by Nicola Jane
“Do you need me in the meeting?” he asks.
I give him a wide smile and shake my head. “No I’ve got this.”
“I’m sorry I shouted back there,” he begins but I wave him off and walk towards the office so I can gather what I need for my meeting.
“Don’t worry Vass, it was my fault,” I say. He follows me, watching as I gather my things together.
“Liv, please,” he sighs, clearly, he isn’t fooled by my forced happiness.
“Not now Vass okay,” I mutter and he nods, letting me leave.
My meeting starts off well. I wow the hotel manager with my plans for lunch meetings and special events to be held in the large staged room. I flirt my ass off and make him feel like we are offering him a great deal. I’m leaning in over the table and pointing prices out on the brochure when Vass approaches. He’s been standing by the bar watching for the last five minutes and he was beginning to annoy me, it was putting me off my game. Vass smiles at Luke, “Vass Fraser,” he introduces holding out his hand.
Luke stands and grasps Vass’s hand in a firm grip, they shake, “Luke Moore. I’m from Moore’s hotel in central London.”
“Is Alivia looking after you?” asks Vass glancing at me.
“She is yes, charming her way in to my wallet,” jokes Luke taking his seat again. Vass lowers down in the chair opposite.
“Please carry on, don’t let me stop you.”
I take a deep breath, there is nothing worse than being watched when you are trying to impress, especially if that person watching is your boss.
“As I was saying, the top price is expensive but when you consider what you’ll be getting within that it’s a great deal. We have a great team coming together to take all the stress out of the arrangements,” I say confidently.
“It sounds great Alivia, I’m impressed and if your boss wasn’t sat right here I’d be asking for your number right now,” says Luke with a wink. I feel myself blush and laugh to hide it.
“Fiancé,” says Vass and Luke looks at him, “You said boss but actually I’m her fiancé.” Luke looks flustered and stammers out an apology, clearly embarrassed that he’s practically hit on me. He stands and makes his excuses and then leaves.
I turn to Vass, “What the hell was that?” I snap, “I had him then, he was looking at the top package.”
“Yes he was, if the top package was you. He was a douche bag; I didn’t like him.”
“It doesn’t matter if he’s paying money,” I say angrily.
“I like almost everyone that walks in that door, I get a gut feeling and I go on that,” he shrugs.
“Well gut feelings aren’t how I work.”
“I’m the boss and I decide who comes here, Luke isn’t welcome.”
I gather my things and stomp back to the office. If I worked like that I’d have to run everyone past Vass, he’s being ridiculous. He enters just as I take a seat at my desk. “Now I’ve agreed to help you out I can quit working here,” I say suddenly. Vass’s frown is back, “You never needed me here, it was a ploy to get you to ask me to help. Your mother promised me a job at her firm.”
“But then you worked wonders here and I like your idea’s, I want to see them in action,” he says.
“You just ruined my first potential booking Vass, it isn’t working out.”
“You aren’t going, that’s that,” he says firmly and then goes in to his office, slamming the door.
I avoid Vass for the rest of the day, he’s clearly got a lot going on and he’s taking his mood out of me. I’m about to leave when the joining door between out office opens and a woman sticks her head around the door, “Alivia?” she asks with a friendly smile. I nod hoping this isn’t one of Vass’s ‘girls.’ “Fantastic, we’re ready for you.” My confused expression makes her realise I haven’t a clue what’s going on. “Vass booked you in for make-up and hair,” she says.
“Why, I’m not going anywhere.” The woman turns back in to Vass’s office, I assume she’s asking him.
“Get in here Alivia,” he shouts and I roll my eyes. The woman laughs and opens the door wider for me to go inside.
“I have a charity event at seven. You can use my shower, it’s through there,” he says coldly, pointing towards another door in his office.
“I’m going home, I have a date with the couch and my pyjamas but have a great time,” I say heading to the exit.
