In Your Arms (3 page)

              “What floor?” I ask as he steps in.

              “Ground.” I let the doors close. “I'm Charles Turner.” He stick his hand out. He was very professional, but seemed friendly.

              I shook his hand, and blushed realizing that I completely look like a slob. He had his light brown hair slicked back, and I could see the confidence oozing out of his brown eyes.

              “Ashton Pennington. You're Mr. Clancy's grandson, right? He mentioned that you were coming by.” The doors closed and the elevator started moving.

              “Actually no, that's my friends grandfather. I was dropping off his bags in his apartment for him.”

              “Oh.” I bite my lip. “My bad.”

              “Do you live in this building?”

              “It's my grandmothers place. I'm taking care of it for her.” He doesn't need to know that I basically just inherited it.

              “So you're new around here?” I shrug.

              “Little bit.” I knew where this was heading. He was about to ask me on a date or at least leading up to it.

              “Have you gotten to explore the city?”

              “No.” I smile. It was a lie. Of course I knew the city, I've come here three times every year since I was four. But doesn't mean I can't pretend not to know things. I know it's stupid to lie to get a boy to like you, but it's been a while. I needed relief other than myself.

              “How about I show you some of the best spots? I've lived here for four years, and I know a thing or two.”

              “Sure. I'm free tomorrow.” He takes out his iPhone and I put in my number.

              “So where are you from originally?” I guess he can tell that I don't have a New Yorker accent, everyone can usually call me out on it.

              “Chicago.” The doors opened.

              There was Mr. Clancy with an even more good looking guy. I thought confidence oozed from Charles, but pure cockiness oozed from this guy. His blonde hair was messy, and his smile was full of sureness. His blue eyes...they were eyes I could get lost in.

              “Ashton, this is my grandson, Braxton Wright.”

              “Nice to meet you, beautiful.”

              I rolled my eyes. He was exactly how I imagined. I took a step around them. “I have to go, I'm running late.” My eyes switch to Charles.

              “I'll call you to set up a time and place. See you, Ashton.” I smiled at him and nodded at Mr. Clancy.

              “Bye.”

              As I'm walking out, I can hear Braxton talking. “How the fuck did you get her to go on a date with you?” I shook my head and was so glad to see that there was a taxi waiting already.

              “Broome and Broadway.” I tell the guy and he goes.

              “What do you mean you have a date? You got asked out looking like that?” Callie asks. She was blunt, a pure native New Yorker, born and raised.

              Her blonde hair and blue eyes always gets her a lot of attention. She was beautiful, and I was jealous of her sometimes. She didn't look like she tried at all to look the way she looks, it's effortless with her.

              “I didn't expect it. Oh, you should have seen him, so cute.” Charles was very cute. I tried not to think about Braxton and his very blue eyes.

              “And you said he's friends with that sexist pig?” Also, a very big feminist. When I mentioned Braxton Wright, she got so angry. I nodded and grabbed a chocolate chip muffin that Callie got from a Pennington bakery. She knows who I'm related to.

              “He doesn't seem to share the same qualities. But maybe I'll find out more on our date tomorrow.” I smile.

              “I wonder if he's good in bed.”

              “I hope so, it'd be a shame if he wasn't.”

              She placed the brownies on a plate and handed them to me. In the last three months, I've gained ten pounds, half of it had gone straight to my ass. That was a result of eating bad and hardly getting exercise other than the dance classes I teach.

              “You're making me fat.”

              “How? This is probably the first meal you've had since yesterday. I swear, you need to eat better.”

              “Lets no talk about my eating habits, please, or I will stop eating these brownies.” I put a whole brownie in my mouth.

Chapter 4

Braxton Wright

              “I'm done.” I pushed the computer away from me, and my editor, Mark, takes a look at the last pages we just edited together.

              “Looks fantastic. I'll read it all over tonight, make sure we're not missing anything else, and I'll send it to printing as soon as I finish. It will be ready to read in the morning, and you'll have the meeting with our head honcho.” I chuckled. I didn't really understand all of the American mannerisms, but I understood I would be having a meeting with the big boss.

              “It's been a pleasure editing with you.”

              “Anytime, and the pleasure is all mine. You're Braxton Wright, for gods sake. I've been reading your blog for a long time.” I smile.

              “Good to hear you're a fan.”

              “Anyway, I won't take up more of your time. I know your agent has you on a strict schedule so you can do it all.” I shake his hand and stand.

              “I'll see you tomorrow, good day.” As I came out of Marks office, I run into Charles. He was on the phone. I hear the name Ashton.

              “Want to get a bite to eat before? I know the best burger place here in New York.” Pause. “Great, pick you up at six, sound good?” Pause. “See you then. Goodbye, Ashton.”

              “Well, I see you're not in a hurry to get me out of here.” Charles looks up at me and rolls his eyes.

              “Stop being so pissy because I asked her out before you. Plus, by the looks of it, it sounded like she didn't really like you. I mean, did you see how she barely acknowledged you?” Charles knew how to push my buttons.

              “She looked like a mess coming off of that elevator, I wouldn't want to touch that with a ten foot pole unless she was well groomed.”

