The Very Rich Man (The Very Manly Series Book 3) Read online

  She stared after him, the wallet still holding his body heat. Was he crazy, handing over everything to just anyone? And what was with “Clo?” Only her mom had ever called her that. A few boyfriends had tried to use a nickname, but she shot them all down at the first utterance.

  The server cleared his throat, waking her from the daze. “Oh, yes, of course.” She ignored her inner warning system and opened Darian’s wallet to invade his privacy. She poured through the money part, but only found fifty dollar bills. Chloe glanced up at the waiting man. She didn’t want her boss to look cheap, but also didn’t want to waste his money. Hoping she’d made the right decision, she gave the man a fifty. “Thank you.”

  The server took his tip with a neutral expression and she wondered if it was enough. He left, closing the door behind him. No way of knowing, she guessed and turned to the food. The little domes kept everything hot. The wine? She might as well open the bottle and take a taste. In the movies, didn’t they always have to smell the cork and swish it around in a glass? She didn’t know if a bigger tip meant the guy should do that for them.

  She took the bottle from the ice bucket. She’d form her own opinion on the fancy wine, no smelling or swishing needed. Once her glass was half full, she looked at his. Waiting to pour his meant his drink would stay colder longer. She held her wine up to the light to see if any cork fragments floated there. She swished the liquid around, but no sediment stirred. This really was a first class place.

  “It has nice legs, doesn’t it?”

  Chloe grinned. Did he mean the table or the serving cart? Because she wasn’t an it and her legs were just ok. “Oh, yeah. Very sturdy.”

  He bit his lip while pouring his own glass. “A wine is said to have good legs when you stir it,” he said, doing the swirly thing. “And it sticks to the sides of the glass.” He took a drink. “Have you had a taste? It should be fruity without a lot of alcohol to burn your tongue.”

  She sipped and her nose burned a little. “This is different from what I’m used to drinking.”

  “What do you usually have?”

  How to tell him whatever was on clearance without looking like a poor kid? She sat opposite from him, letting Darian take the covers off their food. “Usually something inexpensive and light.”

  “Ah, the cheap seats.” He held up a hand, pouring them both more. “No, it’s understandable. I usually don’t spend a lot on anything alcohol. Though I could, I suppose.” He sat, unrolling the silverware. “It’s not a priority to me.”

  “I heard curry and polodono when you ordered?”

  “You did hear curry, which is at your place setting and pomodori, which means tomato in Italian.”

  “This smells wonderful.”

  “Taste everything and see if you like it. I’m assuming you’ve never had Indian food?” She shook her head and he continued. “It’s probably not too spicy. If you don’t care for it, we can switch or I can order you something else.”

  Chloe tried a bite of each dish, the flavors overwhelming her taste buds. “No, we’re not trading. This is mine and I love it.” While he laughed, she took another bite.

  “Anything else I should know about that turns you feral?”

  “The bathroom here.” His eyebrows raised and she laughed. “It’s a dream come true. Deep tub, beautiful counters, a hair dryer, a TV, and have you felt the robes? I’ve never had a single criminal urge in my life, but those robes? I could steal one.” She shrugged. “Only I couldn’t because I’d get caught.”

  “That good, huh?”

  “The robes or me?”

  “Both.”

  “Yes, we are.” She took a drink of wine, the food helping to steady the alcohol. “We’re supposed to be working, aren’t we?”

  “We are. Excuse me for a moment and I’ll grab my tablet.”

  “Me, too.” She hurried to her room as he did to his, both meeting up back at their dinners. “I took notes during.” She sat back down, clearing a place for her device. “I can email what I wrote after editing the typos.”

  “Don’t bother with the edits. Send it over and I run it through spell check. I’ve seen your raw work before, it’s not that bad.”

  “All right.” She tapped out everything, sneaking bites in between processing times on the system. “Did we get a hotel wifi code, or did you want to stick with our own?”

  “Our own is more secure. Let’s go with that.”

