Freeing Alex (The Alexandra Drake Series)

by Ashley, Sarah Elizabeth

  Oh! We’re saying please now, are we? I hand him one and he wraps it around his waist. As he steps out I can’t take my eyes off his broad shoulders that taper down to his narrow waist, down further still… Oh God, I don’t think I could ever get fed up of looking at his physique!

  He dresses, same clothes as yesterday, and as I cream my legs he walks over and plants a kiss on my back. “I’ll go and make breakfast.” It’s not a question, a statement – I’m beginning to think it’s all he’s capable of.

  “We’ve just had breakfast! Anna will be getting up soon, she’s doesn’t normally wake until I’ve left the house.” My thoughts race to Katie. “Shit, I forgot, her friend’s coming to stay for a few days, arrives tomorrow… I need to arrange for her to be picked up from Euston.” I start to flap.

  “Don’t worry about that now, don’t worry about anything, Alex. I’ll sort it out. And we didn’t have breakfast because you didn’t eat. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you do know that, don’t you? And anyway, it’s good for you.” He looks at me seriously.

  I ignore his sarcastic comment. “Oh! I’ll be down in twenty.” I comb my wet hair as he leaves the bathroom and I hear him leave my room and head downstairs.

  Chapter 8

  I join James in the kitchen. I’ve dressed in jeans and a striped shirt. He’s made more coffee and a fresh pot of tea for me, there’s also a bowl of Weetabix with a couple of strawberries waiting for me.

  “Weetabix? I didn’t even know we had any?” I look at the nicely presented cereal.

  “It’s good for you – eat up.” He smiles.

  “I know it’s good for me. We have a very healthy diet, didn’t you notice the skimmed milk and heaps of fruit in the fridge? Very little red meat as well, bet you didn’t see that?” I jest as I bite a strawberry from the stem.

  He just watches me.

  “You don’t eat strawberries like that!” He walks over towards me, barefoot, of course. That really does something for me, barefoot James, I like it! Picking a particularly large strawberry from the punnet, he checks it over before rinsing it and bringing it towards my lips.

  “Open,” he instructs.

  “This is the best way to eat a strawberry.” He presses the strawberry to my lips. I take it between my teeth and bite; the fruit is sweet and juicy, the juice running down my chin. He bends over to me and kisses the juice away.

  “See,” he smiles, “that’s the best way to eat strawberries.” I quiver inside, my nether regions hungering to be touched again. He’s right, of course, this is the best way.

  I hear Anna coming downstairs. “Anna’s here,” I whisper. He moves away quickly and takes a seat at the other side of the island. I feel like a teenager sneaking around my mum’s house with a boy!

  “Morning, Mum, are you feeling better this morning?” She comes towards me, giving me a hug.

  “I’m fine thanks, sweetheart – just a blip.” I smile at her and then at James, he winks. Inwardly I wish we were here on our own.

  “You worried me, Mum… I had no idea what… what Dad, what he did. Why?” It’s clear she wants to know why. Hell, it’s a question I’d like to know the answer to as well.

  “It’s just the way he is, but I’m away now, something I wish I’d had the courage to do years ago.” I hold her hand, looking directly at her, hiding nothing. Tears fill her eyes.

  “Oh Mum, I can’t believe what he did.” She hugs me again. “I’m not going to see him any more, never again. I can’t.”

  “Well, that’s up to you, you must do what you want. I won’t stop you if you want to go, I don’t think he’d ever hurt you, but you must make your own decisions.” I stop talking and just look at her. “All I will say is if you do see him, please, just be careful and don’t ever let him know that you know about… about this.” I indicate towards my back.

  She looks at James. “Thank you for looking after Mum. Have you been here all night?”

  “Yes, I stayed… just in case. Your mum was in a pretty bad way. You weren’t too good yourself either!” He takes a drink of his coffee, looking so incredibly handsome as he sits at my island, sleeves rolled up, the collar of his shirt open, and barefoot.

  “I know. I was just so shocked.” She helps herself to a strawberry. “I’m okay. Can we spend some time together?” She looks at me. “I’ve love to go shopping, have lunch out.”

