Chapter 3
“So then what happened?” Allison asks as she sifts through the clothes in my closet.
“We finished dinner, and he took me home.” It feels weird to summarize it so succinctly, but it happened so fast, I can’t even remember leaving the restaurant or riding back to my building. I recall his arms around me and his lips on mine. Then came goodbye. I didn’t want the night to end.
“You’ll see me tomorrow, Susie,” Colin reminded me at the time.
How did I reply? I have no clue. I must have gone inside and rode the elevator up. Did I watch his limo drive off first? Or did he wait for me to leave?
“I’m glad you had such a super time,” Allison says, handing me a poofy, teal skirt.
“It wasn’t supposed to be a date,” I insist. “We spent the first half of it talking about the center. I never would have let him kiss me like that right from the start.” I look down at the skirt. “What is this? A prom dress? No way.”
“What? It looks good.”
“I was thinking something that doesn’t shout ‘still a virgin.’”
Allison drops back. “He doesn’t know?”
I shake my head and roll my eyes. “How would he? We didn’t talk about it.”
“He might know. Or he could suspect it. Maybe he’s hoping for it,” she suggests.
“Eww, you think so?” I’ve heard of creepy guys obsessing over getting to bed virgins, but Colin isn’t like that, is he? He has his choice of women; what if that’s why he’s interested in me?
“Maybe, Susie! He’s a total playboy. Maybe he has a thing for taking away a young woman’s innocence.”
“He didn’t seem creepy to me,” I argue. “He was really charming.”
“Okay, maybe he doesn’t care about virgins.” Susie picks out a black dress, but between its spaghetti straps and sinking cut, it’s too revealing. I shake my head. Allison nods in agreement and puts it back.
“But he’s still a player, Susie,” she continues. “You know he’s slept with, like, half of Hollywood.”
“You’re exaggerating, but…” I try not to lie to myself: the posts of Colin’s bed definitely boast lots of notches. “So, he’s experienced? So what? That’s a good thing. Means he knows what he’s doing.”
Allison grins. “True. That’s definitely something you want for your first time, I’ll grant you. Okay, I trust you, Susie. You know I do. I just don’t want you to be taken in by a nice smile and a few smooth moves. You deserve better.”
I slide over to my friend and hug her tightly. “Thank you, Ali. I know you’re looking out for me.”
“Just be careful tonight. If you’re not ready, don’t-”
“Okay, okay, I get it!” I interrupt, laughing.
Allison lets go, spotting a long, black pencil dress. “Classy and sexy,” she says.
“Sold.”
—
My heart palpitates excitedly as my limo arrives at the address Colin texted. According to rumor, he’s tried to get this street renamed to Legend Boulevard, but I don’t know if it’s really true. Of course, Colin’s home would certainly be worthy of the moniker. The block is as posh as it gets in the city. Clean, wide sidewalks dotted with rosebushes invite foot traffic to one of the nicest commercial centers around. Unlike the neighborhood of Colin’s bistro, I’ve been here before.
Of course, I’ve never been given the code to the private, glass elevator, the one that glides silently straight up to the penthouse on the top floor. As the car ascends, I enjoy the view of the city growing smaller beneath me. Dusk splashes the sky pink and purple as the sun burns into the horizon.
Colin is there waiting when the doors open. Like last night, he’s wearing a suit of impeccable custom tailoring. The dark fabric is countered by a solid, sky blue tie. I pick up a trace of his cologne, a sweet but subtle nectar. “Susie, welcome.”
“Hello, Colin,” I say, leaning into him and planting a polite kiss on his cheek. His rough stubble feels harsh against my lips, but I don’t mind.
“Come,” he says, pulling me back into the elevator. I thought we would see his penthouse, but instead we ride up one more floor, to the roof.
For a minute, we stare out at the sunset without speaking. I’ve seen breathtaking vistas of the city before — from the boardroom of my father’s company headquarters, out the window of countless helicopter rides, and so on — but being here with Colin, my hand in his, the view never struck me as more beautiful.
“I like to come up here at sunset whenever I can,” he says. “That’s the thing about beauty. You never get tired of it.”
