Page 16 of Unmasking Mr. Crown

“Well, she’ll want to know everything, so I guess I’d start with your stopwatch and go from there.”

“Yeah, about that …” he began.

“No, no. It’s a great trick. Very effective. Roped me in under five minutes.”

“Everyone gives me shit about it. My brother’s the worst. All my friends are hoping the right woman comes along so I can retire the stopwatch for good.” He returned the poke.

Wait. Is he implying that I might be the right woman? Surely not. He’s just being cute.

“You have a brother?” she asked, steering the conversation away from the right woman comment.

“I do. My brother, James. James Bond,” he teased.

Natalie laughed. “Thomas Crown and James Bond are brothers? I had no idea.”

“Stepbrothers actually, but you can’t expect me to share all my secrets.”

She walked her fingers up his bare chest. “True, but I do expect you to deliver on your promise of ice cream.”

Mr. Crown took her hand and pressed a kiss to the pad of each finger. “My tastebuds are quite satisfied at the moment … but a promise is a promise.”

He kissed her once more, then slid off the couch. Natalie could only see the silhouette of his toned body before he disappeared into darkness. Blanket wound around her, she bent down in search of her jeans—her cell phone, specifically—which she hoped was still in the back pocket. She sighed in relief when her hand wrapped around its familiar shape. She quickly sent a text to Kate.

Natalie: Going out with a bang. Literally!

Natalie: Save this location, just in case.

Natalie smiled as Kate began typing a response immediately.

Kate: OMG! The sexual camel emerges from the driest of deserts!

Natalie:

Kate: You know the rule: give me one random detail.

Natalie: You know how in movies when crazy rich people have elevators that open right into their home?

Kate: SHUT. UP.

Natalie: 50 Shades level shit here.

Kate: BE SAFE PLEASE!!! You’ve got your mace, right?

Natalie: Haha yes. But I don’t need it. Love you.

She dropped the blanket and wiggled back into her panties. As she buttoned up her blouse, a recessed light positioned over the fireplace came on. Natalie squinted, then took her first real look at the room. High ceilings. Crown molding. Exquisite furnishings. A perfect balance of glass and wood and warmth, solidifying what she already knew. Mr. Crown had two things in spades: money and excellent taste.

Naked when he left, he returned wearing a robe, with a second robe draped over one arm. His smile grew with each step he took toward her.

“Not that I don’t love the view, but you might be more comfortable this way.”

"Thank you. Your place is absolutely gorgeous,” Natalie said, slipping into the robe.

"Keeps the rain off, as they say.”

“No, really. You have exceptional taste.”

“Like I said before, it’s not expense that excites me, it’s beauty.”