City of Sin (30 page)

"Bee Inspired Media Group?" I looked up at him.
"You're naming your new company after me?" I felt a flutter in my
chest. It wasn't just a symbol of his love. It was the grandest apology I had
ever seen.

"No. Well, yes, but there's more." He tapped the
side of the card.

I looked back down at it.
Bee Cowan, co-founder of BIMG.
My eyes darted back up to his. "Mason, I can't do this with you. I've
never even had an advertising job."

"You landed our first account."

"
Our
first account?" I looked back down at
the card.

"For the record, we have seven other accounts that I
landed with my own ideas. That was the only one I stole, I swear. We can
probably get a few more with some of your other ideas, though."

"You really want me to do this with you?"

"I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else. You have
what it takes, Bee. And I always want you by my side."

It was like every dream I had rolled into one. "This is
a very elaborate Valentine's Day gift, Mason." I couldn't seem stop
looking at the business card. I had never even had my name on a business card
before. And now I was the co-founder of a huge company?

"Hmm." He put his index finger under my chin and
titled my gaze back to his. "I hate to break it to you, but this isn't
your Valentine's Day gift."

"It's not?"

"How about you go back to Kendra's and get changed? I'll
pick you up in an hour."

"I came back to New York with the idea that I had to win
you back. Not the other way around." I ran my fingers down his silky tie.
"I had completely forgotten that it was Valentine's Day. You don't have to
do anything else. I don't even know if I can accept this. I didn't get you anything,
Mason."

"You came back. That's all I wanted." He leaned
down and placed a soft kiss against my lips. "Now go get ready before I
throw you on top of this desk and the receptionist gets the wrong idea about my
hiring process."

I laughed. "Mason, I was always going to come back.
You're home to me." It was the highest compliment I could give someone.
Even more than saying I loved him. He was it for me.

"I like the sound of that. Now, go get ready." His
hand slipped down my back and he squeezed my ass.

I laughed again and wrapped my arms around him. "I'm so
happy."

Mason

I looked down at the ring on my desk. After talking to Kendra
last week I had run to the nearest jewelry store and bought the most expensive
ring in the case. Rash and poorly thought out. I was upset and drunk and I was
feeling desperate. I just wanted Bee back. It would look perfect on her finger.
And when she ran her thumb along the spot, she'd be thinking about me, not him.

I didn't want her to come back to me just because I offered
her a ring, though. I wanted her to want me. Really want me, the same way I
wanted her.
No, needed her.
When she had left it felt like I was
suffocating. It was all consuming and terrifying.

I opened up my new desk drawer, put the ring inside, and
closed the drawer again. One day I would propose to her. When the thought
didn't make my pulse race. I knew I wanted forever with her. But it was too
much too soon. I wanted to take my time with Bee. I wanted to enjoy each and
every second of every day.

Which was why naming the company after her and asking her to
be my partner was a big step in itself. And that felt right. The timing fit for
that. And just seeing her face light up made me smile. She deserved half too.
It was her idea that had kick started everything. My goal ever since I
graduated from college was to start my own agency. Who knew I just needed to
fall in love in order to finally get my priorities straight?

I looked around the large office. I was excited to get
another desk in here and to share this office with Bee. Most couples probably
felt anxious about being with their significant other every second of every
day. But it's all I wanted. Being able to close the blinds and have her
whenever I wanted wouldn't be so bad either.

I tightened my tie and stood up, pulling on my suit jacket.
Not more lies or games or any of that. From now on, I was going to tell Bee the
truth. It wasn't something I was used to doing. But I wasn't going to risk
losing her again. I had full confidence that we could grow this business
together. I had full confidence that she was my future. But before I could jump
in, I needed to hear her say it too. I wasn't going to break her heart. I was
terrified that she was going to break mine, though.

***

I knocked on the door and Kendra opened it.

She had a huge smile on her face. "You won her back,
huh?"

"It was probably all the flowers."

"Probably."

"Are you having fun preparing for your interview
tomorrow?" I asked.

"Psh. I'm pretty sure my best friend is going to hire
me. She likes working with me too."

"Thanks for helping me out."

"Of course. We had her totally fooled, right? Was she
surprised you were the new boss?"

"I don't think it even crossed her mind."

"You know, you're really not so bad, Mason. I had you
all wrong."

"You didn't. But Bee changed me."

"Ugh. I hate Valentine's Day. All of that romantic crap.
It makes me want to throw up."

I laughed, but my laughter stopped when Bee stepped out of
her bedroom. She really did take my breath away. She was wearing the red dress
I had bought her for the Silver Gala. Hopefully tonight would end the way I had
planned, unlike the last time she had worn it. She had curled her hair and it
draped over her bare shoulders. Her smile seemed to have a direct effect on my
groin. I was used to having her a few times a day. It had been way, way too
long.

