Unexpected Chance

by Joanne Schwehm

  “I know that, Aubrey. Don’t worry, okay? Everything will be fine with your mom. This is just new to me. I’ve never had to deal with a girl’s parents before.”

  We walked back into the restaurant. My mom looked a little calmer. I was wondering if it was Julie or my dad who told her to chill, most likely my dad. Julie was out of sorts herself.

  “Alex, I’m sorry for the way I acted earlier. I’m sure your club is very nice. I love my daughter, and I just want her to be happy.” My mom sounded sincere. Maybe this lunch could be salvaged.

  “Well, we agree on that. I care for your daughter . . . very much.” He lifted my hand and kissed it.

  My mom and I both smiled, and the conversation turned for the better. We had our lunch, and the waiter brought out dessert and coffee. I lifted my coffee cup, and the sun streaming in the restaurant windows caught the sparkle of the diamonds on my bracelet.

  “Aubrey, honey, this bracelet is exquisite. I’ve never seen anything like it.” She reached for my arm to get a closer look. Mom was closely examining it when she realized the diamond-encrusted flower was an orchid. She gently released my arm and looked in my eyes, which were wide with wonder at what her reaction would be. “It’s beautiful.”

  “Alex bought it for me. I love it.” I leaned over and kissed him.

  “So an orchid on the bracelet and your club is called The White Orchid?” My mom needed to let this all go.

  “Yes, that’s an orchid, and, yes, my club is named The White Orchid. It was my mom’s favorite flower. It’s how I keep her close to me.”

  My mom nodded. “Well, it is beautiful.”

  Thankfully, the waiter brought the check and my dad reached for it, but Alex intercepted it. He slid his black American Express card in the folder without looking at the tab and handed it back to the waiter.

  My parents thanked him, and I couldn’t have been more thrilled that this was over. We stood and said our good-byes, and I told my mom that we were going to be too busy with work to see them again before we left. My mom was disappointed but said she understood.

  We got back to the hotel and headed to the bar. “Alex, I’m so sorry. You didn’t deserve that today. I feel horrible. Sometimes I don’t know what gets into my mother.” I looked over at Julie with pleading eyes. Luckily, she caught my look and chimed in, “My mom would have asked how you were in bed.” We all looked at her and laughed. Thankfully that broke the tension, and I started to relax—we all did.

  We decided to brainstorm a little on the marketing side of the project since that was the reason for Julie and me being there, well, part of the reason. Julie asked if they knew what they were going to call the wine room. Brett and Alex blankly looked at each other. “I’ll take that as a no.” Julie continued, “You actually don’t need one right now, but if you want to start promoting a few weeks prior to the opening, you’ll need one before then and any logo and artwork that would accompany it.”

  Brett grabbed her at the back of her neck and pulled her in for a lip-searing kiss. When they broke apart, he said, “You are so sexy when you talk marketing.”

  Julie dropped her chin to her chest and rolled her head to the side. “How about we go back to the room and I can give you the best marketing presentation ever. I’ll even look for a white board and a laser pointer.”

  Brett gave Julie a sexy smirk, and I was sure that was the last we would see of them again until the morning. That was fine with me because it meant I’d get Alex all to myself for the rest of the day and night.

  ~*~

  Our last day in France was productive and exhausting. Alex and Brett made great connections and we learned a lot about wines, different regions where the grapes grow, and proper food pairings. It was really interesting. I didn’t think it would have been; I just was looking forward to tasting the different wines. I always ordered the same type of wine, chardonnay. I had no idea what country it originated in and honestly could care less. Now I knew and I found it interesting. I wasn’t sure if it was because I had visited the most romantic settings I had ever seen or if it was Alex.

