However, he didn’t hand her the bag, but instead turned walked to the exit of the terminal. She had no choice but to follow.
“I can carry it,” she offered falling in step beside him.
“So can I,” he said with a tone of humor, flicking her a glance.
All right.Wow. Her heart actually jumped when he centered those mocha colored eyes on her.You have it bad Tammy, she thought to herself.
“Where are you staying?”
“With my parents.”If they’ll take me.“They have an apartment.” She swallowed hard hoping he didn’t see. They didn’t know she was coming and she was too chicken to call and tell them. She really didn’t want to go there, but she didn’t have enough money to stay in a hotel. She was hoping her father would let her stay with them. She already knew her mother would disapprove. She cut her off years ago.
There were a group of people at the exit waiting for departing passengers. An immaculately uniformed chauffeur lifted his hand when he saw Lance.
He stopped and turned to her. “That’s my ride. How are you getting home?”
“I—I was just going to take a cab.” She flicked her eyes to the well-dressed employee. Obviously Lance thought her family would send someone for her, but she never told them she’d accepted the invitation or that she was coming.
“I’ll take you.”
“Lance, that’s really not—“
He set the two bags down in front of the driver. “These Vern, and we need to make a stop before we get to my penthouse.”
“Yes Mr. Hartley.” The man bent over and picked up the luggage and led the way out the doors.
“Lance.” Even with her long legs, she had to increase her pace to keep in step with his stride, “Honestly. I can take a cab.”
“You’ll be waiting a while.” He nodded toward the taxicabs and the lineups to get one. “I don’t mind. If I did, I wouldn’t have offered.”
She wanted to protest a little more, but really, after glancing at the crowd, he was right. She was tired because she didn’t sleep well the night before so the fight was out of her, for now.
She settled in the plush leather seat of the limousine and had to withhold a sigh of pleasure. It had been quite a long time since she’d been in one, and found herself missing it. It certainly was more comfortable than first class on the airplane.
He slid in beside her.
Okay,nowshe knew that sitting next to him on the plane would have been torture, especially for five and a half hours. Smelling that wonderful cologne would be enough to have her swooning like the stewardesses. She wasn’t kidding, just his masculine scent would have her drinking half the plane’s alcohol just to build immunity.
“Tell Vern where you need to go,” Lance said casually.
She nodded and leaned toward the divider when the driver got in behind the wheel. “211 East 61st Street.”
“Yes, ma’am.” The driver checked his mirrors and pulled out of the parking spot.
Her family had money. A lot of it. She knew the Hartleys were rich, but she was certain that hers was worth more. It was something she really didn’t want them to know. People were intimidated over things like that. She didn’t want to be treated differently. She liked her small apartment, her meager belongings and living paycheck to paycheck earning her own money.
“Not far from my place.” He stared down at her his face was impassive, but there was a glint of interest in his eyes.
“No?” Okay, that was a surprise. Her parents lived in a posh area.
“28 East 70th Street.”
“That’s pretty close.” Except he was in a more expensive location. Okay, that previous thought was a poor assumption on her part. She knew the Hartleys had money, but she just didn’t put much into how well off they really were. Nor did she care. Money brought misery. It gave people a means to control you. Besides, they certainly didn’t act like they were privileged. They were kind to everyone that she knew of and had no problem helping people when they fell on hard times.
“About ten minutes I think.”
“So you keep an apartment here?”
“Yes. I like New York. I come back often, and my family can use the penthouse as much as they like if they wish to visit.”
