“It’s just that you were so adamant about not being in New York,” she said.
“I changed my mind,” I shrugged. “Maybe I was too hard on New York before. Marie loves it there. Maybe I just need to give it a second chance.”
“Are you sure that’s all?” she said, squinting her eyes over the whiskey glass as she took a sip.
“Yes,” I said simply, smiling.
“Okay,” she said, relaxing. I breathed a sigh of relief. I needed her to believe me. “I really think you’re going to love it, sweetie. Our apartment is right across from Central Park and everything you’ll need is within walking distance. Maybe we can get a dog?”
“What? A dog? Why?” I asked. Having a dog was never something Mom had time for before.
“Well, so you’ll have something to do and someone to keep you company,” she said. “I’m going to be spending most of my time at the office.”
“So, what’s new?” I thought, hoping I didn’t sound bitter. I’d basically raised myself and I’d been just fine without a dog. I mean, I loved dogs but she’d always refused when I’d asked for one before.
“Look,” she said, reaching over and putting her hand on mine. “I know I haven’t been the most present mother in the world, but I’m always here for you, you know that, right? You can always tell me anything, Chloe. If you ever need me, especially now that we’re going to be in this big city all by ourselves, all you have to do is call, okay?” Her grass green eyes peered deeply into mine and I wondered what she saw in them. We’d always had a frighteningly close psychic connection, despite the cold distance between us, and I knew she had to feel something was different with me.
“Of course, Mom,” I said, patting her hand. “I love you. Everything’s going to be great. Don’t worry.”
“You’re right,” she beamed back at me. I’d never seen her so happy. “It really is! I think this position is going to be the best job I’ve had so far. Bear’s offer was so generous and he’s been nothing but kind. I can’t wait to get in there and roll my sleeves up. I think I can be a real benefit to him.”
“He’s lucky to have you, Mom,” I said, leaning back in the soft seat and looking down at the fluffy white clouds out the window, Bear’s face flashing in my head. My nipples hardened as I shivered and crossed my arms over my chest.
“Thank you, Chloe,” she said, taking another sip of whiskey and leaning back and closing her eyes. “I think I’m going to take a little nap. I didn’t sleep a wink last night, I was so anxious.”
“Get some rest,” I whispered. She was asleep in minutes.
I was lost in my own thoughts when I felt a tap on my shoulder a few minutes later.
“Ms. McDonnell?” Brody whispered, holding out a plain white envelope to me. “This is for you.” He nodded as I took it from him and walked away without a word.
I looked over at my sleeping mother before quietly tearing open the side of it and sliding out the heavy folded paper inside. I unfolded it and a shiver ran down my spine as I read it.
Dearest Chloe,
I trust you have everything you need on the plane. Brody and Dawson will take excellent care of you and Matilda. I’m looking forward to seeing you soon. I’ll be waiting when you land.
All My Best,
Bear
P.S. Remove your panties before you land.
Chapter 6
It was like something out of a movie.
Bear stood at the side of the sleek, black limo, a confident smirk on his incredibly handsome face as he watched Mom and I descend the stairs of the plane.
Night had fallen and a full, bright moon hung heavy in the sky, lighting our way as we walked towards him. The evening breeze was cold, hardening my nipples and brushing against the bare skin under my skirt.
Would he know that I’d followed his instructions?
A hot red flush washed over me as he took my hand to greet me, a brush of his lips on the back of my palm sending shockwaves through my body. He turned and greeted Mom exactly the same way.
I was convinced I would be able to feel this whole thing out as soon as I saw him again. What happened in the restaurant seemed like a million years ago, in a way. Desperately, I wanted to get him alone again, to see what he would do, to see who he would be now that I was here in New York.
“Welcome to the Big Apple, ladies!” he said, throwing a grand sweeping gesture across the skyline behind him. “Home of dreamers, freaks and unlimited opportunities!”
“Thank you, Bear,” Mom gushed, her eyes smiling with excitement. She’d slept the whole flight and she now looked completely refreshed and ready to take on the world.
“My pleasure, my pleasure,” he said. “Hop in and I’ll take you to your new apartment!”
Mom slid into the back of the limo first and I paused before following her, throwing a quick look over my shoulder at Bear. He flashed me a smile and pressed his hand into the small of my back for the quickest instant and then it was gone.
But it was enough.
