Innocent in New York (13 page)

He held her tighter against his body and whispered hoarsely, "Good girl." He withdrew completely from her pussy before settling himself deep again; faster, harder, and then her mind soared with an abrupt climax, and she feared her sanity wobbled like a spinning top ready to tumble. Her gaze swayed and in the next moment, complete darkness consumed her.

Coming to, she found herself lying down on her back.

James watched her with a frown from a standing position. She pondered how long she had been out, seeing he had slipped into a pair of boxers.

"What happened?" she mumbled, but her words came out too slurred to grasp. He picked her up. She felt languid, spent, and once he deposited her further up the bed and joined her, she curled up against his chest as much as she could; a reflex she couldn't stop. Her hands were still bound.

"Are you all right?" he murmured, and placed a lingering kiss on her forehead. He moved to her bound hands and undid the ribbon before massaging her wrists.

She lifted her head and nodded. "It was a little intense," she sighed, still collecting herself.

"I know." He kissed her. After drawing a cool sheet over her, he wrapped her in his arms.

In the early hours of morning, Sophia awoke in his arms. She stretched as much as she could in her locked position and it had her butt brush against his groin. She froze, feeling his arm around her waist curl tighter, dragging her to him another inch. She gasped, feeling his breath on her neck. A warm hand moved to her stomach and ventured to her abdomen where he pressed her lower body gently into his hard, male one, making her heart beat wildly in her chest. He parted her legs slightly, and next she felt the hard length of him brush her slit.

She couldn't decipher if it was real or part of a naughty dream, her mind still wobbly. Whichever, she didn't want it to stop. She whispered an intangible plea, voice still useless after sleeping.

"Good morning," he murmured by her ear, voice thick, urgent, and more sinful than ever. She felt his length brush against her pussy again and she couldn't stop her bottom from grinding against him.

Sophia trembled and tried to move her hips to further the friction but his grip on her turned iron — all in control. His lips teased the skin between her neck and shoulder. He bit her gently, and it set fire coursing through her. The edge of pain urged pleasure.

"Do you want me to take you like this?" he asked, his teeth nipping her again, harder, just when he nudged the head of his erection against her clit, forcing a moan from her lips. "From behind?"

Sophia grew dizzy, her pleasure fueled by both his movements and words. "Mm," she sighed, unsuccessfully repositioning her body. He kept thrusting against her, his hard length sliding between her folds back and forth, rubbing her clit each time. She nearly came, but of course, he knew so beforehand and stopped her from reaching her high by slowing down. He was in charge, keeping her right on edge where he had her begging and panting. He was torture and pleasure all at the same time and she couldn't imagine one without the other.

He reached down and caught her clit between two fingers before circling them lazily. She gasped, stilling completely while he explored her with his skillful hand. "James," she whimpered, feeling herself grow even wetter. Her juices spilled onto his length, making James groan against her ear before sucking her earlobe between his lips. She felt his cock teasing her opening, around and around, threatening to enter her.

"Tell me what you need," he demanded, urging the head of his cock inside, only to let it pop free. Sophia couldn't quench the moan pushing past her lips when he repeated that action. She'd barely awakened, but she was wide-awake.

"Fuck me," she begged, the words trembling. "I need you inside of me.
Please
."

"Sweet Sophia," he mused, his nose touching her ear, his words warming her skin and after a couple of moments, he slid home in one hard thrust. Her fingers clutched the bedsheet, her eyes closing. She tipped her head back to rest on his shoulder, that small movement causing her to bend her back and jut her chest out; his hand was there at once and squeezed one of her breasts.

"Ah!" She pushed into his palm further, her entire body trembling when he circled his wicked thumb over her nipple. He thrust inside her and combined with his lips fluttering over the pulse in her neck, Sophia came hard. His own orgasm followed as well, expressed by his quickened thrusts before he stilled inside of her, his breathing ragged. He gripped her hips and didn't let go until several seconds passed, and she reveled in his possessive grasp.

"Fuck," he muttered hotly by her ear.