              “You're such an arse, Brax. She was hot, mess or not, and if she looks that well messy, imagine how hot she'll look all dolled up.” He had a point.

              “I'm starving and done talking about her.” Charles followed me to the taxi, and didn't bring her up again.

              There was a taxi idled outside of my grandfathers building, I spotted the braid and I smirked realizing who it was. She seemed to trip over her own two feet, and I chuckled. Ashton spots me and glares at me.

              “Gross.” She mutters looking over me.

              “Don't act like you hate it. Women like to deny themselves of what they really want, I kind of think that's very stupid.”

              She pulls the door open to the old shabby building. “Oh, is that right? Giving me one of your insights for free?”

              “My blog is free. I'm sure you know since you obviously know who I am enough to hate me. I never did anything to you, you have no right to hate me.” I press the elevator button.

              “You can't tell me who I can and can't hate. If I want to hate you, I have every right.” The elevator is quick and opens. She steps in, and again, nearly trips on her feet as she went to press the button for the penthouse and the third floor for me. I wasn't aware that she even had money, let alone enough to live in the penthouse. Grandfather just said she was a nice girl who had her priorities straight.

              “Whoa. How much have you had to drink?” She didn't look sloshed, but she seemed to have a bit of trouble staying balanced.

              “What are you, a cop?” I chuckle. I watched as she pulled her hair out of that hideous braid. I personally liked having hair I could tug at freely, not plaited.

              “Do you like cops? I can be a cop in bed if you really want me to. I could have you in handcuffs in under a minute. I can assure you that you'd really like that.” Ashton scoffed as I lowered my voice. I could see that it had some effect on her.

              “You're disgusting.” The door opened up to my floor.

              “Goodnight, Ashton.” I stepped out and turned towards my grandfathers apartment without glancing back at her.

              Ashton was different. Not like any woman I've ever met before, an actual challenge, something I haven't had in a long time. That doesn't mean I want to date her. It does mean that she's someone I want to get into bed with. Well, once Charles is done with her, she'll probably be done with him first. I won't touch her or seduce her until then.

Chapter 5

Ashton Pennington

              I spent half an hour choosing what to wear. It wasn't a lot of time, but it was all the time I had since I overslept. I always overslept on Sundays. I vaguely remember having a conversation with Braxton last night, I was very tipsy. Callie convinced me to take two shots and I'm a lightweight which is why I rarely drink, she's been trying to build up my tolerance.

              When he mentioned putting me in handcuffs, I had to admit that I was turned on, which I'm sure was his intention. I couldn't stop thinking about not having control while in bed with him, the things he could do...damn. With all of his 'insights' he has to have some talent with women, that was obvious, and kind of gross.

              I ended up choosing a bralet top with blue birds on it, a blue skirt, a brown jacket, and brown boots. My hair is curled and pinned back away from my face. My makeup was light enough to just make my eyes pop.

              “You look beautiful.” Charles complimented me.

              “Thank you.”

              We went to eat burgers and now we were taking a stroll through Central Park. It was romantic, I had to give him that, but I was a bit bored. Don't get me wrong, Charles was great, smart, and very kind. Nothing like Braxton.

              “Can I ask you something?” I ask Charles.

              “Sure.”

              “Why are you friends with Braxton? You two look like you have nothing in common.” It couldn't be more true.

              Charles didn't make sexual comments towards me, and he treated me with respect, and I'm sure he would only kiss me goodnight tonight and would not expect anything else. He was a true gentlemen.

              “Braxton has his qualities. His ideas are controversial, and sometimes he acts like an ass, but he's one of those people who take time to warm up to. I swear he's not like the person he pretends to be all the time.” I smile. And he was a good friend.

              “Well, that makes me feel a lot better.”

              “So how have you been liking New York?” He asks.

              “It's great.” I admit and kind quiet down.

              “What is it?” Charles asks when I've stayed quiet for a few minutes.

              “Nothing. I just have a confession to make.” He looks a bit worried.

              “Go ahead.”

              “I come to New York every year with my family.” I leave out the part that it's usually for a charity ball filled with rich snobs and that I used to be a rich snob.

              “Oh.” He was blushing a bit. “Why didn't you just say so?”

              “I barely met you, and I was pretty much going to agree to whatever you said in that elevator because I wanted a date with you.” It was sort of true.

              “Ash-”

              “Hey, guys!” We turn around to find Braxton with a girl. I'm ninety nine percent sure that the girl was an escort. That sort of thing wasn't exactly rare around here, especially when rich guys were involved.

              “Braxton, what are you doing here?” Charles asks.

              He looks at the probably blonde eighteen years old, and back at Braxton. He probably was on the same page I was. No way, Braxton Wright was not on a date, he was just determined to crash ours.

              “Meet Eloise. I met her an hour ago at a bar.”

              “She doesn't even look old enough to drink.” Neither did I, but I had a great fake ID. I used to party a lot, but those days are long over.

              “She's twenty one.” He's snippy. I just roll my eyes and decide to let Charles handle it, I've had enough Braxton Wright to last me a lifetime.