That one soft brush of heat sent shivers of pleasure through me, flipping a switch inside of me and turning that constant tingling sensation back up to ten. My breath caught in my throat as I slid in next to Mom. Bear followed, sliding into the seat across from us.
The limo was just as luxurious as the plane, with soft black leather seats and a full bar gleaming invitingly in the corner.
“It’s so great to see the two of you,” Bear said, his warm, deep voice as soft as velvet.
“You too, Bear,” Mom said.
“Y-yes,” I replied, hating that my words stuck in my throat immediately. I lifted my chin, determined to remain confident and calm. “Thank you, Bear.”
“Drinks?” he asked. “Whiskey? Wine? What can I get you?”
“Sure, whiskey sounds great,” Mom said. I threw her a glance as Bear grabbed a bottle from the bar and she grimaced back at me.
“Sure,” I replied, cocking my head as I shot a daring glance back at Mom. “Whiskey, please.”
Bear handed the glasses to us and sat back with his own.
“So, Matilda, your office is all ready for you to get started whenever you’re ready.”
“I’ll start tomorrow,” she nodded firmly. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at her eagerness.
“Excellent,” Bear nodded. “I’ve taken the liberty of hiring an assistant for you. I believe he’ll be a great fit for you but don’t hesitate to find someone else if necessary.”
“I’m sure he’ll be just fine if you chose him,” Mom replied.
“I’m not always right,” he laughed. “Ask my ex.”
Silently, I stared across the limo at him, studying him, searching his every move for information. I was hungry for him, in so many ways. He intrigued me beyond belief. I wanted to know everything there was to know about him, I wanted to know what made him into the man he was, the kind of man that thought he could manipulate the world to his liking in such a confident, take no prisoners kind of way.
At the mention of an ex, though, I felt a sharp pang of jealousy. It was absurd, I know, but there it was. Hot, stinging and only increasing my hunger for knowledge even more.
“Chloe?”
“What?” I asked at hearing my name. I’d drifted off while staring at him like a school girl in awe.
“I asked if you’re excited about the move,” he said. His eyes were peering so deeply into mine, I felt hypnotized, mesmerized by the same darkness that had haunted me for the last week.
“Excited?” I parroted. “Yes, of course. Very much so.”
“Wonderful,” he nodded slowly, smiling, his perfect white teeth gleaming in the darkness of the limo as his gaze trailed up and down my body. I was hoping the smile he gave me as he met my gaze again held approval. “I’m glad to hear that. I have a perfect job lined up for you. I think you’ll be very pleased.”
“Oh?” Mom asked. “I’m dying to hear all about it. I know Chloe is too. Aren’t you, Chloe?”
&nb
sp; “Yes, of course,” I responded, my eyes glued to his gaze. I swallowed hard as he let the silence fill the space between us, his eyes dark and teasing.
“Well,” he said after a moment, “I’m still working out the last few details and I don’t want to say anything just yet, but it’s going to be huge,” he winked. “All will be revealed in time.”
“I see,” Mom nodded, her smile frozen in place. “Chloe will need a little time to acclimate, but I’m sure it will be wonderful.”
“Yes,” I replied. “Thank you, Mr. Dalton.”
“Chloe, please call me Bear. Mr. Dalton feels so formal.”
“Bear, yes, thank you,” I nodded, reminding myself to breathe, as I broke his gaze. I couldn’t take it for long. It was so invasive, as if every time he looked at me, he was crawling right under my skin, burrowing into my mind, reading my thoughts.
I looked down at his hands and felt a hot blush creep up my neck. My mind flashed to the images that had been dancing around in there for days — Bear’s hands on my hips, his cock pressing into me from behind as I lay splayed out on the table, his for the taking, his fingers tangled in my hair as he pulled my head back, his mouth brushing against my ear as he whispered those filthy words to me.
The limo slowed down and I looked out the window, my eyes traveling up for miles as I took in the huge glass skyscraper we’d pulled up in front of.
“We’re here!” Bear said, as the driver opened the door. I stood on the sidewalk and lifted my head in awe. In Portland, there’s a law that buildings can’t be any taller than forty stories. Obviously, New York didn’t have any such law. I’d never seen a building so tall.
“It’s so big,” I whispered. “How tall is it?”
“Sixty stories,” Bear stood next to me, staring up at it with me, before leaning over and whispering in my ear, his lips barely brushing against my skin.