Sophia moved so that she could look at him and grinned. "Good morning,
sir
."

James chuckled, his hand sliding to her butt to give her a quick smack. She yelped, jerking from the slight sting, causing her to get even closer to him. Her eyes darted to his face to find mirthfulness there.

"Shower," he spoke against her forehead and kissed her, then proceeded to lift her out of bed and into his arms. Sophia wasn't about to decline a steaming shower with him.

"I'm sorry," James said, leaning against a wall downstairs while Sophia jumped around trying to put her shoes on.

"No. I forgot the time," she mumbled, jerking her head to the side. "Where's my phone?"

James drew a hand through his damp hair. "It's in your purse. You checked ten seconds ago."

"Oh, right," Sophia shook her head. "Gosh, I'm sorry. I just
really
have to get to work."

"I have a car waiting for you."

"Thank you." She looked over his shoulder into the living room, to the blinds shutting out the morning light. "You know, they say Vitamin D is supposed to be good for you."

He lazily sent a glance to the shut windows. "Eh, they do their own thing. The building has them on a timer."

"Okay," she gave a laugh before walking up to him. "Thanks for last night." Just when she was about to kiss his cheek, he turned and caught her lips while an arm snuck behind her back. She sighed when he parted.

"Work." He smiled, and Sophia's eyes widened.

"Work! Bye, I'll see you later!" She picked up her purse and headed straight for the door without looking at him again. She'd surely run right back if she did and she was already late.

Sophia greeted her friend with a bright
good morning
when finally reaching her desk after having changed clothes in
Monroe
.

"You're an hour late," Agnes quipped, looking annoyed. "I've covered for you, barely." She watched Sophia sift through a stack of papers.

"Thank you."

"Was it Archer that kept you?"

"Uh," Sophia blushed, "well, it wasn't entirely his
fault. He'll arrive late for work himself!"

"He's a billionaire, Soph. He does whatever the hell he wants."

"Don't give me that lecture," Sophia sighed, glancing her friend's way. "I've covered for your escapades as well, you know. Even for an entire weekend."

"I know you have," she said. "I just don't want you to lose grip on reality."

Sophia tensed. "I'm not. I messed up once. It won't happen again."

Agnes's face remained blank, and then she shrugged before turning toward her computer. Sophia frowned, wondering what her problem was.

---

She ran nonstop throughout her workday. Chris was supposed to help her meet and greet two guests while she took care of an event for a phone company. The event boasted guests from all around the world, but he never showed up no matter how many texts she sent him. The Italian couple seemed a bit miffed when she reached them ten minutes too late, but she smoothed it over by booking them a massage appointment before their gala tomorrow.

Minutes before her workday was over, Chris showed up in front of her desk. She couldn't keep from rolling her eyes.

"Thanks for the help," she said in a clipped tone. She was starving, her feet hurt, and she feared she looked worse than she felt. The only thing keeping her upright was the fact she only had to take the elevator to reach Monroe and a soft bed.

"Something came up," he said.

Sophia wanted to punch him, but refrained from doing so by tightening her fists by her sides. This was Chris, as simple as that. He never changed, never freed himself of that air of superiority he wore like a badge of honor.

"I'm hoping everything is all right with James," he said, giving her a pointed stare. "I hope you're taking care of my future investor."

Sophia closed her eyes shortly. "I don't think hotels are in James's interests, businesswise."

"Neither are animals but he donated millions to help that animal shelter they talked about in the news a while ago."

"Oh? That's so swee — I mean, I'm sure he did that because of
compassion
!" Sophia glared at him. "Are you seriously comparing yourself to wounded animals in need of shelter?"

"Whatever." Chris rolled his eyes. "You're going to persuade him. He adores you. Act like it's a gift for
you
."

Sophia wanted to shout at him, but forced her repulsion to simmer down. She just wanted to leave.

"I will see you next Monday," she said, voice monotone, going back to clear her desk.

He tapped the sleek glass surface with his index finger twice. "One more thing…" Sophia's gaze snapped to his face. "Mr. Grissom will arrive on the twenty-fifth, this Sunday, at ten p.m. Make sure he gets here safely. Order a car for him."

