by B. L. Wilde
“Because he is one.”
“Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“No. I need to get ready for work. I’m going to be late.”
Liv couldn’t question me anymore, but my mind was still racing as I took a shower. Did I contact him? What was the point? It was just a gift. He knew where I lived, and if he really cared, he’d have turned up here himself. Not sent a damn UPS driver.
Everyone at work knew it was my birthday. That was the problem with call centers; gossip spread like wildfire. Neil had brought a birthday cake in for me, and I wanted the ground to swallow me up when they all stood around my desk, singing happy birthday at lunch.
“What are your plans tonight, Nat?” Neil asked, coming over to my desk later that afternoon. “Are you going out with your boyfriend?”
“Yes. My parents are coming, too.” David wasn’t my boyfriend, but I pretended he was so Neil would stop asking me out.
“That’s nice. Are you ready to go over this week’s sales figures in my office?”
“Sure.” Grabbing all my paperwork, I followed him. The office I worked in was an open layout. It got very noisy when over one hundred people were all talking on the phone, which was why Neil and I always met in his enclosed office.
“Your team is looking strong, Nat. Your figures are up again,” he beamed, looking over my paperwork. I was about to respond when we were both distracted by the screaming and commotion outside. What the hell was going on in the office? Frantic knocking suddenly came at Neil’s door.
“Come in,” he called, confused.
One of the telesales girls appeared. She was out of breath, holding her chest. “Erm…Natasha, someone is here to see you.”
“Who?” She didn’t need to reply, though. I could hear the women in the office shouting and screaming his name. What the hell was Alex doing here? Rushing to the door, I made my way out onto the sales floor. It was utter chaos. Chairs had been knocked over, and all the women were crying and screaming. At the back of the room, a large crowd had gathered.
I made my way toward the crowd, pushing through the masses to find Alex. Jesus, I hope he had security with him. As I neared the middle, I spotted Shane and Steve. Thank God.
“Shane!” I called. He heard my voice and turned toward someone I couldn’t quite see. My heart was hammering loud in my chest as Shane drew closer. I knew who would be behind him. The moment my eyes locked with Alex’s, I shoved past the last few people in my way. Fuck, he was really here! At a call center! Was he insane?
“Straight Lace,” Alex breathed out in relief, pulling me into his arms. “Happy Birthday.”
“What the hell are you doing here?” I gasped, looking up at him. He looked good and…healthy. The dark circles around his eyes were no more. Actually, his eyes were alive as they gazed down at me. If that weren’t enough, he was hot as hell in his signature white T-shirt, faded blue jeans, and black leather jacket, too.
“I could ask you the same thing. Is there somewhere private we could go? I’m getting mobbed here.”
“Sure. My boss’s office is just over there.” Shane caught up on my plan and led us toward Neil’s office.
“Hi, I’m Alex Harbour.” Alex greeted Neil, shaking his hand. “Can Natasha and I borrow your office for a few minutes? I promise I won’t keep her long.” Neil was dumbstruck and nodded, gesturing for us to enter.
“I’ll call and get some more security for when we leave, Alex. Happy Birthday, Nat,” Shane grinned, closing the door behind him, leaving Alex and me alone.
“You’ve caused a riot outside,” I laughed. “What were you thinking?”
“I was in the area and thought I’d come and see you. What the fuck are you doing working in a place like this anyway? I thought you went back to Flavour Records.”
“It didn’t seem right.” I moved around the desk to put some distance between us. Why did I feel so shy around him? “It would have been a step backwards.”
“Nat, you sell cleaning supplies,” he pointed out dryly. “That’s not you. You love the music industry.” He was right, but if I’d been working in that industry these last few months, he would have been everywhere. I couldn’t cope with that, not when I was in love with him.
“I’ve been promoted to team leader.” All he could do was laugh at me. “What? I’ve only been here three months. That’s really good!”
“You’re better than this place and you know it.”
