“It’s a bit complicated,” I admitted. “If I don’t go in those doors, I’m only in the city for one more day and then I’m headed back home.”
The man frowned at my words.
“How long have you been in the Big Apple?” he asked.
“Hmm…” I looked down at my watch then at him. “Only two days or so.”
“Only two days!” His loud words and chuckle gained the attention of several people, who were walking by. He paid them no mind but I offered them an apologetic smile.
“Why is that so funny?” I asked in a much quieter tone than his.
“Because you’ve been here less than a week, are heading to an appointment, and leave tomorrow if you don’t go to the appointment,” he shook his head. “That is no way to visit our city.”
“Oh, is that so?” I mused.
He looked down at me with a grin, making me regret my flirty tone with him. This man was way out of my league. Hell, I was lucky he was even acknowledging a small-town girl like me.
“You sure you can’t reschedule your appointment?” he asked, staring at me intensely. Nervously, I bit my bottom lip and nodded. “What if you go to your appointment and I pick you up afterward? I can show you around the city.”
As heavenly as that sounded, I was in no financial position to go sightseeing.
“That’s nice of you and all, but I don’t ha--”
“It’ll be my treat.”
“But you don’t even--” My words were cut off by a swift kiss. How could something so simple move mountains inside of me? I looked up at the man, who had stolen my first kiss. He smiled innocently, but I knew there was a wolf behind those eyes and I was ready to be eaten alive.
CHAPTER TWO
Mr. Hotpants walked me inside the building and over to the elevator. He pulled me off to the side and pointed to an elevator that had two men standing by it. The men appeared to be security guards. I raised an eyebrow and looked at Hotpants.
“You can take that elevator,” he smiled.
“What’s wrong with these?” I gestured at the elevators everyone was cramming into.
“As you see, there isn’t much room for relaxation and your thoughts. However, if you takethat...” he gestured at the elevator being guarded by the two men. “You’ll have plenty of room and time to think.”
“Are you always so nice to the country bumpkins?”
The man found my question ridiculously hilarious. I know this because his head tilted back and he erupted with laughter. At first, I found myself pissy that he thought my question was that funny; however, my annoyance soon dissipated and I found myself smiling.
When his laughter finally ceased, he looked at me and smiled.
“That’s the first time I’ve heard a saying like that,” he chuckled.
“Really?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Yep. Really,” he nodded firmly.
“What do you usually call women who are from the middle of nowhere?”
“Never met one. You’d be the first,” he smiled. “And the only thing I’d like to call you is by your name… if you ever deem me worthy enough to tell me it.” He grinned
“Oh,” I whispered. “Kaylee. My name is Kaylee.”
“Gerald. Gerald Mason.” He stuck out his hand and I placed my hand in his.
He didn’t shake my hand though. Instead, he kissed the back of my hand, making me feel like there were hundreds of butterflies inside the pit of my stomach.