But it’s intimate and feels good. Ensconced in the dark interior, we wind our way through the city streets of Chicago. Carlton’s hand rests on my thigh in the most casual of ways, but my pulse is racing with desire. He’s making some lighthearted banter about something, but I can’t focus on the words. I simply smile and try to take steady breaths.
After all, my plan to lure him in and then break his heart couldn’t be going any better. He’s eating it up a mile a minute, and I give myself a pat on the back. But then, those blue eyes flash in the darkness and my heart jumps. A little voice speaks in my head, but I push it away. This has to work because I need to come out on top in this war of the wills, despite my attraction to my handsome companion.
6
Carlton
I try to catch glimpses of Ramona’s face as we pass under the city streetlights. For the most part, my former neighbor seems at ease next to me in the car. Her body is angled slightly toward mine, and she’s intertwined her fingers with my hand, which is resting on her thigh.
I didn’t necessarily plan on inviting Ramona to my home for a nightcap, but the woman is too tempting. We have years of life to catch up on, but for tonight, I admit that my thoughts aren’t going in that direction. I want to see what’s under her dress, and not just what’s in her mind.
It’s a short drive from the bar to my penthouse, but I savor each minute. Ramona’s laugh is infectious, her perfume utterly intoxicating. I find myself watching the way her lips move as she speaks, entranced by her sensuality.
But if I’m honest with myself, it’s more than just her physical beauty. Even when we were kids, I admired her tenacious spirit and appreciated her saucy comebacks. I was particularly fond of how crazy her hair always seemed to be. I glance at the beautiful brunette next to me, her mane glossy and composed. If I ran my hands through it, would it resemble a glorious lion’s mane once more?
“What is it?” she murmurs, her brown eyes soft in the evening light.
“Your hair has calmed down considerably since you were a kid,” I tell her with a devilish grin.
Ramona play punches my arm. “I’ve also changed in a lot of ways, in case you haven’t noticed,” she says with a teasing laugh.
“Yes, absolutely.” I let my eyes roam over Ramona’s ample figure appreciatively. “I’ve noticed.”
Even in the shadowy car, I can see the girl’s cheeks turn a soft shade of pink at my comment. But then she winks at me.
“Bet you didn’t expect I’d turn out so hot, huh?” she asks sassily, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
“Actually, I always suspected it would be the case,” I say mildly, not wanting to let on to the buxom woman just how turned on I am by her. She giggles and bites her lip. Then, a few moments later, we arrive outside my apartment complex and I watch as Ramona’s face as she observes the ornate statues, stately doorman, and glass entryway.
“You live here?” I can hear the awe in her voice.
“It’s one of my homes, yes,” I answer nonchalantly as I open my own door and reach down to help the curvy girl climb out of the car. Her ankle is shapely and her calf trim and toned. Dang, when did I get so turned on by ankles and calves? I give my driver a terse nod to dismiss him before I loop Ramona’s arm through mine and lead her toward the building. “Shall we?”
She merely nods, clearly still taking in the beauty of the building in front of her.
“Good evening, Mr. James,” the doorman says politely as he pulls open one of the glass doors.
“Hey, Theodore,” I respond.
Ramona flashes a brilliant smile toward the older man. “Hi.”
“Ma’am,” the succinct response makes Ramona giggle and I shake my head at her as I lead her toward the elevator.
“Do you own this building, may I ask?” I can hear the teasing in Ramona’s voice. “I mean, the entire building and not just your apartment.” But I shake my head.
“No, it’s Theodore’s job to know who the tenants are,” I tell her. “And we pay the staff well, so they’re very good.” Ramona merely sighs, still looking around wondrously.
“This lobby is the stuff of dreams,” the lovely brunette notes with reverence, craning her neck to take in the pressed-tin ceiling. “Is this original décor? How did they manage to renovate that fireplace? How much do you suppose that paneling cost – those wood pieces are massive!”
I drag Ramona along as she marvels over every detail.
“I almost forgot you’re a design architect,” I growl with mock annoyance. “Always staring at buildings.”