Layla
Seeing Ashton stepping out of the car, a wave of relief washed over me. Thank god, it’s only him, I thought.
“Ashton! You scared the shit out of me!” I yelled at him. I heard a deep chuckle escape him as he walked toward me.
“That’s how you treat someone who helped you last night?” he said as he came to a stop in front of me. I had to tilt my head up just to see his face, he was that much taller than me. I looked him over and saw he had removed his suit jacket and was just wearing a white button-up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and no tie. He was actually very sexy—sexier than when he was fully dressed up in his suit and tie. At the mention of last night, I couldn’t stop the shiver that ran down my back. He must have noticed, because he came a step closer.
“I’ve taken it as my duty to make sure you get home safely,” Ashton said. I couldn’t help but scoff.
“It isn’t your ‘duty.’ I’ll be fine on my own,” I said, defending myself.
“Yeah, right. One second you’re by yourself, and then you’re being surrounded by a group of men. So, no, you won’t be fine on your own,” he said.
“You don’t even know me. Why are you talking as if you know me?” I asked, cocking my hip and putting my hand on it. He stared at me.
“Do you want a ride or not?” he snapped.
Whoa, what suddenly crawled up his ass? I stared at him debating if I should get in the car with him. For one, I didn’t know him at all, even though I’d “slept” with him last night, and second, I barely found out he was a multimillionaire, and third…well, I didn’t really have a third. A small part of me wanted to get in the car. Kacey is always telling me to do something fun and be carefree for once, so maybe I should. You don’t know what it could lead to. Biting my lip, I glanced around. Before I could think about it anymore, I opened my mouth.
“Okay.” I was shocked the moment the word left my lips. Apparently so was he, because he stood still for a second, surprise on his face.
“Okay, let’s go,” he said, clearing his throat.
I followed behind him as he walked to the back of the car. As we got closer, I saw the outline of a guy in the driver’s seat. Ashton has a driver? Really? He opened the door behind the driver’s side. Smiling in thanks, I slid inside, trying to do it gracefully and not flash him unwanted skin. Now that would be embarrassing. When I slid all the way over, Ashton came in after me, sitting next to me. I looked around the limo and tried hard not to stare like a weirdo. I’d never been in a limo, but I didn’t want Ashton thinking I was a weirdo or giving him more reason to think I was low class.
“You have a driver,” I said to him.
“Yes. This is Clark. He is my main driver and bodyguard,” Ashton said, nodding to Clark. Clark had dark brown hair and didn’t look a day over thirty. He was kind of scary, but when he flashed me a small smile, I smiled back, not feeling scared about him. He was probably one of those guys who looked scary but were really big softies.
“Hi Clark,” I said, nodding in greeting.
“So, you want to go home?” Ashton asked.
“Yeah, where else would I go?” I said in a “duh” tone.
“With me to my place,” he said immediately, sending me a smirk.
“You wish.” Yeah, Layla, just play it off. Instead of replying, he just sat there staring at me. Silence wrapped itself around us. The only sound that could be heard was the engine. “What?” I finally snapped, hating the silence and his stare. His blue eyes seemed to see my soul and everything buried under it, like he could see my demons.
“I need your address to get you home,” Ashton said calmly. I blushed and looked down at my hands.
“Sorry. It’s 225 Thornley Avenue, right by Kelly’s Bookstore and Coffee Shop,” I said. Ashton nodded then leaned to tell Clark the directions. I could see Clark nod, then the car started forward. Ashton turned back around and looked at me.
“Thank you,” I said quietly, feeling embarrassed and somewhat shy.
We sat in silence as the car moved down the street toward downtown New York. Even though I’d lived here my whole life, heading downtown and seeing all the tall buildings and shops on the road somehow made me excited, and had me looking out the window like a five-year-old. We drove over the bridge making our way into downtown.
“So, have you always lived here?” Ashton asked me suddenly.
“Uh, yes,” I said, looking back at him. “You?”
“Yeah, I have. It’s my home town.” He smiled out the window.
“Mine too.”
Once again, silence laced itself around us. It wasn’t uncomfortable silence though. For some strange reason, it felt right and easy being around Ashton. Yep, I’d either become crazy or was losing my mind. I hadn’t even known him a full day yet and here I was, inside his car and feeling as if it were right to be doing so. If this were like any regular day, I would be in a cab heading home while Ashton would either be at work or taking “home” one of his many girls. I’ve heard enough about him through the news, aka Kacey, about his little ‘escapades’ with plenty of girls. Hell, he was the most eligible bachelor in New York for crying out loud. It’s no wonder he had plenty of girls hanging off his arm.
We stayed silent as Clark drove through the traffic and toward my apartment. The sun was starting to set; it was about twenty after five. Finally, I saw my street and the car came to a stop. I looked up at my building feeling sad that I had to leave.
“Well, this is me,” I said, turning to Ashton to thank him. “Thank you for the ride.”
