Mutually Exclusive
Page 9
“You have to understand, I’d never even been to a sex club before a couple weeks ago. When I woke up alone, I ran through the many issues I could have with my job, and I got scared. I’m a bit neurotic, have been since I was a teenager, and I’m trying to change. It’s one of the reasons I’m good at my job, but sometimes it fucks with my head and I can’t see the forest for the trees. And I guess you got me to talk without my wanting to,” she ended on a laugh.
Thinking about her statement, he knew they’d had sex once, but only once, and it would be easy enough to pull the plug. He considered how much he wanted to bulldoze the damn house, but it was more. He remembered the buttoned-up woman who came to him a few weeks ago, the same one who came out again when she texted him, and figured he didn’t want to be anywhere but there. She had a lot of shit to work out, without him, but he couldn’t shake her loose. The thought of her trying to find another random guy who’d treat her like shit just because she wanted sex did not sit well with him.
“We don’t have to like each other or exchange cute little text messages throughout the day to have sex. I do think we could at least be friends, maybe even be seen out. It would make it easier if someone sees us together since we can brush it off as dinner with a friend. Tonight, I needed confirmation you worked through your shit before we started up again. If you aren’t cool with it, we can just brush it off, say we got laid tonight, and keep it moving.”
The look of panic was more telling than any words she could have muttered. “I’d like to try again.”
“Okay,” he agreed. “But here on out, we meet at the club. It will help make sure we keep this professional.” And I’ll remember why wishing for more with you is a bad idea.
“That works.”
“Good.” He nodded, watching the city lights making her brown hair sparkle, and he couldn’t resist her. “Now, how about we seal this friendship with a kiss.” He cupped the sides of her head with both hands and pulled her close. Her hands came up to grip his wrists as their lips met, giving no resistance as he deepened the kiss. He leaned over her until she was lying on the car and he was almost on top of her. Alexandra’s hands gripped his shoulders, and she squeezed him so he moved back.
“Are you planning on having sex on top of your car again?” she asked with a smile.
“Nope.” He gave her a smacking kiss. “We’re going to have sex in the back of my car.”
She looked dubious. “Have you seen the size of the backseat?”
“Come on. You’re the one who agreed we weren’t going anywhere tonight, and you are hell-bent on not having sex on my car again. Let’s go in the back,” he whispered. She allowed him to take her hand while leading her to the car.
“We’re gonna get arrested,” she muttered, climbing in before him.
“Maybe.” He chuckled. “But I know a lawyer who can get me off.”
“In more ways than one.” She tossed his shirt back over her head, giggling when he crawled in after her.
***
Roman stretched his back to work out the kinks from the gymnastics they’d performed in the car, feeling older than his thirty-five years. It had been worth it for the excellent blowjob. He gave her the day because he wanted to give her time after the heady conversation of the previous night. It was too close for comfort, and they both needed to take a step back and reassess the situation. He was an unattached club owner who had no business attempting a relationship at the moment.
Too much was happening: he was unsettled; she was too uptight to ever fit in his lifestyle. To top it off, she was the daughter of the man he hated. Shrugging off his responsibility at the club to go meet her for random sex and spending the rest of the evening with her? Never happened before, and wouldn’t again if he could help it. He needed to remain focused since his reputation was on the line and he wasn’t about to let it go for anyone, including Alexandra Kane.
“Roman?” Quinn peeked his head in the office. His body was strumming with nervous energy and he didn’t sit down as usual, instead coming to stand in front of Roman holding a piece of paper. “We need to talk.”
“Why? You going to try and tell me not to be with Alexandra again?” Quinn hadn’t mentioned her again, but Roman knew he was just waiting for his opportunity.
“I wish it were that simple, and I still think you shouldn’t keep her under lock and key, but I’m not here about Alexandra. It’s just a rumor, but I figured you’d want to know in case it materializes.”
