Page 15 of High Rise Secrets
“What boyfriend?” I look up at him from under my lashes, and he stops mid-sip and watches me.Why the fuck did I say that? God, could I sound any needier?“Listen, I’m going to take off early so Roxanne and I can find some dresses for this weekend. If you need anything, let me know. I’ll see you tomorrow, Mr. Freeman.” The words rush past my lips, and I’m out the door before he can find his voice again.
Chapter 8
Ethan
“Remember, Cal, Addison is my assistant, and Roxanne is her friend. Don’t be an ass and make me look bad. I went out on a limb to get you this date.”
“Yeah, yeah, I get it. Don’t sleep with her,” he says as he rolls his eyes.
It may have been the tenth time since I got him the date that I’ve lectured him. The last thing I need after the bathroom incident this week is for her friend to somehow get hurt because I made Addy set up the date. I haven’t been able to get what she said out of my head.
What boyfriend?
I thought for sure she had some lucky asshole in her life. Honestly, if she did have someone in her life, it would make it easier for me to behave. Instead, the beast within wants to be unleashed on her. It’s getting harder and harder to keep him chained and locked away.
The limo rolls up in front of a nice apartment complex, and we get out.Damn, maybe I’m paying her too much if she can afford a place like this.
“Damn, nice place,” Cal says.
The doorman lets us into the building, and we take the elevator to the fifth floor. When the doors open, there are only two doors on the floor. I knock on apartment five-zero-one, and Addy opens the door with a smile on her face. “Ethan,” she gasps and clears her throat. “Hi, come on in. I just need to get my bag and we can be on our way.”
She stuffs some note cards in her purse and walks down the hall. She’s in a floor-length red dress with a V-neck neckline that plunges, stopping mid-back. Her hair is pulled up in a loose bun with some curls cascading down. She’s a knockout. I couldn’t have a prettier girl on my arm even if I tried.
She comes back a moment later with her friend in tow. She is wearing an equally dazzling dress in black, with a lace bodice and sweetheart neckline.
“Mr. Freeman, Mr. Manning, this is my good friend Rox—” she introduces.
“Roxanne.” The friend steps forward, interrupting Addison and glaring at her even as Addy frowns.
Cal takes a step forward, hand outstretched to take hers in his. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Roxanne. I’m Callan Manning, but you can call me Cal. I can say without a doubt, I will have the prettiest girl on my arm tonight.” He flashes a megawatt smile at her.
She giggles.Giggles!“Nice to meet you, Cal.”
As the two of them are involved in their own little conversation, I stand next to Addy and place my hands on her upper arms, then lean down so my lips are by her ear. I can’t keep myself from touching her any longer, and since she is my date for the night, I have an excuse. “What are the notecards you placed in your purse?”
“I requested a list of everyone who will be there and have been reviewing the names and their occupations. I managed to find some of their pictures online, so they’re included as well.”
I can’t help but smile. “You really are something else. I need one more favor tonight.”
“What’s that?” She turns to face me, and I have to pull back, her lips only centimeters from mine. I smell her minty breath as it fans across my face.
“Call me Ethan.”
She smirks. “I’m working tonight, and you’re my boss.”
“Yes, but you also told me you wouldn’t call me Ethan when in the office. We won’t be in the office tonight.”
She blushes and tries my name on her tongue. “Okay, Ethan.”
Instant hard-on.Fuck.Maybe this was a bad idea. I’m about to open my stupid mouth again when Cal insists we get going so we’re not late. He takes Roxanne’s arm and slides it through his, but when I try to take Addy’s, she moves out of my grasp.
Maybe not...
The ride feels too long, especially with her so close to me. When we arrive, we slide our masks into place, and I get the feeling of déjà vu. I’ve seen her mask before, or IthinkI have. It’s light pink with silver along the edges and a few jewels under the eye holes. I slide out first, and she allows me to help her, even wrap my arm around her waist. At her apartment, she didn’t have to play the game, but here, she knows she has to.
She puts on a large smile, and the entire place lights up. Cal and I leave the ladies to go to the bar for some drinks. No way I’ll get through this night without some alcohol. These things are always so boring, but it’s a great way to network and talk business. Alcohol makes people more receptive to talk about deals. Tickets are expensive, so if you’re seen here, you have to be someone important.
“Roxanne and Addison are fucking knockouts. You sure you aren’t banging your assistant?” Cal asks as the bartender hands us our drinks.