Effortless (24 page)

In all of my interactions with her, this was the most she’d ever said to me. And to top it all off, she no longer had that disinterested look on her face. Now she was just worried about her employment status.

“I doubt he’ll fire you,” I muttered. “You’ve been his assistant for ages. Nobody else probably has the patience to put up with him.”

She laughed. She actually laughed. “My girlfriend says the same thing.”

The desk phone started ringing so I let Simone get back to work. I paced around the luxurious waiting area, running my hand along the leather sofa. The feeling I’d had when I left the spa seemed to be a million miles away now. Nothing ever came easy for us, did it? If it wasn’t Nathan, it was Olivia or Emma or the press or something. I sighed, staring blankly out the window at downtown Glasgow. I don’t even know how long I stood like this. Half an hour maybe? My anxiety grew with each minute that ticked away. The sound of a door opening broke through my reverie.

Olivia came out, looking just as flushed as she had been when I was in there. A sickening, crushing sensation seized my chest. She caught my eye and lifted her chin; a defiant move signaling she wasn’t going away without a fight. We stared at one another; one man’s past and future locked in an age old battle. She was about to say something when Alastair appeared.

“Paxton is waiting downstairs, Olivia,” he said. “He’ll take you home.”

“Thank you.” She turned to him, a demure smile curving her mouth. “For everything.”

My one saving grace was that he didn’t escort her all the way to the elevators, just to the end of the hall. I couldn’t stomach seeing them together. I didn’t like the familiarity between them as they walked side by side. It felt like I was watching them as they used to be when they dated.

I inhaled, allowing the cleansing breath to calm me. Alastair waited a beat after the elevator doors closed before coming back to me. The hesitation toyed with my emotions. Extending his hand, he asked, “Are you coming?”

I nodded, letting his fingers entwine with mine as I followed him back inside his office. The atmosphere felt heavy, like something monumental had just occurred and I wasn’t privy to the results.

“You,” he said cupping my jaw, “are glowing. I take it they treated you well at the spa?”

“It was amazing, thank you.”

“You deserve to be treated to the best this world has to offer. I’ll send you anytime you’d like. Just say the word.”

I searched his guarded expression, disheartened by his distance. “What di—”

Cut off by his kiss, I snaked my fingers through his hair, holding on as tight as I could. I had that sinking feeling again that if I let him go he’d disappear.

“Hey.” The smile that I loved crossed his lips. “How about we go off the grid for the weekend? I’ll fly you somewhere beautiful and spend every minute of every hour focused on nothing but you.”

I couldn’t help myself and grinned. “Where?”

“That’s for me to know. Meet me at the airport tonight at eight?”

“You’re serious.”

“I’ve never been more serious about anything. Will you come with me?”

I hesitated, not knowing how to answer. “You’re trying to deflect what just happened in here.”

He shrugged, playing with my ponytail. “I’m trying to spend a weekend alone with my future wife.”

“But what about Olivia? I’m…she’s still in love with you and I—”

“We have an understanding, Lia,” he interrupted. “She knows the consequences if she pushes too hard.”

“I don’t trust her.”

“I know.”

“Brian Kenner is on line one for you, Mr. Holden.” Simone’s voice floated from his desk phone. “He’s in New York.”

Alastair scowled before going to his desk. “Tell him I’ll be with him in a minute.” Flicking his eyes up at me he sighed. “I have to take this. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. You’re at work. I’ll go home.”

His expression altered. “Come here.”

Driven by his gentle command I circled around the desk. He sat on the edge and wedged me between his thighs like he’d done the last time I was here. Being so close to him accelerated my pulse. I played with his tie, gazing up at his perfect face. Lowering his head, he sealed our mouths together in a lush, passionate kiss.

“Stay with me,” he murmured, fitting a wireless earpiece onto his right ear. Reaching back, he pushed the talk button. “Holden.”

Placing his finger to my lips, he slid his other hand between my legs. I inhaled on a sharp intake. While he was on a business call?

“I’ve read the entire proposal and while I appreciate your ideas, this isn’t quite what we’re looking for. Jason has been rather specific with what he wants.”

Down went my leggings.

“No. We want a complete user experience. Streaming the media online will stay the main focus.”

The sound of tearing cotton signaled the demise of my underwear.

“Because it’s what works, Brian. We’re not going to screw around with what we know is successful.”

My nails sank into his shoulders when he outlined the sensitive flesh near my clit before sliding his fingers inside me. I closed my eyes and gasped.
He’s really doing this
.