  He made every tasting sexy. I was watching him at our last tasting, same as the others. I don’t know if it was the fact that this was our last day or because my feelings for him were beyond what I could ever dream of them being. He would close his eyes and inhale the wine’s aroma then swirl the wine around in the glass. It was mesmerizing, and apparently, it showed if the wine had “legs,” which was a good thing if it did. He would take a gentle sip of the wine and let it rest on his tongue; I was just staring at this point, wishing I was resting on his tongue. He swallowed the wine and nodded and glanced at me with the most seductive look I had ever seen, which ended with him winking at me and me getting wet. Holy hell, I needed him in a bad way . . . a very bad way. My breathing altered, and I knew that Alex noticed the rise and fall of my chest.

  He quickly asked the woman at the winery for the labels of the wine that he liked, and he did so in French, which was the sexiest thing ever. Alex or Brett would always ask for the wine bottle’s label if they liked the wine. Apparently, all the information that was needed in regards to the specifications of the wine could be located on the label, so that was the easiest way to ensure they had what they needed. Plus, Julie wanted to incorporate the labels in her marketing plan. Alex thanked the woman and grabbed my hand, and we hurried back to the hotel.

  We practically fell into our room. Alex grabbed me and pinned me against the door. When I brought my left leg up around his hip, he lifted up my right one and I linked my ankles together around his waist. My arms were stretched above my head. He leaned into me and lifted my shirt over my head. His trim waist and broad chest made my mouth water. I couldn’t wait to get his shirt off him. I could stare at him all day and not tire of it. I really loved this man.

  His hips were pressed against mine, and I could feel his arousal. He was frantically kissing my neck down to the swell of my breasts. My nipples hardened, and I would have sworn they were pulsing. He lowered the cups of my bra and swirled his tongue on, kissed, and sucked on my breasts. I couldn’t help arching my back; I needed more. I moaned his name and he grunted some words that were incomprehensible, but still sounded sexy as hell.

  “Alex.” He brought his lips to that delicate spot on my neck, making me flinch and giggle. He licked his way up my neck, around my ear and sucked on my earlobe, giving it a light nibble. My legs instinctively squeezed around him. I felt as if I were ready to shatter in a million pieces. “I need you, Alex.” My voice was all breathy. I felt as if he could knock the wind out of me with his sexy look, his cologne, and most definitely his searing touch.

  He lowered his mouth to mine, kissing me with determined passion. “You need me? Do you, Aubrey? Do you really need me?”

  I couldn’t think. I needed him more than I needed the requirements to survive; he was my necessity. “Yes, Alex, I need you . . . now.” I kissed him. “I will need you tomorrow and always.” I hadn’t ever spoken truer words. I couldn’t imagine my life without him, not that I had him. I pushed that thought aside.

  He pulled away from me and I whimpered. He looked into my eyes and carried me into the bedroom. He laid me on the bed and kissed me. The kisses were different than the ones I’d just experienced while pinned against the door. These kisses were gentle and unhurried. We discarded the rest of our clothes. Alex was propped up above me. He looked down at me. “I want to give you now, tomorrow, and always, Aubrey. I have never wanted anything as much as I want to give you that. I need you too; you have no idea how much.”

  We made love and it was beautiful. It was gentle, sensual, and perfect. He finished and was lying on top of me when I felt tears fall down the sides of my face, running into my ears. I didn’t know why but my heart felt as if it were going to pound out of my chest. It was a different feeling than the anxiety attacks I was used to. It was full of love for a man that I never thought could be possible.

  Alex lifted himself and looked at me
. His eyes went from love to concern to confusion. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

  My eyes closed, and when I looked up at him, I wiped my tears. I wondered how to explain this, when I didn’t understand it myself. “I don’t know. I am so happy. I really am. I’m filled with such true emotions for you.” I closed my eyes and more tears fell. I whispered. “It scares me.”

  “You’re scared of me?” He rolled off me and pulled me to my side so we were facing each other. I put my hands under my head and just looked at him.