Roman took the paper he handed him, reading the information emailed to Quinn earlier, dread and anger growing after every word.
9
“So, what happened with Mr. Sexy?” Blair wagged her eyebrows the week following Roman’s and her bar hookup.
“Nothing,” Alexandra answered, feeling the heat creep up her neck, remembering what happened after the bar. He’d owned her, and she’d craved it and so much more. She thought they’d crossed some imaginary line the other day when they agreed to be friends, which left her more confused. This was an arrangement, but they’d been sexting since then, and every once in a while their conversations would venture into more personal aspects. Her days were so busy she’d only had time to meet him once, but he’d texted her earlier saying she better be there that night or else.
Blair chuckled. She moved her salad plate to the side so she could prop her hands on the table like a child waiting for their lesson, focusing her undivided attention on Alexandra. “Riiight, because that blush is for nothing. I know you met with him, because you told me last week you were. You can’t leave out the sexy times with me. We always share sexy time, so you can’t stop now when you have someone who’s around sex all the time. What happened with you guys?”
Alexandra looked around, taking in the normal lunch crowd of the restaurant where Blair and she decided to meet. It was a place to see and be seen, and Alexandra often did some of her best networking at lunch, so this was not the ideal time to discuss her sex life surrounded by prying ears.
Alexandra loved Blair, but Blair made fun of Alexandra as often as she could. And sharing their sex stories was one of the ways she did it. Blair was willing to give up the details, but Alexandra had always been the one who wanted to keep her sex life to herself, which was hard with Blair around. “Are you going to let this go?”
“Nope,” Blair answered, gesturing for the waitress to come and refill their glasses. The waitress walked over, filling up the water before she backed away to move on to another customer. Alexandra waited for her to move out of earshot before she started speaking again.
She took a sip of water, wishing for wine, before she answered. “Okay, so we agreed to do this, but we haven’t had sex yet.” Alexandra figured she’d be forgiven for the lie, because Blair was a gossip. Giving her any information about her sex life meant others would have it, too, and Alexandra refused to be gossiped about because she was with Roman.
“Hmm.” Blair stayed silent after that, moving her food around on her plate and seeming to contemplate what Alexandra said. “So, you’ve decided you’re having sex, but he hasn’t sealed the deal yet. I would think he would give you a quickie or something.”
“Well,” Alexandra hedged, not wanting to completely lie, “I did get something out of the deal.”
“Did you at least get orgasms?” Blair wagged her eyebrows, so excited she was leaning forward in her chair.
“Yes, and they were amazing. And his body reminds me of one of those underwear ads. You know the ones where you aren’t quite sure bodies like that existed in real life? It does; trust me, I know. But that’s all I’m telling you,” Alexandra said, knowing Blair was the kid after the last piece of chocolate cake at a birthday party when it came to getting answers.
“That’s awesome.” Blair chortled. “You should have taken a picture. And I can’t wait for more.”
“You aren’t getting more. You’re lucky I told you that much.” There was very little Blair could do that would piss her off, but Alexandra pret
ended to act irritated, stabbing a piece of her salad and shoving it dramatically in her mouth. Blair leaned over, giving Alexandra a kiss on her cheek. When you've known someone since you were a knobby-kneed nine-year-old, personal boundaries tended to go out of the window.
Blair waved her off, going back to her lunch. “You liar. I’m getting everything and then some. Don’t be so dramatic. You made it sound like I was stabbing you. It shouldn’t have taken me so much to get the first bit out. All I want is to live vicariously through you. Those of us who are old married women don’t get to have as much fun.” Blair had been married to Derrick for five years, and they were so in love it was a bit sickening at times. And more power to Derrick, who put up with Blair’s idiosyncratic personality like a champ.
“Aww…is the poor married woman who gets sex on the regular jealous?” Alexandra chuckled. This was an old joke; Blair said she liked to live vicariously through her and Alexandra told Blair she got sex all the time.
