“Then it’s settled. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
We say our good nights then we hang up. I head to my room to take a shower trying to figure out why David was still showing me affection after I told him that I’m not interested in him. I hope he doesn’t come back in August trying it again.
Maybe it was the wine. I’m feeling a little fuzzy, too.
I put on my pajamas and get into bed, alone, again.
I’m really starting not to like this.
***
I get out of the shower and head to my closet to find something to wear to work remembering that Heath will be back today and that he may stop by to see me. Wanting an outfit that will show off my curves I choose a knee-length pencil skirt and a silk neck-tie blouse. In the mirror I put on my makeup, as usual, focusing on lengthening my eye lashes and glossing my lips and then put on some black stilettos to top everything off. If he is going to see me, he’s going to catch me looking super model sexy at work.
With no time to eat breakfast I decide to have a bagel from the bakery next to the office. I grab my bag and my phone and head out on my way to the metro. When I walk out of the front door of The Vue Benjamin is waiting by a white Range Rover.
“Good Morning Miss McAllister,” He says nodding his head politely.
“Good Morning Benjamin,” I reply back as naturally as I can.
“I’m on my way to pick up Mr. St. James from the airport and I was wondering if you’d like a ride since I’ll be passing your workplace.”
My heart is beating triple time because I know he’s going to start probing.
“N . . . no thanks I . . . I’ll take the metro,” I stutter.
“I’m sure if I take you the ride will be shorter and more comfortable,” he says politely inspecting my shoes. “And if it means anything to you Mr. St. James asked me to see if you’d like a lift today.”
Oh my God he’s spoken to Heath! I hope he didn’t say anything about David.
After giving it a little thought and watching the metro pull away I decide to concede. I mean, Benjamin is a friendly man and I’d like to give him my side of the story in case he hasn’t said anything to Heath yet.
“Miss McAllister, are you going to accept my offer of a ride or wait on the next train?” Benjamin asks pulling me back to now.
“Yes, I’d love a ride.” I smile at him.
“Very well.”
He opens the back door of the Range Rover and helps me in, takes his spot in the driver’s seat, and then pulls away in route to the Stansbury building.
This is going to be uncomfortable.
Chapter 4
I look out of the window at the far too familiar sign that reads LONDON CITY 35 KM. Of course, I’ve seen this sign plenty of times, but seeing it in my current situation makes me feel uneasy because it means for the next at least twenty-five minutes, I’m going to have to worry about being questioned about last night. What makes matters worse is that I want, so badly, to ask him if he said anything to Heath but I can’t do that without having to reveal who David actually is.
“Miss McAllister,” Benjamin breaks the silence.
Crap!
“Yes?” I answer trying to sound like I wasn’t anticipating this Q and A session.
“That young man you were with last night; is he a relative?” He asks in his distinctive British accent.
It’s really none of his business who that young man I was with last night is, but maybe he’s gathering information for Heath, so I better just tell the truth. “No, he’s my ex-husband.”
He looks at me through his rearview mirror and I put my head down. I feel like I’m in the principal’s office; I’m mildly ashamed.
“Miss McAllister, I rarely intrude in Mr. St. James’s personal affairs, but I feel it is my duty at the moment to say this. I’ve never heard him go on about a woman the way he talks about you. He was quite disappointed that you were married in the beginning and then happier than I’ve ever seen him when he found out you were his new neighbor and single.” He sighs, “This is highly unprofessional of me, but I’m going to say it anyway. Mr. St. James has had his heart broken by a couple of women in the past, and for that reason he is very protective of his feelings. For a long time I thought he’d never fall in love again, so to listen to him go on and on about you being the one is like a breath of fresh air to me. He’s a wonderful man and I don’t want to see him get hurt again, because this time, who knows how long it would be before he comes around.”
Now I really feel horrible. What do I say to that? I’m happy to hear that Heath is serious about his feelings for me but what scares me is that we’ve only seen each other a handful of times and we’ve only been on about one and a half dates. Surely that is not enough time to get to know a person. One thing I can say about Heath; he does seem truly genuine and the last thing I want to do is hurt his feelings. I hope Benjamin hasn’t said anything to him about seeing me with David. Then again, it’s not his business because Heath and I aren’t together yet, but I guess I owe him an explanation.
“His name is David,” I sigh. “We got divorced a couple of months ago. When I moved here I got homesick, and I called my best friend who wasn’t available for me to speak with because she was due in court, she’s an attorney. After I cried about missing home and my family, I called the only other person who was family to me . . .”
“David,” Benjamin finishes my sentence for me.
“Yes,” I answer feeling horrible about making that call to David.
“Forgive me for being intrusive Miss McAllister, but why didn’t you call another family member, like a sibling, or cousin, or your parents?”
“I don’t have siblings and I don’t really know my parents’ families; they were kind of disowned because they married each other, something about rivaling families, and my parents are dead. For the last four years the only family I’ve had is David, Tamia, that’s my best friend’s name, and her daughter Brittany.” I’m emotional, but I don’t cry.
