John

I noticed her as we were walking past the coffee shop and suddenly I wanted coffee and not the liquor that I was craving a minute ago. My business meeting from hell just ended and my security, Jason Knight, was ready to go back to his hotel room, but I wanted to see New York. It was my first time here and now, I found my tour guide. “You can go back to the hotel. I decided to get some coffee. I’ll be there later.”

“John, that’s not smart. This is New York City. I’ll go with you.” I just shrugged and walked through the revolving doors and got in line. I could feel her eyes on me every so often. I caught her ducking her head and every time I turned to her; she was nervous and I wasn’t trying to scare her away.

“Yes, and I see nothing but businessmen out on the streets right now. Besides, you know I’m carrying,” I reminded him. I paid him for a reason, but all I could think about was her and I selfishly wanted time alone with her. “You’re good to go back to the hotel.”

“Why?” he asked, then caught where my attention was aimed.

He grunted his disapproval, like it mattered to me. “Oh, you need to be careful. She looks a little young.”

“I’m not that old.” I could see she wasn’t near my age, but I was just going to talk to her. Or so I kept telling myself. My heart was thumping in my chest. I felt so nervous that my palms were sweaty. That wasn’t me at all. Talking to a woman had never been an issue, but this one was special; I felt it.

“Yeah, but if she’s not legal, it doesn’t matter.”

“I know,” I muttered, just as she and I made eye contact. “Yeah, I figured that. By the looks of the study material and the fact that high school kids would be in school at this time, I’d say she’s a college student.”

“I’ll sit at the table on the other side,” he said, sounding resigned. I didn’t need him here at all, but I knew he wasn’t going to leave.

“That works for me.” We ordered our drinks to a flurry of workers smiling at us. Jason and I were considered very good looking, so we got that all the time. I gave them an almost unnoticeable nod, then walked over to the side to wait for the order. Every so often my eyes went to my woman and her beautiful face. She had blonde hair, blue eyes and soft pale skin that I wanted to run my fingers along. The beauty blushed when our eyes connected briefly. She liked what she saw, but it looked like she could read my intentions and tried to run. I walked over to her before she had the chance to get away.

“Hello,” I said, standing in front of her leaving no space to go around me since she was in the corner of the room. She looked up at me, her mouth parting. I had surprised her, but she had to know that I wasn’t going to let her get away that easily. “Are you going to respond?” I asked, twisting my lips.

“Um…sorry. Hello.” Her voice was soft and sweet. I hoped to hell she wasn’t a genius who got into college at fifteen because I was in trouble. I took the seat across from her, never taking my eyes off the way her hands brushed her hair behind her ear. She had small ears that deserved to have beautiful diamonds, or better yet sapphires to match her eyes, on them. She wore a pair of gold kitten earrings that made her look even younger. I had the perfect gift for her in my mind. My brain was strategically planning all the things I wanted to give her. I didn’t understand my thoughts because I wasn’t the gifting type when it came to women I’d dated. Not that I’d done so in years. She could have everything, but I needed one thing from her first.

“I’m John. What’s your name?” I had to know. The urge to call her by it would please me more than possible. A man possessed, I had to be.

“I’m Layla,” she whispered, a blush creeping over her face that stiffened my cock on impact. I was glad I was sitting or she’d think I was a pervert.

“Layla, that’s pretty, just like you,” I said, lifting her hand to mine and placing a kiss on the back of it. My thumb rested on her rapid pulse which only made mine worse.

“Thanks.” She had to be the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen and shy as hell.

“Are you in college?” I asked, tilting my head toward her bookbag without letting go of her hand, letting my fingers caress her soft skin. I wanted her with an unrelenting need and it wasn’t only sexual.

“Yes, I am,” she muttered, pulling her hand just enough to get free.

“Am I bothering you, Layla?” I asked. Like a cobra, I struck fast and dangerously on anything I wanted. Holding back on this and her didn’t seem possible. Staring at her while waiting for an answer caused beads of sweat to build around my collar. At my age, I shouldn’t be acting like this. 

“No.”

