Alex tried to muster a smile. “Of course. You’re absolutely right. We don’t have to let what happened change anything.”
Nora nodded. “Thanks for being so understanding. I wasn’t sure how you were going to respond. This particular situation is ... something I wasn’t quite expecting.”
I know exactly what you mean ... Alex thought.
Lost in the silence, Alex turned onto Nora’s street and drove past slumbering homes. The river glinted with lights, its shimmering water teasing the eye through gaps in the foliage.
Finally he pulled in front of Nora’s house. She retrieved the gate opener from her purse and unfastened her shoulder harness as Alex drove up to the front door. Nora glanced at him as she reached to open the door.
“I really did have a wonderful evening,” she said.
Alex uselessly tried to suppress the wave of emotion that overwhelmed him as he gazed at Nora. What had he done right? What had he done wrong? So many questions his heart wanted to know ... too many answers to seek.
“I did, too,” he finally said. “More than you can imagine.”
“Goodnight, Alex,” Nora said, getting out of the car.
“Goodnight, Nora,” he said, waiting for her to go inside before pulling away.
He stared at the house for a moment until he saw lights glow from the windows, and then drove away.
The door hadn’t quite slammed shut in his face ... there was still a chink of light peeking through the tiniest gap, but what would it take to open that door again?
*
Staring at the same page on the computer screen that he had for the past fifteen minutes, Alex finally realized that his concentration had not only wandered, it had completely left the building. Try as he might, he couldn’t focus on anything but the emptiness he had felt driving away from Nora’s house.
Uttering a sigh, he leaned back in his chair and took a deep swig of coffee. Miles Langley would be back from Buenos Aires soon, and the details of the additional merchandise lines Alex had promised to incorporate into the campaign were little more than brief page headings. Though he had started the campaign in a blaze of glory, his energy and enthusiasm had trickled to a stop.
He thought of Nora, sitting no more than thirty feet from him, but it might have well as been thirty miles. She was already in her office when he arrived, her voice on the phone as he passed crisp and efficient. He had hesitated at her door, tempted to knock and just say hello, but afraid of her reaction he retreated. There were too many eyes and ears around and the last thing he needed was his father lecturing him on staff morale.
Lost in thought, he started at the intrusive sound of the phone.
“Alex Stone.”
“Alex,” Brad said. “I missed you this morning.”
Alex groaned inwardly.
“Sorry, Dad. I’m busy with the Langley campaign so I just came straight to my office.”
“So how’d it go last night?”
“I’m sorry?”
Brad chuckled. “Don’t play innocent with me. You think your old man doesn’t know? At least for once you’re thinking with your head and not your dick.”
What the hell?
“Dad, what are you talking about?”
Brad chuckled gleefully. “You don’t have to play coy with me, son. I knew it would happen sooner or later.”
“Dad, I don’t know what you mean...”
Then it dawned on him.
“Whoa, Dad ... hang on there. What are you getting at? You think me and...”
“It’s okay, son,” Brad cut in, “suffice it to say that Nora’s a fine young woman and your mother and I are very pleased to see you two getting on so well.”
“Dad ... she’s a colleague. What makes you think...”
“Hold on a moment, Alex,” Brad said, putting the call on hold.
Alex stared at the phone as if fire ants had suddenly swarmed from the receiver.
“That was Logan Carter,” Brad said. “Wants to discuss a proposition with you and Nora. Are you free in an hour?”
Alex blinked at the phone. “What does Logan Carter want with me? That’s Nora’s campaign.”
“I’m not talking about that,” Brad said. “Logan has a referral that he felt would benefit by both of your involvement. Wants to discuss it over lunch in my office.”
Alex glanced at his watch ... lunch so soon? He stared at the incomplete pages of the Langley presentation. Panic seized him. He wasn’t even sure he could tie his shoelaces at the moment, let alone face Nora at a meeting where coherent thought would be required.
“Sure, Dad, I’ll be there.”
