Criminal

Chapter 5

As I made my way up to the penthouse the next day, my heart fluttered with anticipation. James was waiting for me in the lobby, looking even more dashing than before. His dark hair was styled with effortless perfection, framing his chiseled features in a way that made my breath catch in my throat. His eyes, a mesmerizing shade of deep blue, sparkled with mischief as he greeted me with a charming smile.

"Good morning, Ava," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "You look lovely today."

I returned his smile, feeling a rush of warmth spread through me at his compliment. "Thank you, James," I replied, my tone a mixture of formality and warmth. "Are you ready for another day of exploring the city?"

He nodded, his expression eager. "Absolutely," he said, rising from his seat and following me towards the elevator. As we rode up to the top floor, I couldn't help but sneak glances at him. He looked younger now that he was dressed in a more casual yet formal attire. His suit hugged his broad shoulders and trim waist perfectly, accentuating every inch of his toned physique.

I cleared my throat, willing myself to focus on the task at hand. "So, James, what would you like to see today?" I asked, my voice laced with professional courtesy.

He grinned, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "Surprise me," he said, leaning against the railing of the elevator with casual ease.

My mind raced as we stepped out onto the sun-drenched terrace, the skyline stretching out before us in all its glory. "Well, we could start with a visit to the art museum," I suggested, gesturing towards the towering structure in the distance. "Or perhaps a stroll through Central Park?"

James chuckled, his gaze lingering on mine. "I'm in your capable hands, Ava," he said, his voice low and teasing.

I felt my cheeks flush with heat at his words, my heart racing with anticipation. "Very well," I replied, my voice laced with determination. "Let's start with the museum."

As we made our way down to street level, I couldn't help but steal glances at James. His effortless charm was only matched by his rugged good looks, and every time his eyes met mine, I felt my resolve weakening.

But I pushed aside my desires, determined to focus on the task at hand. "So, James, tell me about yourself," I prompted, eager to learn more about the man who had captured my attention so completely James flashed me a crooked smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "What would you like to know, Ava?" he replied, his voice smooth as velvet.

I considered his question for a moment, trying to come up with something clever to ask. "Well, what do you do when you're not busy taking over the business world?" I inquired, my tone light and playful.

He chuckled, running a hand through his tousled hair. "Oh, you know, the usual," he said, his voice tinged with amusement. "Traveling, reading, trying out new restaurants..."

I nodded, intrigued by his response. "Sounds like you have quite the adventurous spirit," I remarked, a smile playing at the corners of my lips.

James grinned, his gaze meeting mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. "I like to keep things interesting," he replied, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "Life is too short to be boring, don't you think?"

His words hung in the air, charged with a palpable tension that sent a thrill coursing through me. I bit my lip, unable to tear my gaze away from his intense stare.

"Absolutely," I murmured, my heart pounding in my chest. "Life is meant to be lived to the fullest."

As we continued our conversation, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something between us, something electric and undeniable. And as the day stretched on, I found myself falling deeper under James's spell, eager to see where this newfound connection would lead us.