‘I was only a bit late. I went to the lobby but you’d already come down here. I’ve been socialising for the last couple of hours,’ I explain, ignoring the way the men with him are openly checking me out.
The shorter man elbows the other and turns to me. ‘We all know Alex usually has male assistants. You must be special.’ Leaning forward, he waggles his eyebrows, holding out his hand for me to shake, almost falling into the cleavage displayed by my halter neck.
‘I’m up here,’ I say sweetly, pointing to my face. ‘And that’s right, I am special.’ Grabbing his hand, I shake it firmly and apply pressure to a particularly sensitive spot Jess once showed me and am gratified to see his eyes widen. Releasing his hand, I step back. ‘I wonder if you might excuse us for a few minutes? I need to talk to Mr Demetrio about an urgent business matter.’
‘Sure, sweetheart, whatever you say.’ Backing away, flexing his hand with a slight nod to convey he got my point, he winks at Alex, ‘I like this one, she’s got balls.’
‘Enough,’ Alex barks at them and they both mumble a sorry before sloping off.
I roll my eyes and turn to find Alex staring down at me, ‘What?’ I ask self-consciously.
‘Nothing.’ Nodding, respect shines in his gaze. ‘Sorry. They’re senior employees but can be a bit silly with a drink inside them.’ Frowning, I w–would have inter– interven– stepped in if necessary y’know.’
I look up at him. How far gone is he? His blood alcohol content appears to be climbing by the minute. ‘I know that, thanks. They’re okay.’ I wave after them. ‘But I don’t need anyone fighting my battles for me.’ I pause as a cheer goes up for the cheesy seventies pop song that comes on. ‘Before anyone collars you, can we talk?’
He moves closer. ‘What do you want?’
‘Huh?’ I shiver. His warm breath on my neck is like heaven, barely-there stubble grazing my cheek.
‘What do you want t’talk about?’
‘Let’s go somewhere,’ I suggest.
‘Where?’
‘Hotel bar?’
He casts an I don’t think so look at the mass of people between us and the lift. ‘Too far. Need to be here. ’Vailable for people. And I don’t think I sh–should go anywhere with you.’ He sways. ‘Need to protect myself.’
‘What?’ I frown. ‘Why?’
He shrugs, gazing over my shoulder.
‘For God’s sake,’ I exclaim, ‘what do you think I’m going to do to you?’ Grabbing his sleeve, I jerk him over to the quietest corner of the room, away from the bar and dance floor. I’m sure if he was less under the influence of whatever alcohol he’s necked he’d resist more. Instead, he settles for a mutinous expression, marred by the fact that he can’t focus his eyes properly. I prop him up against the wall with a hand on one shoulder, worried he’ll slide to the floor if I don’t.
A slow song comes on and the calmer melody means I don’t need to shout to be heard. ‘I just need to make sure,’ I say, ‘that you really understood me earlier. About what you thought I said. About—’
‘The kiss?’
‘Yeah.’ I bite my lip. ‘It was—’
‘Incredible,’ he sighs, looking dreamy.
‘What?’
‘What?’ he repeats sharply, drawing himself up a few inches. ‘Nothing.’
I frown up at him. ‘Alex, are you okay?’
‘Uh-huh.’ He nods but it’s skew-eyed, like his head isn’t on straight.
Still, pinning him to the wall after seeing him in a tux is giving my fizzing hormones all sorts of naughty ideas. What I’d like to do to him …
We’re jostled by the crowd as they dance past us in a conga. My boobs brush up against his jacket and I hear him breathe deeply.
‘You have to leave,’ he orders, glancing around the room furtively as if afraid someone’s watching us.
I follow his eyes but see only a bunch of people having a good time. ‘I’ll go up to my room shortly.’ As soon as I’ve made sure there’s someone to look after you.
‘No.’ He shakes his head. ‘I mean you have to leave Barcelona. I can’t work with you.’
No! I need this. Dismayed, I start firing out words. ‘Alex I’m sorry, I am. The bits I’m responsible for anyway. You kissed me, I kissed you, but I realised it was a bad idea and I lost my temper because of your reaction. I wasn’t thinking when I said what I did, but you misunderstood. I thought you got that. I thought – I want to stay,’ I argue. ‘Let me stay. You need me. For work, I mean.’ Alex stares over the top of my head, not replying to my comments. ‘God, can’t you even look at me? And are you drunk?’