  “Very well, it’s sent.”

  “Mmm.” He opened the doc, reviewing and tapping out notes to himself as he read.

  She missed his attention already. Though, if she were honest, him not looking at her with those deep, soulful eyes was a relief. The way he seemed to read her thoughts left her feeling a little too transparent at times. She shrugged a little bit, knowing his attention to detail helped him succeed. Couldn’t fault him there. Still. She studied him, her chin down and looking through her eyelashes so he didn’t suspect.

  His white polo with a black LI embroidered on the side enhanced his dark hair. He worked, only stopping to take a bite or drink. Chloe pretended to be absorbed in her own tablet. She liked his hands. Long fingers, but not delicate. Before she could wonder how calloused his skin was and let her imagination run wild, she asked, “You mentioned sightseeing?”

  “I did and have plans for us.” He turned off his tablet and drank the last of his wine. “We’ll have a car waiting in thirty minutes.”

  “For what?” She gathered up the plates and dishes, stacking them. “We didn’t have dessert.”

  “We have a fridge and I’ll roll this outside.” He took the cart from her and she followed him down the hall. “We’re taking a tour of the city by helicopter at twilight.”

  She imagined a larger view of what her bedroom window showed her. “That sounds amazing.” Chloe hurried ahead and opened the door for him.

  “Thank you. It is. I thought with all the rushing around and working today, it’d be fun to sit back and see the city from above.”

  “Isn’t this the city that never sleeps?”

  “I should call the mayor about that.”

  “Do you know him?”

  He laughed. “Not yet. Let’s put away our tablets, get our coats and head downstairs.”

  “All right.” She stopped by the kitchen for a moment, as did he, before both went to their own bedrooms. Soon, they were alone in the elevator.

  Darian wondered why every elevator seemed to have reflective walls if not outright mirrors. Was it to ratchet up the sex factor in such a small area? At least by now her perfume had faded to bearable instead of irresistible. She’d loosened her hair, too, and it hung down her back in a blonde curtain. He coughed, choked at the desire to bury his fingers in those silky strands.

  She gave him a questioning look that he waved off. He needed to get a grip. She’d been the best assistant he’d had, not including Betty, and sex with her would destroy their rapport. Darian stepped back to let another couple on board. He didn’t feel like chatting, and the people helped stop conversation by blocking his view of Chloe in the mirrored walls.

  Before he could think of anything impersonal to say, they’d reached the lobby. They let the others exit and followed. He let her go ahead of him and asked, “Have you ever been in a helicopter?”

  “Not while it was in the air. We sat in a grounded one at an air show.”

  “You’re all right with flying in one?”

  “I think so. I don’t see why not.” She paused before getting in the car. “Are you flying it?”

  “No, sorry. I’m a private pilot, and helicopters are way outside my skill set.”

  “Ah.” She sat and he closed the door before getting in on the other side. “Is it a goal of yours someday?”

  “Driver, we’re going to the downtown heliport,” he said before considering the idea of being a helicopter pilot. “Maybe. I hadn’t thought about it.”

  “That might be safer. You can point out landmarks without having to pay at
tention to air traffic.”

  He grinned at her, enjoying how she returned his smile. He’d had something to say but whatever Darian had in mind disappeared when their gaze met. The car’s warmth and comfort wrapped around him like a hug. He leaned toward her. “I’d rather pay all my attention to you.”

  A skittish expression showed in her face. “I suppose.”

  Had he lost it? He smiled to hide the inner horror at his impulsive mistake. Time to backtrack, and fast. Darian grasped at the only straw coming to mind. “I mean, do you get airsick?”

  “Oh, ha! No. Not at all.”

  The relieved look in her eyes both gratified and dismayed him. Every other woman in the world begged for whatever he could give them. He narrowed his eyes at Chloe, studying her. She’d been watching him too much at dinner and other times when she didn’t think he was looking at her. She liked him more than she cared to. “Good. I didn’t think to ask about sick bags.”

