A new toy? Ooooo.
He did seem intrigued by my reaction to the last ‘party favor’.
What would it be this time? Anal beads? Some kind of high-tech, vibrating… squirrel? God, the possibilities with billionaire kink are probably endless and slightly terrifying.
“Come on,” I coax, stepping closer, poking his side playfully. “I thought we agreed, no more secrets between partners?”
He chuckles, a low, warm sound, deftly maneuvering so I still can’t see what he’s hiding.
“Patience, Hammond.” He captures my hand. “Actually, before dinner… there’s somewhere I want to take you.”
“Oh?” My curiosity is definitely piqued now. “More secret lairs? Bunkers?”
An underground dungeon where we’ll have some extra kinky sex?
“Something like that.” He leads me back towards the elevator. That sleek, silent, slightly terrifying metal box with no buttons.
Right. Billionaire transport.
He pulls out his phone, taps something on an appprobably labeled ‘Elevator Control: Billionaires Only.’
The doors slide open silently and we step inside.
We go down one floor and the doors open onto a dimly lit, seemingly service-level corridor. At the end is, an unmarked, heavy wooden door.
“Seriously contemplating the bunker theory now,” I mutter as he unlocks the door, revealing a narrow, winding staircase leading upwards.
“Trust me,” he says again, his eyes glinting in the dim light.
Definitely some new sex toy. He wouldn’t be asking me to trust him, otherwise.
We climb the stairs, the air growing cooler with each step.
We emerge onto… paradise. A rooftop garden. I gasp, stunned into silence for a second.
It’s incredible. An oasis suspended high above the city chaos. Lush greenery, sculpted topiaries, twinkling fairy lights woven through trellises heavy with fragrant white blossoms.
Stone pathways wind between raised flower beds, leading to a small seating area under a pergola. And the view… dear god, the view. And I thought it was amazing from his penthouse suite. It’s like the entire freakin’ expanse of Manhattan is spread out below us, a breathtaking tapestry of light and shadow under the starry night sky.
It’s magical.
Unexpected.
And utterly romantic.
“Christopher… wow,” I breathe out, walking towards the edge, drawn by the panorama. “I didn’t even know this was up here.”
“It’s… private,” he says, coming to stand beside me, his shoulder brushing mine. “A place to escape the noise sometimes.” He pauses. “I’ve... never actually taken anyone else here before.”
“Glad to be your first,” I tell him.
We stand there for a long moment, just looking out at the city.Hiscity. The one he conquered.
“You know,” he says quietly, his gaze fixed on the distant lights. “I used to look out at all this…” He gestures vaguely at the skyline. “…and see territory. Assets to be acquired. Competitors to crush. A battlefield to dominate.” He turns his head, his intense blue eyes finding mine in the soft light. “Now?” A slow, self-aware smile touches his lips. “My desire for conquest seems to have narrowed its focus considerably.” He reaches out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering against my skin. “Now, there’s only one piece of territory I’m interested in conquering completely.”
My breath hitches.
Oh.