“Alivia don’t make me come and get you,” he says, his voice low and menacing. A thrill shoots through me and I bite my lip to stop me smirking. I’m testing him and it will probably just annoy him further but I feel like he should work for it, I’m doing him the favour yet he treats it like the other way around. I continue my walk through the door and I hear him growl. I pick up my pace, rushing down the stairs. I’m halfway across the reception area when I’m hauled back against a hard body. “You had to push me,” he growls in my ear. He spins me around and I let out a surprised yelp as he hauls me over his shoulder, slapping my ass. Clients turn to see what the commotion is, I bury my face in my hands.
Vass carries me back up the stairs, through his office and into his private bathroom where he dumps me back on my feet. He reaches past me and turns the shower on. “If you aren’t out in ten minutes, I’ll be back to get you,” he says and then he leaves me standing there, shocked and slightly aroused.
I know he’ll keep to his word and so I shower in record time, I don’t want him carrying me out here naked. Just to get under his skin I wrap myself in a white fluffy towel and head back in to his office. He glances up and does a double take, a smirk forming on his lips. The woman from earlier is standing by a chair waiting patiently for me with a hair dryer in her hand. I turn the chair to face Vass and take a seat, ready to be primped.
“I have nothing to wear but I’m guessing you’ve sorted that?” I say. Vass sighs and drops his pen on to the paperwork he’s working on. He steeples his fingers and looks at me.
“Alivia you were going home to sit alone in Clarisse’s house to watch television. I am taking you to a charity function, it will be a nice evening. Why are you behaving like a brat?”
The comment burns me, “Excuse me, I actually like staying home and watching television. You should try it sometime,” I say.
“Umm, I think I’ll give it a miss. I like my relaxation techniques much better,” he says.
“Are they the same techniques that cause you back injuries?” I snap and then press my lips together; I didn’t mean to say that and by the enraged look on his face he isn’t happy that I blurted it out. He picks up the pen and completely ignores my remark, going back to his paper work. I spend the next hour and a half having my hair curled and styled followed by my make-up. By the time the woman has finished I don’t even recognise myself. I show her to the door, thanking her over and over for the amazing transformation. Once she’s gone I turn and walk straight into Vass who is standing directly behind me. I suck in a surprised breath and try to step back but he follows, trapping me against the door.
“Your smart mouth will end you in trouble,” he growls.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking,” I mutter.
“No, you weren’t. You’ll pay for it later though, I promise.” He steps back and I let out a breath, sometimes he is so intense that I’m not sure whether to jump on him or run the other way. Vass reaches for a clothes bag hanging on a hook and he unzips it. He pulls out a silk pink dress. It’s long and flowy, I fall in love immediately. “Underwear is in the bathroom,” he says handing the hanger to me.
Vass
When Alivia reappears from the bathroom I am already in my tux and waiting for her patiently. As she steps out I have to grip the edge of my desk to stop me from grabbing her. She looks amazing. “Who chose my dress and shoes?” she enquires, spinning around to show me the back of the dress. It’s low cut, showing the skin on her back, the dip stopping just above her ass.
“Me,” I say.
“And the underwear?” she a
sks.
“Also me, do you like it?” Knowing that she is wearing white silk under the dress is clouding my mind and I push up off my desk and offer her my arm. She hooks her hand through it and we head out.
“I love it all. You have very good taste,” she says.
The limo comes to a stop outside the large hotel. This charity event has been organised by a popstar to help raise money for poverty-stricken areas in London. There will be a lot of media attention and it’s the perfect opportunity to show that we are together officially. I turn to face Alivia, holding out a small black velvet box. “I also chose this,” I say handing it to her.
Alivia opens the box and gasps, “Oh Vass, it’s gorgeous,” she sighs.
“I thought tonight might be a good time to put it on, make us more official. My grandmother is going to be here tonight. If we cross paths, we can tell her our good news.” Alivia looks troubled, she closes the box, leaving the diamond ring inside.
