“Somewhat. Chicago born and raised most of the time.” He smiled with that pride only a Chicagoan carried. I yawned and took a look at my watch, seeing how late it was. I needed to be taking it in because I needed to open the bakery in about ten hours.
I was on my feet in seconds, moving toward the elevators. “It was nice talking to you,” I said politely, walking past him.
I was passing the desk and the stranger when the desk attendant's voice carried across the lobby. “Mr. Jones, your suite is ready. Again, we apologize for the inconvenience.”
The stranger was on his feet, showing his height. Shit. He was fine and that type of tall that had me interested in tree climbing. He gave me one last look before going to the desk.
I continued toward the elevator. I didn’t know how long I stood there, but the doors had yet to open and once again my phone was ringing. I hated that Nathanial didn’t get the hint, but what did I expect? He wasn’t used to not getting his way.
I stood there for a minute, waiting for the doors to open, when I heard the voice of the familiar stranger once again.
“So we meet again.”
I looked up and he was grinning. Not creepy at all, but extremely alluring. “If that’s what you want to call it.”
“Indiri Jones.” He extended his hand to shake mine.
I shook his hand. “Selah Murray.”
The elevator opened soon after. I stepped on first, him after me.
I didn’t miss that he pressed the penthouse, just after I pressed the nineteenth floor. The elevator was dead silent besides the incessant buzzing of my phone. The unknown calls hadn’t stopped, even though I’d said my piece.
“Penthouse has a nice bar and I’d be down to listen if you're up for that.” Indiri’s voice interrupted my mental rampage about peace.
“If I’m up for that?” I repeated.
“Yeah, if you're up for that. But if not, it was nice meeting you, Selah.” His voice was heavy and thick, just like his presence.
I couldn’t believe I was even thinking about this. But I didn’t want to be alone and he was offering company. Even though lord knows I needed to be taking my ass to sleep for opening in the morning. “Just listening?” I asked.
“I mean, if that's what you want, shorty. I ain’t on nothing.” The elevator doors opened on my floor, damn near rushing me to decide.
I didn’t step off the elevator but instead pushed the button to close the doors. “Don’t try any funny shit.”I should have stepped off.
He chuckled, holding his hands up in surrender. “Told you I ain’t on nothing, Selah.”
I shook my head, deciding not to respond because this was insane. I was going up to a complete stranger’s hotel suite, but then again, life was insane right now.
The elevator dinged, alerting us that we’d reached his floor. The doors opened less than a second later and he led the way off the elevator. Once we reached the door, he scanned the key at the door then pushed it open. He allowed me to enter first, stepping in after me.
This suite was massive and way too much for just one person. After taking in the open floorplan, my eyes landed on him.
“This is a lot of room for just you.”
He laughed, pulling his jacket off and tossing it on the couch. “Especially for just one night.”
I nodded. “Definitely.”
“The bar is over there. I’on know shit about making no drinks, shorty. You got that.”
I giggled. “Why did you invite me up here for drinks if you didn’t know anything about them?”
“Because you seemed like you needed one. And I also offered to listen.” He winked.
“Why do you care?” I moved in the direction of the bar near the floor-to-ceiling window.
He shrugged. “It didn’t sit well with me, seeing you sad like that.”
