Wonderlust (Steel Roses #1)

by B. L. Wilde

  Once I was in the comfort of my room, I let my mind wonder. When it came to my sex life, I’d experienced good sex. David had been a wonderful lover on the occasions we’d been together, but when I thought about it, I’d never had explosive sex with any of my partners. Not that there had been that many. My last serious boyfriend had been at high school, and we’d both been inexperienced at that age. Did explosive sex even exist?

  As much as I hated it, I fell asleep wondering what Alex would be like as a lover. He’d had so many partners; he was bound to be amazing. At twenty-nine, surely I should have experienced something on that level. I was still adamant that it wouldn’t be with him, but maybe Liv was right and I really did need to find a male distraction. It was the only way to get over David properly. Alex held so many parties at his mansion; I was bound to meet someone sooner or later. It was a shame I didn’t do parties that often, though.

  “Come on, get your bag,” Alex called, rushing into my office a few days later.

  “Why? I’m just waiting for a call to confirm our flights for Thursday.”

  “They can leave a message. Come on!” He practically tipped me out of my chair. Talk about impatient.

  “Where are we going?” I called after him, annoyed.

  “Clothes shopping.” Picking up his designer sunglasses and putting them on, he turned toward me. Damn, the man looked sexy! Shopping with him was going to be impossible. He was only wearing a pair of casual black shorts and tight white T-shirt, but the way it clung to his chest…it made my mouth water. “Surely you enjoy a bit of retail therapy?”

  “Where’s Diego? I thought he did this kind of stuff with you.”

  “He’s out, and I did this kind of stuff with Milly, too.” Oh, I was reading into this too much. Just go shopping, White! It might even be fun.

  “Have you ever been shopping in Beverly Hills before?” Alex asked once we were in the SUV. Shane was driving, and kept looking back at us in the rear view mirror.

  “Nope, but I’ve seen Pretty Woman.”

  “That was filmed twenty years ago!” Even Shane chuckled to himself at my expense. “But we are going down Rodeo Drive. I need a new suit.”

  “I’ve never bought a suit with a man before.”

  “That’s what the sale assistants are for. I’ll just need your opinion whether if I look good or not.” Was he serious? He’d look good in a paper bag! “Can you do that? I know that means you’d have to give me a compliment if it’s warranted.”

  “I’ll do it just this once, but don’t think for one second that I’m going to make a habit of it.”

  Alex laughed, and this time it reached his eyes. “Oh, don’t worry. I’m getting to know you pretty well. One compliment a year is still an improvement, though.”

  Shane pulled the SUV up to the curb outside of Dior. As I stepped onto the sidewalk, I felt a little uncomfortable gazing down the block at the shops along the strip—Gucci, Armani, Cartier, Prada, and Valentino. Because I was in my usual attire of shorts and a T-shirt, I felt a little under dressed to be going into these shops.

  “What’s wrong?” Alex asked, meeting me on the sidewalk.

  “Do you remember that scene in Pretty Woman when the shop assistants don’t serve her because of the way she’s dressed?”

  “You think you look like a prostitute?” It was impossible to keep a straight face around this man!

  “No, I feel underdressed.” Laughing and slapping his chest, I looked toward Shane, who was locking the car.

  “You look lovely, Nat,” Shane smiled. “You have nothing to worry about.” I don’t know why, but I blushed at his comment as I looked over at him.

  Alex was already walking into Dior when I looked back. Shane gestured for me to go before him.

  The shop assistants all fell over themselves once they noticed Alex. There was a lot of high pitch squealing and clapping.

  “We might as well take a seat. This usually takes a while,” Shane whispered in my ear. We both took a seat on a comfortable, red velvet couch near the changing rooms.

  “How many times have you done this?”

  “I’ve lost count. It’s more fun coming with you, though. Diego can be unbearable to shop with. Plus, I get left to carry all the bags.”

  “That seems unfair.” We both turned toward the sound of screaming as some female customers noticed Alex.