He drops his gaze to where my chest meets his, to my clenched hands gripping his upper arms. His jaw is working, eyes hazy and unfocused.
‘Are you even listening to me?’
‘Listening seems to be a bit of a challenge at the moment,’ he mutters, ‘and yes, I am sh–slightly intoxicated.’ His eyes cross. ‘Happy?’
‘Not really. And why can’t you listen? Have you gone deaf from the noise?’
‘My ears are perfectly fine, along with other parts of me,’ he laughs ironically.
What’s he on about? Maybe drinking isn’t a regular thing, perhaps he can’t handle his alcohol. As CEO running a massive organisation, and with his work ethic, he probably doesn’t get much time to kick back and relax. ‘Sorry, I’m still not getting it. Why are you having problems listening?’
‘For the same reason Bob’s eyes almost fell out of his head.’ Putting space between us, he looks me up and down. ‘That dress.’ He points at it like it’s a living thing that’s done wrong.
‘What about it?’ It’s ankle length with no high splits and it’s not that low-cut, so I don’t see what the issue is.
‘It’s clingy,’ his voice rolls out in a slur. ‘It shows off every gorgeous curve.’ He bangs his forehead with a fist. ‘No. Inappropriate Alex.’
Wow, Mr Stern CEO really has left the building. ‘And now you’re talking to yourself,’ I sigh. ‘Look, I’ll forgive you if you forgive me. So can I stay until Monday?’
‘Nope. Going home t’mrrow. Mind made up. Sh–sorry.’
‘But why?’ I cry.
‘Just too difficult.’
‘That’s not fair, I’ve worked hard for you today! And I flew, even though I was afraid to.’ I’m horrified by his comment. I’ve been so difficult he’d rather do without me, even though he has one-to-one meetings tomorrow he needs support for. He thinks I’m unprofessional. Tears scorch my eyes. It’s what I was accused of at the awful disciplinary hearing. Unprofessionalism. Inappropriate conduct. Even though it wasn’t true, it still stings. I won’t let myself give in to those dark thoughts, though. I have to fight. ‘You can’t do this, Alex!’
He shrugs, eyes going opaque. ‘Can. I’m in charge.’
The blood boils in my veins and I’m sure the colour’s reflected in my face, a knot of tension tangling behind my ribs. ‘I don’t understand you,’ I choke. ‘One minute you’re genuine and funny and the next minute you’re closed down and arrogant.’
‘As I said, I’m in charge.’ His face is set, though his eyes are still a little crossed.
‘Fine,’ I huff. ‘I’ll go home. But don’t expect me to be happy about it.’ I can always try and change his mind tomorrow, once he’s sober. Whirling around, I hike my skirt up and stalk towards the exit. Seeing the taller man from earlier, I stop him, sloshing his drink over my dress accidentally. ‘Bugger. Sorry.’ I breathe in. Rein it back, Charley. ‘Your boss has had enough to drink,’ I tell him. ‘I suggest you get him some water and painkillers.’ I spin away then back again to hold his arm. ‘Oh, and about a gallon of black coffee. Otherwise he’s going to suffer in the morning.’
I am so furious with Alex as I get into the lift that, despite my advice to his staff, I wish on him the biggest, worst, most clanging hangover possible.
Chapter Fourteen
A glass of red wine in the hotel bar doesn’t help calm
my temper, nor does going to my room and flinging clothes into my case, in the event I can’t convince him to let me stay. Swearing loudly doesn’t make a jot of difference and even throwing my shoes against the wall doesn’t curb the frustration thundering through me. ‘Argh. Bloody, bloody man!’
I’m too wired to sleep: angry, hurt and charged full of sexual energy I can’t do anything with. I can’t believe it’s going to end like this. Sent home early like a disgraced teenager, no reference, no hope and back to square one. I hold back tears of impotent fury. Suddenly desperate to be free of my dress, I start wrestling with the ties behind my neck. A knock rattles the door. Whoever it is has the worst timing ever. Another knock.
‘Charley, open up.’ Alex. His is the last face I want to see. ‘I’ll stand here for as long as it takes,’ he says flatly, banging on the door again.
I square my shoulders. Just get it over with.
Wrenching the door open, I come close to taking it off its hinges. Hanging onto the ties of my dress where it’s tangled with the fingers of my left hand, I stand tall. ‘What do you want?’
