Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 67227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67227 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 336(@200wpm)___ 269(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
“What are you up to?” Cassidy asked, a curious expression on her face.
He didn’t answer. Instead, he tapped on the limo partition and spoke into the microphone to the driver. “One Vanderbilt,” he said.
She narrowed her gaze, obviously wondering if they really were going where she thought and processing that he’d just asked for a brand-new exhibit to be emptied out. If he’d planned ahead, he’d have blindfolded her for the experience, but he’d settle for surprising her the best he could.
He grasped her hand until Beck texted with the name of the man Dash was to meet and he replied, thanking his brother-in-law again. Since they’d been close to the location, when they pulled up to the building and the car came to a stop, Dash asked the driver to idle for a while. He wanted to give the manager time to empty out the upstairs for them.
“We really are going to the SUMMIT?” she asked. “One Vanderbilt Observation Deck?” Cassidy’s excitement was finally palpable and she bounced in her seat.
“Yep. There are perks to fame and I want to share them with you.”
She grinned, placing her hands on his cheeks and planting a thank-you kiss on his lips. Finally, Dash figured enough time had passed, and he tapped on the partition, indicating the driver should let them out.
They exited the car and walked inside, where Dash met up with Arthur Golding, the manager, who shook Dash’s hand, then gushed appropriately. Dash thanked him and introduced him to Cassidy. He signed an autograph for the man’s granddaughter and made sure to express his gratitude for putting him through the hassle of giving them a private tour with no notice. Somehow Arthur seemed to take everything in stride, and Dash assumed it was the charitable donation that had helped his mood.
“As arranged by Mr. Daniels, I’m to bring you to the exhibit floors and you have thirty minutes with no one to bother you during your viewing,” Arthur said.
“We appreciate it.” Dash squeezed Cassidy’s hand.
“You’ll need to leave your heels at the entrance,” Arthur said. “Normally we ask you to wear soft shoes but … we’re making an exception. We just need to protect the floors.”
“Of course,” Cassidy said. “That’s no problem.”
“Do you both have sunglasses?” Arthur asked.
“Yes,” they both replied.
He nodded. “Great. Then we’re all set. Follow me to the elevator, please.” He walked away.
Cassidy squeezed his hand tighter. “The Air exhibit,” she said in awe.
“My gift to you. I know you’ve been dying to see it.”
He’d caught her reading about the trippy feeling of the glass and mirrored floors and windows and heard her telling Sasha she was dying to go to the exhibit. He just hadn’t thought they’d have the opportunity so soon. But spontaneity was the best.
She smiled wide and he wanted to grasp her face and pull her lips hard against his, but Arthur had turned and was waiting for them to catch up. They’d have some alone time soon, and he planned on taking advantage.
Following Arthur into the glass elevator named the Ascent, they rode twelve hundred feet up along the exterior of the building. As their guide explained, they were going to the top three floors of the fourth highest building in the city.
“The artist, Kenzo Digital, created the exhibit with a dreamlike quality, allowing visitors to feel like they are escaping reality. The glass and mirrors will give you quite the experience,” Arthur continued to narrate. “And the fact that you are at the highest vantage point in Midtown Manhattan will let you look down and see all the reflections of the buildings below.”
Dash’s stomach flipped during the ascent. “Are you okay?” he asked Cassidy.
She nodded, eyes wide, taking in the city below.
The elevator stopped, the doors opened, and Arthur stepped out, gesturing for them to join him.
“I’ll be back in half an hour. It won’t be enough time for you to see everything, but you will get a taste of the immersive experience. Enjoy!” He stepped back into the elevator he’d been holding open and left them alone on the floor where Air awaited.
Prior to Cassidy, Dash admitted he’d been all about himself. His enjoyment. His pleasure. Women came and went and he never gave them a lingering thought. He’d known the moment he laid eyes on her that he’d been sucker-punched for the first time. Everything about her drew him in, from her looks to her laughter, those jade-green eyes, and her loyalty to her best friend.
The night they’d met, she’d been mistaken for Sasha by a stalker, tasered and attacked in what had been a botched kidnapping attempt. Dash hadn’t acted like himself. He’d never been so panicked about a virtual stranger. He’d never been so drawn to a woman or as worried about her welfare. To this day, he wanted to put a smile on her face and keep it there. And he had no idea if she felt the same way.