“Uh huh,” I reply, lost in his words.
“And sometimes, you can be blinded by beauty, and miss an even greater one right next to you.” He turns to me. “I could look at you all night long.”
Blushing, I turn away. “Thanks,” I say sheepishly.
A slight breeze kicks up and tosses my hair around. Colin laughs and puts his arm around my shoulders. “Come on, let’s sit down.” He gestures toward a small patio table in the roof’s center. Surrounded by heavy, potted plants and angelic statuary, the table is already set with a bottle of red wine and two glasses.
As I sit, he opens the bottle and pours our first glasses of the night. Sipping slowly, I finally break from the reverie of his compliment.
“Do you take all your dates up here at sunset?” I ask. “That’s a good line. Would be a shame to only use it once.”
Colin laughs loudly. “Does that mean I have your permission to use it on someone else?”
“Would you want to?” I snap. His suggestion angers me, even though I know he’s joking.
“No, Susie. I know I’ve got a reputation, but I don’t bring just anybody up here,” he asserts, dropping the levity from his tone. “I haven’t met too many women like you.”
“Oh.” I take a deep breath and relax. “Thanks. But is that really true, Mr. Legend? I would have thought you’d met lots of women like me.”
Colin shrugs. “I meet celebrities, mostly. Musicians, actors, models — I don’t meet many women who run and staff their own charity. When I first came to see you about donating to the center, I didn’t think I’d…”
He stops for a second, as if not sure what to say next. “What?”
“Sorry. I just didn’t expect to meet anyone as fascinating as you, Susie Lexington.”
I blush again and take another sip of wine to try and hide it. “I don’t know, I bet the movie stars and pop stars are pretty fascinating.”
Colin laughs. “Have you ever met any?”
“A few,” I shrug. “At galas, mostly. Sometimes backstage after a concert. They’ve seemed nice.”
He nods, finishing off his first glass of wine and pouring himself more. “Celebrities are just like any other large group of people. Some are the nicest folk you’ll ever meet; some are assholes. I’ve managed and represented plenty of both. I’ve partied until dawn with them, I’ve negotiated contracts all day with them. And yes, I’ve dated several. I swear, Susie, none of them made an impression like you.”
My heart hammers in my chest. I don’t know what to say next and could have died of nerves if not for the interruption of a pair of waiters arriving with plates, place settings, fresh bread, and an appetizer smelling of seafood.
“Thank you,” Colin says to them, nodding. “Do you like fried calamari?” he asks.
“Love it,” I say.
“Then dig in.”
The aroma has woken my stomach, which growls. The first heavenly bite is crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and not so hot it burns my tongue. Colin helps himself as well, clearly enjoying watching my own pleasure at the meal.
“Does this mean you’ve ordered for us?” I ask.
He nods. “Do you mind? This is from my own personal chef. I didn’t tell him what to make, just to knock it out of the park. He never disappoints.”
Taking another calamari and nearly fainting, I nod. “I’ll bet.”
“So, tell me, Susie: what led you to start your center?” asks Colin.
“My mother,” I reply.
“It must have been hard, growing up without her.”
“That’s just it, though: it wasn’t. I was only a few weeks old when she passed, so I never really knew her. Hearing about her growing up made me sad, but not the way I would be if she’d been a part of my life.”
“I see,” says Colin. “And with your father’s wealth, you didn’t have much to worry about.”
“Right. But I realized, what if he wasn’t rich? What would we do? That’s the situation many of the center’s clients are in, so we do for them what we can.”
“I’m sure your mother would be proud of you, Susie. To have inspired you in such a way. It means something good has come out of her passing.”
“Thanks,” I say, wondering if that is what she would think. Dad has never mentioned it, though talking about her is so painful for him, I try not to bring it up. Even after more than twenty years, I still hear the catch in his voice when she comes up in conversation.
“Susie, I’ve met so many young men and women born to obscene wealth. They might be willing to cut a check to a charity, but when they do, it’s usually to show off. None of them go as far as you. None of them care the way you do,” explains Colin. “That makes you something special.”
“Colin-” I start.
“I mean it, Susie. I’m just a little shocked that…” He trails off again and looks out into the night sky.
