Unravel Me (22 page)

And there go my knees
.

If his goal was to take my mind off any impending engagement theories, mission accomplished. Now all I could think about was being plastered against a backdrop of live sea creatures. The same big-eyed fish swam by again, sizing me up. Snapping myself out of this lust-fueled exchange, I took a deep breath.

“You’re lethal, you know that?”

His throaty laugh echoed through the tunnel. “Nah. I just know which buttons of yours to push.”

“I’m not that much of a mystery, Holden. Don’t flatter yourself.”

“Ah, Lia,” he grinned, draping an arm over my shoulders. “Come. Show me the piranha.”

“I’d like to throw your ass in the tank,” I muttered.

“I heard that. Put some floaties on me before you do.”

Smiling, I wrapped my arm around his waist. We spent the next hour taking in all the aquarium had to offer. I loved seeing flashes of the fun-loving little boy behind his eyes. After what we’d been through last night, this was a welcome sight. He spent quite a bit of time taking pictures and reading all the informative plaques about the various animals and fish. I think his favorite might have been the sea otters. He seemed to really enjoy watching them. I saw a wistful expression cross his features a few times but for the most part, he remained open and unshielded.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

“Sure.”

He’d given Paxton the day off, so we took a cab back to his place.

“Feel like going out for dinner or would you prefer takeaway?”

“I’d rather not go out if that’s okay.”

“Not a problem.” He flashed me his megawatt smile. “What would you like?”

“You.”

Still smiling, he glanced out the window then back at me. “That goes without saying.”

“Well,” I said, folding my arms, “Chinese I guess.”

“Is that all?”

“And cupcakes.”

“Anything else,” he smirked.

“Can we have dinner out by the pool since it’s not raining anymore?”

“Sure. Still feeling aquatic after our day out?”

I giggled. “Yeah. I’m actually going to go for a swim while you take care of all the food and stuff. Feel free to join me whenever.”

Blowing him a kiss, I dashed off to the bedroom and dug my swimsuit out of the suitcase. Once changed, I went up to the roof deck. The storm clouds that had dumped rain on the city all day were breaking up, revealing a gorgeous cobalt sky. The sun still had another hour or so left to dazzle the earth.

I dipped my toe in the water. The pool was heated so I jumped in. The warmth caressed and soothed my skin. I swam several laps before pausing to drink in the view. A girl could get used to this. I was up so high I could barely hear the bustling sounds of the city. All I could see from this vantage point was the sky and buildings.

Resting my arms along the pool’s edge, I laid my head back and let my mind wander. It was hard to believe how different my life was from a year ago. Hell, forget that. I couldn’t believe how much my life had changed in the past six months. I don’t think I’d have dared to even dream about where I was now. My life back in Orlando felt so detached from my current reality. In a way, it didn’t feel like a part of me anymore.

A flurry of goose bumps rippled down my back. I smiled.
He’s here
.

I pushed myself away from the edge and turned. Alastair diligently laid out the food, plates and utensils.

“Did you enjoy your swim?” he asked, fixing his emerald gaze on me.

“I did. You should join me later.”

I climbed out and walked toward the table. Alastair paused and watched me. Placing my hand on my hips, I grinned.

“Enjoying the view?”

“I think green is my new favorite color.”

I laughed, wrapping a towel around my waist. I’d chosen to wear a mint green bikini. It wasn’t skimpy or anything but it did show off my assets.

“You’re still dressed,” I remarked, loading a plate with chicken and snow peas. I also nabbed a veggie spring roll and sat down.

“Am I not supposed to be?”

“Put your swimming trunks on or whatever you have. You’re coming in the water with me when we finish eating.”

He scowled, shaking his head. “I can’t swim, Lia. I’m not going in the pool.”

I nudged his foot under the table. “Relax, love. The water in that end over there only comes as high as my midsection. You’ll be fine.”

The sky changed from cobalt to lavender as the sun continued to set. Most of the clouds from today’s rain were gone so we were treated to a rather gorgeous display of color. All talk of going in the pool ceased, which made Alastair relax greatly. I asked about what his plans were for work. He’d be in the city until Wednesday for board meetings. There was also a client dinner he had to attend on Tuesday night. I wanted to stay here with him rather than go home. The temptation do that was way too strong.