"Wait, what did you say?" Sophia asked, the date sliding into her tired brain.

"You have to get a driver for —"

"No, is the twenty-fifth on Sunday?" she asked, wishing she'd heard wrong.

"Yes."

"Meaning today is October twenty-third."

Chris frowned, looking as if he was dealing with an imbecile — and perhaps he was. "That's how the calendar works, I believe. Make sure it's done."

"Yes," she answered absentmindedly, but nodded.

"Great." Chris walked away, and Sophia felt as if someone had kicked her in the gut — and by God, she deserved it. It was Agnes's birthday. She ran to her station and made sure a car was set up for Mr. Grissom before running out of the hotel. She had to make it all right with Agnes.

"Please, please be home," she whispered, feet hurting as she speed-walked down the pavement.

Their apartment appeared dark. The door wasn't locked, and Sophia let out a breath. "Agnes?" she spoke into the dark before turning the lights on. She saw movement in the living room and Agnes emerged from the shadows.

"What?" She gave her a dead stare and crossed her arms.

"I'm so sorry," Sophia said. "It's your birthday."

"Took you long enough to figure it out."

"I'm probably the last person you want to see, so I brought you this to soften the blow." Sophia handed her something she bought from Agnes's favorite bakery on her way home. Reluctantly she accepted it and looked into the flowery paper bag at the chocolate treats.

"Cassandra's," she said, and Sophia could spot a hint of emotion in her eyes. She lived for those chocolate treats. "Thanks." The flicker of delight died. Sophia broke from her dark stare and hurried past her and to her bedroom where she kept Agnes's present, which she bought two months ago. She carried the purple velvet box topped with a big black bow back to the hallway.

"Here," Sophia said, holding it out for her, "I've been dying to give it to you."

Being her curious self, Agnes accepted it and stared at the present. "What's this?" she asked, picking at a black envelope attached to the top.

"Check the box first, please."

Agnes looked at her for a moment but her somber expression didn't change. She opened the box and surprise cracked her façade. Sophia walked closer, seeing the content the way she remembered it. She wanted a nice collection of things Agnes loved, having to do with her witchcraft interests.

"It's this great place filled with all of the things you love. It even has these crazy cauldrons. There's a black cauldron there with gold on the inside, and I almost bought it! Mostly because you burn stuff and it'd be great for safety reasons, but also because it looks ridiculously cool. I just couldn't figure out how I could keep it hidden until your birthday so I got you a gift card you can use instead—"

Agnes held her hand up and Sophia shut her rambling mouth. "You hate Wicca," she said. "I can imagine you walking a long detour to avoid a Wiccan store."

Sophia shook her head, "I'm interested in everything you love. I know I take distance from it but that's only because I'm so ridiculously jumpy and I might be paranoid beyond saving and I doubt that's helpful for you. I'm here to listen if there's anything regarding your beliefs that you want to talk about and I always have been."

"I know," Agnes said. She sifted through the sachets of everything from graveyard dirt to gemstones and dried herbs of different kinds.

"It's
mostly
things suitable for positive energies," Sophia said, "because I know you like that, but I couldn't pass up on graveyard dirt."

Agnes laughed at that, showing that infectious smile she had that made anyone light up. "Have I been a bad influence on you?"

Sophia smiled at her. "It looks that way, huh?"

Agnes let the sachet drop back into the box.

"I'm sorry I forgot," Sophia said, taking the velvet box from her and put it safely on the floor next to the wall. "Can you forgive me?"

Agnes came forward and hugged her tightly. "Of course I forgive you, silly," she said. "It was just a crappy morning, and I let it continue. And it's still my birthday."

Sophia patted her back. "I have something else for you."

"What?" Agnes distanced from her. "You've gone to an occult store and bought
graveyard dirt
. If that doesn't speak of friendship then I don't know what does."

"We're weird." Sophia frowned.

"I just realized." Agnes nodded at that.

