After I manned up, and told that beautiful creature that I’d basically just wait it out until she was ready to drop the facade and be herself, her entire disposition changed. We laughed, and we talked for hours. Karen’s advice had lurked in the back of my mind, reminding me that part of my job was to be what Elise needed. Someone to count on. After we had dinner, and then coffee, we decided to go for a walk before calling it a night. Obviously it was my suggestion, and after having gotten to know her a bit, it was clear that she was the decision-maker in every aspect of life, and my summation was that she’d grown tired of it.

“Did you grow up in New York?” she asked me as we strolled down the street casually.

“I did. My parents still live upstate. I moved to the city a few years ago for work, but I visit for the holidays and stuff. My mom and dad like to come down and see shows now and again, and we’ll have dinner, that sort of thing when they do. What about you?”

“I’m a city girl. Always have been.” She shivered; the wind was picking up again, and it turned cold quickly. Elise wasn’t wearing a jacket, and she looked like she was freezing, so I took mine off and wrapped it around her.

“Oh, I’m ok—” I stopped her before she could finish.

“Let me take care of you,” I demanded. Then, softly added, “At least just a little bit?” I had pulled her small frame square with mine so she’d meet my eyes.

Smiling, she nodded and simply replied, “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” I teased her.

“You’d be surprised.” She rolled her eyes.

It was getting late, and most of the businesses had closed up for the night. We were standing by a little alcove that was the locked-up entrance to a small sewing shop. Taking her by the hands, I pulled her into the alcove, out of the wind, but also tight to me. Elise stiffened at first, until I held her as close as possible without squishing her, and kissed the top of her head. As her body began to soften into mine, I leaned back just a bit so I could look down at her. At six-foot-three, I towered over her. She couldn’t have been more than five-foot-four, and having my arms around her made me feel strong. My instinct was to protect her. From what, I wasn’t sure, but it felt like I needed to.

Raising a hand to lift her chin so she’d look at me, I watched her nervous smile turn serious. She knew what I was going to do, and as I gently pressed my lips to hers, she shuddered, as if startled. That didn’t stop me, though. I had to taste those pink lips that taunted me like sweet candy. Making out against a building in the city probably wasn’t the most romantic gesture a guy could offer a woman of her status, but she didn’t seem to complain, melting into me as I gently licked her bottom lip.

When her hands rose to my waist, her fingertips glided along my side, shooting chills through my core, igniting my cock. I’d been able to keep that in check all night, but then, with her tight body pressed to mine, I couldn’t help but to have a raging hard-on. Elise was smart, se,xy and successful. She didn’t need me at all. She wanted me. And that was fucking hot. I slid one hand down to her perfect ass, taking a nice handful, while raising my other to her exposed neck. She was so fucking sexy, I wanted to ravage her right there in the street, and when she slid her hands up my sides, I almost came on the spot. Her touch was intent, but gentle.

I knew she deserved more that to get felt up on the side of a filthy building, so I pulled away begrudgingly. Inspecting her face, she seemed disinclined to stop as well.

“You deserve more than a fuck against the wall in New York City,” I whispered. I wrapped my arms around her, resting my chin on top of her head as I pulled her close again.

“Are you sure?” she asked, letting out a giggle. I loved her little laugh. I could see that she didn’t do it often enough.

Laughing, I pulled away, scanning her face. She was cracking jokes about fucking in what equated to an alley. I was gonna fall for this woman. It was inevitable. Four hours with her, and I knew. She was fucking sassy, and oh, do I love sassy. And that ass. I couldn’t wait to see that ass, up close and personal. In a bed. In a bed. In a bed, I started to repeat to myself, to calm my cock down, who was clearly not ready to take things down a notch.

“I’m quite sure that the first time I have you won’t be on the side of a road, in downtown Manhattan. Let’s get you to your car where you can warm up. You’re freezing.” I wrapped my jacket around her more tightly, and put my arm around her as we walked back to where her driver was waiting with her town car.

“Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For calling me out on my bullshit. It’s quite exhausting to be a strong independent woman who doesn’t need a man. Tonight, I felt like I could relax for the first time in I can’t remember how long.”

“Something tells me it won’t be the last time,” I teased her.

“I’m going to go ahead and admit that you’re probably right,” she laughed. Her laugh was genuine, and I could listen to it all day.

When we reached her car, she took off my jacket, handing it back.

“So, when do I get to see you again? We’re a couple now, so how about tomorrow? You said you’re working from home. I’ll take the day off, you can tell me what your schedule looks like, and where you want me to be, and all of that?” I suggested.

I figured I’d need to appease her need for certainty in some ways. One of which would be to go over her schedule with me, so I’d know when she wanted me to attend things with her, and that sort of thing. My real goal was to weasel my way into her place so I could get to know her more, and hopefully get my hands on her again.

“That would be good. I know this is all kind of strange for both of us, but I truly appreciate how fully you’ve invested yourself in this. It’s making it so much easier for me.” She seemed to want to say more, but I decided to send her home and not press the issue. My intent was to see her every day, and work myself into her life however she’d let me. I knew enough about her by the end of the night, that I was not only smitten, but just generally impressed with the woman she was. I’d use the word proud, but that implies some kind of ownership in my eyes. I hadn’t quite established that just yet, but I could see right then and there, she’d be mine by the end of the contract year.

“Elise, it has been my absolute pleasure tonight. I’ll be looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.” I took her hand, raising it to my lips for a light kiss, then helped her get into her car. “Send me your address, please, so I know where to come in the morning.”

“Thank you, Carter,” she smiled shyly as she settled into the backseat and I shut the door. I stood and watched the car pull away into the night, and a reminiscent thought caused me to let out an audible chuckle at myself. I felt exactly like I did in high school when I was into a girl. The warm sensation in your belly that raises up to your chest when you’re in close contact with your crush; that feeling. I was totally affected by her. In one night. The next year was going to be incredible.