HAPTER 7
With the antibiotic prescription in hand, Ellyn and Colton took Derek back to their apartment. Ellyn was uncomfortable, but Colton had seemed to take her rebuff in stride. He wasn’t angry.
Well, he wasn’t showing any signs that he was angry. Traffic was heavy since it was now rush hour.
“I don’t travel during this time. I forget how many cars there are on the road,” Ellyn said.
“I wait until after this is done, myself,” Colton said.
Ellyn stared out the window. She wasn’t sure what to say to Colton. He’d been so generous to her and Derek today. Then she told him she didn’t want to date him. She did, but she really thought that she should concentrate on her career.
The man was sex on a stick with his jet black hair and fierce blue eyes. How could she turn him down? But she didn’t want her career contingent upon his feelings. Or hers. That could be dangerous.
Once she’d had a taste of the good life, she didn’t think she’d want to be back in the Bronx. Also, she wanted to work on her terms and be successful on her own terms. No one else’s.
She wasn’t one to live by someone else’s rules.
She’d lost too much of herself in her relationship with Derek’s father. She didn’t want to be defined by the man she was with and she’d thought that Colton would overshadow her.
On the other hand, he would be a great role model for Derek. Ellyn was torn, but she had to stick to her decision not to date him.
Paul, the driver, turned onto her street. In front of her building were many police cars and an ambulance.
“What’s going on?” she said.
A chill went through her. Things had been quiet. The neighborhood was due for something to happen. Why did it have to be today?
“I’ll go see,” Colton said.
He was out the door before she could stop him. What if it was dangerous? What if something happened to him? She’d never forgive herself.
She looked down at Derek, asleep on the seat. She couldn’t leave him.
“Can you see what’s happening?” Ellyn asked.
“Colton is talking to a police officer,” Paul said. “He’ll find out what’s going on. No one refuses Mr. Hamilton.”
Ellyn stifled a snort. She had. And on the same day he’d done so many nice things for her. Guess she was not the average person. Growing up in this neighborhood had made her tougher than most.
Certainly tougher than the average Manhattanite.
Colton strode back to the car. He slid in, closing the door lightly. Derek didn’t stir. He had his head on her lap and his feet by Colton, who didn’t seem to mind. The doctor had said Derek had a dual ear infection.
Poor kid.
“There’s been a shooting,” Colton said. “You and Derek cannot stay here tonight.”
“They aren’t letting us back in our building?”
“Not yet, but I’m insisting that you come home with me. It isn’t safe.”
“Uh, I live here. We’ll be fine,” Ellyn said.
He turned his gaze at her as if he couldn’t believe what she said. “Ellyn, please. Think of Derek. This isn’t safe.”
Ellyn shrugged. “There are shootings here once a month. We’ll be fine.”
“I’m begging you, Ellyn. Don’t go home. Come with me.”
She sighed. He was going to be insistent. “We don’t have clothes.”
“I can get you clothes.”
Oh, crap. “Really? You don’t think you’ve done enough for us today?”
“Ellyn, you’re going to make me money. Besides, I like you and Derek. I want you to be safe. I’ve got plenty of room. We could wander around my place for days and not run into each other.”
She looked at Derek, sleeping peacefully between them. The boy moved his feet onto Colton’s lap. All the man did was put his hand on her son’s ankle. The act seemed protective.
She had to admit, she wouldn’t sleep tonight knowing someone had been shot. Might be nice to feel safe. Even if it was for one night. With her new career, she would bring that to Derek’s life.
It was her responsibility, not Colton’s. “One night.”
“Okay. We’ll start there.”
“Start?”
“I have an idea, but we can talk later. We need to get your contract signed before I start giving orders,” Colton said.
“Giving orders?”
He waved his hand. “Just routine stuff.”
“No one orders me around.”
“It will all help your career and your son. No worries.”
Ellyn was having second thoughts as Paul turned the car around. She hadn’t had anyone tell her what to do in ages. She wasn’t sure she liked the sound of that. Giving someone else power had only happened once. Derek was the result. As much as she loved her son, she wasn’t sure she could give up control that easily.
Hopefully, she and Colton would not butt heads too often. She would take advice.
“I’ll take what you have to say into consideration, but I don’t appreciate being commanded.”