‘To talk.’
Starting to push the door closed, ‘Not now.’
He shocks me by shouldering open the door, stepping over the threshold. ‘Yes, now.’
There’s a leap of excitement in my belly at his action. Down girl. ‘If you think I’m letting you in here whilst you’re drunk—’
‘I’m not any more.’ He kicks the door closed behind him. ‘I’ve had three espressos and lots of fresh air.’
I take him in. The tux jacket is open, bow tie undone, ends hanging loosely around his neck. The top few buttons of his shirt are open too. His hair is standing up in tufts and his eyes are bloodshot, but sharper than they were. ‘You’re not swaying or slurring,’ I observe, backing up to put space between us.
‘Like I said. I’ve sobered up. I’m sorry. I don’t drink very often, or very much.’
I can’t help it, he looks so ropey – adorable – but ropey, my mouth lifts in a smile. ‘I could kind of tell,’ I say. Then stiffen my shoulders. ‘That doesn’t mean you have the right to barge in here, though. Who do you think you are?’
‘A man who’s sorry for upsetting you downstairs?’
‘Really?’
‘Really,’ he repeats solemnly. ‘Sit down.’
‘I’m fine standing thanks.’
‘Do you ever do as you’re asked? Thialo! You can be so stubborn sometimes.’
I flounder, mouth opening and closing like a goldfish. But he’s got me. Of all the things he could call me on, this is the one he’s right about. ‘I am stubborn,’ I admit tiredly, sinking down on the edge of the bed, even though everything in me says to stay standing on principle. ‘Thialo,’ I test the feel of it on my tongue. ‘I thought you didn’t usually speak Greek?’ Remembering his remark about it in the car to the airport. Was that only yesterday? Hard to believe.
‘I don’t, not really. Only when I visit my family,’ Alex starts pacing up and down the room, measuring the dimensions with his steps, ‘but I learnt as a child and sometimes it comes out, especially when … ’
‘When what?’ My arm’s starting to ache from its position behind my head, but I’m worried if I try to untangle my hand I’ll flash him.
‘When I’m stressed.’
‘I’m sorry if I stress you out.’ I rub my face with my free hand, exhaustion beginning to take hold. ‘I don’t mean to. It’s not my intention to be … difficult.’
Wincing, ‘I know you don’t,’ he says rapidly. ‘That’s not—’ He abandons the sentence with an exasperated huff. ‘There are just other things going on in my life right now that are making it hard for me to keep perspective.’
‘Hence the mission to get falling-down drunk?’ I raise an eyebrow.
‘I wasn’t aiming to go that far.’ I let out an unladylike snort, picturing the way I had to steady him against the wall earlier. ‘I needed a release valve.’ He grimaces, ‘But picked the wrong one.’ Rubbing the back of his neck: ‘To be honest, I’m embarrassed. I don’t usually behave like this. You’ve hardly seen me at my best this weekend.’
‘Meaning?’
‘Telling you far too much, getting drunk, ordering you home. I’m not myself at the moment. I pride myself on being professional and I don’t think I have been.’
I’m hardly one to talk, after trying to kiss him this morning and falling into his lap this afternoon. ‘Or perhaps you’re being yourself,’ I suggest.
‘What are you saying?’ he scowls.
‘Perhaps you’re being the person you’re meant to be? The only time I’ve seen you looking anything approaching happy is when you let your guard down, when you’ve relaxed enough in conversations to forget yourself and the formal CEO persona.’
‘Some of us don’t have the luxury of doing what we want. Some of us can’t just run away to the big city.’
‘Hang on. I told you how much grief my parents gave me for that. You think it was easy? It wasn’t. Mum still resents me for not staying close and Dad hates that it upsets her. I’m glad I did it but it’s there under my skin every day, the hurt I caused them.’ I sigh. ‘I guess nothing comes without a price.’
‘Now you’re the one being cynical. I thought you were the optimist. Look, I didn’t come here to argue. And I certainly don’t need any complications.’ Yanking his hand through his messy hair: ‘But I’ve been unfair to you. You were right downstairs, you have worked hard. It’s not your fault if I can’t handle things.’
‘Handle what things?’
He neatly sidesteps the question. ‘I’m sorry for upsetting you.’ His attention is caught by the pile of clothes heaped in the case, blue eyes zeroing in on a lacy red push-up bra. He inhales sharply, looking away. ‘Of course, if you want to stay for the rest of the assignment you can.’
