Innocent in New York (5 page)

Agnes didn't need any more persuasion as she headed for their small bar. Their kitchen was open, divided by a line of cabinets and black granite counter with a line of barstools.

"You're going to sleep with a billionaire," Agnes said. "What if he'll never let you leave? What if you have to live with him in his sky palace for all eternity?"

Sophia watched her friend pour wine. "Don't worry. He's not the type, and I don't plan to change that. We're just after the same thing."

"We'll see." Agnes pursed her lips.

Halfway through the bottle, she let herself sink back into the corner of the couch, her feet propped up on a pillow.

"Are you sure you have his number?" Agnes asked.

"Yes, it's on my phone, plus I have his business card laminated and taped to my wall." Sophia's gaze fell to her watch and saw it sneak past eleven. She emptied the rest of her glass with swift gulps. "I'm ready. I'm just going to call him and let him know that I want to…"

"Fuck him?" Agnes suggested.

"Make love? No," Sophia shook her head.

"Tell him you
want
him.
Ooh, baby, I want you
."

Sophia groaned. "He's going to run away, huh?"

"Probably." Agnes stuck her tongue out. "Oh! I can put a spell on him."

"No! No more spells!" Sophia jumped up from the couch, all of a sudden ready. "I'll call him and that's that. I'll know what to say."

"This is hilarious," Agnes said. "I've never seen you stress out over
anything
before. You speak to business people on a daily basis and I've never seen you flinch."

"He's kind of intimidating," Sophia said carefully. "But in a good way?"

Agnes smiled and nodded. "He's hot as hell. Good luck."

She needed it.
 

She picked up her phone and headed into her bedroom. It was just a phone call; a normal, relaxed phone call with James to plan a night to rid her of her virginity. Her hands shook. She sat down with her phone clutched in her hands and located his number.

"James Archer."

She opened her mouth to speak, but was all of a sudden struck with nerves.

"
Hello
?"

"James?" she blurted. "This is Sophia."

"Sophia," he said in a way making her wish to be with him right this instant, "how are you?"

"Good, I think." She wrecked her brain for words. "I promised I'd call you. You know…" She pressed her palm to her forehead, wincing. This was a suicide mission.

"You called to see if I had a successful conference?"

"Huh?" she jerked her head up from her palm. "Uh, well, I, no." The noose was tightening around her throat. Why was she so damn nervous? The spike of confidence she built from the wine began to fade. "I've tried to understand your, um, hobbies."

There was a pause. "Oh, that's what you meant." Evident humor marked his words. If he'd see what a mess he left her in, he wouldn't have messed around with her head. "And what did you decide?"

"I want to. Are you busy this weekend? Friday perhaps?" She grimaced. There was no way he was free. Billionaires didn't keep the nearest weekend open! Her fancy, ridiculously expensive lingerie would have to wait.

"I wondered if you'd want to meet first, to discuss what you're comfortable with," he said.

"No, I'm okay with it." It couldn't be that bad. Postponing it meant giving her more time to detach from him and she'd be back to square one. "Do
you
want to?" she asked, worried she'd annoyed him.

"Trust me, if you weren't such an obvious novice, you'd be handcuffed and straddling me right now."

Sophia lost her phone and it thumped onto her ankle painfully. "Son of a
mother
."

"Hello
?"

"Uh, hmm, hi!" she stammered as she fumbled with her phone, rubbing her ankle.

"Are you all right?" There was a hint of amusement there cracking through his steely calm.

"I'm good! I'm cool."
Cool
? "I'm fine."
Shut. Up.
"Listen, I'll deal with your twisted bed habits. Take my offer or say no. I'm not going to beg you to fuck me."

"Oh, trust me, you
will
beg."

Sophia's mouth opened, but she had no retort, still trying to comprehend such brisk confidence. Deep down, she knew he was dead right, and he already set her body blazing the way he did in the conference room.

He continued, thankfully, "I can rearrange a few things Friday night, if this is what you want."

"That sounds perfect."

"I'll arrange a car to pick you up."

"There's no trouble getting there on my own," she offered. "I don't want to be any trouble."

"I'll send a car to pick you up at eleven o'clock," his voice turned stricter.

"Okay," she said, nodding pointlessly. "I'll stand outside of Grand Pier on 54
th
and Lexington." Grand Pier Hotel was fifteen minutes away from the apartment and an easy landmark to locate.

