The Perfect Plans Series [Box Set] (23 page)

THE SHRILL RING of Alex’s phone pulls me from my semi-asleep relaxation, my arms and legs wrapped tightly around his body like a blanket after our workout sex.

Removing my arms from their vice-like grip around his waist, he leans over to grab his mobile off the nightstand. “Hello,” he answers. “Anna!” he pushes himself out from under me.

I adjust my position, not yet ready to haul my over-sexed body out of bed just yet, curling my arms around the pillow to watch him—in all his glorious nakedness—walking the floor. Not only is the vision of a naked Alex enough to put a smile on my face, the incessant happiness he’s exuding while listening to his sister is a joy to behold. From what he’s told me, they’ve always been very close.

“You’re in town today? I’d love to see you . . . No, she’s here right now,” he looks directly at me.

Is he referring to me? His sister knows about me?
Interesting.

He flashes me a smile from the foot of the bed. “Yes, I’m sure she’d love to meet you too . . . Yes, ok . . . How about five? Yes, that sounds great. See you then,” he finishes, hitting the end button and returning the phone to the nightstand. “Anna and Gerard are in town,” he sits on the edge of the bed donning a happy smile.

I decide to sidestep my presumption that it was me he was referring to on the call and act oblivious. “That’s wonderful,” I smile. “You’ll be seeing her I assume. Don’t let me interfere with your plans . . . I’ll be fine here.”

His laugh reminds me that he can see right through me. “You’re adorable,” he cups my chin, tipping my head to his glittering gaze. “
We’re
meeting them for dinner tonight at five. Anna wants to meet you.”

“You want me to meet your sister?” I interject, my shy shock seeping through.

“Of course I do. I would love nothing more than for you to meet my family. And Anna wants to meet you too. I’ve told her all about you, Aby.” Leaning down, he places a gentle kiss on my lips. “I’m going to jump in the shower. Care to join me?”

As much as I’d love to go for round two in the shower, my head is reeling. The fact that he’s told his sister about me so soon is blowing my mind. I certainly don’t want to overanalyze it too much, but that is a big deal isn’t it? You wouldn’t tell your family about someone you were just having casual sex with, right?

I realize in that moment that I need my best friend. Stacey is likely expecting a call from me anyway. She doesn’t even know that I’ve ditched the Millgrave Hotel. “Actually, I need to make a quick call to Stacey. Is that okay?”

“Of course,” he smiles, “Take your time.” Standing, he walks out of the room, his stunning backside once again on perfect display.

Jumping up from the bed, I grab my purse by the chair, rooting through it to find my cell phone. Dialing the number, I hold the phone in the crook of my neck to pull on my yoga pants.

“What’s up, princess,” she answers
. God, I miss my friend.

“Hey! Sorry, give me a sec,” I ask, pulling the phone from my ear to throw a white tank top over my head. “Sorry, I was just pulling on a shirt. Is this a good time to chat?”

“Of course! How’s the Millgrave? Is it a shit hole?”

“Well, I’m not at the Millgrave, actually. A small change of plans,” I reply with a slight note of amusement, imagining her upcoming freak-out about the news that I’m staying with Alex instead.

“Oh, shit. Was it that bad?” she asks in her oblivion.

“Well, Alex didn’t particularly like the idea of me staying there, so . . . ” I linger teasingly.

“So . . . what? You switched hotels?”

“Ummm, no. I’m staying with Alex.”

“What? You’re staying with him at his flat? OH MY FUCKING GOD, ABY! This just keeps getting better and better! Wait . . . you were putting a shirt on when you called. So, you’re naked at Alex’s. You lucky hussy!” she exclaims.

“Yes, it’s pretty great.” I’m gushing, and I love it.

“Duh! If by great you mean absolutely fucking awesome!”

“Yeah, that too,” I laugh. “You know what was absolutely shit, though? I met his publicist slash ex-girlfriend yesterday. That was a treat.”

“Get out! Dish, my little peach . . . leave nothing out.”

“Well, she’s stunning, which is no shock. And get this, she was stupid enough to cheat on him.”

“Get the fuck out! What a stupid cow.”

“Oh, she’s no cow. I feel completely inadequate. It certainly didn’t help that she downgraded me to puppy dog status.”

“Huh? Dumb it down for me, kitten.”

“Long story. I’ll save it for drinks when you’re back.”

“Sounds good, I definitely don’t have the blood alcohol level to deal with that one right now. But I can tell you this, anything she can do, you can do better, snookums. Unless it’s being a whore, she wins hands down.”

“What would I do without you, Stace,” I laugh.

“You’ll never have to know, darling. So, where is Mr. Hot-Stuff right now?”

“He’s in the shower. That’s why I’m calling, he just got off the phone with his sister, and it looks like we’re going to dinner with her and her husband tonight. I’m a little shell-shocked that I’m going to meet his family,” I admit, hoping for some guidance from my BFF.

“Holy shit. He’s introducing you to the fam! This is too much! What are you going to wear?” she reads my mind.

“Well, I need a bit of guidance. I feel like a fish out of water.”

“Hmmm . . . I really like you in your dark blue skinny jeans and that teal silk top you have. It screams relaxed confidence—unless you’re going for sultry slut, in which case I can suggest something else.”

“No, that works,” I laugh.

“You’ll be great, hun. Stop stressing. I friggin’ told you he was into you. So, how did it go with Thomas?”

I fill her in on our meeting, and my subsequent acceptance of the position as I pace the room.

“That’s great. You must be relieved to have that checked off your list.”

My eyes veer to the dresser and the discarded book I pretended to read earlier, and I walk towards it. “Absolutely. I start tomorrow. Thomas is . . . ” I trail off taking in the book’s title, “Egyptology?” I spew aloud, completely sidetracked.

