It's A Crime (7 page)

Stop procrastin
ating, Grace, go for it; you can always blame it on the bourbon.

I
didn’t realize I said my thought out loud until he threw his head back and laughed. The full throaty sound flowed over me like a rush of warm water. The air left my lungs in a rush followed immediately by what little bit common sense I had left. My awareness of him heightened to a physically painful degree. His unpretentious laughter made him less sex god, more human. Flesh and blood, human and real.

I
thought I heard at least ten hearts breaking in sync right then. The women who were watching, and a few men I’m sure, saw that the game was clearly up and Ice Princess was about to take the prize. Cole shook his head.

“What is your issue now?”
I asked, a smile pushing the corners of my mouth into a satisfied grin.

“You.
You are my issue.” He lifted is head to the heavens. “You would try the Gods, Grace.”

‘Mmm.
Me thinks you speak in riddles,” I mumbled.

“I am only in
terested in you.” He raised his hand and brushed the back of his fingers softly across my cheek. “I told you, I want you so bad my dick is hard. I’m dangerously close to taking you right here, right now.”

I was about to
do something scandalous, improper, and I loved it. Katherine Chancellor’s only child, her precious, properly raised daughter, was reaching across under the small table. My hand met a very impressive erection.

Oh my.
I rolled my hand over his huge cock. All of which I hoped would be filling all of me shortly.

“You keep doing that and I
will
take you here and now…” His voice was low, hoarse with need.

My heart rate
accelerated; my lips parted slightly, my breathing quickened. I was wet and throbbing for him. Raw animal lust had my hand trembling and I prayed I wasn’t about to make a mistake, one I would later regret. A huff of pent up air escaped my lungs. The tension that had my body ready to spring ebbed. I looked into those tantalizing eyes.

“I guess this is your lucky day
, Ace, I seem to have an opening.”

“I’m
getting to like that name.” His voice was smooth as silk.

“I’m getting to like calling you that name.
Question is can you live up to it?”

“
Just give me a chance...” He looked directly into my eyes. I think I turned to putty, “I promised you won’t be disappointed.”

“Sounds like heaven.”
I lifted my drink, indicating “deal,” and took a long sip. Again enjoying the warmth it gave me, and the bravado that followed.

He raised an eyebrow.
He tossed his glass back, draining the contents, then leaned it toward me. “You want to get out of here? Go somewhere a little more private, grab a bite,
and
…” he trailed off, his eyes glowing.

“
And? I like
ands.
What do you have in mind?”
It had better include you taking everything off
. I was salivating thinking of his naked body. I’d like to straddle that. I was bold, brazen, full of piss n’ vinegar, as my dad would have said.

“I’m staying at the Asbury.
Nice accommodations, great room service, premium bar. I’m sure you will like it.”

“It sounds like it’s right up my alley.”
The Asbury,
wow, nice
, I thought.

He
crossed to the bar and dropped a fifty for Sarah, who quickly grabbed it up and put it right next to the other tip he previously gave her. She smiled and winked, letting him know if I didn’t work out for him, she would be right here waiting. 
Seriously?  I’m standing right here…is she fucking with me? 
I strode over to where they stood and possessively placed my hand on his chest, smiling up at him.  He looked at me, unable to take his eyes off of me, Sarah took a step back-Grace two, Sarah zip.

He pulled his jacket on, his arm brushing against mine as he did. I sucked in a deep breath, trying to ignore my acute awareness of him.
It was impossible. He grabbed my coat and scarf and put it over his arm. Sarah stood behind the bar looking broken. I actually felt bad for her. I liked Sarah, but if it came down to me or her, he was taking
me
home.

He held my coat
up I shrugged it on as we walked outside Luke’s. He turned me around and wrapped my scarf around my neck then handed me my cell phone, which of course I hadn’t realized I’d left on the table. I thanked him with a smile and a roll of my eyes.

“You should text
Michelle and let her know where you will be.”

“She is just really overprotective of me
,” I defended Michelle.

“I see that.
I also understand her concern.” He bent close to my ear and my breath caught. The heat in his breath brushed my face as he whispered, “But nothing is going to happen to you that you don’t want to happen. That is a promise, and I don’t break promises.”

I was melting at a rapid pace
.

“Well
, Ace, I want a lot of things to happen to me and I’m hoping you’re the man for the job.”

He smiled at my boldness and putting his hand on the small of my back led me to the
luxury Black BMW SUV, which had just pulled up curbside. He stuck his head in the window.

“Ray, take us home.”

Ray, a tall, large gray-haired man, dressed impeccably in a black suit and black tie, jumped out with the agility of a much younger man and walked quickly around the car. He opened the door and tapped the brim of his hat by way of greeting. I caught a peek at a firearm holstered inside his jacket. What the hell? Cole had a bodyguard. Who was this handsome stranger and why would he need a bodyguard?

“Miss.”
Ray nodded and held his hand up, indicating I should get in.

“Hi
, Ray, nice to meet you.” I climbed in.

“Sir.”
Ray nodded to Cole. Cole got into the back seat next to me. Ray softly closed the door and went around to the drivers’ side. He pulled away from the curb and as he did, Cole slipped his arm around my shoulders. The sensation of his touch rippled through me and I leaned into him.