He flashed her a wide smile. “I’ll remember that, Ellyn. I’m sure we’ll get along fine.”
***
Colton watched Ellyn as her eyes widened at his apartment. Penthouse, really. Four bedrooms, one of which he used as an office, but it had a bed in it also. He would put the sleeping Derek down in there.
Right now, he wanted to see Ellyn’s reaction to his home. He was not sure why it was so important, but he wanted her to like his place. He hadn't done much decorating, but he’d made it homey.
Even as big as it was.
“Why don’t you put him down?” Ellyn said.
He’d been staring as her eyes widened, then she seemed to recover. She’d been shocked, he could tell. His living room was larger than her whole apartment. And the view. He loved the view.
“I’ll put him down on the day bed in my office,” Colton said.
He carried the little boy, who hadn’t stirred, putting him on the single bed. He tucked the covers around him. Ellyn was at the door. She kissed her son on the head, and then followed Colton back to the living room.
“Will he sleep for long?” Colton asked.
“I don’t know. I’m glad I was able to get the first dose of antibiotic in him.”
“You hungry? I can make us dinner.”
She looked around at his place. Her gaze seemed to be taking it all in. “I could eat. You don’t have to go to any trouble.”
“I love to cook, but have no one to cook for.” He motioned for her to follow him. He entered his modern kitchen, and opened the refrigerator.
“Wow. That’s one stocked fridge,” Ellyn said.
She stood in the room as if lost among the cherry cabinets and stainless steel appliances.
“I have someone come in and do it for me every couple of weeks.”
“Do you cook for yourself that much?”
“I do, when I can. At least four times a week. If I can find someone to eat with me, all the better.”
He began to pull out items for a salad. He put them on the counter then rummaged around for tomato sauce. Everyone liked spaghetti. He even thought he had some ravioli in here. Nothing fancy. He would have loved to show off his culinary skills, but he figured Derek might not be interested in anything too odd.
“Can I help?” Ellyn said.
“Uh. No. You’re my guest.”
“I’d really feel better if you let me do something.”
He acquiesced. “Boards are under the counter there. Knives in the block. Can you make a salad?”
“Sure.”
She washed her hands then got to work. Colton found some bread and knew he had garlic so he could make garlic bread to go along with the ravioli. He put a pot on to boil and then sauce in another one to heat it up.
“What are you making?”
“Just some ravioli and sauce. Does Derek have any allergies?”
“No, thankfully. He’s pretty healthy, present sickness aside.”
Colton laughed. “Kids get sick. My sister has three boys and when they were Derek’s age they seemed to be sick all of the time.”
“You have a sister?”
“Yes. Younger. She’s married and lives in New Jersey. I go out to see her when I can. Her boys are teens now and running her ragged.” He snapped his fingers. “I forgot. I better get you some clothes.”
“Clothes?”
He picked up the phone and called down to the doorman. “George, I need some clothes sent up. Boys and a woman’s.” He handed Ellyn the phone. “You tell him what you need. I have toothbrushes and various shampoos, but he’ll get whatever you want.”
Ellyn looked at the receiver as if it were a snake, then took it from him. She spoke to the doorman, and gave hers and David’s sizes for pants and simple tops, then handed it back to Colton. “He’ll get us stuff?”
“Yes. One of the perks of this building. There are shops on the bottom floor and the concierge can get into them and charge stuff to my credit card.”
Ellyn looked at him as if he had two heads. “Wow.”
She went back to chopping tomatoes and greens for a simple salad, and she poked through the fridge, looking for a dressing. The water was almost boiling. Colton opened the package of ravioli, dumping it into the salted water.
Derek appeared in the doorway, his hair sticking up. “Mom, I’m hungry.”
“We’re making dinner, Derek,” Colton said.
Derek nodded. He seemed to be adjusting to Colton’s place better than his mother was.
“You thirsty?” Ellyn said.
“Yes.”
“Glasses are in the cabinet above your head,” Colton said.
“Juice?” Derek asked.
“I think I only have milk, son,” Colton said.
“That’ll be fine.”
She poured her son a glass then sat him at the table in the middle of the room. “Sit here.”
Colton watched the interaction between the two of them and it warmed his heart. Like a family. Like he had a family. Had he ever wanted one of those?