  “Excuse me while I handle this,” Shane apologized. Swiftly, he got up and dispersed the crowd efficiently. Alex signed a few autographs before it was suggested that the assistants close the shop for half an hour so he could try his suits on in peace.

  “Wow, that was impressive.” I nudged Shane when he sat back down twenty minutes later.

  “It might be a good idea to call Gucci and Armani now to warn them to close the shop in preparation for Alex. I expect that the paparazzi will have arrived by the time we step back outside.” The paparazzi? Crap!

  Quickly, I made the calls that Shane had suggested, pleased that the shops were more than happy to close off parts of their store for Alex.

  “You’re really good at this stuff. I had no clue that a shopping trip would be this crazy.”

  “It’s practice. I’ve been head of his security for a long time now.”

  “He’s lucky to have you, Shane,” I mused, watching Alex strut out in a blue plaid suit and white shirt. He looked so clean cut. Not the rough rocker that I’d been getting to know over the last few weeks.

  “What do you think? Is blue my color?”

  “You look great, Alex,” I replied, still a little stunned.

  “Just great?” he pouted. “Take a closer look.” He spun around slowly.

  “I think you look really hot, Alex,” one of the assistants giggled, a little too excited. He didn’t respond. Once he’d done a full circle, his piercing blue eyes found mine.

  “Well?” he asked again.

  “You look very handsome. Blue is definitely your color,” I grinned, standing up. “I’d get them to bring it in on the shoulders, though. It’ll look better with a snugger fit.”

  “I can measure you!” one of the women pleaded, waving her measuring tape in the air.

  “I’d rather Natasha do it, if you don’t mind,” Alex replied, his eyes not leaving mine. If he was serious, I’d have to touch his shoulders, well-defined chest, and arms. I’d need to remember to breathe if I did this.

  The blonde assistant huffed, but passed the tape over to me. “I thought you’d enjoy all their hands on you,” I muttered, watching him slip his jacket off while I stood up.

  “You thought wrong,” he winked, starting to undo his shirt buttons. Oh no! He didn’t need to take his damn shirt off, too.

  “Why are you taking your shirt off?”

  “For an accurate measurement, of course.”

  “You’re going to get all these ladies hot and bothered.”

  “Maybe that’s my plan.” Sighs and gasps came from behind me once he was shirtless, but I was too focused on his body to care. The urge to reach out and stroke his chest was unbelievable.

  “Lift your arms up,” I ordered, needing to get this done as quickly as possible. He obeyed and spread both his arms out. Knowing I’d have to measure his chest first, I wrapped my arms around his back, placing the tape around him at the same time. My nose was almost caressing his chest. Jesus, he smelled good. It was a mixture of a musky body wash and an intoxicating expensive aftershave. Do not lick his tattoos, White! I’d always dreamt of being this close to him, and unlike all my other encounters with him so far, the feel of his skin, the way he smelled…it was better than I had ever imagined.

  “You feel good pressed up against me, Straight Lace,” he whispered against my ear. I gasped, gripping his back to steady myself. “You must feel that, too.” I pulled back quickly. I had the measurement anyway. Then I moved around to his back so he couldn’t see me.

  “You should have let someone else do this. I’m not very good.”

  “No, I like your
hands on me.” I only had his arm length left to measure. “You’re very gentle,” he murmured, his voice dripping with an undertone.

  “Done.” I quickly passed the tape back to the assistant who’d been writing down all the measurements. “You can put your shirt back on now.”

  “You didn’t want to measure my inside leg?”

  “Your trousers fit fine.” I scowled. “You can go and get changed now. Shane had me ring ahead to Armani. They are closing part of the store for you.”

  “I’m impressed. Can you pick me out a few casual shirts and some sunglasses for you while I get changed, please?”

  “Sure,” I frowned. Sunglasses for me?

  “Alex seems really taken with you, Nat,” Shane commented from behind me while I was looking at the shirts. “Be careful.” First Diego, now him. Nothing was going on between Alex and me.