Sophia dug her hand into her pocket and withdrew a card. "The rest of my Monroe stay is yours. Please, accept it," she said. "I spoke with James and he wanted you to have it as well."

Agnes rolled her eyes. "The Monroe was all you could talk about for a year after they hired you."

"On any other day you'd have to pry it from my cold, dead hands." Sophia waved the keycard, and Agnes laughed.

"I've been jealous these last few days," she admitted with a sigh, "of
James
, that is. But I'm honestly happy you've found someone you might fall in love with. I can't think of anyone who deserves it more, Soph. There's so much to love, and I've been selfish keeping you for too long."

Sophia felt her stupid eyes get an allergic reaction. "No, Agnes. You were right; I forgot about reality for a moment."

"We all do it at some time," Agnes assured her. "I love you, Soph."

She hugged Agnes tightly. "I love you too. Happy twenty-seventh!"

---

Less than an hour later, after readying their weekend bags, they strolled through the massive revolving doors into Herrera's Palace. They met their coworkers' questioning glances with wide smiles before they headed to an elevator to take them up and up up up.

We're at the spa! Thank you so much for letting Agnes stay at Monroe for the remaining days!

Xoxo Soap

--

Sure, Bubbles. I hope Agnes is all right. Wish her a happy birthday. Champagne is in your room.

Sophia near swooned. Monroe had been
her
room. She'd never forget it. She was happy Agnes could be a part of it as well. This weekend, it was
her
room.

Thanks a million, James. I owe you to infinity.

XOXO Soph** ;)

--

I will remember that ;)

--

"James says hi and wishes you a happy birthday," Sophia said.

"I officially
love
James," Agnes said, her body sunken into a large tub filled with coconut milk. Her face was glistening with honey, and cucumbers rested on her eyes. Blindly, she reached for her champagne.

"I think I do too," Sophia murmured from her tub filled with coconut milk and honey that made her skin feel like silk. Relaxing lavender scented the room. "Worship these days, Agnes."

"We'll see," Agnes laughed, "I might not leave. I'll hide in the piano."

Glancing around the candlelit room, Sophia reached for her phone again. With no one around, and Agnes blinded by slices of cucumber, she snapped a picture of herself biting a strawberry, angling the camera for a little cleavage action. She'd never sent anything like it before, and the thought of James's reaction when seeing it made her excited. She added a bit of tongue for good measure, and laughed to herself after the snap was sent. Another few minutes of relaxing, her phone beeped.

That strawberry is the last thing I want to put my mouth on. Not fair. I'm stuck in my office.

Sophia started feeling bad, well, until she received an image of James sitting in his chair in his office, the top buttons of his shirt undone, face serious, and an eyebrow lifted. She knew he was being funny, but goddamn he looked smoking hot.

Before she had the time to respond, another message from James ticked in.

Mr. Cheng is staring at me all weirdly, so I'm going to leave you two at peace. I'll talk to you later. And careful on the champagne.

X's and O's + the rest of the alphabet.

James.

Sophia stifled a laugh, imagining him in a meeting while taking inappropriate photos. She left it at that, letting him do his late conference call. She didn't want to keep him occupied behind his desk — unless she was there with him.

She leaned down in her tub, reveling in the warm water for a few minutes more, promising herself to focus on Agnes solely.

After their trip to the spa, they headed back to Monroe where they changed into cocktail dresses and heels, doing their makeup and hair. An hour later, the dinner arrived, and a man Sophia had met on a few occasions brought a trolley stuffed with food in.

"Thank you, Eric." Sophia smiled at him. "This is perfect."

He grinned back at her. "Sure thing, Soph." With amazing precision and speed, he set the table and lit candles. "Let me know if there's anything else you need."

"I will, thank you so much." She followed him to the door.

"I've died, haven't I?"

Sophia turned to see Agnes by the table.

"No, silly." Sophia joined her. "Now sit, and I'll serve."

"You'd almost think it was my birthday," Agnes sighed, making Sophia laugh.

Dinner served and glasses filled, they both had a moment of comfortable quiet.