Love in the City, an erotic romance novel Page 3

  She made her way down the carpet as people cheered. She made eye contact with Giorgio. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her.

  “I thought I’d never see you again,” he said as she neared him.

  “I’ve been busy,” she said, pointing up to the play’s poster. “This is my firm’s campaign.”

  “You designed that?” he asked, looking up admiringly at the poster.

  “I did,” she said. “I’ve always been a patron of the arts. This was a passion project.”

  He looked at her, his eye penetrating, his lips slightly parted. “Speaking of passion. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.”

  “I see,” she said, her voice, her posture full of confidence. She gave him a sly smile.

  He opened the door for her and she entered the softly lit theater. He followed close behind. Suddenly, they were alone. “You know what you do to men,” he said, stepping around to face her. He was looking at her lips, painted a deep ruby red. “You enjoy it.”

  She smiled like a Cheshire cat. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  “Don’t you?” he asked, touching her bare shoulder. His hands were soft and warm, but strong.

  She looked up at him coyly, batting her lashes.

  “You take my breath away,” he said as he bent down to kiss her. His lips were searching, soft and his kiss full of passion and desire. His body pressed against her…

  Then her alarm went off. 6:30 a.m. “What timing,” she groaned as she rolled over and hit the snooze button. She tried to fall back asleep, to rejoin the dream where she left off. She wanted to savor the dream, to remember it. She kept her eyes closed, but it was no use. She couldn’t fall back asleep. The snooze alarm went off. It was 6:40 a.m. Her mind started to get busy, thinking about the workload waiting for her at the office. She groaned again and threw the covers back. She stretched and yawned, thinking that at least she didn’t have to go in early today.

  Jasper, her three-year old shorthaired grey cat, took that as his cue to wake up. He always slept at the end of her bed. She liked it. At least there was one man in her bed. He got up and arched his back, giving it a good stretch.

  “Good morning, handsome,” Anabelle said, smiling at him. He meowed in response and walked up to nuzzle her chin. She loved the feel of his fur on her face. She petted him and he purred loudly. “Breakfast time?” she asked, looking into his big green eyes. He meowed excitedly. She kissed his forehead. “Let’s go!” She had conditioned him to know that those words meant he was getting his morning food. She thought it was cute.

  Jasper ran over to his bowl and sat at attention, his tail wrapped neatly around his side, until she came to the kitchen. He then followed her to the cupboard where his food was kept. He was meowing away, excited by the prospect of breakfast time. She fed him and watched him for a moment as he hungrily tackled the food.

  “I envy you,” she said. “Your life is simple and uncomplicated. You’re so happy with the small things, food, love, shelter.” She smiled. “Maybe those are the big things and the rest are small things.” She liked that thought. But then her thoughts turned to the day ahead. She knew a lot of stress awaited her. She sighed heavily. Best get on with it, she thought. She headed to her small bathroom and turned the shower on.

  As she dried herself off and started to get ready for the day, she looked at herself in the mirror. “Not exactly the glamorous lady of my dream,” she said to herself. Her auburn hair was medium thickness and she applied a smoothing serum to give it a silkier look. Her hazel eyes were average-sized and her skin was pale with a few freckles here and there, that she tried her best to conceal with cover-up and powder. She felt the freckles made her look too young and girl-like. She took a look at her figure in the mirror. A couple of extra pounds here and there that she’d like to lose, but they held on. She had an average, but on the curvy side, feminine figure with a full bosom and hips. Nothing that stood out too much. Just average. That summed her up, she thought.

  She sighed. “Well, I’ll just do the best I can, with what I’ve got.” She proceeded to do her hair and makeup and get dressed. She wore a white blouse with a large, open collar, a silver flower pendant, and fitted black skirt. She struggled to look the part of a successful Manhattan-ite on her tight budget. She frequented consignment stores to try to find good bargains on quality items. Only one trip out of ten proved fruitful, but she had put together a modest wardrobe with some nice things in it.