  “I hadn’t planned on going to the hotel today anyway. We can do some retail therapy, might do us good. Maybe James can meet us for lunch? We could eat at the hotel, just pop in. It’s easier doing that!” I look at him for approval, although I don’t know why I need it, it just seems the right thing to do.

  “Yes, I suppose. I’ve loads of work that I need to get on with in the office today, but I’m sure I can spare some time to take two lovely ladies for lunch. Let me know what time.” He stands. “Listen, ladies, I have to go. I’ve no fresh clothes here and I need to change before I go to work. I’ll grab my shoes and be out of your way.” He makes a start towards the kitchen door.

  My heart sinks, he’s going, I sigh. I know he has to, really. “How are you going to get back to wherever you’re staying?” I ask.

  “I’ll get a cab at the end of the road,” he says flippantly.

  “No, take the Audi. I won’t be driving the thing today, not if I’m shopping!” I stand and reach for the keys and place them in his hand, brushing my fingertips across his palm.

  “You’re sure?” he asks with a smile.

  “Certain. If I need you, if we need you, we’ll call, I promise. We’ll ring you later this morning, let you know what time for lunch.” I hold onto his hand, really not wanting to let go.

  “That’s fine then… sorted.” He walks towards the front door and I follow him. He slips his boots on and as he opens my shiny black door he turns to me and I kiss him lightly. “Thank you again,” I whisper, “for everything – and I mean everything.”

  “My pleasure.” He smiles, that ultra sexy smile, his deep voice sending shivers through me.

  I wave him off and return to Anna.

  “That’s a bit cosy,” she mumbles. “Is he moving himself in?”

  I start to tidy the breakfast things away. “No, he’s just been really helpful.”

  “Oh,” she says as she plays with her cereal. “Well, I like him. He seems like fun. I’ll go and get ready and we can hit the shops.”

  “Okay, take your time, we’ve all day.” She likes him, does she? Well, I suppose it helps, not that it matters – I’m sure last night was a one-off, and this morning.

  We arrive in Central London, having walked the mile or so from the house. I enjoyed our gentle stroll, the exercise will do us both good.

  Our first stop is Harvey Nichols. Anna wants new jeans, apparently, although I seem to remember a pair of Hollister jeans were purchased only a couple of weeks ago, but now she needs a pair of “7 For All Mankind”, from some article she’s read, I’ve no doubt. I, on the other hand, need a complete new wardrobe, having left half of my things at what we now term “Dad’s house”. The clothes that I brought to London with me are all quite old, mainly budget to mid-range clothing and what Anna is now calling “old lady clothes”. She tells me that now we have sufficient funds I should be dressing in the likes of Armani and McQueen!

  She tries on various pairs of jeans and eventually settles for a pair of regular skinny but then decides she wants the lace print ones too. I agree, of course, being the sucker of a mother that I am. She then concedes that it’s my time to shop. Since I inherited my fortune the only things that I’ve bought purely for myself are my car and a few absolute essentials to replace things that I left at Dad’s house.

  We peruse the various departments and I pick out a handful of dresses, a couple of separates and a load of t-shirts. The jeans I have are fine, although my daughter disagrees. After a mammoth trying-on session, which I allow Anna to join me in for the first time ever, I’ve settled for six new dresses, a
couple of summer skirts and a beautiful Michael Kors leather pencil skirt. I’ve also thrown in a couple of fabulous cocktail dresses – I’ve no idea why I’ve chosen to buy these, no idea at all, but I like them, so there! Next stop: underwear.

  As we make our way to the lingerie department I glance at my watch. “Shit, Anna, it’s 11.45!” I look at my watch again, making sure I’ve read it correctly. “We’ll be quick, just grab a couple of bras and some new knickers,” I tell her as I attempt to whizz around the department.

  “Mum,” Anna whinges, “with those dresses you’ll need thongs, not knickers! Gran wore knickers… You’ve got a drawer full of plain white cotton things, get something sexy, it’s not like you haven’t got the figure for it – hell, Mum, some of my school friends are bigger than you!”