“Yeah, sex on the regular is the joke. You think corporate mergers work themselves out? Although, Derrick should be done in the next month and then he’s promised me a long vacation in Tahiti.”
“Tahiti should be fun.”
“Yes.” Blair smiled, her happiness evident. “And well deserved. But don’t think I’m forgetting about you. When are you seeing him again?”
“Tonight,” Alexandra answered without hesitation. “But I have a question, because you were kind of evasive when I asked how you knew about the club.” It was Blair’s turn to squirm at that point. She was one who could dish it but had a hard time taking it.
“I told you, I know a guy.” Blair shrugged as though it was no big deal having access to the owner of the most exclusive sex club in the city. As a personal shopper Blair helped outfit people’s wardrobe, but she had no idea if Blair’s clients talked to her about sex. Probably, Alexandra thought, considering people always talked to Blair about sex. Besides, they had to talk about something when they were in those dressing rooms. Alexandra wanted to question her further, but couldn’t say anything more when she saw Franklin approaching her table. It always happened; stick around long enough and someone was bound to wander over.
“Alexandra.” He held his arms out for a hug. She held her arm out, giving him a brief side hug so he wouldn’t think she was brushing him off. He focused his attention on Blair, who watched with curiosity. Alexandra had several clients who came and said hello but none who attempted a hug. “And who is this beautiful woman?”
“Blair Fischer.” She held out her hand but Franklin didn’t shake it. He grabbed it in both of his, caressing the back before bringing it up to his lips and kissing the same spot.
“It is a pleasure to meet you.”
“Thank you.” Blair pulled her hand back, scratching the side of her neck. She took both hands and put them in her lap underneath the table and out of reach.
Franklin pulled up a chair from the table next to theirs and sat down with them. “How have you been, Alexandra?”
“I’m good. You?”
He made the gesture for a drink of water to the waitress, who nodded at his request. Alexandra chanced a glance at Blair, who fidgeted in her chair.
“I’m going to the restroom.” Blair stood up as the waitress came with Franklin’s glass, waiting until she got behind his back before jerking her finger at Alexandra to tell her to get rid of him.
“I’m great. Did you ask your mother about me?”
“Franklin, questioning me about my family is inappropriate, and I’d appreciate if you stopped.”
“So, I’m going to assume no. I figured as much, which is why I brought you this.” He handed her a white legal-sized envelope, bulging out due to its contents.
“What is this?”
Franklin downed his water. He stood up, straightened out his suit jacket, then looked down at her.
“A little light reading. I’m going to go now, but answer me this: is your mother still hooking the ball?” He tapped her on the nose with his forefinger, not waiting for her answer, and whistled a catchy tune. She recited the words in her head to a song she never thought she’d hear again because no one sang it to her after her dad passed away. She started panting, her throat closing. Concentrating on her breathing, she tried to force oxygen in and out, in and out, until she was taking gulps of air.
All of a sudden, Blair was in front of her, putting a glass of water in her shaking hands. The water spilled all over her top when she tried to bring it up to her lips until she finally gave up. Blair held her hand, rubbing her back while she told her it would be okay. But it wouldn’t be, not really, because Franklin Williams just unsealed a blast from the past, saying things only her dad used to say.
***
“I’m fine,” Alexandra repeated to Parker for the thousandth time. Blair called her after the incident in the restaurant, so Parker rushed over there. They spent the rest of the afternoon hanging out, but ended up having a drink at the same restaurant they’d had Parker’s birthday. What a difference a couple weeks could make.
“Blame Blair. She said you looked like you’d seen a ghost, and she believes you need a keeper. I, for one, am not going to allow my baby sister to get hurt today.”
Alexandra hid her head in her hand. The margarita was long gone but she couldn’t allow herself more than one. When she left Parker, she’d be working at home due to the additional weight added for her trial period. She also needed to go through the information Franklin left her. She couldn’t imagine what he handed her, but she’d find out soon enough.