“You’re welcome. Oh, wait, I have something for you,” Ashton said, reaching into his pockets and pulling something out. “I believe this belongs to you.” He held out my cellphone.
“You had it? Thank you!” I said, surprised. I thought I wouldn’t be able to get it back from him. I gently took it from his hand, my fingertips grazing his fingers. There was something about his touch that made my skin tingle and feel all fuzzy. He was like a battery, and when you touched it you felt a small spark along your skin.
“Yeah. You left it at my apartment this morning in your rush,” he said, shooting me a smile.
“Sorry about that.” I blushed. “I didn’t think you’d want me hanging around when you got up, so I hurried and left.”
“It’s fine. But you owe me.” He smirked.
“Owe you?”
“Yes. I took care of you and you didn’t even stick around so yes, you owe me. You owe me a date.”
“I—uh, what?”
“Yes. I’ll let you know when. Now get your fine ass out. I got meetings to go to.” He made a shooing motion with his hands.
“You serious?” I said, shooting him a glare.
“Yes.” The door opened and Clark stood just beside it, waiting for me. I turned and looked back at Ashton and shook my head. He’s so weird. “Bye, Layla,” he said as I slid out the car.
“Bye,” I called back and thanked Clark. All he did was nod. It was weird that I’d seen him multiple times, but he hadn’t said a single word. I watched as the car drove away, and started to smile. That was the weirdest car ride to say the least. I turned and made my way up to my apartment with a smile on my face.
I made my way up the stairs thinking about Ashton the entire time. My mind wouldn’t shut up for some reason and it was starting to make me worry. Why am I suddenly thinking about him? Hell, why am I thinking about guys in general? It had been ingrained in my head that I would never find someone, and that I was never good enough. So, thinking about a guy should be the last thing I was doing. It seemed Ashton had a hold on my brain and I wouldn’t be able to shake him off anytime soon.
“Is that you, Layla?” called Kacey.
“Yeah,” I called back, setting my apron and keys on the table we had by the front door.
“How was work?”
“It was okay,” I said, debating with myself if I should tell her that I had to help Ashton and got a ride from him. She’s your best friend. You have to tell her. “I have something to tell you,” I said finally, walking into the kitchen and finding her leaning back up from the fridge with a tub of cookie dough in her hand. That was another reason her and me were best friends. We both loved cookie dough with a passion and thought it was a major food group.
“What is it? Did you do something wrong?” she accused as she grabbed two spoons and walked past me to the couch.
“No! It’s not something bad. And I didn’t do anything!” I took a seat next to her and grabbed the spoon she held out to me. Taking a deep breath, I told her all about this afternoon.
“What?” she yelled, practically jumping up and waving her spoon full of cookie dough. “You served him then got a ride home from him! How sweet of him to offer.” She made an aww face and smiled at me.
“I guess. He was probably just doing it because he felt bad about what happened last night,” I reasoned, digging my spoon in for some more cookie dough. I took a bite almost angrily because I didn’t want it to be true, but I knew it was.
“Yeah, right. I think he likes you.”
“No, he doesn’t. He just feels responsible or something.”
“He saved your phone and gave it back to you. He waited until you were off to give you a ride. If it were me, I would have thrown your phone away and left the minute I was done eating. I wouldn’t wait for your sorry ass,” Kacey said.
“Aw thanks, Kacey. It’s great knowing how much you love me,” I said sarcastically. She just smiled at me.
“He likes you. Try and deny it but I know you hope he does!” she said, shooting me a pointed look.
“I…never mind. I’m not getting into this. Let’s just watch Pretty Little Liars.”
She held her hands up in surrender and leaned back into the couch. For the next hour, we sat on our couch watching Pretty Little Liars and eating more cookie dough then should be allowed. The sound of my phone beeping from a text made me get up and grab it. Jumping back onto the couch, I looked down and almost gasped and laughed at the same time.
Sexy Beast (Ashton): Layla, I am picking you up tomorrow at nine a.m. sharp. Dress comfortable and sexy. ;) Don’t think about me too much tonight. See you tomorrow.
“What? Who’s it from?” Kacey asked, leaning over me to see. “Ashton texted you! And he wants to see you tomorrow, and he added his name into your phone!” she said rapidly.
“Kacey, breathe,” I said
“This is great! Layla, you have a date with a hot millionaire!” Kacey screamed. I leaned away from her wanting to protect my eardrums.
“It’s not a date! He just wants to see me or something,” I said, trying to play it off like it was no big deal even though it was. On the outside, I was calm, but on the inside, I was freaking out.
“Layla, you will not ruin this for me! You are going on a date with Ashton! We need to figure out what you’re going to wear.” She got up and grabbed my hand, dragging me toward my bedroom.
I would be lying if I said I was actually looking forward to tomorrow. I, Layla Kingston, am going on a date with a hot multimillionaire.