“If you’ve come just to annoy me on my birthday, you should leave,” I fumed, crossing my arms. It was good to know I could still stand my ground with him, even if it did feel like he was making my heart beat outside my chest.
“I’ve missed that temper.” Licking his lips, he took a step toward me. “I’ve missed those breasts, too. I wouldn’t cross your arms like that. You’re making me hungry.”
“Don’t even think about it!” After all this time, it was still just about sex with him!
“Relax. You’re with David, I get it.” He knew I was seeing David? That surprised me. “You were always with him, even when we were together.” I had no idea what he meant by that. “You were honest with me about what he meant to you from the start. I was the fool that got carried away.“
“What?”
“When you arrived in LA, I always thought I’d be the one with the upper hand. How wrong was I?” he laughed to himself.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Alex.” Was he trying to say that he cared about me?
“I heard you on the phone the night Gina and my publicists flew over. I don’t know who you were talking to, but I got the gist of the conversation about wanting to let me down gently because you were still in love with David. I don’t do rejection well, so I beat you to it. I figured it would be easier that way. I’m sorry I hurt you, Straight Lace. It was wrong of me to say those things. That’s why I’m here. To clear the air and say I’m sorry.” No! Was he serious? He’d gotten the conversation all wrong!
“And you waited three months to do this?” My voice was just a whisper, trying to take in what he’d just said. All this time, I’d been so wrong about him.
“I’ve been kind of busy. Give me a break. You were the one that walked out early. You didn’t even stay around for my birthday party.”
“I shouldn’t have slapped you.”
“No, I deserved it. I was acting like a fucking asshole.” We seemed to have gravitated together as we stood smiling at each other. I could feel the warmth of his body, and it was making my stomach flutter.
“You look really good,” I commented, desperate to reach out and touch him.
“I’ve been in rehab and clean for five weeks.” Wow! “You look as beautiful as ever, Nat.”
“Alex, that’s amazing. Well done!”
“I thought it was time to get my life in order. I didn’t want to keep letting down the people I love. I’ve taken control of my life again.”
“I take it you and Shane sorted out the Maddison issue?” Shane was still working for him. I wasn’t sure I’d be as forgiving.
“Yeah, she’s long gone, the money grabbing whore.” I gave him my ‘I told you so’ look. “I know, I know. You were right about her. Don’t look so smug.”
“I’m not smug, I’m still pissed off that you slept with her! You promised me no bimbos, remember?”
“The fling was over, Nat. It wasn’t like I cheated on you.” That was really how he saw it? My temper began to rage.
“Don’t go there, Alex, or I’ll throw you into the crowd outside!”
“You’re still bitter about it?” He frowned, surprised.
“Yes! Can we talk about something else?” He was still watching me but didn’t say a word. “How’s the album going?” I asked, steering the conversation elsewhere. Talking about Maddison would only infuriate me more.
“It was number one in over forty-five countries last month. I’d say it’s doing pretty well,” he said with a smirk. There was Mr. Ego again.
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“Only forty-five?”
“Are you mocking me?” Running his hands in this hair, he chuckled.
“No,” I grinned. “What about your tour next year? Has Rock Records given you any dates yet?”
“Mmmm, yeah we’re in talks about it. That’s kind of the other reason I’m here.” I tilted my head, narrowing my eyes. “I want to offer you your old job back, Nat.” Holy Fuck! Taking my old job wasn’t a good idea. What if he broke my heart again? Although that really hadn’t been his fault. He thought I was ending it with him to go back to David. Still, he didn’t love me. It would be wrong to go back and open myself up to more heartbreak. My mind was racing. “I’ve got a lot of shit going down next year. I need you there by my side.” I was about to interrupt, but he held his hand up and continued. “I know you’re with David, but we could work something out. Perhaps you could spend two weeks in London and then two weeks in LA.“
“That wouldn’t work, Alex.”
“Why not? Plenty of PAs do it.”