“If you want to make her believe us Vass we should wait. It wasn’t that long ago that you were shoving Annalise under your grandmothers’ nose. Will she really believe that you are now in love with me and engaged?” she asks. Alivia is right, there’s no way things would happen that fast but seeing her with my ring on in a room full of famous men would have relaxed me. I give Alivia a nod. She’s right to slow it down, it will look too obvious.
We step out of the car and we’re met with the flashes of camera’s and shouts from the awaiting press. Alivia takes my arm and we step onto the photo back drop advertising the charity and pose for a few photo’s.
“Is it right that you are pregnant Alivia?” shouts a photographer. I roll my eyes at the absurd things that they all then begin to ask.
“Don’t respond, just smile for the photos,” I say in to her ear.
“Where do they get this crap?” she asks, turning back to the camera and smiling.
“Alivia can we have one of you both kissing?” someone shouts.
Alivia laughs and when she looks up to me I place my finger under her chin and lower my mouth to hers. I feel her intake of breath as I sweep my tongue against hers, testing her willingness to engage in this. When she responds by gripping my jacket and standing on her tiptoes, we share a slow gentle kiss much to the delight of the press. As I pull away, I press a single kiss on the end of her nose and smile. There’s a strange look on her face but before I can place it she’s looking back towards the cameras.
Once we are safely inside I take a glass of champagne from a passing waitress and hand it to Alivia. She takes it gratefully and drinks down the entire contents, dumping the glass on the same waitress tray and taking another. When she sees me watching she shrugs her shoulders, “Is there a rule on how many I can take?” she asks.
“No, help yourself,” I say. There’s a nearby table with bottles of water and I take one before leading Alivia to the seating arrangements to find our table. I groan, we are sharing with six other guests, all of which are members to The Luxe. On the table directly behind me is Annalise. “Great,” I mutter leading Alivia to the hall where the tables are situated.
I’m relieved to see that Annalise isn’t yet seated and I’m praying she doesn’t turn up. She hates these kinds of events. The tables are pretty close together, she will be able to talk to me from her position. Our table is full, Grayson has his sub with him, one I trained a couple of months ago. Her eyes light up as I pull out Alivia’s seat for her. I then shake hands with all of the other gentleman and kiss the hands of their plus one’s. When I get to Keely she stands and kisses me on the cheek. “It’s so lovely to see you Sir,” she whispers.
“Not here Keely, it’s Vass,” I mutter and she nods once.
“Of course, sorry.” She lowers in to her seat and Grayson leans in close to whisper in to her ear, probably making promises of all the things he will do to her later as a punishment for getting out of her seat to talk to me.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Alivia
I don’t remember a time when I’ve felt this uncomfortable. I drink down another glass of Champagne, they’re only small glasses and I can swallow the contents in two large gulps. I glance around the crowded room. Most of the tables are full and I was excited to see a lot of familiar faces, not that I know any of them personally. I can’t wait to tell my Mum that I’ve seen her favourite music band. Vass is in deep conversation with the man sitting next to him. He’s hardly paid any attention to me at all, only occasionally asking if I’m okay. I desperately wish that I was on the couch watching a film and eating my way through a pizza.
I stand, I need movement before I drop dead from boredom. Vass looks to me but I ignore him, he hasn’t bothered with me so let him wonder where I’m going. I head in the direction of the toilets, why do they always hold these events miles from the ladies bathroom.
“Alivia, I thought that was you.” I spot Luke Moore, the guy from the Hotel when Vass ruined my meeting today. He stands and kisses me on each cheek.
“Luke, lovely to see you,” I say with a genuine smile. I felt bad for how rude Vass was earlier. I glance back to where Vass sits, he’s turned in his chair and is in a deep conversation with Annalise, my heart beats a little faster. When did she arrive?
“Fancy sitting with me at the bar? I’m so bored here, my table is made up of bankers and politicians,” says Luke.
“Yes, I’m so bored. I’ll pop to the bathroom and see you back at the bar,” I say. There’s no way I want to sit next to Vass and be ignored whilst he chats to his ex. He was the one saying we had to be careful because of the press watching us and he thinks talking to his ex-whilst at a function with me is okay, besides, maybe I can salvage my deal with Luke.
