Tycoon

The navigator looks easy to access, and they’ve already uploaded a sample “closet” outfit for me to see.

As I take it all in, I’m not aware that I cover my mouth. I can’t breathe from the disbelief of seeing my plan—something that only existed in my mind—becoming alive right before my eyes.

Aaric leans against a desk behind us and watches, then he steps forward and peers over my shoulder. His gaze ruthlessly scans the computer screen. “Do that again,” he tells the developer.

The tech guy reloads the app.

I want to cry from the excitement.

“Too slow,” he says. “The second I click, I want it uploaded. No wait.”

He takes me by the elbow and lifts me to my feet as we prepare to head back upstairs.

“App version coming along?” he asks the developer.

“We have an app?” I ask, surprised.

Christos looks at me with a glint of amusement in his eye. “Yes, bit. We will have an app.”

“Of course,” I say, “of course we will have an app,” covering my surprise and acting cool in front of the developer but smiling happily at Christos.

As we exit the basement area, I try to keep up with his long strides as we head up the stairs. “Christos, I’m thinking. We can place sponsor ads discreetly on the free version. Or people can pay for the full version. Every sale sends underprivileged child clothes, food, and books.”

He raises his brows.

“Because people need it. Just like people need this software in their lives,” I add.

We reach the second-floor landing, and he faces me with an approving smile. He studies my face for a moment. “Are you busy later?”

“I hoped to work.”

“Would you consider working while having dinner with me?”

“That would totally not be work.”

He takes my chin and turns my head around. “Have dinner with me.”

I swallow, admitting, “I’d like that very much.”

We take a black car and head from Brooklyn to Manhattan. It’s rush hour, but we make it in fifty minutes.

I usually travel by subway, so seeing New York as the sun sets while I ride in the back of the car with him makes me breathless. Growing up, I always wanted to experience New York. And now I share an apartment here with Sara, and this big city feels like home—at last.

And beside me is Aaric, the boy from my past who’s no longer just a boy, and no longer just in my past. He’s very much a man, very much in my present. My heart is thumping in excitement as a hot little tingle between my thighs grows at his nearness and because he’s got his hand on my thigh, lounging in his seat as if his hand belongs there.

I like the way it feels too much to do that.

It excites me, true, that he’s a little forward. He’s more brazen now, as a man, I think because he also knows that I’m no longer a girl. I’m a woman, and I can take more. He can push…just a little more.

I swallow in anticipation.

We reach his brownstone, and he leads me up to the top floor, then opens the doors that lead to the balcony. I’m speechless by the view of the park spreading out before us, the shadows of sunset streaking across the tops of the trees.

“This is incredible,” I say, laughing in delight as I drink up the most vibrant city in the United States and possibly, the world.

Christos is smiling when I turn. He’s got his hands inside his pockets, a look of thoughtful warmth on his face.

“I really like the combination of traditional and contemporary of your brownstone. It’s kind of like you.”

“I’m traditional?”

“Part of you. Your desire for a family and stability. But another part of you is cutting edge. The business side.”

“Glad you’ve discovered those two sides of me. There’s yet a third.” He begins prowling forward.

“What third.”

“An animalistic, crazy as hell, third side of me that you should run away from.”

“Me or everyone?”

“Just you. Because you’re the one who brings it about.” He winks, then brings me forward and laughs when I blush. He brushes my lips against his.

“Are you hungry?” he asks.

“Starved.”

“Get changed for dinner then, and we’ll head off.”

“This is all I have to wear.”

“No, bit.” He shakes his head. “It’s not.”

He lets his eyes drift past my shoulders to one of the doors. Confused, I walk into a small bedroom and am surprised to see a silver box waiting on the bed.

There’s a card that reads, bit on it. I open the box and pull out a dress.

Oh my God!

It’s not just a dress. It’s a dress from MY LINE. The first dress made for House of Sass.

I’m trembling from the excitement as I slip it on, zip it up, and hurry to the full-length mirror.

The shock of seeing myself wearing my own high-end-made design freezes me on the spot.

My eyes run down my curves, taking in how slinky the material is, how sexy and elegant the cut is. He had it done in the most decadent violet shade ever. I blink several times and walk slowly toward my reflection, putting my fingers on the mirror just to be sure I’m awake.

Is this really my life? I feel like a royal princess. I’ve never been pampered by a guy. I’ve never been seriously wined and dined either. To go out with Aaric tonight feels surreal.

I step outside, and the feeling only intensifies when I spot him. He’s wearing slacks and a white shirt, with the top buttons unbuttoned. Freshly showered and gorgeous. His eyes leisurely tracking my frame.