“What?”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m surprised you’re single. How has some lucky guy not scooped you up yet?”
I laugh and shake my head. “Don’t get me started.”
“What’s that mean?”
Before I can answer, the waiters return with bowls of a pink soup that steams in the cool evening air.
“Lobster bisque,” notes Colin. “Give it a minute to cool.”
“It smells incredible,” I say, twirling my soup spoon, not wanting to wait.
“First, tell me what you meant before. Have you had trouble with men? Forgive me if this is a sensitive subject, but I just have to know how I could possibly be so lucky.”
“Oh, stop,” I say, giggling. “It’s just that… I haven’t met the right guy.”
Colin nods and sips his wine. “Sounds like you’re being picky.”
“I’m here with you, no?” I quip.
“Ouch,” Colin laughs. “But seriously, you can afford to be picky, Susie. Someone like you shouldn’t settle. And who cares if people know you’re-”
“A virgin?” I interject. How could he tell? “I think it matters.”
Colin’s eyes widen as if a bomb just went off in front of him, but he recovers quickly. “I was going to say ‘single,’ Susie. Nobody cares if you’re single.”
“Oh,” I squeak.
Please, shoot me now.
“It’s been a lovely night, Mr. Legend,” I say, getting up. “I’ll be jumping off the roof of this building now. Are there any safety nets I should be aware of?”
Rising from his seat, Colin takes my hand. “Please, sit, Susie. It’s totally fine. Don’t be ridiculous.”
I shake my head. “I have never been so embarrassed-”
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. Come on, have dinner. If you don’t feel better, you can jump afterward, alright?”
A smile breaks across my face, despite myself. “Well when you put it that way…” I sit back down and try the bisque. Oh god.
“Worth living for?” Colin asks.
“You know it is.”
He sighs, tasting the soup for himself. “Yeah.”
We eat quietly, watching the skyscrapers light up as night swallows the city.
Finally, Colin says, “Hey Susie, mind if I be a little presumptuous?”
“Go ahead.” I figure I’ve already been mortified beyond belief; how could he make it any worse?
“If you are so upset about… your situation… I can help.”
I snort, laughing. “How noble of you.”
He chuckles briefly, but then his expression hardens. “I mean it. I’m not one to brag, but… You know my reputation. I know what to do when I’m with a woman. I could make your first time the kind of experience that’s worth the wait.”
As he speaks, I feel the throbbing grow between my legs. I can feel the pounding of my heart. His brilliant green eyes fixate on mine.
“Wouldn’t you like that?” he adds.
I gulp. “Yes, I would.” My voice is barely a whisper.
Colin gets up and drags his seat next to mine. He pulls me in for a kiss that isn’t gentle and loving: it’s hard and passionate. He holds me tightly, and I feel the heat of his body blazing against mine. Down below, I feel something thick and solid pressing against me. Even through both our clothes, it’s hard as steel.
I let myself fall into rapture as we kiss. When his hand wanders down my back and squeezes my bottom, I moan and tremble, aching for more. His fingers press into my skirt, finding the wet undergarment beneath. He rubs softly at first, allowing the pleasure to build, but already I can feel a wave of bliss on the verge of erupting.
“Colin,” I say, lips slipping from his.
“Mmm…” he hums, not stopping.
“I don’t think we should,” I mumble, looking to the roof entrance. What if the waiters show up with our next course? They could arrive at any second.
Colin abruptly withdraws his hand from my crotch. “If you’re not ready, we can wait, baby. If I’m going to be the first to claim you, I want it to be perfect.”
“Thank you,” I say, taking a deep breath.
He laughs. “I’ve got a reputation to uphold, remember?”
“Oh, ha ha. You’re very sweet, has anyone ever told you that?”
“Never.”
We stare at each other and grin as the waiters bring out our main course: grilled lamb with garlic butter and a side of truffle creamed spinach.
“I hope you’ve got more to offer than great food and snappy lines, Mr. Legend.”
“Don’t you worry, Ms. Lexington. I hope you’re ready to discover a bliss so intoxicating you’ll be begging me for more.”
“Oh I am.”
Why wouldn’t I be?