Connor looked over at me and smiled, “Denny almost got fired today.”

I looked at him; shocked expression on my face, “What, why?”

“He didn’t pick me up for my meeting. It wasn’t until he called and told me that he drove you to the hospital because you cut your head.”

I looked at him with a confused look. “Didn’t you drive yourself to work this morning?”

“Yes, yes I did,” he answered.

I ran my tongue across my lips to moisten them, “Then why didn’t you just drive yourself to the meeting, especially if he was running late?” I heard Denny lightly laugh from the front seat, and I think Connor did to by the irritated look on his face.

“I suppose I could have but…”

I tilted my head, “There’s no but. You were going to fire him for not picking you up when you had a vehicle the whole time? I’m sorry he couldn’t call you, but he was concerned about me Connor Black, and for that you should be grateful. I could have bled to death on the streets of New York.” I was silently grinning.

He looked at me and rolled his eyes, “Now you’re being a drama queen.”

I let out my silent smile, “I know and I’m good at it to.”

Connor laughed as he took my hand and gently squeezed it. I laid my head his shoulder as my body warmed from his touch, and my heart started beating faster.

I walked into my cold apartment and headed straight to my room to pack my bags. “Help yourself in the kitchen, there’s not much, but if you can find something it’s yours,” I yelled. I grabbed what clothes I needed from my closet and drawers and folded them neatly into my suitcase. I looked up and saw Connor standing in the doorway with his arm up on the frame of the door.

“Why did you lie to that doctor and tell him you tripped over something in the hallway?”

Oh shit, he wasn’t going to let this go. I looked down and continued packing, “I don’t know, I wasn’t going to tell him I fainted then he would make a big deal about it and want me to get a bunch of tests done, that’s what doctors do.”

“You said you took too hot of a bath.”

I stopped and looked at him, now seriously irritated, “I did Connor now let it go for fuck sake. You talk about me asking a billion questions, it’s different when it’s you, right?” My voice grew louder.

He walked over to me and put his hands on my shoulders, “I’m sorry, I did not mean to upset you.”

My first mistake was looking into his beautiful green eyes because before I knew it I cupped his face in my hands as I so desperately wanted to kiss him, taste him and feel him. I was vulnerable at that moment, and for one second, I didn’t care; all I knew is I needed him in ways every woman needs a man. Then reality hit me, “I’m sorry I raised my voice, I’m just tired.”

I let go of his face and turned to zip up my suitcase. He grabbed my arm, turned me to face him and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a warm embrace. This was the first real hug we ever shared. His arms were strong, and he made me feel safe. I closed my eyes as I took in his scent that made me weak but excited. He didn’t say a word, and it felt like we stayed in each other’s arms for eternity. He broke the embrace and turned away like he did something wrong. “We should get going.”

Suddenly it hit me; I never made it to my work to give my notice. I shook my head and sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Connor asked.

“I was on my way to the record studio to give my notice, and I just realized I never made it there.”

“Give your notice, why are you quitting?” Connor grabbed my suitcase, and we walked out into the living room. My face lit up as I was about to tell him the good news.

“I completely forgot to tell you, my paintings sold, all three of them,” I excitedly said. “Now the owner wants to contract me and my paintings, and that’s a full-time job.”

He smiled at me, “That’s brilliant news Ellery, congratulations.”

As I was grabbing the last of my things, my phone rang; it was my cousin Debbie. I asked Connor to go in my desk drawer and grab a piece of paper and pen so I could write down the name and address of the funeral home. I took down the information and hung up. I turned around as Connor was staring at my list I keep in the drawer.

“What’s this?” he casually asked.

I walked over and took it from him, “Just a list of things I would like to do in my lifetime. I wrote it after Kyle moved out, kind of a new start on life list.”

He looked at me only the way Connor could and said, “Ok, ready to go?”

I locked up the apartment and headed to the Limo. I called my boss at the record company and explained to him what happened and how I was on my way in give my notice. I explained to him how much I liked working there, but my painting was now going to become a full-time job. He congratulated me and told me if I ever needed a job he would take me back.

We arrived back at Connors penthouse as he took my suitcase upstairs. I followed him and fell back onto the large comfy bed.

He looked down at me, “Do you like this bed?”

I smiled, “Yes, it is the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in.”

He held out his hand to help me up, “Are you up for some Chinese food?”

I smiled as my stomach growled, “Sounds delicious.”

We walked down to the kitchen where Connor opened the drawer, pulled out a menu and sat on the bar stool next to me, “What do you like?”

I leaned closer as his scent filled me with excitement. I wanted to respond, I like you, but that would not be a cool move, “I like just about anything, you pick.”

He looked at me, “sweet and sour pork, chicken fried rice, Mongolian beef and egg rolls?”

“That’s a lot of food Mr. Black, is anyone joining us?”

“No, I’m going to make sure you eat.”

I rolled my eyes and then held my hand over my cut, “Ouch.”

He smiled as he looked at me, “Stop rolling your eyes at me and it won’t hurt.”

“Then stop making me roll my eyes at you and I will.”

He chuckled and grabbed his phone to call in the order. He poured us some wine and led me to the living room where we sat on the couch. The fireplace was on and had warmed the room nicely. I sat with my leg under the other and faced him.

“I want to know more about you Connor Black.”

He looked surprised as he responded, “What’s to tell?”

I took in a deep breath, “We’re friends right?”

He nodded his head, “Of course we are.”

“Friends know things about each other. It doesn’t have to be intimate or deeply personal things, but I want to know about where you come from and your family or even your business. Of all the time we have spent together hanging out, you have never told me anything about your family other than I know you have a sister who is an interior designer. You know a lot about me, and I know nothing about you. I feel like this friendship is one-sided Connor.”

He stared at me as he drank his wine, being cautious as to what he was going to say to me. He ran one hand through his hair, “You’re right, and I’m sorry, I just don’t like to talk about my life with anyone. It’s not that it’s a bad life; I’m just a very personal person and I like it that way.” I looked down disappointed as he leaned over and cupped my chin in his hand. He lifted it so that I was looking into his eyes, “Give me some time; this friendship thing is new to me. You need to understand that I’ve never been just friends with a woman before.”

The thought of the tall beautiful woman entered my mind as he said that and with me and my big mouth I said, “But you said you and that woman you’re always with are just friends, so you have other women that are friends, right?”

He looked at me intently, “It’s different and I’d rather not discuss it now.”

The doorbell rang, and he got up to answer it. I sat there wondering what the hell I was doing. Was I playing a game? Was I his game? Was he using me to prove something? He came back with the cartons of Chinese food, plates and silverware.