"Good. I will see you on Friday."

She clutched her phone. "Yes."

"Good night, Sophia. Sweet dreams." Oh, God, his voice sounded sinful; dark yet caressing. She wished to hear those words brushed against her ear. Sophia shook her head, drawing in a quick breath.

"Good night, James," she spoke softly, and after a longer, heart stopping pause, he ended the call. She lay down, put her phone to her chest, and gazed up at the ceiling.

Sweet dreams.
The memory of his deep voice swarmed her.

It was set.

- - -

"Do I look okay?" Sophia asked nervously, stepping into the living room. She wore a black dress that skimmed mid-thigh with a neckline that showed a hint of cleavage without being too much. Her hair fell down her back in soft curls, some brushing her shoulders and chest. She decided on simple makeup of eyeliner and mascara, and ruby lips.

"Holy smokes." Agnes's gaze flew down her frame and back up to her face. "You look hot."

"Really? Hot hot?"

"Hot, hot,
hot
." She nodded. "You won't be wearing that dress for long."

"Good," Sophia smiled, "this needs to work. I'm not leaving his place a virgin."

"I don't think that's possible. You'll barely leave
this
place a virgin," she said, and Sophia laughed.

In the hallway, she reached for one of her favorite coats; a bold blue trench coat she had fallen in love with in a store window after closing time. Agnes went back there and got it for her birthday.

"Ready?" Agnes asked.

"Oh, yes," Sophia nodded, adjusting her clothes, "I'm not returning here until it's done."

Agnes sighed, leaning against the doorframe when Sophia walked out. "Don't overthink it. Relax, stay safe, and enjoy James. In that order. Good luck!"

She so needed it. "Thanks, Agnes!"

The cold autumn wind swept past her on the street and she pulled her coat closer to shield her neck from the bite. A couple shuffled past her, the man's arm wrapped around the woman. Her flowy crimson scarf tore through the dark with its burst of color. Perhaps they were heading to a romantic dinner, Sophia mused. Despite the cold, autumn had its charm. This was her moment to calm down, because she knew the moment she met James, that impossible heat would engulf her. Taking her time, she walked past the endless streetlamps and parked cars, over pedestrian lanes and past a few corner shops brightly lit in the darkening evening. Leaves twirled about when a gust of wind swept by, and Sophia hurried her steps, her heels clicking against the wet asphalt. She spotted tall flags about a hundred feet away, and knew she was close. The monstrosity of Grand Pier soon came into view on her left side, towering above her with white spotlights casting bright streams up the white walls, and set with pompous Ionic columns for the entrance. She headed over to it and paused close to the entrance.

"Miss Campbell?" a voice spoke after a minute.

She looked up from her phone, seeing a sleek black car parked there with a man in front of it, hands hooked behind his back.

"I'm Campbell," she said, walking up to him.

"I'm here to take you to Mr. Archer," he announced. He opened the door for her. The inside was roomy and low-lit, the tinted windows shielding the harsher light of the city. Instead of ending up at James's apartment, they stopped in front of a sky-high corporate building. She frowned, but walked inside and followed the instructions she'd been given to head for the 98
th
floor.

Inside the elevator she pondered the location. Was he still working? Was he cancelling? Sophia tapped her foot restlessly.

"
98
th
floor,
" a soothing female voice said and the doors slid open to reveal a large open space with sitting groups and in the very middle a huge circled desk where a man stood inside. It made Sophia's own desk at work seem nonexistent. The man greeted her with a smile. "You must be Sophia," he said. "James's office is this way." He walked through a gap in his awesome fort. It looked like something from the future.

She followed him while gazing about at the large landscape of designer sofas and sky-high windows, while the ink-black floors shone like mirrors.

They headed for a set of large double doors and he walked right up to it, opened it, and stepped aside to reveal James sitting by his desk.

"Your last client, James!"

Client!

James's gaze snapped from Sophia to his assistant. "Thanks, Dave."

When Dave exited and closed the doors, James stood up from behind his desk. He wore black fitted slacks, a crisp white shirt and a black tie. He was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome, and Sophia knew she'd be unable to twist her mind away from this. The space around him was set with frosted glass, steel, and leather furniture. Panorama windows rested behind him and he suited the place so damn bad. He walked toward her, every stride confident.