"You look beautiful."

Her cheeks blushed in that way that made my chest feel tight.
I welcomed the feeling now. It was the feeling that kept me going now.

"You look very handsome," she said and smiled up at
me.

"Vomiting over here!" Kendra yelled from the living
room.

I grabbed Bee's jacket and her hand and pulled her out of the
apartment. "Come on. There's something we need to do together."

"What is it?"

"A New York City Valentine's Day tradition. Despite what
you said before, you do belong here. New York is better off with a girl like
you. So I'm going to make sure you become an official New Yorker tonight."

"An official New Yorker?"

"Mhm." We stepped out onto the street. It had
started to snow. Bee's fingers tightened around my hand. I loved how her hand
fit perfectly in mine.

"Is that for us?" She was staring at the horse
drawn carriage in front of us.

"The first thing is a late night carriage ride through
Central Park." I grabbed her hand as she stepped up into the carriage. I
scooted in next to her and pulled the blanket onto our lap. "Have you ever
been in one of these?"

"No."

I put my arm across her shoulders. "It's super touristy,
but it's kind of a stepping stone toward being an official New Yorker
too."

"Is that so?"

I pulled her in even closer as the horses started to trot
forward. "Yeah. And honestly, I've never been on one of these either. I've
been posing as a true New Yorker this whole time."

Bee laughed. "So why haven't you been on one before?"

"I've never had anyone I wanted to go on one with."
I smiled down at her.

"You have all the right lines, Mason Caldwell."

"Does that mean you want to be my girlfriend again? I'm
pretty sure we had the shortest relationship in the history of relationships."

"Yeah, I didn't even get to tell anyone that you were my
boyfriend. I like saying that."

"I've been referring to you as my girlfriend for awhile
now. I don't know why I didn't just talk to you about it. I've been kind of a
mess."

"You've been distracted."

"Maybe." I ran my hand up and down her arm.
"Speaking of telling people, I talked to my parents while you were
M.I.A."

"You did?" She pulled back slightly. "About
your argument, or about us, or what?"

"All of it. They want to meet you. If you still want to
meet them."

"Of course I want to meet them. Do you think they'll
like me?"

"I think they're going to love you. When I told them I
had a girlfriend my mom got so excited. Just say the word and we can meet up
with them somewhere for dinner one night. Or you can see where I grew up."

"Do they have embarrassing pictures of you all over the
house?"

"No." I laughed.

"Really? Geez there are so many horrible pictures of me
at my house."

"Now I kind of want to see that." I squeezed her
shoulder.

"You want to meet my mom?"

"I'd love to meet your mom."

"You're just diving head first into this thing now,
aren't you?"

"This past week, I've found out what it's like when
you're not a part of my life. I hated every second of it. I'm all in,
Bee."
Say it back.
I needed to hear her say it. That she wanted to
be with me as much as I wanted to be with her. All my cards were on the table.
Each second that passed made my heart beat a little faster.
Say it back,
baby.

"I'm all in too." She leaned against my shoulder.
"I feel the exact same way."

I couldn't help the sigh that escaped from my mouth.
Okay.
I rested my head on top of hers. Now that I had gotten through the hardest
part, we could have some fun. I loved that dress on her, but I probably should
have told her to wear pants.

Bee

I laughed as I started to fall again. Mason grabbed my hips
to steady me, but I was already sliding forward on the ice. I ran straight into
his chest, making him topple backwards as his skates slid out from underneath
of him. I laughed as I fell down on top of his chest.

"Ow," Mason groaned. He was slightly out of breath
and his nose was pink from the cold. It was still flurrying and I wished I
could capture this moment forever. He looked so handsome and happy. I had been
so worried that I wouldn't be enough for him. But he had made all my worries go
away with our conversations earlier. He wanted a future with me. Or he wouldn't
have asked me to be his business partner.

"Sorry." I smiled down at him.

"I'm pretty sure you broke my ass."

"No! One of my favorite parts of you!"

He laughed and sat up. "How does hot chocolate
sound?"

"Perfect." I stumbled onto my feet. It was hard
skating in the long dress, but it had still been fun. I reached my hand out to
help him up. He grabbed it and pulled me back down on top of him.

"Are you trying to break my ass too?"

"I would never. That is my favorite part of you."

"You're a butt guy? How did I not know that?"

He shrugged. "I'm a Bee guy. Now let's go get some hot
chocolate. I'm freezing."