“We’ll start in the U.S. market first, then roll out in Canada and the United Kingdom within a year. Yes. Ask him if you want but that’s the timetable.”

Not much else from the conversation registered when his other hand grasped my backside. I was at his mercy. I buried my face in his neck to muffle my moans when he stroked along my tailbone. The more I made noise, the deeper he pushed his fingers inside. Oh God, he curled them. My legs shook. Lifting my head to see him, I was amazed at how his eyes shimmered with desire but his expression remained all business.

Cool as ice
.

I was hot as the sun.

“It’s a brilliant concept,” he said, his voice sounding a little strained. “We’re not changing it.”

Unable to control myself thanks to the intensity of how his fingers slid in and out, I lunged forward, kissing and sucking on his neck. I felt his pulse speed up when I grabbed a handful of his hair. His body went taut. I knew he was having a hard time keeping a handle on his urges.

“You’re a bad boy, Alastair Reid Holden,” I whispered in his ear. “I like it.”

He shoved a third finger in me, making my body quake. I bit down on his shoulder in an effort to stay quiet.

“Revise the proposal and send it to me Monday. Talk to you then.” He yanked the earpiece out and tossed it on the desk. Eyeing me with a hunger so palpable I could feel it, he picked me up and nearly threw me down in his chair. In seconds he was on his knees with my legs tossed over his shoulders. My God. Seeing him in this position, dressed in his urbane suit and tie, and being so carnal and raw was too much. I shoved both hands in his hair, pulling hard. He sealed his mouth against my now throbbing clit and finished me off, leaving me shaky and spent.

“I’m supposed to be on hiatus,” I panted, sliding down in the chair.

Alastair smiled in his crazy-sexy way and leaned close. “I told you I wanted you to come for lunch.”

Lethal
.

“I’m not keeping you from anything monumentally important, am I?” I asked, watching Alastair read through a file. I was still sitting in his desk chair and he was on one of the couches in the middle of his office.

He looked up and grinned. “No. I don’t have anything scheduled for another half hour.”

I leaned forward, resting my chin in my hands. The picture of me in that ridiculously large sunhat sat on his desk next to the computer monitor. Hard to believe it was taken only one year ago. My life had changed so much in that time. I gazed at my future husband as he studied a document. He appeared relaxed with an arm draped along the back of the couch. Intelligence and professionalism reflected in his eyes and serious expression.

“Are you working late tonight?”

“Not planning on it.”

“Really?”

“You sound surprised.”

“I don’t know, Mr. CEO. You’re a big, important guy and you’ve already played hooky once this week. The boss won’t like you slacking off again.”

“I thought you were the boss.”

I leaned back in the chair and laughed. “Finally. It took you long enough.”

“Don’t tell anyone,” he said, marking up the page with his pen. I still wanted to ask about what that reporter said to me earlier but didn’t quite know how to bring it up. I’m sure I’d be covering whatever the story was at work next week. I’d rather walk into the storm somewhat prepared.

Alastair regarded me curiously. “What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?”

There really was no delicate way to bring this up. “A bunch of reporters were at the spa when I left. One of them said something about you dissolving the music division and that there’s a rumor about embezzlement.”

His brows furrowed in frustration. “They asked you about that?”

I nodded. “Is it true?”

He stared at me impassively.
Great
. “One of the lower level executives in the music division was caught stealing from the royalties department. He’s since been fired but it wasn’t a major blow to the finances. And no, I’m not dissolving the label.”

“Oh. Okay.” I paused. “So what was that stuff you signed yesterday?”

He smirked. “Trying to get an exclusive for Julian?”

“No,” I said, horrified he would think that.

“I’m teasing you.”

“Not cool, Holden.”

He put the documents down and leaned forward. “You look good behind that desk.”

“Oh no, no, no. You’re not seducing me into silence.”

“I’m not trying to.” He came over and perched on the edge of his desk. “We’re moving forward with the plans for a production company in Los Angeles. I’ve made Jason the president of that division since it’s what he’s wanted for ages. The call I was on before—” he grinned “—had to do with our on-demand subscription service that we’re launching online for people to stream movies and television programs. The formal announcement for both won’t be made until next week.”

“So you
are
taking over the world one media outlet at a time.”

Kneeling in front of me for the second time in less than an hour, he held my hands. “I’ve told you before. I’m not interested in taking over the whole world. Just yours.”

“Charmer.” I smiled, looking away. “You’re making me blush and you know how I don’t like to do that.”

