Page 151 of Gilt

“Mr. West, I was wondering if I might have a word with you?” he begins, but Jameson cuts him off.

“It’s Saturday, Mr. White,” he reminds him, “and I need to show my girl the town.”

My girl, I think to myself. Everything sounds a little sexier coming out of his mouth this morning. Then again he’d given me a few demonstrations last night that showed just how sexy that mouth could be.

“Of course, of course!” Mr. White steps away and waves cheerfully, “Have a lovely day!”

“Unbelievable,” Jameson mutters through clenched teeth.

“Give him a break.” I can’t help feeling benevolent today.

“If it was up to that man, I’d spend the entire weekend with his lips attached to my ass.”

“No you wouldn’t, I’d fight him for you,” I promise.

“Oh yes?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Definitely, that ass is mine.”

I’m surprised when the car heads north. “Are we going away from the city?”

“Greenwich,” he confirms. “I need to feed you. It’s my responsibility after draining you of all your strength.”

He takes me to a falafel place that’s so small there’s only room for a few bar stools at the counter. A charming mish-mash of colors compliments the simple menu of three items. Having never ordered falafel nor eaten it, I allow him to order for me. When he presents me with my food in a paper basket, I study it first.

“Trust me,” he urges. I narrow my eyes but pick the pita.

“What’s in it?” I ask.

“Heaven,” he says with a full mouth.

I take a bite and a variety of exotic, unrecognizable spices explode on my tongue. Next to me Jameson watches, clearly on edge, as I finish chewing and swallow.

“You know how you have all that money?” I ask. His face falls, no doubt he expects me to admonish him for not taking me to a fancy restaurant instead of this hole in the wall. “Can you buy one of these and put it in Belle Mère?”

“Your wish is my command, Duchess.”

When we’re finished, I’m stuffed. I can spy our car and driver, idling around the corner, but I stop Jameson before he can beckon it to us.

“Let’s walk for a second,” I suggest. I need to move if I’m going to digest this food baby I’m packing.

Greenwich, as it turns out, is charming. We find a row of brownstones lined by a canopy of trees. The emerald shade of their leaves makes it a few degrees cooler as we wander along. I sigh, my arm looped through Jameson’s.

“Like it here?” he asks.

“So far I’ve only seen a king-sized bed and a falafel joint, and it’s already my favorite place in the world. I might be biased though.” Resting my head on his shoulder, I wonder how many times he’s been here before. Maybe New York isn’t as charming the hundredth time you visit, but it will always hold a special place in my heart. Jameson has been to cities all over the world. Do they hold a candle to this? “What is your favorite city?”

He flashes me a crooked grin that makes my knees weaken. “The one you’re in.”

“Charm will get you everywhere with me.” I push onto my toes and kiss his cheek.

“Noted.” He points to a brownstone with red lacquered steps leading to the front door. “That one.”

“What about it?” I ask.

“It’s for sale.”

“What are we going to do with a place in New York? Especially when you own an entire hotel?” I ask. I’m guessing there might be a few other real estate holdings in the West family’s New York portfolio. “Are you planning on leaving me any time soon?”