“I’ll be back in Orlando before you know it,” he grinned, clearing off the table. “You won’t even know I’m gone.”

I pouted, watching him retreat back inside. After a beat, I stood up and waded back into the pool. I probably shouldn’t force him to come in with me. I’d be freaked out too if I didn’t know how to swim. Then again, the water was so shallow and he was so tall, it shouldn’t matter.

“This is as close as I’m getting to that pool, Lia.”

The resolve in his voice rang loud and clear. I turned, about to respond, but was silenced by the sight of him. He’d changed into his swim trunks, which matched the rich color of his dark red hair perfectly. They also hugged his hips quite spectacularly. I took my time admiring his athletic physique. My eyes drifted from his toned torso all the way down to his finely sculpted calf muscles.

“I’m up here, love,” he teased.

Flicking my eyes up, I grinned. “You could stand to spend a little time in the sun.”

He frowned, looking down at his arms and chest. “Why?”

“It’ll give a healthy glow to that pasty Britishness.”

“Pasty Britishness?” His eyes narrowed.

I skimmed my hands along the water’s surface, smiling. “Come in here with me.”

“No.”

“Please? I promise I won’t let anything happen to you. It’s just like getting in a bathtub.”

“I don’t have to swim in a bathtub,” he muttered.

“You don’t have to swim in here either.” I waded over to the stairs. “Come here. At least try walking down the stairs.”

Steeling his expression, he stalked over to the steps and sighed. “You really want me to do this?”

“I want you to do whatever makes you feel comfortable.”

Shrouding himself behind the all too familiar shield, he reached for the handrail and stepped down. After a few seconds, he took another step. There were only four of them so he was already halfway to his goal.

“You’re almost there, chief.” I encouraged him with a smile.

“The things I do for you,” he grumbled, taking the last two steps into the water. It only came up to his waist. With one hand still clasped to the handrail, he balled the other one into a fist. I knew he didn’t want to show fear in front of me but I could tell he was uncomfortable. I stood close to him and placed my hands on his chest.

“See? Not so scary, is it?”

“Easy for you to say.”

I held onto his fisted hand. “Come with me.”

Arching a brow, he looked at me skeptically. “Stealing my phrases?”

“Yes. Come.”

“Where?”

“To the edge so we can enjoy the view.”

He exhaled loudly. “Fine.”

Keeping his hand secured in mine, I led him the short distance to the edge. The entire area by the pool was surrounded by a high glass wall, so it wasn’t like we were living dangerously or anything. Since this was an infinity pool it only gave the illusion that the water was falling over the edge of the building.

“Doing okay?”

“Yes, love.”

“Just like a bathtub, right?”

He relaxed a little, chuckling. “Whatever you say.”

“Come here.” I leaned against the pool’s wall and pulled him so he stood in front of me. Hooking my arms around his waist, I leaned close and kissed his chest. “Thank you for an amazing weekend.”

“It’s not over yet,” he grinned, tipping my chin up. “We still have all night.”

“I need my beauty sleep, Holden.”

“You’re beautiful enough.” He put a finger on my mouth. “And don’t say I’m being cheesy.”

His soft lips left kisses scattered up and down my neck. I buried my hands in his hair, never wanting to let him go.

“I like being in the pool with you,” he whispered on my skin before locking me in a heated kiss. “I like going to aquariums with you. And falling asleep with you. And waking up with you. And feeling you close to me everyday.”

He kissed me again, slower and deeper. The subtle flexing of his hips into mine sent a pleasurable tingle through my body.

“I want all of that and more with you. Permanently.”

Here it comes…

My skin warmed as his hands caressed and explored every inch of me. Any thought process I had flew out the window. Or in this case, jumped off the building.

“Live with me, Lia. Move to Glasgow. I want us to start our life together.” The smooth skin of his cheek brushed against mine. “Will you come with me?”