He stood up, pulling me to my feet. “I like it,” he whispered, leaning his cheek to mine.

“Can I ask you one more thing?”

I felt his chest rise and fall.

“Yes, kitten, you can.”

“Why were you so angry with your uncle on the phone last night?”

He looked at me, confused. “Jason? I wasn’t on the phone with him.”

“But I thought— I heard you yelling at someone about signing something and—”

“Lia,” he said, holding my face. “That wasn’t my uncle.” He shook his head and chuckled. “Always the investigative reporter, aren’t you?”

“Well, you sounded really pissed off. I just assumed.”

“I know my relationship with him is strained and we’ve had our share of blowouts but—” He caught himself, swallowing hard. “I’m trying to do what you suggested. I’m trying to let them in. It’s slow going at the moment but it’s something.”

My heart swelled with pride. He traced his fingers over the diamond encrusted ‘A’ on the necklace he’d given me.

“I like that you wear this all the time,” he said.

“It’s my favorite.”

Disbelief ghosted through his eyes like smoke. “You never cease to amaze me, Amelia Meyers.”

“And you never cease to be the best boyfriend on the planet.”

A flash of white appeared when his brilliant smile lit up the office. “Head home. I’ll finish up here and be with you no later than six.”

“Do you feel like doing something tonight? I might want to treat you to a date to say thank you for the spa treatment.”

“I thought I was flying you somewhere far away.”

“Another time.” I squeezed his hand. “I want to do this for you.”

“What did you have in mind?”

A huge smile bloomed on my lips. “I’m not telling.”

“Wow.” He laughed. “The smart mouth returns.”

“It never left,” I said dryly. “Now do you want to have a date with me tonight or not?”

“Not sure.”

I folded my arms and gave him a look. “What do you want?”

He grinned. “I’ll agree to your date night proposal
if
you let me take care of dessert.”

“Okay. You have control over dessert but I decide on where we eat it.”

“If it’s on you, I’m in.”

I shoved him. “Stop it. I’m still on hiatus.”

“That won’t last, love.” His smoldering eyes burned a deep, forest green.

“Alastair,” I said with a pout. “Don’t hijack my date night.”

Brushing his thumb on my lip, he smiled. “Fair enough. I promise I won’t do it intentionally.”

“I suppose that’ll have to do.”

“My Lia.” He draped an arm over my shoulder and escorted me to the door. “I’m sure whatever you have planned will be lovely.”

Simone was on her feet the second Alastair and I walked out of his office. “Your two o’clock just arrived downstairs. I’ve got the conference room almost all set up.” She grabbed a stack of files and went down the hall.

“She thinks you’re going to fire her,” I said while Alastair pushed the elevator call button.

“Why?”

“Because she didn’t tell Paxton to stall me.”

Smoothing down his tie, he moved closer to me. “Don’t tell her but that’s not quite a fireable offense. Annoying, but not fireable.”

A tone sounded signaling the elevator’s arrival. Alastair walked in far enough to trigger the sensors so the doors wouldn’t close right away. “Date night, then?”

“Yes.” I smiled.

“Do I have a shot at getting lucky at the end of the night?”

“You don’t ever stop do you?”

“No. And I generally don’t hear any complaints out of you about it.”

“I’m not complaining. I’m trying to take command of the situation, which you like, by the way.”

My knees almost buckled when he ran his finger along his mouth. I wanted to bite him.

“Challenge accepted, kitten.”

“Good. If you behave, I might revisit your request to get lucky.”

“Looking forward to your final decision.” He laughed, backing out. I kept my eyes glued to his handsome, happy face until the doors closed.

* * *

I spread all the ingredients out on the counter and set to work. Alastair should be home in less than an hour and I wanted this dinner to be perfect. My plan was to cook for him and then take a nighttime drive along the coast. I know it was cold outside but I missed spending time by the ocean and figured we could just park somewhere scenic and stay in the car. Whatever dessert he had in mind would have to be mobile. Or we could just save it for when we returned home.

I’d turned on some music and had my own little concert in the kitchen while preparing the food. I wasn’t as polished in the kitchen as my sister was but I knew how to make a few dishes and tonight’s was something I’d been craving so badly that I could almost taste it; steak with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus.

An old Spice Girls song came on and I fully threw myself into the singing and dancing. It was a production for the ages enjoyed only by the stove and refrigerator.

“I’d no idea I was marrying a pop star.”