We arrived at the hotel
in what seemed like just a few minutes, but as I had more than a drink or two, I couldn’t be sure. Ray pulled into the circular driveway in front of the hotel, and as he had done earlier, got out and opened the car door for me. Holding my hand, he helped me to my feet. Cole had already gotten out on his side and was by my side in a flash. Ray tapped his hat again and got into the car and pulled it out of the circular drive, I watched him drive off until my attention was drawn to the doorman, who opened the door for us to enter.

“Mr. Grayson, sir.”
He turned to me. “Miss.”

“Jason
,” Cole answered nodding.

Cole placed his arm around me
and we entered the hotel. As we stepped into the beautifully adorned lobby, he took my hand in his and led me past the front desk. The pretty brunette clerk nodded respectfully. Cole nodded in return. My eyes scanned the lobby. It was tastefully done in cream and burgundy with gold accents. The sofas and wing chairs covered in floral brocade in the same hues with little sky blue flowers was not only gorgeous, but tasteful and conveyed class. He led me toward the elevator bank, down to the last elevator, and we stepped inside.

My attention
turned to the beautiful man at my side. The doors closed and Cole took a key from his jeans pocket, inserted it into the panel and punched in his code. The elevator climbed smoothly until it slowly came to a halt on the top floor. He placed his arm around my waist and once again the electric current flowed into me. I shivered momentarily in anticipation.

When the elevator doors finally opened, we stepped into a tastefully decorated foyer
. Marble floors and columns, tall dark thick wooden doors. Fresh flowers on the large round table stood in the center of the large round vestibule furnished with cream-colored settees and rosewood lacquered tables off to the side, also adorned with fresh flowers.

T
hree separate doors lined the room along with a wide arch that led to the living room area. The perimeter lights were lit low. A stunning center light with long crystals, each a different length, cast a glow on the floral centerpiece and tasteful large round carpet. Cole guided me through the arch and I stopped, stunned by the size of the room. I smiled internally knowing I had been right, he is rich. This was no hotel room, or even suite. It was an apartment; huge—easily twice the size of mine.

I
could sense the fireplace roaring before seeing it; the low crackling flames warmed the room, taking the chill away.

I walked
in further and looked around. The dining room to the right was elegantly furnished with a black lacquer sidebar. A rosewood dining table surrounded by several high top roll back cushioned chairs covered in a beautiful burgundy, gold and cream jacquard, a long wet bar to the left of the dining area featured a large selection of alcohol impeccably organized on the top.

A
bottle of champagne sat chilling in a silver wine cooler. Cole walked toward me. He had removed his jacket and was wearing just his denim shirt and fabulous fitting jeans. God he was hot.

“Here, let me take that.”
He reached for my coat.

“Thanks.” I
shrugged my coat off. “Nice place you got here.”

“It’s home when I’m in New York.”

The heat from the fireplace starting to make me feel overheated. Or it could have been that I was in a luxury apartment about to fuck the most beautiful man I have ever seen.

“You
’re not from New York then?”

“
I actually live in Denver. But I am negotiating a property on the Upper East Side hoping to develop our presence on the East Coast. I’m in town completing due diligence prior to presenting my final offer. I hope to be fully operational from New York within six months.”

“Indeed?” I paused, “What type of business would you be in
, Ace?”

“Real
estate.”

“Like an agent?”

“No, like a buyer of.”

“Nice.”
I put my pocketbook down on the chair next to sideboard.

“Are you hungry?”

“I can always eat, but right now I think I’d like a drink.”  My nerves starting to settle.  I think Michelle may be right, I would pay dearly tomorrow.

“Coming right up.
Go inside and have a seat.” He pointed toward the sofas in the living room

I walked in and sat on the sofa furthest from the huge fireplace.
It was one of the plushest sofas I’d ever sat on. Four of them filled the room, all cream colored, two facing each other and two smaller ones at the top facing the fireplace with a massive granite cocktail table in the middle, perfectly suited for entertaining.

Two lovely wing chairs flanked
the large accent table against the wall. The low and indirect lighting was just right, lending a glow to my skin. Cole placed a drink down in front of me, startling me; a bourbon of course. Smiling, I lifted it to my lips.

“W
ow, I’m impressed, Ace. Sex God and bartender too.”

“Glad you like it.”
He smiled.

Merely
looking at that smile the drool built in my mouth. I wanted to bite his lips. My heart rate sped up and the blood flowed directly to my nether region, leaving my head dizzy.

“I’m going to order up some food
. Anything specific you want?”

Oh
, Ace, you don’t know the half of what I want, and I can be real specific.

“Anything you order
is fine. When it comes to food, there is very little I don’t like.” I raised my eyebrows, the implication evident. 
Besides, if I don’t eat something soon, I am going to vomit.  Too much to drink.

His
eyes raked me from head to foot. He chuckled and turned shaking his head. He walked toward the phone near the dining room. I found myself staring at his fine ass.
He sure looked hot in jeans
. He was insanely sexy and I found myself getting hungry…not for food.

Chapter 7

I was so immersed, thinking about what I wanted to do with him, to him, that I didn’t even notice he returned.

“I
ordered us a couple of different things to pick on,” he said softly, looking at me. “How’s the drink? Need freshening up?”

“Um, it is delicious.”
I smiled up at him. “I never had bourbon before tonight. It has replaced my beloved mojito as my favorite drink.” I placed my hand over my heart.

He sat next to me on the couch and using his feet slowly
shoved his boots off, kicking them to the side. He leaned back and put his arm around me.