As soon as we’re done, Aiden’s phone rings again. I can see it in his face that he doesn’t want to pick it up, but I urge him to take the call. It’s his lawyer and he needs to take care of his business right now. Especially, since I’ve been more than taken care of. When Aiden answers the call, I stretch out on the bed and let my body feel the little sparks that are left over from what had just happened. There’s still electric shocks coursing through my body and getting back to sleep is an impossibility.

“I’m sorry, I have to go to the office,” Aiden says.

“Back to New York?”

“Well, yes, but later today. No, I mean my office here. Just down the hall.”

I nod, understandably.

“Why don't you get some breakfast?” he suggests, kissing me on top of my head. “We can meet up later.”

Breakfast sounds divine, actually. It takes me barely a moment to realize that I’m actually famished. After going to my room and changing into a pair of jeans and a t-shirt and putting on a fresh pair of panties and socks, I fix the smudged eyeliner under my eyes, run a comb through my hair, and head out of the door. On my way to the main dining room, I pass another room, which I haven’t seen before. It’s Aiden’s office.

The smell of fine leather, wood, and a mist of citrus spread to the hallway. Aiden’s dressed in a pair of wrinkled slacks from last night and a t-shirt. His hair is still a mess and there’s a bit of stubble coming in. I doubt that he even had time to brush his teeth. I peek into the room. The walls are dark burgundy color, making the room look much smaller than it really is. The far side of the wall is made of delicate built-in bookshelves, which are a perfect match to the large, imposing desk facing the door. I wave to him, but he’s too distracted to notice. So, I decide to get on my way.

Once I get to the dining room, I see that breakfast is already set up. There’s a large buffet selection with four different types of eggs, bagels, fruit, oatmeal, and a variety of bread. There are two waiters to help you make fresh waffles and pancakes. At the far end, there’s a stand for five different types of coffee and tea as well as juice and practically anything else you can think of. I opt for a plate of creamy scrambled eggs, a piece of toast, and a small bowl of blueberries.

“Ellie!” I hear a familiar voice calling my name from somewhere across the room as I pour myself a cup of English Breakfast tea. When I turn around with my tray, I see that it’s Caroline. She’s waving me over to her table.

“Oh my God! I thought I was going to have to have breakfast all alone,” she says when I sit down. “You’re the first person who came into this room in close to half an hour.”

In case you haven’t guessed it, Caroline isn’t the type to ever eat at a restaurant alone. She needs people for basic sustenance.

“How was your night?” I ask.

“Fantastic! It was absolutely amazing!” Caroline exclaims.

“Oh my God, I was so nervous, Ellie. I really didn’t know if I could do it. But I just told myself, it’s going to be fine. The guy will probably be great. Besides, I’ve slept with a ton of guys who weren't particularly hot and definitely didn’t pay me one hundred and thirty thousand dollars.”

“That is a lot of money,” I agree.

“The thing is that it’s not that my family doesn’t have money. I mean, I don't have to work for minimum wage at some shitty job. But, still, one hundred and thirty grand doesn’t just come to you every day, does it? I mean for one night of sex that you might have had for free anyway.”

I nod. She does have a point.

“So, tell me about the guy.”

Caroline’s eyes light up. “His name is Taylor. He’s a bit older. He’s in his early forties. But he’s really ripped. And hot. He’s not very tall, but he’s tan and has a really nice body. He definitely doesn’t skip the gym.”

“That sounds great.”

“He’s a lawyer. Works for some big Wall Street law firm. His friend invited him to this party. Apparently, he’s going through a divorce and his ex-wife isn’t really into sex. Not after she had the two kids. So things haven’t really been going that well.”

“Wow, you really got to know him,” I say.

“Yeah, I did. Well, we didn’t get down to it right away. This was a new thing for both of us. So, we spent a few hours getting to know each other first.”

A few hours. Wow. I am actually taken aback by that. He must’ve made an impression because I doubted that Caroline spent a few hours getting to know anyone before.

“He told me all about his ex and the divorce. It was kind of intense actually. I mean, she’s taking him to the cleaners over the whole thing. They’ve been together forever. Like thirteen years.”

“So how was…everything else?” I ask.

“You mean the sex?” Caroline asks. Her eyes light up at the thought. “It was amazing. We did it twice! Ordered food after the first time and then did it again. I barely slept as you can imagine. But he did make me come twice.”

“Wow,” I say. “I don’t remember a guy who made you orgasm even once recently.”

“I know, right?” She shakes her head. “I think guys our age just don't know what they’re doing. Or they’re too much into themselves. But Taylor…oh my God, Ellie. He really took his time. He was there for me. He’s definitely a keeper.”

I can’t help but smile. I don't remember the last time Caroline has ever said that about a guy except for her boyfriend from high school who broke her heart. But I’m happy for her. It’s about time she got a little less jaded about men. I mean she is only a woman in her early twenties. It’s not healthy to hold opinions of a divorce in her forties at her young age.

“So, do you think you’ll see him again?” I ask.

She takes a sip of her coffee, nodding.

“We exchanged numbers and he said that he wants to see me again. In the city.”

“That’s great.”

“I mean, I know that all men say that. Oh, hell, I’ve said that to numerous guys myself without ever having any intention of following through. But I really hope he does. I really like him, Ellie.”

---

***

After breakfast, Caroline and I head back to our rooms to get our stuff. Lizbeth has arranged for the helicopter to take us back home. Once I have all of my stuff, I stop by Aiden’s office to say goodbye but he’s nowhere to be found. Then I knock on his suite door and check for him in the library. But he’s not there either.

Hmm, that’s odd. But I guess he’s busy, I think to myself. I mean, yes, of course, I know that he’s busy. His company is going up in flames, partly because of me. But I still can’t help feeling a bit disappointed at the fact that we can’t say good-bye and exchange a kiss. My disappointment is confounded by the fact that Taylor comes out to the helicopter pad to see Caroline. He gives her a warm hug and a long kiss and whispers something in her ear. Caroline wasn’t lying. He’s definitely easy on the eyes, even for a much older guy.

The flight back is uneventful. Caroline continues to gush about Taylor all the way back, and I listen unenthusiastically, lost in my own thoughts about Aiden. Why didn’t he say good-bye? When will I see him again? Will everything be okay with this whole mess with Blake?

Finally, when we’re about to land in Manhattan, Caroline asks me about my night. It catches me a bit off guard and, for a moment, I debate whether I should mention Blake at all. But I feel embarrassed about the whole thing. I mean, being tied up and having a blindfold over my eyes and having the wrong guy come in the room. I know that it’s not my fault, but I can’t help feeling like I did something wrong. In the end, I decide to pass on it. It should’ve never happened. I don't blame Aiden for it anymore. I know it’s all Blake’s fault. But I still have trouble admitting the truth out loud.

“So, he just showed up to your room? And everything was…fine?” Caroline asks.

I nod. “Yes, it was. It was great actually. Very sexy,” I lie.

“See, I told you! I knew it. Of course, you had nothing to worry about. I mean, Aiden wouldn’t let someone else bid on you at his party on his yacht. What kind of guy would do that?”

My cheeks flush from embarrassment, and I turn away from her so she doesn’t notice. A part of me wants to stand up for Aiden. I mean it was an accident. And he was very angry about it. But another part knows that she’s right. It should’ve never happened. Especially, if he knew that Blake had his eye on me. Suddenly, I consider confessing to the truth. Caroline and I are good friends, and we don't keep things from each other. But the more she talks about how of course I had nothing to worry about, the less inclined I am to tell her the truth.