  She’s right, I suppose, I’ve spent the last twenty-two years being frumpy, because that’s how Lewis liked me to dress. We reach the lingerie section and I literally grab two Elle Macpherson bras, matching thongs – as my daughter insisted – and several pairs of pretty knickers. I can always come back and get more. I really wanted to pick something up for James, he was so kind yesterday but I just don’t have time right now, damn.

  As neither of us knows London particularly well I stop a cab, telling the driver that we want to go to Reid’s in Covent Garden. He obliges and we’re soon being driven as quickly as London allows, through the streets destined for the hotel.

  I fumble for my phone in the bottomless bag. “I’ll call James, let him know we’re on our way.” Anna just looks at me and rolls her eyes. She’s a bright young thing, no flies on that one, she must have an idea of what’s happening.

  I scroll down my contacts and find James on speed dial. I tap his number and he answers on the third ring.

  “Hi Lover,” he growls.

  “Sssh!” I smile. “I’m with Anna… We’re on our way, see you in a few minutes.”

  “Where are you now?” he asks.

  “In a taxi, just left Harvey Nichols.”

  He laughs. “Oh, verrry nice, bought much?” I bet he’s visions of us landing at the hotel loaded down with shopping bags; he really doesn’t know me that well if that what he’s thinking.

  “Oh, just a few dresses and things, it’s a nice store.” I look at Anna, she bought more than me.

  “Nice! It’s fucking fantastic. I’ll see you in a minute or two.” He laughs.

  Once I’ve cleared James’s call I look back at my daughter. She’s frowning at me. “We need another car, Mum. The Audi’s stupid, you can only fit two people in it and you won’t drive it anyway. It was a waste of money!” She’s snarky.

  I wonder where her sudden interest in the car has come from, she’s never bothered about cars before.

  “Oh, come on, Anna, it’s only once in a while. You never grumbled about the old car when we lived with your dad, you remember the one that died as we arrived in London?” I remind her how we spent the last few years driving around in the old Ford that was only marginally better than a car you may find in a scrap heap!

  We’re soon pulling up outside of the hotel. I pay the driver and leave the taxi, complete with our bags.

  We’re greeted by the concierge who comes down the steps and offers to take our shopping. “Good afternoon, Mrs Drake, can I store these for you?”

  “Yes, thank you.” I hand our bags over. “I’m sorry, you’ll have to remind me of your name,” I say, trying to read the name badge which has become slightly obscured by a lapel.

  He smiles at me. “I’m Sam, your concierge.”

  “Oh Sam, I’m sorry, still getting to grips with names. This is Anna, my daughter.”

  He tips his hat at my daughter. “Pleased to meet you, Miss Drake.”

  We move into the hotel, across the foyer. “He’s very polite,” Anna whispers.

  I just look at her. “Of course he’s polite, it’s his job to be!”

  We make our way across the foyer and towards the restaurant. From a distance I can see Marcus is on duty again.

  “We’ll go straight to the restaurant. Marcus is on duty – he’s the restaurant manager, he’s also very polite!” I look at my daughter who just smiles sarcastically back at me.

  We approach the archway and we’re greeted by the gushing Marcus, exactly as he was yesterday. “Hello, Mrs Drake. Are you eating with us again today?”

  “Yes, Marcus. This is my daughter, Anna. James is also joining us, if you are able to seat us, that is?”

  “Of course, well, it would be a fine thing if the owner can’t eat in her own hotel, wouldn’t it!” He gives us a little laugh – creep!

  “This looks nice,” Anna comments as she follows Marcus to a table in a quiet corner.

  “You wait until you try the food, sweetheart, it’s amazing,” I say, hoping that she likes it as much as I do.

  “Oh, the restaurant here is very good, we pride ourselves on only serving the best,” the pompous Marcus says to Anna, eavesdropping our conversation.

  We sit and I ask Marcus to bring us a bottle of white wine. I ask him to choose a suitable one, dryish and easy drinking. I feel really well today, much better than I’ve done for a long time. I know that by sharing my secret the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulders, the restraint I have felt for the last twenty or so years is gradually being picked away, allowing me to be me again, coupled with the fact that James and I… Well, it was good and I feel… I feel, well… liberated!