  “He’s a huge flirt. I can handle him.”

  “I’d hate to see you get hurt. I’ve seen so many women come and go from his life. I don’t want that for you.”

  “That’s never going to happen. Alex isn’t my type, and if you must know, I’m in love with someone back in London.”

  “You have a boyfriend back home?” He looked disappointed at that fact.

  “It’s complicated,” I stressed, picking up two light blue shirts and a white one. “I came here to get some distance from him and to clear my head.”

  “Oh, okay.”

  “I appreciate your concern, though. Thank you.” I picked up a basic pair of sunglasses and winced at the price.

  “I’m just looking out for a friend.” He smiled warmly.

  Alex came out of the changing room a few moments later.

  “Did you get the things I asked for?” he snapped. I couldn’t keep up with his moods.

  He paid for his suit, shirts, and my glasses without saying a word as he snatched them from me. Would the glasses be coming out of my wages? Why did I need glasses anyway? I already had some; they were just back at the mansion.

  “Take the tag off and put these on before you get outside,” Alex whispered, handing me the glasses. Confused, I did as he asked. It wasn’t until we got outside and were swamped by the paparazzi that I realized why he’d gotten them for me. Flashing lights were coming from everywhere as Shane directed us through the crowd of crazy photographers. The lights would have blinded me if I hadn’t been wearing my sunglasses. “Keep your head down and keep close,” Alex soothed, guiding me through the crowd by placing his hand on my lower back. Once we were safely inside Armani, I relaxed.

  “That was insane,” I gasped, catching my breath.

  “Your first paparazzi experience can be a little daunting.” Alex took his sunglasses off and gave me a reassuring smile. “But you did great.”

  “Where did they all come from?”

  “Word gets out fast,” Shane commented before going to liaise with the security in the store.

  “And none of this fazes you?” I asked Alex, astounded.

  “It’s been this way for the last fifteen years. I’ve had to learn to adapt.”

  “You could shop in less known places, you know.”

  “I could, but I like the attention,” he winked, walking away from me. Of course he did.

  It surprised me when he walked over to the women’s department. I had thought he’d head over to the suits first.

  “Are you thinking of treating one of your bimbos?” I teased, following him.

  “No, you actually.”

  “M…me?” I stuttered. “I don’t need clothes from Armani.”

  “It’s not that I don’t dig your denim shorts and T-shirt look. They’re fine around the mansion. But we have some important events coming up and I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”

  “I don’t need an Armani dress.”

  “Try a few on at least. If you don’t like them, I won’t buy you one, and you can wear whatever you want.” That wasn’t fair. How could someone not like an Armani dress? “Out of curiosity, do you always wear shorts and T-shirts?”

  “You remember the English weather, right? Or has it been that long since you went home? We hardly ever have shorts and T-shirt weather.”

  “I left Britain when I was ten. I can’t say that I really remember the weather.” He was still aimlessly looking at dresses on the rack. “This one is nice.” Pulling out a short, black backless dress, he spun it around so I could see it.

  “Where is the rest of it?” I gasped. That thing would barely cover my butt!

  “This is fashion. Maybe I need to send you shopping with Diego.”

  “This is better,” I muttered, showing him a long black evening gown.

  “I’m not taking you to the Oscars. Do you have any idea how much that dress costs?” Shit, I hadn’t even thought about that. I turned the tag around and swallowed hard looking at the price. Twenty thousand dollars for a dress?

  “I’ll get my own dress, it’s fine. There’s a Wal-Mart around here somewhere, right?” He shook his head, laughing at me.

  “Try this dress on at least. It might not be as short as you think. The material stretches.” He wasn’t going to take no for an answer, I could tell.

  “Just one dress?”

  “Yes.” His eyes were dancing with humor. “You really are unlike any woman I’ve ever known.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Glaring, I took the dress from him.

  “Most women like dress shopping, Straight Lace.”

  “I like shopping, I just don’t particularly like shopping with you.”

  “Ouch! You like wounding me, huh?” His lips curved into a smile.

