But when Scarlett loops her arm through mine, she leads me to an elevator.
“Aren’t we going to the playroom?”
She winks as the doors open for us and leads me inside. “Abso-fucking-lutely. But first, we’re going up. We’ll work our way down.”
“I’ve been to the penthouse,” I reply.
“What?” Her voice screeches at a decibel only dogs and aliens can hear. “Youwhat?”
“I’ve been to the penthouse,” I say again. Scarlett starts to jump up and down, still holding my arm, jostling me.
“Girl, you’d better start talking. Mr. Alexanderneverlets anyone on that floor. Ever. It’s forbidden. It’s even part of our on-boarding paperwork. Even though you need to have your palm programmed in to get up there, it’s outlined just so no one tries. Did you get in trouble or something?”
“He took me,” I reply and bite my lip. How much do I tell her? I don’t think I should tell her about my father or the guy who came to take me back to him. Or being drugged.
“He took you to his penthouse,” she echoes softly as we reach the tenth floor and the doors open. She takes my hand and pulls me out of the elevator before the doors can shut on us. Sure enough, just like Rome said, a big guy dressed in all black stands next to the elevator.
Scarlett pulls me to the side and turns to face me. “Did he fuck you?”
“No. But he slept with me.”
Her blue eyes widen, and she’s watching me like I’m a mythical creature.
“And he had personal shoppers come in with racks of clothes for me.”
Her eyes skim down my body and back up again.
“Was this dress one of them?” she asks.
“Yeah.”
“It’s killer. Shows your curves off perfectly. I’d kill for your tits.”
I smirk and check hers out. She’s in red leather tonight. “I thought the same about you the first time I saw you.”
“Aw, you’re sweet. But let’s circle back. You slept with Mr. Alexander in his penthouse.”
“I think I’m living there now.”
Scarlett lets go of me and backs away two steps as if she’s afraid to touch me.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“Holy. Jesus. Christ.” She shakes her head. “Wow. I’m so happy for him. And for you. This is awesome. I’m totally jealous because he’s hot as fuck, and so … mysterious. And I’ll bet that man can do amazing things in the bedroom. Also, he’s always been so kind to everyone on staff but nevertoo kind, if you know what I mean.”
Scarlett has diarrhea of the mouth. It’s amazing.
“And I know he’s into some shady shit that is none of my business, but who cares? He’s the best boss, and Ilove you to death. We’re already besties. I want you guys to work out.”
Besties.
I’ve never had a bestie.
“Um, thanks. It’s really new.”
“Obviously,” she says with a laugh and takes my arm again. “You just got here. But sometimes, when it’s right, you just know.”
I nod because that’s exactly what it was.