He’d spent so much time working, maybe it was time for him to slow down. After he launched Ellyn’s career. That came first.
“What?” Ellyn asked when she returned to the counter.
“It’s just nice to have others here. Especially a kid,” he said.
“Never considered getting married?”
“I’ve been married to my job. It wouldn't have been fair to a wife.”
“And now?”
“I’m thinking it’s time to slow down.”
*
Ellyn yawned and then put her head down on the pillow. This was the softest bed she’d ever slept in. She could get used to this. She yawned again.
Derek had gone back to sleep after dinner and a bath.
And Colton, well, he was in a room somewhere in here. She’d wished him goodnight after the wonderful dinner he cooked. He insisted that she looked beat and that he would clean up.
She’d wanted to argue but her yawns stopped her.
Her eyes drooped and then she was gone into dreamland.
She was suddenly back in her apartment. She could hear shots outside. Not an unusual occurrence, but today she knew the shooter was coming for her. She couldn’t get to Derek. Where was he? Did he sneak out the door?
She called him. He didn’t answer. She opened the door a little, but couldn’t see him in the hallway. She had to find him. Where was he? It was her job to protect him.
Her heart thudded in her chest as she slipped out into the dark hallway. More shots rang out and she froze.
There was Derek. At the end of the hall. Somehow, she knew the killer was climbing the steps. She called out to Derek, but he didn’t react. Did he not hear her?
She raced toward him, but the hall lengthened. She wouldn’t get to him in time. The door to the stairwell opened. There was the killer.
She yelled for Derek again. The shooter raised the gun to Derek’s head and Ellyn screamed.
She felt strong arms around her.
“Ellyn?”
She heard that voice in the distance as she struggled. She had to get to Derek. When she finally woke up, she realized where she was. In a strange bedroom. In Colton’s apartment. With Colton wrapped around her. He had his arms around her, and her face pressed into his muscular chest.
Wow. She did not want to move. Her breath hitched.
“Ellyn, it’s okay. It was just a dream,” he said.
She could hear his voice and feel the vibrations of it in his chest. He was warm and had a bit of hair on top of his pectoral muscles. She’d never felt as safe in her life as he murmured into her hair, stroking her back.
“I’m awake,” she whispered finally.
He didn’t let go. “You okay?”
Her heart still pounded in her chest. “I think so. I dreamt that someone was trying to kill Derek.”
“That’s awful, I’m sure. He’s safe in the next room. The building has the best security money can buy.”
She noticed he only had boxers on. The hall light threw light onto them and she could see his strong legs.
She shouldn’t be perusing the body of the man who would eventually be her boss, but she was enjoying the sights. And the touch of his large hands on her. She imagined what those hands could do and she shivered.
“You cold?”
He pulled the covers over her.
She nudged him away, not wanting to lose the contact, but needing some space. “I’m okay.”
“You were screaming.”
She wiped her face. “That was terrible.”
“I can imagine. I checked on Derek right before bed. He was sound asleep. I put his covers back on.”
“How long ago was that?”
“Ten minutes.”
“I need to go see him.”
He let her go, but followed as she looked in on her son. Derek was asleep, his foot outside of the covers. She tucked his foot back in then left him alone. Not thinking about Colton following her, she went back to her bed.
Colton stood in the doorway. “You going to be okay?”
She swallowed. He looked like a god standing with the light behind him. Tall, dark and handsome for sure.
“Not sure I’m going to get back to sleep.”
“You want to talk?”
The word “no” was on her lips, but she must have autocorrect, because she heard herself say, “Yes.”
She slid under the covers, but put a pillow behind her so she could sit up.
“Can I turn the light on?”
“Sure.”
He did so, then sat on the bottom of the bed. Clearly giving her some space. She wasn’t sure she wanted it. Suddenly making love with Colton seemed like a good idea.
She was alive and so was Derek. She needed to affirm that.
And it had been a long time since she’d been with a man. This man had made her feeler safer in one night than Chance ever had. He also offered her a future. Even if she didn’t sleep with him.
Which she wanted to do. Right now. She bit her lip.
“You look perplexed, Ellyn. As if you’re struggling with a decision. Are you having second thoughts about the contract?”
“No, not about the contract. I’m looking forward to getting started on that.”
“Then what?”