*
Hearing Nora’s voice as he approached his father’s office, Alex felt his heart start to race. At once anxious yet eager to see her, he hovered outside the door a moment before knocking and stepped inside.
“Ah, there you are, Alex,” Brad said, his eyes lingering on Alex’s angst-ridden face. “Have a seat. Logan’s running a little late. He’ll be here in a few.”
Alex glanced at Nora. Dressed in a dazzling lemon yellow dress, she shone as brightly as the sun streaming through the windows. Topaz drop earrings glinted like droplets of honey, complementing simple gold jewelry.
“Good morning, Nora.”
“Good morning,” Nora said with a pleasant smile.
Leaning back in his chair, Brad watched both of them.
“I was telling Brad what a wonderful evening I had last night,” Nora said.
“Absolutely,” Alex said, “We’ll have to do that more often.”
“Have you given any further thought to our invitation to stay with us, Nora?” Brad asked. “Delilah said she’d love to have you.” He chuckled. “I think she has plan to abduct you for decorating purposes.”
Nora’s slight hesitation did not go unnoticed by Brad. Brad glanced briefly at Alex before turning to Nora.
“Brad, that’s truly a generous offer, but for now I’d prefer to stay at my grandparents.” She smiled warmly at Brad. “Believe me, it’s tempting, especially the thought of Roger’s cooking, but you’re going to be busy enough with your new grandchild very soon, and I’m looking to find a place as close to the office as possible.”
“I can’t argue with that logic,” Brad said, “but the offer stands, regardless.” He turned toward Alex. “But if you’re looking for temporary digs close to work, Alex has more than enough room at his place.”
Silence.
Alex stared at his father as though he had just suggested castration, but Brad was oblivious to his scrutiny.
“I ... really wouldn’t want to intrude,” Nora replied with admirable composure.
“Nonsense,” Brad said. “Why one person needs a four-bedroom penthouse is beyond me. It’s fifteen minutes from here. Hell, you can leave your car there and walk. Alex has a better office set up there than he does here, and if you need to work late on a project, you’ll be far more comfortable. A practical solution for everyone.”
Alex thought of Nora’s initial comment about how his father had made her a job offer she couldn’t refuse, and now, Brad seemed hell-bent on moving her into the penthouse. He wondered if his father had been secretly watching The Godfather Trilogy and taking notes.
“I’d like to think it over if that’s okay with you, Brad,” Nora said with enough sincerity to fuel Alex’s concern even more.
“Look, Dad,” he said. “I think Nora’s perfectly capable of...”
Brad’s phone rang, the jarring ring stopping Alex in mid-sentence. Brad snatched up the phone.
“Brad Stone,” he barked. “Yes, I see. Okay, have him wait by reception. I’ll be right down.”
He hung up and rose. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to see a client.”
Alex started to rise.
“I won’t be five minutes, Alex,” Brad said, walking to the door. “You and Nora stay here and start without me if Logan shows up.”
Alex sank back into the chair, the silence in the office
as thick as fog. He didn’t know whether to look at Nora or ignore her, but feeling her eyes on him, he finally turned. She watched him with mixed emotions, but when she smiled, the anxiety that had gripped him since last night melted away.
“Your father is quite persistent, isn’t he,” she said.
“I was going to say and as subtle as an air-raid siren in a church.”
Nora laughed, easing the tension between them. “He means well, and if you look at it objectively, his suggestion actually makes sense.”
Her remark was so out of left field that Alex was left speechless.
“Of course it’s out of the question,” she continued. “I’d never impose on anyone like that.”
“What makes you think it would be an imposition?” Alex blurted. “Dad’s right. You have a long commute, and the beach house isn’t much closer. Rents are higher than the Freedom Tower anywhere that’s considered safe.”
Nora stared at him, first with disbelief, then in surprise. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
Alex gazed into her eyes. Though Tisa and others had broached the subject of moving in with him, he had balked at the prospect of collaring his freedom. They could share his bed as often as they wanted, as long as they were gone by first light. Now, the thought of sharing the penthouse with Nora, even as roommates, filled him with giddy anticipation.
