misfortune. But when I recognized who was sitting in the back, I let out a little cry of surprise.
It was Justin. And he was beckoning me inside, waving with his hand.
Hannah
“Justin?” I asked stupidly, staring straight at him.
Justin grinned. “Get in,” he said. He jerked his head to the side.
“Oh, no, I couldn’t,” I stammered. My cheeks blushed flame red.
“Come on, you’ll get sick,” Justin said. He grinned and winked. The wink was enough to melt my heart, and I shivered when he reached out his hand towards me.
I sighed. “But…”
“No bu
ts,” Justin said firmly. “Come on.”
I sighed. The rain started pouring harder than ever and with a squeal, I leapt forward into the limo.
Justin closed the door behind me and rapped on the partition. “Take us to Brooklyn,” he said in a clear voice. Turning to me, he smirked. “That’s where you live, right?”
I blushed. “That obvious, huh?”
Justin grinned. “Champagne?”
I frowned. “Why are you doing this?” I asked after accepting a flute full of Dom Perignon from Justin’s outstretched hand.
“What?” Justin sipped his champagne, then leaned back against the seat. “Why am I doing what?”
“Being nice to me,” I mumbled. “Why? You don’t have to, so why are you doing this?”
Justin laughed. “What? I’m not allowed to be nice now?”
I stared at him, unable to believe that this man was the same smirking, smug creature who had paraded around in front of me all day. The change was immediate and apparent – like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
“No, it’s not that.” I sipped my champagne, savoring the creamy taste of the fizzy alcohol. “I just…” I trailed off, blushing furiously. “I don’t know. I thought you didn’t like me.”
Justin shrugged. “I don’t know you,” he said. He raised his eyebrow, making me blush all the harder. “I’d like to know you, though,” he added, placing a hand on my knee. The contact from his skin burned hot through the soaked material of my dress and I shivered.
The limo rolled on in silence. It felt like a completely different world from the New York I was used to. Instead of a gritty, smelly, buzzing city, I was now enclosed in a smooth world of plush fabric and leather, driving quietly through the crowded streets.
With a sigh, I leaned back against the seat. “I could get used to this,” I said softly, drinking the rest of my champagne.
Justin immediately refilled my flute. “Here,” he said, passing me a Burberry blanket. “Don’t want you getting cold?”
I stared at him, searching his sapphire eyes for any hint of sarcasm. But there was nothing there but sincerity, pure and simple.