“You’ll be touring next year. It wouldn’t just be LA, would it?” I pointed out. “Besides, I really don’t think it would be a good idea, considering our history.”
“I need you, Straight Lace. I can’t do this without you.” His eyes pleaded with me, causing my mouth to go dry. “Okay, I’m going to lay it on the line here.” He swallowed hard, moving to take my hand in his. “Don’t freak out, but Steel Roses are reforming next year.” I tried to hold in a girly squeal. Gah! Steel Roses were getting back together! Fuck holding in the screaming. I needed to find my old tour shirts. We were going on tour!
“Oh…My…God! That’s amazing!”
“It really fucking isn’t. Matt and I hate each other, but we’ve been forced to get along for the camera. You should have seen our meeting with the label last month. It was fucking awful.”
“Why do you hate each other?”
“It’s a long story, but I’ll try to explain it one day.” His eyes dropped to the floor. It could have been my imagination, but to me, he looked pained. “Nat, I can’t do this without you. I need some support. I need to know I have someone on my side. Please consider it.”
“Are you trying to tell me the fate of Steel Roses reforming lies in my hands?” I teased, nudging him.
“Yes.” Shit, he was being serious! Touching the side of my face, he looked deep into my eyes. “You are the only person that has gotten to me in over ten years. I might be too late to win your affection, but I want your friendship back. If I’m going to do this and come face to face with my past, I need you there by my side. You have no idea how much shit I’m going to have to deal with. I can’t do this on my own. I’ll fucking break!”
“You can’t throw this all on me!”
“You’re working here, Nat. Do you really need to think about it? You could leave with me right now.”
“It’s my birthday! I have things to do! I’m out with my parents tonight, too.”
“You’re parents are back in London?” he questioned.
“Yes.”
“Can I meet them?”
“Umm…NO!”
“Why not?” he pouted, leaning back against the desk. It was difficult not to admire the way his T-shirt strained against his abs.
“I think you turning up at my birthday meal would give them a heart attack.”
“I can be charming. Where are you having your meal? I could join you.”
“That’s not happening!”
“I fly back to LA in the morning, Straight Lace. I’m not leaving without a fight.” Was this just about my job or was it something more?
“David is coming tonight, too.”
“I gathered he would be. He’s the boyfriend after all.” I tried not to wince at his words but failed. He was far from that! “He’s not the boyfriend?” Alex asked with interest, tilting his head.
“Things are complicated.” Shrugging, I looked at my watch. “I need to get back to work, Alex.”
“You’re throwing me out when I’ve made all this effort for your birthday? Oh, by the way…did you get my gift?”
“Yes,” I blushed. “It was very thoughtful of you. Thank you.”
“I know how much you love watching the sky at night. I’ve been wanting to buy you one for a while now.” Was he trying to say that he’d been thinking about me these last few months? ”Can I see you after your meal at least?” His eyes were begging me, and I didn’t have the strength to deny him. The things he did in LA were done out of jealousy. It didn’t excuse him for sleeping with Maddison, but it did give me hope. We needed to talk. I had to tell him that he had gotten the phone call he’d overheard all wrong.
“Are you staying at a hotel in London?”
“Yes, The Dorchester.” We grinned at each other. The hotel where it all started. “I promise not to get into your panties unless you want me to this time, though.”
“Who said I was even going to visit you?” I teased, nudging him.
“I’ll turn up at the restaurant,” he threatened darkly, moving to pin me against the desk. I swallowed, holding in a groan at the feel of him so close after so long. “Come back and work for me, Straight Lace. I need you to keep me balanced.” Taking a stray lock of my hair, he twisted it around his finger. “You can’t be as serious about David as you think. You’re not even working for him.”
“It’s not serious with him,” I blurted out, lost in the deepness of Alex’s eyes. I’d forgotten how beautiful they were. Clear, crystal blue.
“But I heard you…”
“You heard wrong, Alex. I’m not in love with David. There’s nothing between us anymore. It’s just sex.”
