Little Black Book
Page 21“That’s enough for today.” He grinned down at me.
His smile was heartbreaking. Smutty romance novels had nothing on those lips. I stepped back, knees jittery, and caught my breath as I pushed my hair behind my ear.
“A car is waiting for you downstairs and I’ll have a phone sent to your hotel. Always answer it when I call. I’ll see you soon, beautiful.” He leaned down and gave me a soft kiss on the corner of my mouth.
“Okay,” I whispered.
Kyle was waiting downstairs with Vick when I left Sebastian’s office. I ran to him and held him so close, I was sure I was hurting him. Seeing him gave me a break from having to think about what the hell just happened upstairs.
“I’m so sorry. So, so sorry,” I said through tears.
He pulled away and smiled up at me. “It’s cool, Roz. It wasn’t bad.”
Vick cleared her throat, reminding me that my big display of emotion was seen by someone who’d probably never cried a day in her life.
“Who’s car is this?” Kyle whispered, while giving Vick shifty eyes.
“It’s my… boss’s,” I lied. “He was nice enough to let us borrow it.”
I didn’t want Kyle asking anymore questions, so I ushered him into the back of the sleek black car and avoided Vick’s knowing eyes.
“Excuse me,” I said loud enough to get his attention.
Warm brown eyes and a friendly smile found me in the review mirror. Silver hair peeked under his driver hat and soft lines surrounded his eyes and lips. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Where are you taking us?”
“To the Hilton, ma’am.”
“The Hilton?”
“Yes, ma’am. Only the best for Mr. Black’s…” his eyes quickly shifted toward Kyle and then back to me. “Employees.”
I knew what he’d been about to say, but I didn’t want to correct him. It was pointless to even tell him I wasn’t Mr. Black’s anything yet. Especially in front of Kyle.
“Thank you, Mister…”
“Martin. Just call me Mr. Martin,” he smiled in the rear view mirror.
“Thank you, Mr. Martin.” I leaned into my seat.
Kyle was beyond excited about the whole experience. I wished I could match his enthusiasm, but I was less than thrilled.
When the driver pulled into the hotel, he told me to sit still. Seconds later, he was pulling our door open and holding it so we could step out. I flushed at the attention. I wasn’t used to being treated like anyone special.
Kyle followed closely behind as we followed Mr. Martin into the front lobby and to the reception desk. When it was our turn, the woman behind the desk flashed a familiar smile for the older man.
“Hello, Martin. How are you today?”
“I’m doing well, Molly, and you?”
“Happy to see you as always. How can I help you?”
“I have two guests for Mr. Black. The suite, please.”
The woman casted a knowing glance toward me. Her expression quickly changed to surprise, followed by confusion, when she spotted Kyle. I wrapped a protective arm around his shoulders and tried not to wonder what she was thinking.
“Of course,” she nodded.
She signaled for someone behind me and then there was a bellhop there at our side.
“Oh, we don’t have…“ I started to correct her.
I stopped when a cart was pulled up to the bellhop and I recognized our suitcases. What the hell?
I wondered how Sebastian had time to gather our things out of our car.
“Thank you,” I said to both the desk clerk and bellhop.
“Right this way, Miss,” the bellhop gestured.
Turning toward Mr. Martin, I smiled at him. “Thank you again.”
“You’re very welcome.” He mirrored my smile and patted my hands.
Kyle and I spent the night in one of the nicest hotels I’d ever seen. The room was equipped with everything we needed, and had four separate areas. There were two huge bedrooms, and a deluxe bathroom with a massive tub. But the best part was the spacious living room, lined with a wall of windows, showcasing a stunning view of New York City.
Once Kyle was asleep for the night, I spent some time staring at the cars and the people bustling below. The surrounding buildings and streets were so beautiful from my vantage point. It was hard to wrap my head around our quick transition from sleeping in a shitty car… to this luxurious suite. Un-frickin-believable.