“I have a question, since I’ve got you here. Do you remember a friend of dad’s named Franklin?” Since Parker was four years older, Alexandra hoped she would remember more about her father and who he hung with. Alexandra’s memories of her father had waned over the years, one of the reasons why she kept his picture in her office.
“No. I remember them arguing about some guy named Frank weeks before the crash, but when all the other stuff happened no one mentioned him again.” She shrugged, taking a sip of her cosmo. “I’d forgotten about him. Why are you asking who dad knew before he died?”
“No reason. I was just wondering.” She changed the subject, and they talked about the upcoming charity event until she needed to go home. Her phone beeped while she waited for the valet.
Roman: I told you nine.
Alexandra looked at her watch; it was half past that already. It sucked, but it wasn’t the end of the universe. She couldn’t deal with anymore today. Plus, he hadn’t texted wanting to see her in days, so one more day wouldn’t kill him.
Alexandra: I’m held up. I’m not going to be able to meet you tonight.
She thanked the valet, making it home before her phone pinged his response.
Roman: Unacceptable. Nine p.m. means nine p.m.. I’m going to have to punish you.
Alexandra read through the message twice. Was he really threatening to punish her? And why did that make her lady bits tingle and have her wanting to be late again? She went about her business, taking her plethora of work files out of her car, putting it in its place, and settling into her spot on the couch before firing off a response.
Alexandra: Punish? I don’t remember reading that in our contract.
Roman: It’s in there. Read the section about pushing your limits. You’re mine tomorrow. Same time. DO NOT miss again.
***
The package came the next morning before going to court when Alexandra checked into the office. Karen walked in with a bright smile, holding the nondescript package complete with red wrapping and a white bow into Alexandra’s office.
“Your highness has a present,” she sing-songed, putting the box on the desk in front of her. “I don’t know who sent it, but someone went to a lot of trouble.”
Alexandra noted the V on the front of the card, and instantly knew who’d sent it. Why did he send it to her office? She refused to touch it, pulling out her phone to text Roman and ask what he was thinking.<
br />
Alexandra: How can you promise this relationship stays anonymous if you send packages to my work?
Alexandra looked up, noticing Karen was still standing there, waiting for her to open the package. There was no telling what was in the box, and she didn’t need her nosy but lovable assistant asking unnecessary questions.
“Thank you, Karen,” she dismissed her, watching the pout come over Karen’s face when she realized Alexandra wasn’t going to open it in front of her. Karen left, her gaze straying toward the package on her way out the door.
Roman: I see you got the package. We’re friends. Can’t a friend send a package? I put a V on the front so no one would know who it’s from. I am trying to respect your conditions. I figured you could explain it away.
Yeah, and if I believe that, I’m sure you have some oceanfront property in Arizona you’re willing to sell, she thought, shaking her head at his assumption. He couldn’t send her packages at work. This was her job, and if she received enough, people were going to start asking questions.
Alexandra: Not hardly. You can’t send me packages at work. People will ask questions I’m not willing to answer.
She’d come on strong, but he needed to understand this was a hard limit for her. Do not pass go, do not collect $200, do not send mysterious sex packages to the law firm downtown where Alexandra worked.
Roman: We’ll discuss it tonight.
Alexandra: No, we won’t. This is a limit I’m not willing to break.
Roman: Then give me another address, because I may need to send you something later on.
Alexandra considered his words. He had a point, so it left two possibilities: her office or her home, and there was no way she was letting this man send packages to her home.
Alexandra: I’ll let you know this evening.
Roman: Excellent. I’ll see you at nine. Don’t be late, or your punishment will be twice as bad.
“So you say,” she muttered to the empty office, reaching to grab the card off the package. She loved getting presents, and despite her panic of getting caught, she was pleased he had sent her something. Sending it to her office was too close for comfort, but since it seemed her secret remained safe, she couldn’t wait to see what she got.