“Then who were you talking about on the phone? I heard you, Nat! You said you loved someone and that you’d have to let the other guy down gently!”
“Alex, I don’t want to do this right now! You’ve disrupted my day enough. I’ll come and see you at The Dorchester after my meal tonight.”
“Do you promise? I need answers.”
“Yes!” I laughed at his adorable pout. God, did I miss those lips. “Now go! Before your fans tear this office apart!” The shouting and screaming outside was getting louder. I was in fear for his safety if he stayed any longer.
“You better turn up, Straight Lace.”
“I will! Go!” I laughed. Leaning in, he gently kissed my cheek before walking over to the door.
“I’ll see you later. Have a nice meal.”
Shane was waiting outside with the entire building’s security team. “You ready?” he asked Alex, darting his eyes at me. Alex nodded. “We’ll take the fire escape. Nice to see you again, Nat.”
“You’ll see her later. She’s going to drop by the hotel,” Alex commented.
“I’ll make sure security knows.” Shane turned to talk to one of the men beside him, and with one last glance in my direction, Alex was led away.
I didn’t get much work done after he left the building. All the women in the office were asking how I knew him, then one of them realized that I’d been his new PA and wouldn’t stop hassling me for his number.
“Will you be back on Monday, Nat?” Neil asked, watching me collect my bag at the end of the day. “I didn’t realize your previous job was working with Alex Harbour from Steel Roses.”
“Yeah, sorry. I forgot to write that down on my application form.”
“Why did you leave?”
Looking at him, I had no answer. “I don’t know.” Alex hadn’t set out to hurt me. Like me, he’d been guarding his heart. “Actually, Neil, I don’t think I’ll be back after today,” I muttered suddenly. I knew what I had to do. I was going to be on that flight with Alex tomorrow morning, no matter what.
“You look stunning, Nat. Is that dress new?” David asked, greeting me outside the fancy restaurant.
“No, I bought it in LA,” I replied, walking inside the restaurant and looking for my parents. It was actually the first dress Alex had bought me, but David didn’t need to know th
at. I spotted my parents in the bar area, sitting on one of the comfortable purple couches.
“My Bambina!” my mother cooed, pulling me into her arms as she stood up. “I can’t believe you’re thirty!”
“Me either, Mum.” Rolling my eyes, I looked over at my father. “Hi, Daddy.”
“Happy Birthday, Natty!” he beamed as I reached for him. “You look beautiful.”
We had a drink in the bar while the waitress took our order, then we were shown to our table. I frowned, noticing we’d been seated at a table with five chairs instead of four.
“How’s business, David?” my mother questioned, placing her napkin on her lap.
“Good. I signed an exciting new act today, and I’m still hoping your daughter will agree to come back and work for me so we can be a proper team again.”
“Nat, that’s wonderful! Why haven’t you agreed?” she asked, confused.
“Because I’ve asked her to come back and work for me, too.” I choked on my sip of water at the voice behind me. This wasn’t happening. Slowly, I turned around. Alex was stood right behind me in a blue suede suit with a white shirt that had the top three buttons undone. Alex didn’t do ties, after all. Don’t drool. DO. NOT. DROOL! “I’m hoping she’ll realize I’m the better offer.” Taking his sunglasses off, he took a seat opposite me. What was he doing here? I had specifically told him not to turn up! Goddamn rock stars!
Chapter TwentyOne
“Oh, mio Dio!” my mother gasped. You could always tell she was gob smacked when she spoke in Italian.
“You must be Natasha’s parents. It’s wonderful to meet you.” Alex held his hand out to my father. “I’m Alex Harbour, rock star extraordinaire.” I held in a chuckle at my dad's shocked face before watching my mother almost pass out as Alex kissed the top of her hand. “Now I can see where Natasha gets her beauty from.”
“Oh, Nat, I like him,” she giggled over at me. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alex.”
It was wrong of me, but I’d forgotten that David was sitting next to me. It was only when he squeezed my knee that I remembered.