We both got to our feet and skated off the rink, hand in
hand. I sat down on the bench and undid my skates as he bought hot chocolate at
the refreshment stand. He had said he had done this before with his mom and his
brother when he was little. But again, no one special later in his life. The
thought of me being his first love made me feel warm. I didn't even need hot
chocolate. It did feel good when he put the cup into my hands, but maybe it was
more the gesture than the warmth from the cup. He was taking care of me. He was
showing me a romantic side of New York that I hadn't experienced. He was trying
to tell me I belonged. Maybe even more so with him than in this city. I wasn't
sure why he was trying so hard to convince me. I had been convinced a long time
ago.

But I had run. I hadn't meant to hurt him. I never wanted to
hurt him.

"You okay?" he asked as he put his arm around my
shoulders. "I didn't actually break your ass did I?"

I laughed. "No. You didn't. Mason?"

"Yeah?"

"What did your dad say about the fight you had? About
wanting to take over his business?"

"You were right. They're proud of me."

The way he said it sounded strange. Like he didn't really
believe it. "Is that what they said?"

"Yeah. It was weird. I've spent so many years resenting
them. I've been such an idiot. My dad just wanted what was best for me. He
thought that was taking over the family business. He didn't know about all my
dreams. Because I didn't tell them. I shut them out."

"They didn't know you wanted to start an advertising
agency?"

"No. They knew I wanted to work in advertising." He
laughed and shook his head. "My dad said I had turned out just like him
after all. And he was excited to have another entrepreneur in the family. I
didn't think that would be their reaction."

"Why did they cut you off then?"

"They wanted me to come back. Or maybe they just
disapproved of my lifestyle. A combination maybe? It was just a
misunderstanding. They were really excited to hear about you too. Almost as
excited about hearing about the new company."

"Did you tell them about splitting it with me?"

"Splitting it? Who said anything about splitting
it?"

"Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean..."

"I'm just kidding. Of course we're splitting it. And I
didn't tell them about that. I'll let them meet you first. They'll get
it." He smiled down at me.

"You don't have to do it, you know. You could just give
me a normal position at the company. With Kendra or something. I don't need to
share the business with you. I just want you. I don't want all that."

"I want to do it with you." He squeezed my
shoulder. "Besides, I was getting really excited about the idea of sharing
an office with you."

"It's too much, Mason."

"It's not like I'm going to let you skate by. You'll
have to do half the work. I'm good with my decision. It's what I want. But if
it's not what you want, we can talk about it."

"I won't be holding you back?"

"You won't be holding me back."

I smiled and looked up at the snowflakes falling down on us.
The sky had an orangey glow to it. "You named your new company after me."

"I find you kind of inspiring, Bee. Now, there's one
more part to the night. We can count snowflakes on our tongues on the way to
the taxi."

I laughed and stood up. He remembered what I always did with
my mom in the snow.

***

"Do I have to keep wearing this?"

"Yes," Mason said as he grabbed my hand, pulling me
out of the taxi.

"I can't see anything."

"That's kind of the point, baby." He lightly grazed
the side of my cheek with his lips. He had undone his tie and blindfolded me
with it in the car.

"If this involves jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge into
freezing cold water, I'm not sure I want to be an official New Yorker."

"Nothing that crazy, I promise."

"Have you done this before?"

"Blindfolded a woman and lead her toward the icy waters
of the East River? Only a dozen times."

I meant to shove his chest but my hand landed on his abs. God
I loved his abs.

"You're getting a little ahead of yourself there. That's
the after party."

I laughed, but kept my hand on his abs. It helped me walk
forward a little less shakily.

"Whatever it is we're actually doing, have you done it
before?"

"I've been here before, yes. Not like this,
though."

I heard something ding and then suddenly I wasn't cold
anymore. We must have stepped inside a building. "Are we just back at your
place?"

"So eager." He lead me farther into the building
and then we stopped.

"Ah!" I almost fell over when the floor started
moving.

Mason laughed. "It's just an elevator, Bee. You're
okay." He had pressed my back against the side of the elevator.

My fingers were gripping his shirt tightly. I tilted my head
up even though I couldn't see him.

"You know?" He kissed the side of my neck.

It felt like I could melt onto the elevator floor.

"The last time I had you in this dress, I had pictured
doing all sorts of unspeakable things to you." He kissed my neck a little
lower.

"Unspeakable?"

"Your favorite." He lightly bit my earlobe.

A small moan escaped from my lips.

"But not yet, baby. Not until you're a real New
Yorker."

"You don't want me right now?"

"You should see the way the other people in the elevator
are looking at you right now."

"What? Mason!"

He silenced me with a kiss. A kiss that made the tips of my
fingers and toes tingle. He pulled away far too soon.

"We're alone." His voice was low. He had missed
this too. "But we still have a few things to talk about."

The elevator doors dinged and I felt a blast of cold air hit
me. Mason quickly wrapped his arms around me again.

