Page 49 of On the Rocks

I’d always walked her to the door when I drove her home in high school. Sure, we weren’t dating anymore, but I didn’t see why it would be any different now. “Cora, the least I can do is make sure you get in all right.”

“There’s literally a doorman,” she pointed out with a laugh. I stepped out of the car, ignoring her protests. She popped up a moment later, looking at me over the top of the vehicle. “Carlos will be very disappointed if you steal his thunder.”

“Carlos, huh?” I arched an eyebrow, watching her lips turn up at the corners.

“He takes his job very seriously.”

“So do I.”

“Hate to break it to you, but I don’t think this falls under the job description of a CEO.”

“I think after today you know my job description is wide and varied. Sometimes it involves multimillion dollar deals and A-list events…sometimes it involves buying mini donuts and unlocking offices. And sometimes, it involves walking a lady to her door.”

She hummed, coming round the front of the car. “You’re double parked, by the way.”

“That’s how seriously I’m taking this.”

“You’re gonna get a ticket.”

“Worth the risk.”

“Aiden.” I could hear the exasperation in her voice.

“The sooner you stop hanging out in the middle of the street, the sooner I can get back to my car and make sure I don’t get a ticket.” I arched one eyebrow in her direction. “See how that works?”

Cora waved me off, heading for the entrance. “Suit yourself.”

I watched her walk away for a beat, appreciating the view of her ass in her fitted dress pants. Then I darted after her.

“Hi, Carlos,” she said to the doorman, a middle-aged man with an impressive mustache.

“Evening,” he said.

“Carlos, this is…” I waited to see how she’d introduce me. As her boss? As her friend? “This is Aiden,” she finally said.

“Nice to meet you,” I said, shaking his hand. “Having a good night?”

“Can’t complain,” he said. “How about the two of you?”

“Yeah,” she said, shooting me a little smile. “It’s been a pretty good night. Oh, and earlier today, we took a little drive out to Newburgh.”

He hummed thoughtfully. “That’s got some nice views of the Hudson.”

“Not that you would know,” I whispered in her ear. “Since you were so busy getting powdered sugar all over my car.”

“Oh, please. You left powdery fingerprints all over your steering wheel.” She wished Carlos a good night and slipped inside the building. I followed Cora across the lobby. She paused at the elevator, turned to me, and said, “Guess that’s your job done then.”

I leaned casually against the wall next to her, reaching for the call button. “This is door-to-door service.”

“Oh, is that right? Part of the full CEO pickup and drop-off service?”

“Exactly. You’re subscribed to thefullpackage.”

She bit her lip, her cheeks flushing. “The fine print says I’m safe and sound now. Nothing’s gonna get me between the elevator and my apartment.”

I winked at her, liking the color that spread across the tops of her cheekbones. “You never know.”

The elevator door dinged, rolling open, and Cora stepped inside. I sauntered in behind her. “I really don’t need an escort.”

---