  “Okay, handsome fella, I have to go to work,” she said as she bent down to pet Jasper.

  He meowed in response, pressing his back into her hand as she petted him.

  “I know, I should stay home all day and cuddle and play with you. I’ll miss you, too.” Anabelle kissed the top of his head and then dragged herself out the door for her long commute into Manhattan.

  Once there, she stopped by her favorite coffee place, Coffee Haven. She was looking forward to having time to pick up a good cup of coffee for a change. The brew at the office was horrible, which is why Kinetic always catered for client meetings.

  She entered the coffee shop. There was a long line-up. She checked her watch. 7:45 a.m. She assessed the line. It was moving. She’d wait another five minutes, if it didn’t look like it was moving fast enough, she’d leave. Her office was just over five minutes from here.

  She looked around. It was a busy Tuesday morning. Filled with people checking Blackberries, iPhones and iPads. Not many people making eye contact. She found that a sad state of modern society. Too much disconnection. She thought about how it could make a person feel really lonely in a crowd. Like you just weren’t interesting enough to pay attention to.

  Finally, she made it to the front counter.

  “Hey Anabelle, the usual?” the barista asked as he beamed at her.

  “You bet. Thanks, George,” she replied.

  “Sounds good,” he said, then looked behind her. He nodded. George was a college student who was working at Coffee Haven part-time. Anabelle liked him. It was nice to see a familiar, friendly face each morning. It made her journey into work just a little less painful. It was sad, she thought. This was one of the high points of her workday. A brief, friendly exchange at the coffee place. It was all downhill from there. Oh well, she mused, at least she had this. She reached into her purse to take out her wallet.

  “Sorry, Anabelle. I can’t take your money today,” George said, looking up from the till.

  “What? Why not?” she asked, confused.

  “It’s been paid for.”

  “But I didn’t…”

  “I owed you a coffee,” the deep voice said from behind her.

  She turned around and nearly fainted. It was him.

  He smiled. That smile. “Make mine black, tall, please,” he said to George.

  “You got it,” George said, trying to hide his grin.

  “I-uh, thanks,” she stammered, turning bright red. Her dream came rushing back to her.

  “It’s my pleasure,” he said, smiling even wider.

  That voice. Low and deep and masculine. She looked up at him. He had to be 6’3”, to her 5’6”, without heels. With his height, his solid build, and those broad shoulders of his, not to mention his stunning, chiseled good looks, he definitely stood out in a crowd.

  Think Anabelle. Say something. “You come here often?” As soon as she said it, she wanted to smack herself. Of all the things you could say, it had to be a cheesy pick-up line. “I didn’t mean…I meant…Coffee Haven. Isn’t there a Coffee Stars in your building?” Her heart thundered in her ears.

  He chuckled. “Yeah, but I felt the need for a change. I decided to venture out a bit. This seemed like a good place.” He looked down at her, his big blue eyes, framed by thick, dark lashes, sparkling with humor.

  “Anabelle?” a voice from behind the counter called out.

  “That’s my…” she said.

  “I’ll meet you there,” Giorgio said as he paid for their coffees. He gave George a twent
y-dollar bill. “Keep the change. Thanks.”

  “Wow, thanks man,” George said, beaming.

  Anabelle took note of the exchange. She ignored the butterflies in her stomach. She grabbed her coffee. She couldn’t get the imagery of her dream out of her mind.

  Giorgio came and stood beside her. He was wearing an expertly tailored dark blue suit and white shirt that showed off his golden skin. He seemed even taller standing right next to her. She felt her knees go weak. She caught a whiff of his cologne. Tasteful, masculine, intoxicating. Her mind seemed to melt.

  “I like it here,” he said. “Friendly staff, good service. Good coffee.” He gave her a direct look. “Nice scenery.”

  She felt her face and other parts heat up. Did he just compliment me? she asked herself. She couldn’t think straight. “Yes, this place is the best,” she said, her voice slightly shaky. “I’ll try to keep my coffee in my cup this time.”