"Are — are you ready to leave?" she questioned a little shakily, though something in his eyes told her he wasn't planning on going anywhere.

He shook his head, one corner of his mouth curling. "Does that scare you?"

Sophia's breath caught. "James…" She backed up until the door stopped her and he followed suit and caged her in with his hands on either side of her and her heart jumped. A glint reflected in his eyes and next he swooped down and their lips locked. It was sudden, rough and passionate, exactly what he warned her of, and she'd sell her soul for another moment on his lips. She dug her fingers in his shirt and bit back a moan as he swept his tongue against hers. Heart near combusting in her chest, she felt him distance.

"I've been thinking of you," he said, his hands moving to her waist where he undid the belt that kept her coat closed, "all fucking day."

Sophia's heart leaped, cornered by his dark eyes. "Me too," she stuttered. She had no clue how she managed getting through the workday with him occupying her mind all day. Multitasking was a damn good skill to possess.

She shivered when he slipped the coat off her shoulders, slow in his movements, his palms brushing against her bare arms, leaving goosebumps in their paths.

"No one's here but us. The building's closed," he assured her and kissed her jaw.

Sophia gulped, gaze slipping past him to look out the windows. They were high above ground and no buildings close enough. No one would see them.

"You're wondering if you made the right decision meeting me," he said, nudging her chin up.

"No, I know what I want."

He kissed her again, guiding her further into his office toward his desk until she bumped against it. She placed her hands on the edge and clutched it, her breathing turning heavier.

James's skillful lips moved to her neck and brushed against her skin, making her skin heat, making her arch for him. He moved his hands to her back and pulled the zipper, and next brushed her dress off her shoulders until it slid down her body and pooled by her feet. Warm hands encased her waist, fingers dimpling her flesh. He dragged them up her body, leaving her skin tingling for more, loving every nuance of contact.

"Are these new?" he asked, his thumb grazing a little silver heart attached to her bra, right in the valley of her breasts.

"Yes," she breathed, unable to break away from that strict gaze.

"Did you buy them for tonight?" he asked, letting go of the heart and moving down to the top of her panties, touching her abdomen.

Why were his words so difficult to follow? The way his hands skimmed her skin drowned him out. "I think…yes. Yes. I think…" Words had never made less sense, and she definitely wasn't thinking. He chuckled.

"How nice of you." Their lips locked. His tongue swept against hers, taking control. He ravished her mouth, kissing her like none other and while he kept her mouth occupied, he pushed her underwear down over her hips before brushing the delicate fabric completely off her.

When she responded by undoing the buttons on his shirt, he caught both of her hands at once, stopping her quest and nipped her bottom lip in punishment. The small bite was oddly pleasurable and she found herself moaning and pressing up against him as if pulled by some string. She needed more. He distanced, and she wanted to protest. He pulled a chair to him and sat down. Sophia blinked, and then the twitch of his smile spelled it out for her. He caught her hand before she could respond and tugged her off balance, using an arm to position her over his lap. The sudden movement made her squeal. "James, what are you doing?"

"
Sir
," he corrected her coolly. "In here you will call me
sir
. You've already broken the rule."

"You never told me the rules!"
Sir
, she tried the word within her mind, but unable to express it. He was going to spank her, right there in his office. Her face colored. Sophia took a deep breath, forcing herself to keep from struggling. His hand touched her calf, slowly dragging it up her leg until it rested on her bottom. New sensations spiraled through her, her body surrendering to the unknown, wondering what came next. His palm left her and she awaited; five seconds, ten seconds,
twenty
seconds.

Then it came, the smack ringing in her ears and sending shock through her body. A cry left her when pain blossomed on her skin, and she wished to throw herself away from the onslaught. However, she stayed, instead focusing her gaze on a small scratch on the otherwise immaculate shiny floors. The second blow came down just as hard against her abused backside, making her entire body convulse.

Was this supposed to be pleasurable for any of them? She awaited the next blow in terror. She strained, as if able to sink away from him, but her imagination was short-lived when his palm came in contact with her skin again. Tears pushed behind her closed eyes. Maybe he sensed her discomfort — she didn't know — but he gave her a moment to collect herself before he dealt her another blow. It didn't sting quite as bad this time.