“Oh, I apologize. I went into this conversation with Mr. St. James’s best interest at heart, but I wouldn’t have guessed in a million years that you were going through so much. Forgive me please.”
“It’s okay. Why would you have known anything about me? The most important thing is that I put David behind me. Last night when you saw us we were saying our last good-byes. I told him that it was over between us for good. Believe it or not, after I asked him to visit me, we got into a fight and I told him not to come. That same night the owner of the apartment above was having a party playing loud music, which made me more upset, so I went upstairs to ask him to turn it down. Turns out Heath was the owner; that’s how I ended up running into him here.”
“Do you believe in fate Miss McAllister?”
I tilt my head to the side confused.
“Mr. St. James does,” Benjamin says meeting my gaze and winking at me through the rearview mirror.
I half-smile back at him. How many times am I going to have to tell my life story?
I just have to know. “Benjamin, did you say anything about what you saw last night to Heath?”
“No ma’am, I wanted to, but my instincts told me to see what you had to say first. I’m glad I did. Don’t worry; I won’t say anything to him.”
I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding in. “Thank you.”
“I only ask that you treat him right, and don’t lead him on too long. He’s falling pretty hard for you.”
I nod, and then sit back in my seat and enjoy the scenery of the countryside before we approach London City, grateful that Benjamin gave me a chance before he said anything to Heath. That was really nice of him.
Since I didn’t take the metro, I’m at work earlier than I’d anticipated. So I sit down at the bagel shop and eat my cinnamon crunch bagel, cream cheese and cappuccino before heading over to the office to start work. When I arrive, Carolina is sitting at her desk with Patricia going over standard procedures of openin
g and closing the office.
“Miss McAllister likes you to arrive before her and be ready to give her a rundown of her day and any messages she has before. You will have access to her Outlook Calendar in case she is not in the office when someone calls, this way you can tentatively schedule things and let whomever know you or Miss McAllister will call them back by the end of business on the next day.” Patricia tells Carolina as she jots down notes. “You must file everything electronically in the Stansbury database by the person’s last name to ease the process of looking up anything. If you’re not sure of where something would go, please get with Miss McAllister and ask her before proceeding.” Patricia’s voice is soft but cute with her British accent.
“I think I have it,” Carolina responds.
“Wow,” I say setting my bag down on the reception desk and leaning against it sipping my cappuccino. “You’ve got my opening procedures down perfectly. How do you know me so well?”
“I took the liberty of calling Heidi, your assistant in the states and she was more than willing to assist. I heard that you were very particular about certain things and I want to make your transition to this division as smooth as possible,” Patricia says proudly.
I smile. “Well, thank you very much.” I say picking up my bag and heading to my office, closing the door behind me.
I make a note in my calendar to call Heidi when I think she’s settled in at the office. I feel bad because I haven’t called her since I’ve been here, but I’ve been so busy with working and getting everything together for the grand opening of this office. Which reminds me. “Patricia,” I say through the office intercom phone.
“Yes ma’am?” She answers.
“Can you please come in here when you’re finished with Carolina?”
“I’ll be there in a moment.”
“There’s no rush.”
I start to look over the emails I’ve been sent mostly from Mr. Stansbury with information regarding opening the new division and some leads on potential investors in the area. Some of the Senior Vice Presidents also emailed me wishing me luck and asking me to keep in touch. Seriously? I didn’t keep in touch when I was in the states. What makes them think I will want talk to them now?
Being cordial, I respond to all their emails individually rather than following my original plan and sending one email to everyone at the same time. This position hasn’t changed me; I’m still the same Alicia, I believe that work is for work and my personal business should be left out. I just have a different last name, that’s all.
After a while, Patricia knocks on my door and I signal her to come in. She’s short like me, but she’s thin with pale skin. She has shoulder length hair and blue eyes.
“You needed to see me Alicia?” Patricia walks into my office.
“Yes, can you please arrange a mandatory meet and greet with the entire team so that everyone can get to know who they are working with and so that I can meet everyone?”
“Oh that’s an excellent idea. What about Friday? We’ll make it a luncheon.”
“That’s perfect.”
“Alicia, I’m so excited to begin working with you. Mr. Stansbury speaks very highly of you.”
Really?
She continues, “And your assistant absolutely adores you.”
I smile at her. I don’t want her getting too close. I hope Heidi ran that bit of information by her.
“If you need anything else, please let me know. I’m going to head to my office,” Patricia says before she turns and leaves.
My things from my office in the states arrived yesterday after I had already gone home, so my focus today is to get unpacked and give this office some of my personal touch. Carolina will be in training for the rest of the week, which leaves me alone. I don’t mind it. I take off my shoes and put them under my desk and get to work.