  “I’m not the queasy type, anyway.”

  They pulled into a parking space at the downtown heliport. He got out before the driver could park. When Darian opened Chloe’s door, he asked, “Do you get sick with the flu?”

  She exited the car with a grin. “No. I just lose my appetite.”

  He chuckled. “So when you turn down lunch out with me, I know to drink extra orange juice because something’s going around?”

  “Yep.” They both looked as a uniformed woman came up to them.

  “Mr. Lawrence, Ms. Anders?” At their nod, she continued, “Right this way, please.”

  Chloe looked around the terminal. “Where is everyone? I expected there would be more people here.”

  Their representative responded, “Either out on the final tours of the day or are wrapping up their paperwork.”

  “So we’re too late?” She looked to Darian.

  He smiled at her, glad he could fix the disappointment in her eyes. “I arranged this just for tonight.”

  “Oh, gosh, thank you, sir.” Her cheeks turned pink as she walked past him into the terminal. “I mean, gosh isn’t very professional, is it?”

  “No, but understandable in this case. Don’t worry.” He patted her shoulder. “It’s tough to be impartial about the New York City skyline at night.”

  “All right, Mr. Lawrence, we have the security information from your office,” said a desk clerk. “Ms. Anders’, too. Just exit these doors to get started. Have a safe flight.”

  “Thanks.” He glanced at Chloe before they headed out. Darian loved how she didn’t hide anything behind a cool veneer. She’d always been so business like at work, which he appreciated just as much as he did her enthusiasm now. He tried not to watch her face as she listened to every word of the safety briefing. Her passion was contagious and Darian found himself eager to get going.

  Once airborne, the pilot left no landmark behind. The sun set came on too soon, causing them to return faster than he’d wanted. As they stepped out on to the helipad, the full moon rose, large and orange. A cold breeze blew her hair around her face. She pulled back a strand and he reached out to help, brushing her cheek. He stared into her eyes not sure if he saw his own lust reflected. “Did you enjoy it?”

  “Yes, it was amazing. Thank you again.” She took a couple of steps toward the terminal before halting. “Wait, do we tip him, or…?”

  “I’ll send a message to the office and have them take care of it.” He led the way into the building, holding the door open for her.

  A women behind the desk looked up at their entrance. “Did you have a good time? Romantic at this time of the day, isn’t it?”

  He gave her a grin, not in the mood to argue romance wasn’t his intent. When he glanced at Chloe, her face glowed a bright red. Maybe he needed to correct the mistake after all. Or maybe not, since teasing his assistant was fun. “It’s a very romantic time, especially with the full moon. Thank you.”

  “Yes, thank you,” Chloe sputtered behind him as he reached back for her hand.

  Her skin was cold in his and he squeezed her fingers as they went to the hired car. “Christmas is coming up. Maybe I should get you some gloves?”

  “Oh gosh, I think everything so far has been enough.” She paused at the car door. “Unless you’re wanting me to go in halves on our trip here. Then gloves are good.”

  He laughed, going to his side and sliding in. “This is business, well, except for the sightseeing. Which reminds me, is there anything else you want to do while we’re here?”

  She looked out of the window before answering. “I want to say yes, whatever you’re in the mood for.”

  “But?”

  “But I’m so tired.”

  That reminded him of this morning. “What time did you get to the airport this morning? Not too long before four, right?”

  “Three.”

  “Which means you were up and out of the house by two-thirty?”

  “Out of the house, yes, up? No. I couldn’t sleep last night. I was afraid I’d miss the alarm and then miss the flight.”

  “That’s over twenty-four hours, Chloe. Right.” He leaned forward and said, “Take us back to the Four Seasons, please.”

  “No more sigh seeing?”

  He chuckled at her frown. “No. You get some sleep tonight and we can hit it hard tomorrow morning. I’ll call and make sure the flight is for late tomorrow afternoon. If that’s not too late for whatever plans you have?”