“I make you nervous. I can see that. It’s crazy but for the first time in my life, a woman has done the same to me,” I confessed, my vulnerability on display for her and only her. Never did I show an ounce of weakness until Layla.

“You’re nervous?” She didn’t believe me for shit, but that was fine. I’d show her soon. I didn’t play around. If I wanted something I’d go for it. Layla made my heart pound and my palms sweaty. I didn’t sweat unless it was in the gym.

“Yes, I am. I’m not used to what’s happening to me.”

“What’s happening to you?” she asked harshly, reading me like I did her. She didn’t trust me, which was smart and understandable.

“I think I’m falling in love with you,” I admitted. I had no doubt in my mind. Nothing ever made me feel this way, not even all the millions I had amassed.

“Okay, I don’t have time for this. Excuse me,” she said, shaking her head and clutching onto her bag.

“No. Sit back down, Layla. I want to get to know more about you.”

“This is nuts. You’re nuts. We’ve met for like three seconds and you’re saying you’re falling in love with me. Spare me. I’m young, not stupid.” Both now standing, I blocked her exit for a moment. I couldn’t let her go without getting her info.

“I can’t explain it, but I’m serious.” I opened my coat, then grabbed her hand and pressed it to my heart.

“It’s pounding,” she said, looking into my eyes in awe. The change in her attitude was immediate.

I nodded my head. “I know. I feel like I just ran ten miles.”

“Are you sure you just don’t have a heart problem?” she asked, keeping her hand on my chest. I pressed mine tighter over it, loving the way it felt.

“That’s harsh. I’m not that old.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just…” She stopped, too embarrassed to finish.

I took her hand from my heart and kissed it. Her eyes met mine as I expected. I had to touch that soft pink skin. I reached out, brushing my fingers along her cheek, feeling the warmth of her blush. “I know you don’t think someone would fall for you like this, and it’s a crazy feeling for me. So I get it.” Wanting to kiss her, I stopped myself by making light of my age. “Besides, just so you know I went to the doctor last week for my annual checkup and got a clean bill of health.”

“That’s wonderful to know. I’d hate for you to keel over in front of me,” she joked, coming out of that shell.

I chuckled and her face froze before shaking off the dazed look. “Me too, I wouldn’t want to knock our coffees over. That would be akin to a crime.”

“Oh my. That would be like a borderline felony. Thankfully, mine is almost empty.”

She had me wrapped around her fingers and innocently enough, I don’t think she really had a clue. “Layla, I’m thirty-two and I want to get to know you, but I needed to let you know how old I am first.”

“I’m nineteen,” she informed me. I don’t know why it came as a shock, but I paused for a moment, weighing my decision. And in a second, I had it. It didn’t make a difference to me. Fuck what anyone had to say about us. She stepped back slightly, sitting down again. “I guess you have a problem with my age.”

I shook my head and sat down in the seat in front of her. “No, others might, but I don’t care what they think.” Her pretty necklace sparkled and it reminded me that I may not be the only one after her. “Is there a guy in the picture?” It was my next important question.

“No.”

“Now there is,” I said, taking her hand again and intertwining our fingers on the table. Hers flexed in mine as if that would get me to let go. I wanted to hear her say she wanted nothing to do with me.

“This is moving too fast.” I could agree with that, but it didn’t change anything.

“Good, because I’m only in town for another couple days. I want to get to know you as much as possible before the only time I get to see you is when I have a day off.”

“Do you live here or in Jersey?” she asked. I hated to be the damn killjoy.

I shook my head slightly. “Neither, I live in Chicago and would make the flight to see you.” I’d have to see her every weekend, maybe even take a couple early starts on Fridays.

At first there was a bit of dismay that then turned into a smile. “Chicago? For real? I’m from there too.” My heart went buck wild. She was going to be making the transition back home very soon if I had anything to say about it.

“Then maybe you need to transfer to U of C or Northwestern,” I suggested. She could sit on my lap and study while I worked.

“Again with the lightning speed. I don’t know anything about you. For all I know you could be married.” I guess she had a point, a useless one, but a point nonetheless.