When I get back to Luke he’s already got us drinks and a table by the window. “I hate these events,” he says as I sit down, “I know its all for a great cause but I wish they’d just send an email asking for a pledge. The amount of money they spent hiring this place could have helped quite a few children.”
“Do you hold events like this at your hotel?” I ask.
“Yes, I quoted for this one actually but I lost out,” he says.
“At least you can leave here when you feel like it though, if you were hosting it would have been a late one,” I say.
My handbag starts to ring, I dig around inside for my mobile. Vass’s name flashes on the screen, I’ve only been gone five minutes. I press cancel and turn it off. I know it’s petty but I am pissed that he’s ignored me tonight and then I see him chatting intimately with Annalise.
“Fiancé?” guesses Luke.
“Yes, he loves this sort of thing. I was so bored sat there whilst he socialized. Sometimes I feel slightly out of my depth at things like this,” I say. My head is lighter, the Champagnes catching up with me.
“It’s good for business, networking with all of these rich people. You should have brought your brochures,” he smiles.
We spend the next half an hour talking business. He is very interested in The Luxe and what we can offer his business. When the conversation begins to run dry I stand, “Lets sit at the bar and drink shots,” I suggest. Luke laughs and then shrugs his shoulders.
“I’m game if you are but be warned, I can hold my drink well,” he smirks.
By our sixth shot I’m really beginning to feel the effects. Even Luke gags at the seventh. We take it in turns to choose the shot and the other has to drink it, no excuses. I’m still giggling at his over reaction to a lemon meringue flavoured one when I hear a cough from behind me. I glance over my shoulder and Vass is there, his arms folded across his chest and anger written all over his face.
“I’ve been trying to call you, you turned your phone off,” he says coldly.
I press my lips together to hold in a laugh, “My battery must have died,” I say and Luke laughs aloud. I nudge him in the ribs with my elbow like we are teenagers in trouble, Vass catches the movement and arches his eyebrow.
“Shall we go and take our seat, the auc
tion is about to start,” Vass growls.
“Actually, I’m having a great time here, come get me after,” I slur and I turn back towards the bartender, “Absinth please,” I order holding out my cash.
“Alivia,” Vass snaps, clearly irritated, “Remember what happened last time you ignored my request?” I roll my eyes. I hand the money over and hand a shot to Luke. We clink our glasses and knock the absinth back, wincing as it burns.
“Come on Liv, let’s call it a draw. We’ll have to have a rematch of course,” grins Luke standing.
“No, don’t go, we’re having fun,” I whine and he laughs, walking away and leaving me with a pissed off Vass. “Do you want to play?” I ask waving my empty shot glass at him. I cover my mouth and widen my eyes, “Oops, I forgot, big bad Vass doesn’t drink does he?”
“I think you’ve had enough for one night,” mutters Vass taking me by the upper arm and guiding me from the stool. I grab my bag, laughing at his over dramatic reaction.
“I saw you talking to her,” I say sulkily, the alcohol controlling my mouth.
“Did you?” he mutters as he manoeuvres me through the room towards the exit. Vass stops us by the main reception, a young blond girl smiles sweetly at him and I roll my eyes, earning me another scowl from Vass.
“I know it’s really short notice but do you have any rooms available for this evening, my fiancé is feeling a little sick, she needs a lie down.”
The girl taps away on her computer, “We only have our honeymoon suite free I’m afraid.”
Vass nods, handing her his platinum plus bank card. She smiles and takes Vass’s details and then hands him the key. Vass grabs my arm again and marches me towards the elevator. “Vass I’m not staying here, I have nothing with me,” I hiss.
“I can’t take you out there can I, not in this state. The press will have a field day,” he says angrily. I hadn’t really thought about that, they already think I’m out to get Vass’s money, the last thing I need is them telling the world I’m a drunken mess.