"Where are we?" It was freezing. Way colder than it
had been before. The wind whipped through my hair. We had to be up high
somewhere.

"Bee." Mason pulled us to a stop and put his hands
on either of my shoulders. "I could say all that cliché stuff about you
being the other half of me and all that. And it is true in a sense. I'm a
better version of myself when you're around. I'm not even sure I like the guy
who I am without you in my life. But all of this is new to me. This feeling is
new."

Holy shit, is he going to propose?
I didn't want him
to propose. I wanted to enjoy where we were. I didn't want to rush this
feeling. We had our whole lives for that. I did want him in every way possible.
But not like this. Not because he was scared I'd walk away again. I wasn't
going to do that. "Mason..."

"But it's a little of an understatement to say I have
commitment issues. I know you want the whole white dress and a ring thing, but
I'm not ready for that. And I 'd be lying if I said I was. I know how I feel.
And I'm hoping that's enough. I'm never letting go of this feeling. You're all
that I think about. But I need more time for all that. I want to take things
slowly with you. I like taking things slow."

It was like he had just hit every worry. My tears felt icy as
they fell down my cheeks. I wished he would take my blindfold off. I wanted to
see him. "I have commitment issues too. I'm terrified of love because I'm
terrified of losing it."

"You're not going to lose me."

"I don't want you to make promises you can't keep."

"I'm not going to break any promises I make you. I'm not
letting you go. I'm never letting you go." He pulled the blindfold down my
face.

The whole city stretched out beneath us, completely lit up in
the night, covered in a blanket of freshly fallen snow. It was beautiful.

"Because this is how you make me feel. Like I'm on the
top of the world. And when I let you walk away, it felt like I was freefalling
from this building. I've never felt so alone before."

"Me too. I mean, not falling, because I've never been up
here." I smiled up at him. "I just felt really, really cold. Like
your arms were the only thing that could ever warm me again."

"I don't want to be alone anymore, Bee. I want to be
with you. Ever since I've met you, I haven't been able to stop thinking about
you. And I'm so sick of standing still. I said a lot of things I didn't mean
the other day. I think I was just scared to tell you I loved you because of all
the stupid shit I had done. Telling you and then you walking out seemed
unbearable. So I just said all these terrible things. But it didn't make it any
less painful. I still had those feelings even though I didn't tell you."

"It's okay, I think I was kind of easy."

He laughed. "Because I couldn't keep my hands off you. I
knew what I was doing, and I knew what I wanted. But you were anything but
easy."

I smiled up at him. He had snowflakes in his hair and his
nose was still pink from the cold. I wasn't sure I had ever seen him more
handsome.

"I know I was a mess when you met me. I'm still a mess.
I think part of what took me so long to realize I was in love with you was because
I couldn't believe you could possibly love me. You deserve better than me, Bee.
You deserve..."

"A great love. You're my great love. You make me feel
like this too." I glanced back at the horizon stretched out before us.
"Like I'm on top of the world. I've never felt that way before."

"You haven't?"

"Never."

"Well that's good. I already had a moving company pick
up all your boxes and bring them back to our apartment."

"So cocky."

He grinned. "Yes...I am." He glanced down at his
pants and then back up at me.

"We've had this conversation before, Mason. That is not
what cocky means."

"Isn't it though?"

"No. You always make everything dirty."

"Welcome to the city of sin, baby."

I laughed. "Does that mean I'm an official New
Yorker?"

"A kiss at the top of the Empire State Building on
Valentine's Day seals the deal. Do you think you're ready to hold that
title?"

His question was deeper than just about being a New Yorker.
It was about being his business partner. It was about being his. I was all in.
It was time to start our life together. And I couldn't imagine my life without
him. He had given me my dream job, but more importantly he had given me
himself. He had opened up to me in a way I didn't even know he was capable of.
I had gotten everything that I had ever wanted. "I'm so ready."
Take
that, New York.

He leaned down and kissed me, making my whole body feel warm
with the delicious sparks that that only he could give me.

And I knew it didn't matter where we were. Whether we were at
the top of the Empire State Building or in the middle of Central Park. Wherever
he was, that was home.

THE END

Want to find out everything that happened during the
scandalous airing of Layla's Predictions?  Check out the novella:

Layla's Forecast

Next up, the weather...find out what happens in the sexy
new story, Layla's Forecast by Ivy Smoak.

Everyone in Philly loves their local weather girl, Layla
Torrez. Especially in the Chanel Nine News segment Layla's Predictions, which
features her predicting anything but the weather. Usually she has to predict
innocent things like people's ages, but when the federal government shutdown
disbands the FCC, all bets are off. Without the threat of fines from the FCC
for airing explicit content, what will she be forced to predict next?