I didn’t hesitate for one second. “Yes.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Operating on little to no sleep was not a talent I possessed. The two-hour catnap I took on the early flight to Orlando recharged exactly nothing. I might have even dozed off in the cab on the drive back to my apartment from the airport. My only saving grace was the continued flow of elation from my weekend in New York. The dizzying joy from Alastair’s proposal kept me motivated through the morning. I was even happy to be at work.

9:32am Are you back? Are you ENGAGED?!?!?!?!

I laughed at Stephanie’s text, sending her a quick response.

9:34am Yes, I’m back and no, I’m not. I have news.

9:37am OMG. Tell me everything

9:41am ;-)

9:43am >_<

9:45am LOL Call you later

10:02am Come over after work. Darren’s driving me nuts

10:36am Will do

It wasn’t until just before lunchtime that I noticed mostly everyone in the newsroom was on edge. Nobody was overly chatty like they usually were. They all seemed to plow through their duties without paying much attention to anything else. Tyler and Wes weren’t their usual selves either. In all honesty, I couldn’t be bothered with it. I was in too good a mood to let whatever workplace drama was happening get me down. I focused on my work and kept my spirits high. And then, the phone rang.

“Lia Meyers.”

“Hello, Sparkle.”

Crash and burn.

“Nathan,” I whispered, gritting my teeth.

“You sound surprised to hear from me.”

“Well, you sort of fell off the face of the earth. Where have you been?”

“Around,” he answered, his tone clipped. “We need to talk.”

“No we—”

“Yes, Lia, we do. Come to the house after work. There’s something I have to show you.”

“No. I have plans.”

“Tomorrow night then. Be here at eight.”

He hung up without giving me a chance to answer. I placed the phone back in its cradle and sighed. Anger coiled in the pit my stomach. Yeah, I wanted to talk to him, too. How dare he put me through all this and jeopardize my relationship with Alastair. I was pissed at him and myself.

Pushing aside my annoyance, I threw myself into my work. During some down town I searched online for any and all information about The Archer Hour and, more importantly, the host. All the articles I found said basically the same things about Julian Archer; brash, difficult to work with and a loud mouth.

I grinned.
No different from anybody in here, that’s for sure
.

“You haven’t stopped smiling all day. ‘Fess up. How was your weekend?”

Sydney flashed a bright smile in my direction and clasped onto the small divider between our desks.

“In a word, phenomenal,” I said, leaning closer to her. “What’s going on in here? Everyone looks like someone just shot their dog.”

She looked around quickly and whispered, “Layoffs. Bruce has been holed up in Vincent Jennings’ office all day. Apparently the bigwigs in New York are lowering the boom on all the stations. Bad year financially.”

“Hmm,” I responded, widening my eyes. If that were the case, giving my notice wouldn’t be too much of a problem.

“Rumor has it the writers and producers are on the chopping block. I don’t think you have anything to worry about though.” She lowered her voice to barely above a whisper. “Louise and Jeanie might be,” she made a slashing gesture across her throat.

“Oh wow,” I mouthed.

Sydney nodded solemnly and went back to work. I flicked my eyes over to where Jeanie was sitting. She looked stressed. I felt bad for her. In spite of all the bickering and backstabbing, I didn’t want to see anyone lose their job.

I tried not to let the general gloom in the building affect my work for the rest of the day. Once the show ended, I hopped in my car and drove to Stephanie’s place. With Alastair in New York on business, I was free to drive myself to and from work. I didn’t even have anyone shadowing me in an SUV. Paxton was with Alastair and I had zero clue where the other guy was. Maybe he’d gone back to England.

I parked on the street in front of the condo and rang the bell. Darren answered with a flourish and hugged me.

“Steph tells me you’re on the verge of marriage. Amazing, love.”

“Darren,” Stephanie yelled from the living room, “leave her alone.”

Keeping an arm draped over my shoulders, he led me inside. The stark emptiness of the condo saddened me immediately. The couch was still against the wall but the television was on the floor and boxes littered every corner of the room.

“Oh my gosh,” I whispered.

“Ugh, I know,” Stephanie scrunched her nose. “It’s like purgatory. I’m literally living out of one suitcase and ordering food every night. I can’t wait to just get there so I can feel settled again.”