  We’re soon joined by James, who kisses both Anna and myself lightly on the cheek. He’s wearing his dark suit again, I wonder if he’s only the one. It wouldn’t surprise me with the stupidly low salary that Maggie had him on, but whatever, he looks stunning, as usual. I am convinced that he would look fantastic in a hessian sack!

  Marcus returns with a dark green bottle of wine and proceeds to remove the cork. He gently pours a little into my glass and asks me to taste, of course I have no idea if it’s good or not, my usual tipple comes from Tesco! However, I humour him and test a little. “It’s nice,” I say.

  “Nice?” he questions, his eyebrows appearing to do some sort of dance on his forehead.

  I look up at the rotund man. “Yes, it’s nice. Is there a problem?” Have I offended him?

  “Oh, no, no, Mrs Drake… no problem. Shall I pour?” He looks like he’s about to burst into tears!

  “Please.” What’s wrong with him? All I said was the wine was nice.

  “And for you?” He looks at Anna.

  “Yes, please,” she says.

  He looks at Anna and then at me. “How old are you, if I may ask?”

  “Marcus.” I take a deep breath. “Anna is eighteen. Please pour her a glass of wine.”

  I really don’t know what to make of Marcus, and I begin to think if I like him or not, I’ve no doubt he’s good at his job, but huh! Once he’s filled our glasses he leaves, but not before he’s given me a sort of bow. What’s all that about?

  “What’s wrong with old sour puss?” I look at James. “Asking how old Anna is.”

  “He’s just being overzealous. I suppose he’s trying to show you that he can do his job, and you told him his expensive wine was ‘nice’.” James articulates the word with air speech marks.

  “Well, it is nice, what else am I expected to say about it? I’m no connoisseur and I don’t profess to be. You know, up until three months ago I was Mrs Average, at best. Anyway, how long has been here?” I question, the wine probably giving me just a little Dutch courage to speak my mind.

  James reaches for his own glass and takes a deep drink of the nice wine. “Unsure, he was here when I arrived. If it’s any consolation, he was awkward with me for a few weeks.”

  “Umm, well there’s a way of asking things and anyway isn’t it wrong of him to assume that we’re all experts on wine?” I feel stroppy; James just nods at me, clearly ignoring my comment.

  “Mum!” Anna looks daggers at me.

  I huff, “I’ve had too long pussy-foot
ing around people, being ultra-pleasant, especially to your dad. Well, now it’s my turn, my turn to kick a little butt from time to time… but his isn’t that little, is it?” I smile at my own joke.

  We all laugh, proper belly laughs that draw attention from the other diners. “Oh dear, whenever I come in here I seem to end up having other guests staring at me. We’d better keep it down, Marcus may come back and tell us all off.” I continue the joke that causes further raucous laughter and, as expected, Marcus appears.

  “Is everything okay over here?” he asks, looking confused.

  “We’re fine, Marcus. I’m sorry I didn’t appear to appreciate your fine choice of wine. I know very little about it, having never been educated in that area.” I try and explain, as tactfully as I can, why I didn’t rave over his excellent choice.

  “Not to worry, perhaps we can arrange for a little lesson?” he suggests.

  “That would be a good idea. I’ll let you know when I have some free time.” I look at James and Anna as I sort of half accept his offer. Of course, I’ve no intention of taking a lesson in wine.

  “Has Lola brought your menus over?” Marcus asks, looking at the table.

  “No, not yet. But don’t bother her, we’ve plenty of time, haven’t we?” I direct my question at James.

  “Sure, I’ve got an hour spare. I’m seeing someone at two thirty but up until then I’m all yours!” He smiles.

  “I’ll chase up those menus for you.” Marcus sounds annoyed as he wobbles towards Lola. I hope he doesn’t give the poor girl a dressing down. I watch as he stands before her, his arms flapping; she looks terrified. I’m told that Marcus does an excellent job but I think that James needs to keep an eye on him – talking to the staff like he’s doing now, in front of our guests, is not good, very unprofessional.

  He walks away to his station and Lola appears at our table soon after with the menus. “I’m sorry I delayed in bringing your menu over, Mrs Drake.” She’s sheepish, looking at the floor.