Illicit

Mercer

Chapter 10. (Mercer)

"Stop staring at my ass," I complained. I could feel Vain's eyes raking over my ass while I retrieved my keys to lock my apartment door.

"You can't wear that skirt with an ass like yours and expect me not to stare," he countered with a smug grin.

I tried to ignore him as he walked behind me toward the elevator.

"Count your blessings I'm just looking especially after the stunt you just pulled."

The elevator doors parted just as I pressed the call button, revealing my neighbor Mrs. Charlotte.

"Hello, Mrs. Charlotte," I greeted as we stepped inside.

"Good evening, Carmella." I knew Vain was standing behind me gawking. I moved over so Mrs. Charlotte wouldn't wonder what we were doing together.

"How's Nickolas? It's been a while since I've seen him."

"He's great. You know work keeps him busy."

"Well, tell him I said hello"

"I will."

"Who is this handsome young man?" She asked looking directly at Vain.

I stammered nervously. "This is um . . . my, um . . .-"

Vain intervened. "Friend. I'm her friend from my college, Patrick Reynard."

"It's very nice to meet you." The two of them exchange a handshake with me in the middle. "Make sure you show Carmella a good time." Mrs. Charlotte leaned over and whispered, "She doesn't get out much." I could still hear her.

"I go out enough," I said defensively.

The elevator doors finally open. Vain and I waited for Mrs. Charlotte to exit first.

"Darling, you spend more time in that apartment than you do outside of it. You're a beautiful young lady. Isn't she?" She asked Vain.

"Yes, she is." Vain muttered with a gleam in his eyes.

"You should be out having fun." She smiled patting my arm.  "You two enjoy yourselves," Mrs. Charlotte waved as she stopped to talk to Robert at the security desk.

"We will," Vain spoke. "Nice lady."

"Shut up."

The doorman held the door open for us "Do you need me to hail you a cab, Mrs. Ayler?" the doorman asked me.

I opened my mouth to speak but Vain spoke first. "She's with me."

The driver of his car was standing near the door waiting for me so he could close the door behind me. Vain waved him off and held the door open for me himself.

"Thank you," I responded graciously as I stepped inside the car, scooting as close as I could to the opposite window.

"Where you taking me?" I asked once Vain was seated beside me in the car.

"I'm taking you to The Mercer hotel."

"Why a hotel?"

"If I only get one night with you, I want it to be memorable. You deserve more than one night in a sex club." Despite myself I smiled at his effort.

"I didn't appreciate your comment about getting it over with back in my office like I'm a chore that you have to suffer through," he thundered.

"You shouldn't have referred to me as a transaction."

"I didn't mean that." he said sincerely.

"It doesn't matter."

"If I hurt your feelings it matters to me. I apologize. You're not, nor will you ever be a transaction. Am I forgiven?"