“I am,” he said. “Consider it a peace offering. I ... “ he paused and shrugged helplessly. “I’m not very good at this.”
“Alex Stone… at a loss for words?” Nora said. “Now this must be a first.”
He laughed despite himself. It was true. The debonair playboy and a man that had conquered so many hearts now struggling just to form a coherent sentence in the presence of a woman unlike anyone he’d ever known.
“I’d like you to consider moving in, at least temporarily. Then, if you still want to find your own place, you’re welcome to. I know you want boundaries and I understand that, but this would be easier for you and I promise, I’ll be an awesome roommate.” He grinned sheepishly, his eyes an impossible sparkle.
Nora smiled, digesting his offer, but before she could respond, voices emanated from outside. Alex inwardly cursed as his father entered the office with Logan Carter.
“Logan,” Alex said as he rose to shake his hand. “It’s great to see you again.”
Logan shook his hand, his grip tight and firm and then moved to shake Nora’s. “Can’t wait to get started,” Logan said, seating himself beside Alex. “Got a friend on the pro circuit looking to promote his golf resort. Got some first class courses in the area, but he wants to attract the non-golfing set as well.”
“Sounds quite interesting,” Nora said, reaching for her tablet on the desk. “What are the details?”
Marveling at how easily Nora transitioned into business mode, Alex did his best to show interest in Logan’s ideas, but even as Logan spoke, his words became a drone. Alex’s only focus was to somehow persuade Nora to move into the penthouse ... no matter what it took.
*
“Well, if you ask me,” Brad said between sips of coffee, “that’s the best idea I’ve heard all day.”
Alex glanced hopefully at Nora, thoughtfully sipping pomegranate tea among the ruins of lunch.
“What do you say, Nora?” he asked. “You can take your pick of rooms. I can even help you move.”
Nora cocked an eyebrow. “Well, at least I know my makeup bag will fit into your car.”
“Is that a yes?”
Nora glanced from Brad to Alex before smiling in defeat. “The Stone clan definitely drives a hard bargain,” she said, “but I have to look at the practicality of my situation and right now, it’s nothing that I want to continue long term.”
“Then it’s settled,” Brad said. “Pick a day. I’ll arrange for a truck to help you move.”
“You won’t need too much,” Alex interjected, “the rooms are all furnished.”
“Hopefully without mirrored ceilings and animal prints,” Nora said.
Alex laughed thinly, making a mental note to put away the zebra striped rug gracing the second master suite.
“Well, I guess it’s settled,” Nora said. “Honestly, avoiding the commute alone would be a godsend, however, we agree that I’ll approach this as a temporary arrangement ... for now. Deal?”
“Deal,” Alex said, feeling like he wanted to shout for joy.
“Smart woman, smart decision,” Brad said. “Nothing else to say.”
“Well, gentlemen,” Nora said as she rose and picked up her tablet. “Time go get back to work.”
Alex bolted from his chair and followed her to the door. “Perhaps you can copy me on your notes, Nora?”
Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Brad watched them leave his office. “Keep me posted,” he said with a wink as Alex closed the door.
Alex hurried to catch up with Nora quickly walking back to her office.
“I hope you’re okay with the move,” Alex said. “I don’t want you tot hink that we pressured you in any way.”
Nora smiled and shook her head. “Being around your father is like running on a treadmill,” she said, opening the door to her office. “But I knew what he was like when I accepted the job.” She paused and turned to him. “I’m okay with the move as long as you are.”
“I’m definitely okay with it,” Alex said.
“I’ll get those notes to you,” she said, closing the door as Alex returned to his office.
He quickly checked his phone for messages, his buoyant mood instantly vanishing when he noticed a text from Tisa. He thought of Rick, the invisible man, and felt a twinge of anxiety. Something wasn’t right; he could feel it in his gut.
“Don’t let me down, buddy,” he said to himself as he deleted the message.