“What? Thomas is Egyptology?” Stacey asks in confusion.

“Oh, no, no. Sorry, I was just reading something. I was going to say Thomas is great,” I finish, opening the cover slightly to take a look.

So, Alex has a passion for Egyptology. I know nothing about it, and I led him to believe I was reading it with interest.
Ugh.
And, I said it was enjoyable.
Crap.

“Aby? Are you there?” Stacey pulls me from my inner torment.

“Yes . . . Sorry, Stace, what were you saying?”

“Clearly super-sex with Alex has fried your brain.” I can visualize the smirk behind her words. “I wished you good luck with your new job tomorrow. Call me in a few days to let me know how it goes. Oh, and good luck tonight too. They’ll love you.”

“Sounds good. And thanks . . . I miss you. Love you.”

“Double ditto, babe. Now go jump in that shower with Alex. You’ve got to work for your keep,” she teases before ending the call.

With a lingering smile at her parting suggestion, I decide to take her advice, shedding my clothes on the way to the bathroom.

Through the glass encasing, I spy Alex. His eyes are closed, the water streaming down his head, his hands running through his hair.
Wow.
He’s so damn sexy, my breath hitches in timing with my clenching core.

Opening the door, the steam brushes my skin, his eyes opening to smile at me. “Changed your mind, did you?” he slides his hand in mine, pulling me inside.

“I guess I did,” I reply, somewhat breathlessly as he slides his hands around my waist, pulling me under the stream of water.

“Did you talk to Stacey?” he tips my head back, his hands flowing through my hair, getting it wet.

“I did. I think she was more than surprised to learn that I’m staying here. And I’m not surprised she’s surprised,” I wipe the water from my eyes to look at him, taking in his sexy crooked grin and glistening amused eyes.

“I guess it’s all very surprising,” he smirks.

“Stop it,” I bat his glorious chest. “I’m just trying to say, it
is
a sudden imposition. Are you sure you’re okay with this?”

“I don’t want you anywhere else but here with me,” he reassures me, serious in tone.

When he says it that way, it almost makes me believe he means it permanently. Of course, that’s called wishful thinking.
Now there’s a surprise
—my inner actress bites at my inner dreamer. I ignore my inner catfight, my heart melting at his intense gaze, a familiar throbbing between my legs.

“Well, it’s just one week,” I test the waters.

He simply smiles, brushing my lips with his thumb, his muscles flexing in the movement.

“But am I interrupting your routine?”

He raises his eyebrow in question.

“The gym . . . you said you would normally workout,” I explain.

His smile molds into a sinful sneer, “I believe I just did, however I could go for round two,” he palms my distended nipples.

Moaning at his touch, I close my eyes, suddenly assailed with the memory of his book. “Hey, I have a confession,” I mutter in my haze of euphoric bliss.

“What’s that?” he leans down, running kisses along my collarbone.

My hand lifts to rest on his wide shoulders as I tilt my head to the side, allowing him better access. “This morning . . . I wasn’t . . . actually reading . . . your Egyptology book,” I manage, breathlessly through his onslaught.

“No?” His question is loaded with playful sarcasm. He knew exactly what I was doing. And it turns me on all the more.

“I know nothing of Egyptology,” I purr. “Does it involve Tantric Sex?”

His lips curl into a grin against my skin. “It’s the study of ancient Egypt, but let’s go with your suggestion,” he whispers, grabbing my ass to wrench me against him before dropping to his knees.

“ABY, THIS IS my sister Anna and her husband Gerard,” Alex offers in introduction.

Already standing, a warm smile donning her face, Anna abruptly pulls me into her arms for a quick hug. “Aby, it is so nice to finally meet you.”

“Likewise,” I reply, returning her embrace before turning to Gerard, his hand outstretched towards me.

“Hi Aby. Alex has told us a lot about you,” he confesses in a Scottish accent, flashing a playful smile to Alex.

“Oh, has he?” I shoot Alex a flirty questioning grin.

“Okay, that’s enough,” Alex mutters, seemingly embarrassed. Pulling a chair out, he gestures for me to take a seat.

It’s amazing how comfortable I feel sitting here with Alex and his family. My nerves all afternoon were clearly for naught. I’m not sure what I expected, but given Alex’s laid back and humble demeanor, I should have known that his family would be much the same.

Anna looks to be about my age, and very pretty. She has the same striking blue eyes as her brother, her brown hair cut into a stylish bob, small wisps of layers framing her face. She’s exactly what I expected Alex’s sister to look like. Beautiful. And equally as charming.

Anna’s husband, Gerard was quite a shock, however. He could pass for Gerard Butler, the actor, himself—similar not only in name, but also in appearance, Scottish accent and all. I imagine he must hear that all the time. I’ve always been a fan of Gerard Butler. Like many women in the world, I have tremendously enjoyed ogling his naked form in the movie
300.
However, he’s no Alexander Tate,
I think to myself, turning to smile at Alex.

Our dinner flows by with such ease you’d swear I’ve known Anna and Gerard for years. They make such a wonderful couple, with their loving interaction throughout our meal. The shared food, the loving touches. These two are surely very much in love.

I enjoy Anna’s very upbeat and funny personality, as she relays story upon story of Alex and their upbringing. It’s quite the educational dinner, as I inwardly reflect on the boy Alex once was. I imagine that had I known him as a child, I would be equally as enthralled as I am with the man beside me.

“YOU SHOULD COME visit us,” Anna suggests, offering me a goodbye hug outside the restaurant. “Alex must be very smitten. He never introduces us to the women in his life. Not that there have been many.”