She sighed. “I’ll tell you when I’ve made my decision.”
He cocked his head. “Can I help with the decision?”
“I don’t think so.”
He moved closer to her, putting his hands on her arms. He leaned down, touching her lips with his. They were warm, soft, and inviting. If she leaned in a little closer, she could deepen the kiss.
Her head buzzed and she went for it.
***
Colton had fully expected Ellyn to reject him. He’d expected her to be mad at him, but he’d wanted to taste those full lips again. Could he kiss away whatever fears she had?
When she deepened the kiss and her tongue snaked out to meet his, his heart skipped a beat. His friend in his pants woke up. God he wanted this woman. In so many ways, but right now, he wanted her in his bed. Naked.
He broke off the kiss. “You sure about this, Ellyn?”
Her “yes” came out as a breathy whisper.
“Let me close the door,” he said.
He did, then returned to where she sat with her lips swollen from his onslaught. She was all woman right now. She gazed at him. She must be sure of her decision.
He shucked off his boxers and her eyebrows went up. He hoped she liked what she saw. It was all he had.
She patted the bed next to her and he didn’t wait another second to slide in beside her.
“Ellyn,” was all he could say.
Here she was. In bed. Not his, per se, but she’d invited him into the one she was going to sleep in. No reluctance.
He saw the passion in her eyes and he hoped he’d never see that in her photos. He wanted that dark look all to himself. Ellyn put her arms around his neck, pulling him close.
“Colton.”
He grabbed the hem of the nightshirt she wore. She let go of him to shrug out of it. She was naked underneath. He’d been talking to her when she had no panties on.
That was hot.
He cleared his throat as his gaze roved over her perfect body. There were miles of smooth, dark skin. Just a touch of hair at the juncture of her legs and then more smooth dark skin. All his for the night.
His mouth went dry and like a little kid at the candy counter, he wasn’t sure what to begin with. Not smooth on his part.
She tugged him back to her lips with one arm hooked around his neck and her hand snaked down to wrap around his dick. Damn.
“I would be careful down there. It might go off.”
She giggled against his lips. Then he kissed down her neck. She tasted of peaches. His lips tingled against her soft skin. He licked his way down to one of her breasts. Weighing it in his hand, he reveled in the softness of the globe before he put his mouth on her nipple.
She arched her back and her breath came out in pants.
“Oh, Colton.”
He hadn’t even gotten started yet and she was already squirming under him. If he didn’t distract himself, he was going to lose it. He wanted this to be perfect. He knew the first time could set the tone for the rest of their lovemaking.
He nipped at her nipple before moving to her other one. Her fingers held his shoulders in a death grip, her nails digging in.
While he worshiped her breast, his one hand went south. She was wet. For him. He found her nubbin and circled it with his finger. She spread her legs, giving him better access.
He rubbed, pushing just a little harder. Her back arched even further. Her breath came out in small pants. She was close. Her fingers dug in further.
Then she went stiff, her breathing stopped, then a “yikes” came out of her. He smiled against her stomach. He loved to do that to a woman.
Her chest heaved. Her eyes remained closed, her mouth slightly open.
“Damn,” was all she said.
He kissed his way back up to her mouth and took control of her lips. His hands ran over her whole body. He reached into the nightstand, hoping there was a condom. He hadn’t entered her room thinking of sex. Well, he had, but he never thought it would actually happen.
She grabbed the pack from him and he rolled off her to give her access. She rolled on the condom like an expert.
She turned over to her back, bringing him with her.
Then he entered her. It had been awhile and she was so warm and wet surrounding him.
He paused when he was fully in, taking in the sensation of her arms around him and her body around him. This never got old.
Then he moved, bracing his elbows on either side of her head. Her body reached up to greet him with every stroke. What a willing participant she was.
He was not going to last. Think about stock options and prospectuses. Numbers. Oh God. It wasn’t working.
Gritting his teeth, he slowed his rhythm. He gained control of himself. This had to be good for her. Her back arched and she could feel her vagina convulse around him. That pushed him over the edge, light exploding behind his eyes.
He stopped breathing while he thrust into her, then he was done. His body went limp, but he held himself over her, not wanting to crush her.
“Ellyn.”
Her eyes opened to slits. “Colton.”
From the look of pure joy on her face, he must have been good.