  He laughed. “Sounds good. It would be a shame to let something so tasty go to waste.”

  “Uh, yes,” she stammered. Is he making double entendres, she wondered, or is that my imagination? Say something witty, for heaven’s sake! She couldn’t think of a thing.

  Giorgio’s coffee was ready. He stepped forward to grab it, coming in just a little bit closer to her.

  Anabelle’s heart pounded faster in response to the close proximity to him.

  “Do you have time to sit down for a few minutes?” he asked politely.

  She noticed how his shirt, open at the collar, fit his chest just perfectly. There were some good muscles under there, she was sure.

  “Anabelle?”

  “What?” she asked, startled. She realized she had been staring at his chest, so her eyes darted to the floor. “Oh, right. Ummm…” she looked at her watch. It was 7:55 a.m. If she left now, she’d maybe make it on time. She pictured Raquel standing there glaring at her if she came in late. But then she thought of what Sarah said about having regrets and wondering what if? To heck with it, she thought.

  “Do you need to go?” he asked. He gave her a compelling look, one that said, Don’t go.

  “No, I’ve got a couple of minutes,” she said, now gazing at his pillowy lips. She thought of how good it would likely feel to kiss them.

  “Good,” he replied. “There a table over there,” he said, pointing to a cozy corner spot. “Allow me,” he said, as he reached for her work bag.

  “Okay, thanks,” she said, trying to come out of the erogenous trance he had her in. His hand brushed her shoulder ever so slightly as he took the bag off of her shoulder. Her skin tingled with exhilaration. Calm down, girl, she admonished herself. She was stunned by the strong reaction she had to this man.

  Giorgio pulled out a chair for her.

  She sat down. She straightened out her slim-fitting skirt that had ridden up her legs a little.

  He stole a glance at her shapely legs as she adjusted her black skirt and then placed her workbag on an extra chair. He slid the other chair a bit closer to hers and sat down. “We haven’t been formally introduced.” He stretched out a hand to her. “I’m Giorgio Tsarkopolis.”

  She took his hand. It was big and warm. “Anabelle. Anabelle Parker.” She felt electric being this close to him.

  He squeezed her hand just a touch, holding onto it. “Nice to formally meet you, Anabelle Parker.”

  She blushed again. “You, too.” She reluctantly took her hand back and wrapped both hands around her coffee, trying to calm her nerves. His tousled, thick dark hair just begged to have fingers run through it.

  “So, I have a confession to make,” he said, leaning in towards her. His full lips curved into a mischievous smile. “Before George over there outs me.”

  She looked over at the coffee counter. George was grinning at them, but then quickly looked away when he saw her looking at him. She looked back at Giorgio. “What is it?” her heart started beating faster.

  “I’m not here by accident,” he said. “I’ve actually been coming here every morning for the last week.”

  “Oh, okay?” she said, confused.

  Silence for a moment.

  “To meet you,” he said, looking at her intently, his deep blue eyes pools of sensual promise.

  She could have fallen off her chair. She blurted out the first thing that came to her mind. “Why? Do I need to pay your dry cleaning bill?” She wanted to kick herself.

  He laughed. “You’re funny. And pretty. And you have an adorable way about you. I’m rather captivated. That’s why.”

  She was speechless. I must be dreaming, she thought, did he just say those things to me? She glanced down at his hands. No ring.

  He grinned. “I’m not married,” he said, picking up on her look.

  “Oh,” she said, embarrassed. Words failed her.

  “I didn’t see a ring on your finger the day we met. Do you have a boyfriend?”

  “No, uh, no, I don’t,” she said, fidgeting in her chair. She realized the significance of the fact that he had thought to check for a ring when they first met.

  “Am I making you uncomfortable?” he asked. “I’m sorry if this is too forward.”

  “No, it’s just…this is just…unexpected, that’s all.”

  “But hopefully not unwelcome,” he said, flashing that killer smile again.

