Page 43 of Do It With Me

19

ELLORA

By the time I got to Holden’s building, I was ninety percent sure I’d lost my mind. The place had a valet, a doorman, and a lobby that smelled like expensive wood and old money. It was a far cry from my natural habitat, where paint chipped off the walls and the carpets had been stained for decades.

Here, the marble floors gleamed like they’d been polished by angels. The chandelier alone had probably cost more than my store’s entire inventory. I loved my new apartment. Really. I’d been more than grateful to get it at the price I had and it was spacious enough for Mom and me to both be able to breathe, but this was like a whole different world.

I smiled awkwardly at the doorman, who greeted me by name before I’d even opened my mouth. “Good afternoon, Ms. Kinney. Mr. Langton is expecting you.”

Right. Of course.

“Thank you,” I muttered, clutching my purse a little tighter as I stepped inside the elevator. The walls were mirrored, reflecting about six different versions of me, and I had no idea why Holden liked any of them.

At least it wasn’t like I was showing up empty-handed. I’d spent the whole morning uploading more photos of my jewelry, and for the first time in forever, people were actually noticing. Comments, likes, even a couple of messages asking if it was custom work.

For now, it was just engagement. I hadn’t had many new sales yet, but engagement was attention. There were finally eyes on those pieces and it felt like a step in the right direction.

That was part of the reason why I’d agreed to come. Not only to share in his celebration but also to tell him about my own. I wanted to share this tiny little victory with the man who’d made me believe in the idea of more being possible for someone like me.

A moment after the elevator chimed, the doors slid open to reveal a hallway that felt like it had its own field of gravity pulling me toward the double doors at the end. Holden’s doors. The penthouse.

I straightened my dress, a navy blue, modest but flattering creation that probably made it clear that I didn’t belong here but that I cleaned up nice. I reached the end of the hall and knocked. I half-expected a housekeeper or assistant to answer, but instead, it was him.

Holden leaned against the frame, looking every bit the sexy man I’d been trying and failing to forget. That dark, sandy hair was a little neater than I was used to seeing in class, the devastating blue eyes making my heart skip several beats. He wore a crisp white shirt with his sleeves rolled up, the faintest hint of blond stubble on his jaw, and a tie hanging loosely around his neck.

“Wow,” I said before I could stop myself. “You actually look like you’ve worked in an office today.”

A knowing smile that could melt steel beams spread on his lips. “You say that like I don’t usually.”

“Maybe I’m just used to grading you on a curve, Professor.”

He laughed. “Then let’s see if I can earn some extra credit tonight.”

Just like that, that spark flared to life between us again, making me feel alive, off-balance, and seen all at once. He stepped aside to let me in, waving for me to precede him. “I wasn’t sure if you’d agree to come over.”

“You caught me at the right time. I needed to get away for a bit,” I said, brushing past him into an apartment that should’ve come with its own warning label.

Caution: contents may cause unrealistic expectations.

The place was ridiculous in the best possible way. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city, a bar in one corner that looked fully stocked, and art that probably had its own insurance policy on the walls.

I turned to him with both my eyebrows raised. “You know, I think my whole apartment could fit inside your kitchen.”

He smirked. “You’re welcome to test that theory.”

“Tempting.” I pretended to look around like I was sizing up square footage. “I might need to borrow a tape measure. All of which is to say, of course, that you have a beautiful home. I probably should’ve just led with that.”

He laughed again and the sound was like sunlight shining deep into some of the dark places inside me. Hearing him laugh made me feel like warmth and light were reaching parts within that had gone without for much too long.

Holden closed the door behind me, the soft click echoing in the quiet between us. “Thank you for coming, Ellora. I’m glad you’re here, so I’m just going to go ahead and get this out of the way. I don’t want to be another complication in your life. I just wanted to see you again and I didn’t want to wait until class.”

A little smile pulled at the corners of my lips. “Well, when you put it like that, how could I say no?”

“I was hoping you wouldn’t, especially since you’re already here.” He chuckled and ran his hand through his hair, gesturing toward the bar with his free hand. “We might as well have a drink.”

“That’s pretty confident,” I teased, unable to help myself. “Do you always assume women won’t be able to resist your invitations?”

“Most don’t.” His blue gaze caught mine and held it for a beat. “It’s only you that makes me wonder whether you will. It’s worth it when the risk pays off, though.”