*
Walking up the glass paneled stairs to the upper level, glasses, corkscrew and chilled bottle of Chardonnay in hand, Alex felt an exhilarating mix of excitement and awkwardness. The move had taken less time than he had anticipated, Nora’s belongings already organized and waiting in the hallway outside her room. Dressed in pale blue capris and a pastel blouse in a swirl of dreamy blues, she had emerged from the house to greet Alex and the van like a dazzling snapshot of a summer sky.
Mrs. Grosvenor, masquerading as a sweet older woman, supervised the process with the sharp eye of a circling hawk, but satisfied that no damage had been done, sent everyone away with Ziploc bags of freshly baked cookies.
Alex smiled to himself. People really were capable of doing the unexpected, he thought.
He paused when he noticed the second master suite door open. The room was silent, the lights off, all of Nora’s belongings carefully arranged or put away. Her personality was evidenced by the fragrant roses from her garden displayed in a vase, family photos and memorabilia scattered across decorative glass shelves, and an eclectic array of cushions piled high on the bed.
Alex loitered by the door, the sight of Nora standing pensively by the ceiling to floor window stopping him in his tracks. Her face bathed by the diffused light of city, she watched the pulse of life from her eagle’s nest view. So lost in whatever thoughts etched her wistful expression, Alex could only stare in wonderment at the woman exposed. Something flexed deeply within his heart, stretching like a creature awakening after a long winter’s hibernation.
Alex felt a trickle of emotion course through his body, a feather-light feeling that was beginning to become increasingly familiar. It was the comfort of an old friend or a battered pair of slippers, a sense that he had somehow found a place in the world beyond the glitzy superficiality of club life and transient relationships.
A sharp sense of loneliness suddenly infused Alex. For a moment he felt like a frightened little boy walking into class on his first day of school. Success had brought him so much, so why did he feel so empty?
“It’s like the city speaks to you,” Nora said, her silken voice a caress across the room.
Alex, jolted from hi
s haze of thought, simply looked at her. By the expression on her face, she had clearly glimpsed into his soul-searching moment.
“Yes, it feels that way sometimes,” he said, approaching her. Beyond, traffic flowed in liquid ribbons, the reflection of light from adjacent buildings bleeding into the sky.
“I never get tired of looking at it,” he said. “It changes like a chameleon.”
They turned toward each other at the same moment, their eyes glinting in the tenuous light. Alex set the wine and glasses on a nearby table.
“What did the city say to you, Nora?” he asked, relishing her delicate scent of orange blossom.
She regarded him for a moment. “It asked me what I wanted.” She smiled. “I thought I had an answer like I always do, but then I realized I honestly didn’t know how to answer the question.”
Alex shifted from the intensity of her eyes. It was almost uncomfortable to look at her with a naked face, without guile or deflected truth. He wanted to look away, but her gaze held him captive.
“Do you know the answer, Alex?” she asked.
A moment passed, and before Alex could even formulate a thought, they were in each other’s arms, their bodies curving into each other in a passionate embrace. Their lips met in a kiss that ignited a surge of emotion in Alex that vanquished any comparison to any of his previous experiences. Everything about Nora, from the ripe fullness of her lips, to the sweet scent of her skin and the sensuous curves of her body spoke to him in a primal sense of connection he didn’t quite understand, but didn’t dare challenge.
All he knew or cared about was each passing second that their hands and mouths urgently explored each other. The warmth of Nora’s flesh beneath the clothes that he impatiently removed from her body stirred his desire to a fever pitch, and his cock pressed against her like a fleshy, hard club.
Her luscious breasts called to Alex. He buried his face in their seductive fullness, the rapid beating of her heart an unstoppable drumbeat against his ears. Squeezing and caressing them tenderly, he engulfed her erect nipples with his mouth, his tongue licking and teasing her button-hard peaks gently at first, but then more aggressively. He paused to trail his tongue around her glorious, egg-yolk sized aureolas, and felt Nora’s body shudder in response to his delicate nibbling.
The Alpha's Touch Boxed Set (14 Book Bundle) Page 138