  She melted. “No, not unwelcome. Not at all. I’m just…surprised.”

  “Well, I hope it’s a good surprise.”

  She nodded as she blushed and unsuccessfully tried to restrain a giant grin.

  “I’m glad,” he said, his voice smooth as silk. He leaned back in his chair, his legs parted, his knee very close to her leg. “Do you come here most mornings?” He exuded confidence, but not in an arrogant way.

  She found herself holding her breath. She couldn’t help but take in his form. Her eyes seemed to have a mind of their own as they glanced down his frame, then back up again. His tailored suit was showing off a great body and she was sure he was purposely inching closer to her. “Um…yes, though lately I’ve been working late and was too tired to come here and make it to work on time, which sucks because the coffee at my office tastes like burnt rubber.”

  He laughed. As he did, his knee brushed her thigh for a moment.

  She felt her temperature spike at the touch.

  “See,” he said, “I told you that you should have come in to my office for coffee that day. We’re a couple of steps above burnt rubber.”

  She giggled and smiled shyly, trying to hide the fact that she was blushing once again.

  “I gather you work close to here?” he asked, pleased that he made her smile.

  She immediately thought of his family’s name across the entrance to that tall skyscraper. Her insecurities crept back. Considering who he was she didn’t want to admit she was rather low on the totem pole in the advertising world. She wished she could say something fabulous. But fabulous wasn’t her. “I do, yes,” is all she said.

  “Is my building on the way to work for you?”

  She shook her head. “No, I had worked all weekend, so I was trying to squeeze an errand in before work. I stopped at Cappi’s Bodega for stamps. I was running late and rushing around, hence my unfortunate coffee handling.” She gave him an endearing smile.

  He laughed. “So, then I guess I won’t see you in front of my building passing by regularly?”

  “Um, well, not really. But I do pop over to Cappi’s from time to time.”

  He nodded, his expression curious and warm. “What business are you in, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  “I-uh just work in an office nearby,” she said.

  He let her evasive answers pass in case she had any safety concerns about a man she didn’t know approaching her. “What do you like to do in your spare time?”

  She thought for a moment. “I like to listen to music, go out for dinner or drinks, hang out with friends or just at home, watch movies, see off-Broadway plays, walks in the park. The usual. Nothing too fan
cy.”

  “I like those things, too,” he said. “Maybe we could do one or two of them together sometime?”

  “A date?” she asked, her heart nearly stopping. She wanted to punch herself. Smooth, Anabelle, real smooth.

  “Unless that makes you uncomfortable,” he said, raising his eyebrows. “We could just call it a friendly get-together if you prefer.”

  She shook her head. “It’s all good,” she said, trying to play it cool. She was certain that her red face was betraying her attempt.

  “Great,” he replied, his expression brightening. “Can I call you sometime then?” he asked, leaning an elbow on the table.

  She caught another whiff of his cologne. It was a very sexy scent. Very appealing. Her mind went momentarily blank. She couldn’t believe this was happening. It felt like a dream. Like something out of a movie. “Sure, that would be really nice,” she said, slightly breathless.

  He pulled out a couple of business cards and a silver pen from his blazer pocket. He handed them to her. “Why don’t you write your number on the one card for me, and keep the other one.”

  She took the business cards. They looked impressive. She still had no idea why a man like that was interested in a girl like her. She wrote her cell number down and handed it to him, along with his pen.

  “Thank you, Anabelle. I’m looking forward to seeing you again, hopefully soon, and getting to know you better.” He had an adorable look to him with his dark hair, long eyelashes framing striking blue eyes, totally kissable full lips and perfect cheekbones.

  Anabelle was taken with how incredibly good-looking he was. She had never met a man so powerfully alluring. “Me too,” she said.

  “I’m glad to hear you say that,” he said. He looked over her hair, her face, his eyes settling on the flower-shaped silver pendant that rested just above her womanly décolletage, his gaze lingering for a moment, wanting to drop down lower, but restraining himself.