  “That’s fine.”

  If he were at work, the warm moon glow would be reflecting off of the mountains and into his office. Not washed out by the city lights. He glanced over at Chloe. She all but had her nose pressed against the glass, looking up at the skyscrapers. “We can hit all the major tourist spots, or avoid them completely.”

  “Did you want me to decide on what we do or just follow along with you?”

  “How about we work it out over breakfast? I’ve been everywhere, so whatever you want is fine with me.”

  “I’d like to sneak in a bubble bath. I’ve never been in a jet tub.”

  “Not even a hot tub?”

  “Yes, I’ve been in a few of them on trips and in our gym. But not a bath all to myself.”

  His blood pressure spiked at the thought of her covered in bubbles. His gaze met the driver’s in the rear view mirror and Darian saw envy in the man’s eyes. He smirked, not blaming the guy. He’d be jealous of him, too. “You’ll have plenty of time for that.”

  “Good.” She went back to watching out of the window.

  Darian took the chance to study her profile. He’d seen plenty of the city before now. He didn’t want to miss out on a chance to stare without her catching him.

  Her hair had body, the humidity turned straight into soft curls. He smiled a little at seeing how the color faded from golden blond to a less sun kissed hue. She always fixed it up and away from her face. Darian liked the style, but after seeing her more casual, he wondered how to make the office less uptight.

  She turned to look at him, her blue eyes sparkling. “You’re probably used to New York, so this doesn’t seem as much like a movie or TV show to you.”

  “That’s why I’m enjoying you being here. It reminds me not take anything for granted.”

  “I can help with that for a while.” She went back to looking outside. “I can’t imagine not being in love with this place. It’s so busy. Even the rougher parts have a wild beauty.”

  Her words went to his heart. An honest man could admit his infatuation. A lost one could confess more. She’d charmed him, until now. Chloe was different from anyone else he’d ever met and he loved her.

  Darian stared ahead, a little stunned at his admission. Not love, not really. It was too soon. Who fell in love after a couple of months? He didn’t. He had businesses to run. People depended on him.

  He glanced at her just as their car stopped in front of the hotel.

  She turned to him with a smile. “Too bad we have to get back to luxury. Cheesecake and bubble baths are so toug
h to endure.”

  He laughed as she left the car, the driver holding her door. Darian left, too, slipping a generous tip to the man. “Thanks for taking the long way here.”

  “My pleasure. Have a good evening, sir.”

  “Will do.”

  He followed Chloe, waiting with her at the elevator. “Should I have another bottle of wine sent up for you?”

  They stepped in as the others left. She pushed their floor as well as a few for the new arrivals. “I’d like that except one was enough. I want to be clearheaded for tomorrow.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah, I think the glass at dinner, ok, two glasses, left me fuzzy enough to forget my phone.”

  “Sometimes, it’s nice to just be in the moment instead of hiding behind a camera.” Saying that reminded him to update his phone settings to emergency only and low volume ringtone.

  “I suppose.” The last couple exited before she added, “I keep thinking about what you said earlier. What if something happens later and I’ve missed my chance to take photos of the city like I could have tonight?”

  He stayed quiet until getting both of them into their suite. After closing and securing the door behind him, he smiled at her questioning expression. “If something happens to the entire city, I’ll build you a new one.”

  “For me? Why, Mr. Lawrence, I’m flattered you’d even consider it.”

  Her smile captivated him. She thought he was kidding around and he returned her smile, never more serious in his life. “Anything for you, Ms. Anders.” Darian leaned forward, intending to give her the briefest of kisses. When their lips touched, all his intentions melted. He held on to her arms before holding her close. He deepened their kiss, the feel of her driving him wild. She moaned and the sound broke through to him. “Oh, damn, Chloe. This isn’t what I meant to…”

  She interrupted him by kissing him back, breaking free to murmur, “I’m trying to say no, trying to feel bad.” Chloe brought his face to hers, burying her fingers in his hair.