Page 116 of Naughty Nelle

CHAPTER 12

Sarah

The intercom buzzed. Wearing my new Prada dress and strappy heels, I hurried as fast as I could to answer it. It was Ari’s driver, Andre. Five minutes early, he was here to pick me up. Excitement pulsed through me like bubbly champagne. Still not having mastered the sexy little beasts on my feet, I carefully dashed back to my bedroom to grab my purse and the Bergdorf’s shopping bag containing Ben’s gift. Fingers crossed he would like it. I gave myself a final look in my mirror. The gorgeous floral dress looked amazing on me, and somehow the array of bright red and cocoa roses brought out the color of my chocolate brown eyes. I smiled at my reflection and it smiled back at me.

1001 Park Avenue was located on the northeast corner of Eighty-Fifth Street and Park. It was one of those majestic, pre-war high-rise buildings with a forest green awning at the entrance. After Andre helped me out of the limo, a doorman promptly greeted me.

“I’m here to see Mr. Golden,” I said.

“You must be Miss Greene. He’s expecting you.” The doorman gave me a quick once over and a saucy grin. I wondered how many of Ari’s women he had met.

He swung open the front door to the building and ushered me into an elegant lobby combining creamy marble with rich brown leather furniture, oriental rugs, gilded sconces, and elaborate floral arrangements. What most attracted my attention was the magnificent coffered ceiling. Having studied architecture as part of my coursework at RISD, I had an appreciation of the handcrafted details.

“Mr. Golden’s apartment is on the top floor.” The penthouse! “The private elevator is to your right.”

Taking a fortifying breath, I headed toward the elevator, acutely aware of the clicking sound my sharp heels made on the polished marble floor. I pushed the UP button, and the gilded door slid open to a pristine interior with upholstered walls and polished handrails. My heart was pounding, and my fingers trembled as I pushed the button for the penthouse. I was nervous about seeing Ari again and meeting his family. Only yesterday, he was a stranger on a train.

Without making any stops, the elevator reached the penthouse floor in no time. The door slid open again. Exiting the elevator, I found myself standing in an elegant marble foyer that must have stretched fifty feet. The creamy walls were lined with large, abstract paintings and next to the archways stood pedestals with imposing vases of fragrant white roses and lilies. Holy cow! I had stepped right into Ari’s breathtaking apartment. A Rubenesque, Hispanic woman wearing a black and white aproned-uniform approached me. She also wore a warm smile.

“Hola. You must be Señorita Greene. I am Luisa. Señor Golden has been looking forward to your visit. Follow me, por favor.”

She led me to a palatial, step-down living room with a spectacular view of the city. It was filled with fabulous Art Deco furniture, the overall color scheme beige with accents of burgundy and turquoise. An exquisite antique rug anchored the room, and all around there were outstanding paintings, sculpted pieces, and more flowers. Wow! This place must have cost a small fortune to decorate. It was straight out of Architectural Digest.

A woman, who looked a lot younger than the sixty-years she likely was, sat on one of the fringed silk couches, sipping champagne. She was very elegant, with her platinum blond hair pulled back in a regal chignon and clad in an expensive, white linen pantsuit that was accented with lots of chunky gold jewelry. This, of course, was Ari’s mother. They shared many of the same features, including bronzed skin, jewel blue eyes, and a strong jawline. Before she could introduce herself, a familiar, velvety voice from behind me called out my name.

“Saarah.”

My heart leaped into my throat, and I spun around. Ari, with his young son beside him, strode into the room. He was still wearing the jeans and blue-and-white striped shirt, but he had changed from his tennis shoes into a pair of shiny black loafers. Alligator? He wasn’t wearing socks.

His face brightened at the sight of me, his blue eyes twinkling. He quickly gave me the once-over. I bet he was already using his x-ray vision to see through my dress. No, I wasn’t wearing panties beneath the Prada just as he’d requested. He flashed a knowing smile.

“Let me introduce you. You’ve met my son, Ben.”

The little boy politely held out his hand for me to shake. “Hey, you’re the lady from the park.”

I nodded and smiled. He was absolutely adorable in his pint-size version of Ari’s ensemble. “Happy Birthday!” I handed him the bag. “This is for you. I hope you like it.”

“Cool! Thanks!” He peeked inside and gazed up at his father. “Daddy, can I open my present?”

“In a minute, my little man.”

Entwining his arm with mine, Ari led me over to the platinum-haired woman. Ben followed behind us.

“Saarah, this is my mother, Lila.”

Setting her flute of champagne on the glass coffee table, the elegant woman rose and planted a kiss on each of my cheeks.

“So lovely to meet you, my dear. And I adore your dress.”

Her deep voice was breathy, with the affectation of someone who was wealthy and cultured. I instantly liked her, drawn to her warm, inviting personality. She smiled at me.

“Ari has told us so much about you.”

Inwardly, I cringed. Did he tell her that we fucked on a train? And how he taught me how to eat lobster?

“Nice to meet you too,” I said nervously.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

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