Startled, I spun around with the spoon poised in front of my mouth like a microphone.

“You’re home early.”

Alastair smiled and leaned against the counter with his arms behind his back. “Don’t let me stop you.”

I eyed him curiously while placing the spoon down. He’d changed his clothes, which meant he’d been lurking. I narrowed my eyes. “When did you get home?”

“Just in time.” He swiped some of the mashed potatoes on his finger. “Tastes good,” he said after licking it off. “What else do you have?”

“Don’t put your fingers in the food,” I scolded. “God knows where they’ve been.”

He raised both eyebrows and gave me a look.

“Don’t say it,” I laughed, turning my attention to the asparagus. I seasoned them and placed them in the oven. When I faced Alastair again, he’d seated himself at the breakfast bar with a long-stemmed white rose in hand.

“Flowers?”

“Well, this is a date and I’m a gentleman, so yes.”

I scooted around the counter and hugged him. “Thanks, chief.” I put the rose down and finished preparing our meal. Alastair proved helpful by pouring us both some wine. I shooed him off to sit at the table so I could put the finishing garnishes on the steaks when they were done. I presented our meal on a pretty silver tray that I’d found in one of the cupboards. It looked like it had never been used before so I figured why not.

Alastair kissed my hand when I walked by to take my seat.

“What else do you have planned for our date tonight?” he asked between mouthfuls. He was clearly enjoying the food and hadn’t uttered a word until now. I had to pat myself on the back. These steaks were phenomenal.

“I thought we could take a ride to the coast and park somewhere. Maybe look at the stars.”

“The stars, huh?” A smile played on his lips. “I think I can make that happen. Are you driving?”

“Um, no.”

“Why not? You did such a good job with my sexy little car that time I gave you lessons.”

“Right. But that was during the day on an empty road. This is, you know, night and highways.”

He laughed. “You’ll be used to driving on the wrong side of the road in no time. Trust me.”

I sipped the wine and watched him finish his dinner. All the drama that we’d trudged through this week felt miles away all because of the glow that now lit up his eyes and the smile on his lips. This was
my
Alastair and I would stop at nothing to keep him this way for the rest of my life.

“You have that look again,” he said. “I’m beginning to think all your talk of being on a hiatus was just for show.”

“Well, when you look this hot and this happy I can’t control my facial expressions.”

Locking me in a sultry, flirtatious stare he leaned forward. “Maybe we should take the SUV so there’s more room for us to play in the backseat.”

I dropped my fork in the mashed potatoes. He had me right where he wanted me and he knew it.

“Then again, my car is much cozier.”

I swallowed, regaining some of my composure. “You still need a warning label.”

“So do you.”

He helped me clear the table and clean the kitchen even though I protested and told him to go relax on the couch, mostly because his unrelenting flirting was clouding my brain. Every time I passed by him he’d reach out and tickle me or stop me for a kiss. I don’t know how long this phase of domestic bliss would last once we were old and married but I planned to enjoy it for as long as I could.

“Are you going to put this in water?” he asked, holding up the rose.

“Sure.” I reached for it and noticed a white ribbon tied to the stem. COME FLY WITH ME was written on it. I looked at Alastair. “What does this mean?”

“It means what it says.”

“Fly with you where?” My heart started pounding.

“Follow the rose and you’ll find out.”

“You’re hijacking my date night, Holden,” I said with a grin. “I wanted to sit under the stars with you by the ocean.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do. You call the shots, kitten.”

“Good. I’m going to grab a sweater and then we’ll go to the beach.” Throwing a suspicious look in his direction, I went to the bedroom and opened the closet. He was up to something, as usual, and was using my insatiable curiosity against me. The last time I ‘followed the rose’ I ended up in Paris. I wrapped a gray cardigan around myself and went back out to find my scheming fiancé. The rose was now in a vase, staring at me from the kitchen counter.

I unraveled the ribbon and read it again. He did say he wanted to fly me somewhere beautiful for the weekend.

Flipping through a magazine without a care in the world, he glanced at me when I walked into the living room carrying the flower. “Ready?”

“Where are we going?”

“To look at the stars.” He held out his hand. I drank in his very essence, astounded by how relaxed and at peace he appeared. Not one trace of his wall remained. I took his outstretched hand, absorbing the jolt of electricity from his touch.

“I love you,” I whispered, standing close to him. The unrelenting force that fused us together felt stronger.

“I love you, too,” he said, staring at me with fervor.

My soul soared. “This—” I held up the rose “—is where I want to go.”