‘Right.’ I slide off the bed and absolutely nothing more comes out my mouth.
‘You don’t seem very happy,’ he frowns. ‘I thought you wanted to stay.’
I can understand his confusion. I should be biting his hand off. I should be overjoyed. It means I can stick to the plan. ‘Do you want me to?’ Where did that come from? A warning klaxon sounds in my head, telling me I’m too close to the edge.
‘What does that matter?’ he asks, pacing forward.
‘Do you want–me–to–stay?’ I demand, unable to hold the words safely inside. We’re almost nose to nose. I’m still hanging onto the ties of my dress and my arm is aching something chronic.
‘Of course I don’t!’ His admission stuns me into silence.
Ouch. ‘Why?’
‘Because.’
‘Because I’m difficult?’ I whisper, disappointment slashing through me.
He lets out a kind of growl and then, ‘Not you! Keeping my hands off you. This!’ Scooping me up, he kisses the breath out of me, hands moving to grip my face, tongue seeking mine.
Oh, that.
The clash of our mouths and bodies is fast and furious and my defences dissolve. I find the strength to yank my fingers from my dress ties and drive both hands into his hair, tunnelling into the soft spikiness, lost in darkness, holding onto him. My dress slides down to my waist and he breaks away to look down at my boobs swelling out of the strapless black bra.
‘Beautiful,’ he breathes.
I can’t help it, I love the look in his eyes. Then he kisses me again, asking for even more, to go further. God, it feels so good. His body is so hot, like my own personal radiator. Sweat breaks out across my skin and I push his jacket off blindly, tearing his shirt from his trousers and wrenching it open. Groaning, he presses open-mouthed kisses down my neck, panting as I run my hands over his bare, slightly hairy chest, tracing jagged patterns.
My palms run over his toned pecs and abs, feeling the bumps and ridges.
He is so world-alteringly gorgeous. And so incredibly built.
Thinking doesn’t feature. Lust tugs between my legs, tingles spreading ou
twards. Edging nearer, I push against his hard, glorious body, wanting to get closer, the ache of need throbbing at the back of my throat.
With a muffled groan, he reaches around and unzips my dress, shifting so it slithers to the floor. He grabs my thighs with big, hot hands and I wrap them around his waist. And then I’m pinned against the wall and he’s kissing me again, igniting trails of fire in my blood.
My head goes back against the patterned wallpaper. I can’t believe he wants me so much. My back arches, nipples springing to life. It feels like I’m unravelling and tightening at the same time. Alex pushes me higher, hips rocking urgently against me. I can feel how turned on he is and can’t wait until he’s inside me. Deep. Ruthless. Ready to thrill. His mouth travels down to suck at a sensitive spot under my ear, to nibble at my collarbone, moves to lick and then suck on a perky nipple through my bra. The pleasure and need is unbearable, torture.
‘Ohhh … yes, yes,’ I call hoarsely, body temperature rocketing, sense of reason sliding away. I’ve never been so turned on in my life.
‘Yes?’ His voice is rough and he unhooks my bra, a shiver of delight speeding down my spine in immediate response. He tugs the material out the way. My body is shaking with excitement as Alex’s tongue circles my nipple, then his hand is in my lacy black knickers, which are damp with wanting him and his clever fingers are strumming a rhythm that sends me into a shuddering mass of jelly in his arms, demanding release. He slips a long finger inside me and presses forwards and I yelp, then moan blissfully and bite his shoulder, skin slightly salty on my tongue. I want him to stop what he’s doing with his hand so I can return the favour, but if he stops I might kill him. I think I’m going to … ‘Yes. Just there … Ooohhhh. Alex.’ Everything clenches, muscles spasm, shivers shoot up my spine, hot waves of orgasm hit and I fall apart, biting down harder on his shoulder.
‘Wow,’ I moan afterwards, dropping my head back against the wallpaper.
Taking a shaky breath, he slides his hand from my knickers and hoists me up and I lean in and kiss him, running my tongue along the edge of his bottom lip before biting gently. He jerks. At the same time, I run my hands down his unbelievable abs and unzip his trousers, slipping my hand inside his jockey shorts. He’s up for it in every way that matters and I moan at the rock-solid feel of him pulsing beneath my fingers.
The Little Shop of Afternoon Delights Page 36