“I’m not and I don’t have any family. I’m a very successful businessman,” I offered up so she knew I wasn’t a piece of shit, but from her expression it looked like it backfired.

She pulled her hand from mine again and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms in the process. “So that means you don’t really have time for me. I’m not going to take you seriously, John.  I won’t let you hurt me, so if you want to spend time with me while you’re here that’s fine, but that’s all you get.”

I reached over the table, tugged her arms free and grabbed her hand again. It was a small concession, but it felt like I’d won when she didn’t resist. “I’ll show you by the time I leave that I’m serious and this is more than a fling.”

“Okay,” she replied with a tiny shiver as my thumb stroked the back of her hand.

“Do you want to go for a walk? I promise I won’t do anything to you. Here’s my business card, and that man right there is my security.” I handed over the card and pointed toward Jason. She looked at it, then put it into her pocket.

“So, you’re that important?” she asked with an arched brow.

“Money makes the world go around, so in that respect I suppose I am. Come on, you can show me a bit of New York,” I said.

“Let me get my things together.” I nodded, then stood, as she packed her bag the rest of the way. Before she could slip it over her shoulder, I took her bag and slipped it over my shoulder.

“You don’t have to carry it,” she exclaimed.

“What kind of man would I be if I let you lug around this ridiculously heavy bag? Are you ready?” She nodded and picked up her coffee, drank the remainder, then tossed it in the bin. I still held mine because it was full, but I took her hand as we walked out of the shop. Jason followed about ten feet behind.

“It’s only three. Is there any place you want to see?” she asked me.

“Any place I get to spend time with you is fine. New York is brand new to me.” She tilted her head in surprise, but didn’t make a big deal of it.

“Well, we can check out the museum up the street or even Central Park.”

“Lead on, sweetheart. I’m yours to do as you will.” I meant that too. She could do as she pleased as long as it was with me.

“Then button up your coat. It’s cold and it’s a long walk,” she warned, scolding me at the same time. I don’t remember when a woman had done the latter, but I loved it. I let go of her hand to deal with my coat. “Here, let me take this.” She took my drink so I could zip up without spilling it on me.

“Thanks, Layla,” I said.

Once I was nice and bundled up, we started walking hand in hand. She held onto my drink though. I thought we were headed to the park and wondered why we didn’t enter from one of the many paths we passed, then I saw what was around the corner, the Guggenheim.

“I’ve never been here before, but I love things about the past. To think someone who has and continues to make a mark was a part of this. Sorry, babbling, but I get all giddy.” She could babble all she wanted. That smile on her face made me fucking happy.

“Have you gone to The Art Institute of Chicago?” I asked, hoping we could take a trip there once she came back home to me.

“Twice. It is so wonderful in there. I’m amazed at the wonderful pieces that were made with love and care.”

“A trip to Europe would be something to see. Have you ever gone?” I asked, mentally booking a trip for us. When I returned to Chicago, I needed to get as much as I could done so I had time to spend with her.

“No, but I would love to see all the rich history.”

“We’ll have to plan a trip one day.”

She didn’t respond, but tried to reach for her backpack. “What do you need?” I asked, already knowing what she wanted from the bag.

“My wallet,” she replied.

I switched the bag to the other side. Then looked down at my little princess who scowled at me. “Nice try, sweetheart, but as long as we’re together you don’t pay for a thing.”

She started to open her mouth, but there was a group of school kids in front of us. I gave her a wink then paid for us to enter the museum, the thought that we would go Dutch or that she’d pay for us was nuts. I paid for everything where she was concerned, or I would try to, at least.

The moment I went back home she’d do everything to be independent of me, so I had to do what I could to make her miss me. I’d been pushing this between us since we met, but I felt deep down inside that I was falling in love, if not already there. How could it even be possible to feel this way about a stranger? We were almost done with the Picasso section before I got the nerve to ask her to have dinner with me.

My voice shook as I asked, “Will you have dinner at the hotel with me?”

“I’d like that,” she said with a smile. I lifted her hand to my lips again, feeling relief.