  “Maybe,” I giggled, unable to keep a grin from my face as I darted into the changing room.

  The dress was short, and extremely revealing in the back. There was no way that I was letting him see me in this. He’d made me put this dress on purpose.

  “Straight Lace, are you coming out?” he called from behind the red curtains.

  “No, it doesn’t fit,” I lied. I heard one of the assistants tell him they could get another size for me. Dammit. “Wait,” I sighed, pulling the curtain back. It was better to just get it over with.

  Alex’s eyes widened at the sight of me. It looked as if he was memorizing every single curve that I had as his eyes traveled up and down my body.

  “You should wear dresses more often. You have an amazing figure.” His eyes were hooded when they met with mine. Wow, was it getting hot in here?

  “I wore lots of dresses at my last job.”

  “Your last boss was a very lucky man.”

  “He didn’t perv on me, though. I felt safe wearing them.”

  “So that’s why you always wear shorts and T-shirts that don’t reveal anything.”

  “You’re learning fast.” Maybe he wasn’t such an idiot after all.

  “That doesn’t stop me from perving, though. I used my imagination, and looking at you now, I wasn’t far off.” I rolled eyes and pulled the curtain closed. Alex had seen enough. I didn’t want to encourage him anymore.

  “Thank you for the dress,” I whispered as we left the store.

  “You’re more than welcome. Don’t forget to put your sunglasses on,” he muttered, touching the small of my back again as he guided me out. It felt wrong, but I liked his protectiveness toward me. I managed to put my sunglasses on just before flashing lights came from every direction. How did he live with this on a daily basis? He walked through the crowd of paparazzi with his head held high. I had to admire his strength. I wouldn’t be able to do that.

  Chapter Seven

  “Darling, it’s so lovely to see your face,” my mother cooed while we were Skyping. “How is the new job going?” My parents were amazing. I was an only child, but had never been spoiled. I was simply loved. They taught me to be independent at an early age by having me help out with the family business. They were both retired now, but had owned an antique shop in Soho, London all my life. My childhood was full of memories o
f that shop. After finally selling, they’d decided to take a world cruise and had been gone for almost six months now.

  “It’s going great,” I smiled. My mother looked well. She was Italian, but had met my father over forty years ago while on holiday with her family in London. When the holiday was over, they wrote letters to each other every week for a year. The rest is history.

  I looked a lot like my mother. In fact, people quite often mistook us for sisters when we were together.

  “I really hope we can meet up in Malibu.”

  “I’ll speak to my boss about getting a few days off. I’m sure he’ll be okay with it.”

  “We need to talk about this boss of yours.” I was wondering if she’d worked it all out yet. My face had been all over the papers since my shopping trip with Alex a few weeks ago. “He has an uncanny resemblance to that rock star you had a crush on years ago.”

  “That’s because he is that rock star, Mum,” I snorted, shaking my head at her.

  “Oh, mio Dio! Martin, you were right. She is working for that drug addicted rock star!” I couldn’t see my father, but he must have been somewhere in the room. He was probably sitting in a corner somewhere reading a book, trying to have some alone time.

  “Mum!”

  “What? Are you being safe?”

  “I’m not sleeping with him, if that’s what you're implying. He’s my boss!”

  “Darling, you forget, I remember what you and Liv were like when his band split up. That little shrine you had in your room to help mourn them. Oh, it was so sweet.” God, how could she remember all this stuff?

  “I was fifteen!”

  “You never forget your first love.”

  “I was not in love with him!”

  “I think you’re in denial. You quit a job that you loved to fly halfway across the world to be with this man. Promise me that you’re at least being careful. He seemed very protective of you in the paparazzi pictures, though. That’s a good sign.” Great, she thought Alex and I were dating!

  “Sophia, leave the poor girl alone.” I finally heard my dad speak before he appeared on the screen.

  “Hi, Daddy,” I beamed. It was safe to say that I was a daddy’s girl. My dad was calm and quiet, and a true gentleman.