The first couple of boxes contain clocks, pens, paintings and a lot of other things I forgot I owned, but I’m happy to see them because they remind me so much of home. I open a box marked FRAGILE and the first thing I see is a framed picture of Tamia, Brittany, and me on one of our weekend outings. Brittany is so adorable with those little white teeth, big bright eyes and her caramel complexion. Her smile is so big and pretty; she looks happy, we all do. I pick up the picture and take a seat on the sofa by the window and just stare at it. I miss them, I miss my family. Why did I move so far away from them knowing they are the only family I have? The picture starts to get blurry as tears begin to run down my face. It’s too early to call Tamia and I’ll be damned if I make the mistake of calling David again. I decide to just let whatever emotion I’m feeling run its course. I wanted this job and I knew the consequences of taking it. As bad as I want them to stop, my tears keep flowing.
I look up when I hear a knock on my door. It’s already opened and Heath is standing in the doorway.
Get yourself together Alicia McAllister.
He’s smiling, showing every single one of his perfectly straight white teeth, but when he notices that I’m crying, he rushes to my side.
“Alicia,” he sounds worried, “Baby, why are you crying?” He takes the picture out of my hand and looks at it. “Is this your best friend and her daughter?”
I nod.
“And I assume you were unpacking and ran across this picture?”
I nod again. He’s making the whole concept of explaining my problems very easy at the moment.
He takes the picture out of my hand, walks over to my desk and then finds a spot for it. He closes my office door and blinds to block the view of the reception area, then resumes his spot next to me. He wraps his arms around me and kisses my tears away; my whole body ignites, making me want him. It’s a good thing I’m on my period because if I wasn’t, I’d be screwing him right now. He sits back on the sofa, and then pulls my head so that I am resting it on his chest.
“You’re even beautiful when you cry,” He says caressing my arm with his thumb. “Just let it out; I know how you feel darling. When I left home to move to the states, I was homesick for months. My father kept telling me to be a man and deal with it, but back then my family was everything to me. I know your best friend is all that you have right now, but give it time, I can be your family, too,” He chuckles and I can feel his chest move.
Once I finish my cry, I look up at him and wipe away the last of my tears with the back of my hands. “I’m sorry, this is so embarrassing,” I say through my broken voice.
“There is no need to be embarrassed; sometimes our emotions get the best of us. You did the right thing by letting them all out.” He takes a deep breath and then exhales. “I just came by because I wanted to say hello and because I missed you terribly. I have Benjamin waiting downstairs, so I’m going to have to see you later.” He says as he stands to leave. I stand with him.
“How did you get up here, and how did you know where I was?”
He winks at me. “My company built this building. You’ll be surprised what I know about some things.”
I bite the inside of my bottom lip and smile. His eyes darken; it’s so sexy. “What do you know about me?” I ask, clearly flirting with him.
“I know you like to play hard to get, but don’t worry, I’m willing to dance with you darling. You’re worth it.”
Those words combined with the look in his eyes almost make me have an orgasm. My little lady is sending out an SOS to the rest of my body.
Holy fucking shit! What is this all about?
“Would you like me to pick you up this evening and then you can join me for dinner?” Heath asks.
“Sure, I’d love that. I’m not a fan of public transportation. I’m going to have to get a car soon,” I answer, grateful for the offer.
“What time are you off?”
“I’m going to leave at about five.”
He pulls me close to him and starts to kiss me. I tilt my head back to deepen the kiss and our tongues start to explore. His kisses are sensual, slow, and passionate; so romantic, so per
fect. When we break apart, my knees are weak and I’m thankful that I’m not wearing my stilettos. We stare into each other’s eyes not saying a word. I reach up and wipe the lip gloss off his lips. He grabs my wrist, nibbles and then kisses the pad of my thumb, causing my eyes to almost roll in the back of my head.
“I’ll see you at five,” he says.
“Okay,” I answer breathy as ever.
When he leaves, I go directly to the restroom and check my panties. My period is gone, but my little lady is slippery wet. Why does he have this effect on me?
If he keeps up, I’m going to let him in my panties way too soon.
***
The rest of the day goes by slow, but I’m able to get a lot accomplished; my pictures are arranged on my desk and everything that needs to be hung on the wall is in its respective place. I’ve asked the facilities department to hang them for me. At five o’clock I put my shoes on, grab my bag and get on the elevator headed to meet Heath. When I step off, I overhear the receptionist talking on the phone.
“You will not believe who came into the building today, Heath St. James!” She says all too excited. “Yes, he went upstairs to Stansbury Investment, probably to do some business. Oh my gosh, he’s more handsome in person than he is on television,” she squeals after she says the last sentence.
On television?
What is it about Heath and these English people? He signed an autograph for a little boy, and adults were staring at him like he was some kind of superstar while we were on our date the other night. I don’t want to ask him again because he might blow it off again. If he wants me to know what’s going on in his life, he’ll share it with me.
I walk outside into the cool evening air. I never paid much attention but late May in England is a lot different than late May in Florida in terms of temperature. I have no idea how I’m going to brave the winter. I’ve never owned an actual coat in my life but I’m going to have to purchase one very soon.
I look around for Heath’s Maybach coupe but it’s nowhere in sight.
I hope he didn’t forget me.
What She Needs Page 5