  “I’m not scared of you, well, not you directly. I’m scared that this is too good to be true, that someone more beautiful and more exciting could come along and . . . that you’ll leave me.” My head was spinning. I was totally ruining this, but this was what I was feeling. “My heart is breaking at the thought.” I immediately thought I should tell him my original intention when we met. Maybe he would laugh about it. I knew it didn’t matter; I just wanted to be honest with him. “Alex, when we first met,” I swallowed hard, “I wasn’t looking for love. I was looking for—”

  “I don’t think anyone knows when that one special person will come along. I saw you and knew immediately I needed to have you. I was lucky you continued to talk to me after what Julie told you and the other interruption.” I knew immediately he was referring to Leah. I looked away from him. He put his palm on my cheek to turn my head and make me face him. “I told you I will never intentionally hurt you. Never. I’m not that guy anymore. I don’t want the extracurricular club life. I want to run a successful business, and I want you by my side when I do it. That’s it; that’s all I desire.”

  We continued to look at each other. I was getting lost in his blue eyes. I ran my fingertips along his hairline and kissed him. Instead of making love, we held each other. It was a wonderful and melancholy feeling at the same time. I’d always had that feeling that when something seems too good to be true it probably is. I always wait for the proverbial shoe to drop and drop hard, especially on my heart.

  Chapter 17

  I was back in my humble apartment, daydreaming of Alex and the amazing time we had together. I didn’t want to forget anything, so I wrote it down.

  Entry 8—My romance, my love, the shoe . . .

  I spent two weeks in Europe with Alex, Julie, and Brett. We toured Italy and France, enjoying the most amazing wines and scenery. Our alone time was spent having mind-blowing sex and sharing kisses that would make ice ignite. I can’t believe the man Alex turned out to be. I trust him, I love him, and I hope he loves me.

  We saw my parents and it was terrible. Well, my mom was terrible. She is a money lover and I’m not. I am a lover of romance and love. To me, money is secondary. I was a wreck, waiting for her to completely embarrass me in front of Alex. I didn’t have to wait long, but Alex was a trooper.

  I tried to tell him about my book and what my intention was in going out that first night, but he stopped me, and we made love instead of talking. I really need to tell him. He really can’t get mad. If you think about it, it is really funny. Yes, I thought he was a player, and, yes, I thought he was going to use me, and, yes, I thought I could use him, but he stole my heart; well he didn’t steal it—I gave it.

  Alex is romance personified. Just the way he looks at me and talks to me has taught me what romance is. It isn’t the flowers, gifts, or dinners out. It’s in his eyes and his words. I love him, plain and simple.

  We’d been home for three weeks, and although it was great to be home, I missed the beauty of Europe. Julie had been busy with Brett, and Alex had been super busy at the club. On top of the normal work he had to do, he’d been working on the addition of the wine room. We still saw each other every day. We would have dinner together, and he would come over after work, which would turn into mind-blowing sex, and then we’d have breakfast and then make love in the shower. It was a wonderful daily routine.

  Mark and I were getting closer at work too. Julie was slammed with work, so most of her lunches were working lunches. Mark turned into my lunch mate, and thankfully, Alex was fine with it. He knew that I would never cheat on him and that Mark and I were just friends. He would tell me that Mark was lucky to have me, and I told Alex that I was lucky to have him.

  Mark was really funny, and I was glad to see him smile; he had a really beautiful smile. Sadly, that smile had been rare since Jessica had left. He’d only heard from her once, and when he did, she told Mark that she was subletting her apartment and that he needed to move out within two months. To say that Mark was shocked was an understatement. We were at lunch when he got the news, and he was devastated.

  “Aubrey, what the fuck am I supposed to do? We’re in New York City. I can’t afford an apartment on my own. How am I going to find a roommate? I don’t know why she’s being like this. One minute she loves me, and the next I’m homeless thanks to her. What the fuck!” He dropped his head in his hands and was rubbing his hands through his hair.

  I felt horrible for Mark. I thought if Jessica had been here, I would have slapped her. “Hey, doesn’t Walker-Stone have an apartment they reserve for when important clients come to New York?”

  “Yeah, they do, why? What are you thinking?”

  “I’m thinking if no one is scheduled to use it soon, that you should talk to Brian and ask him if you can use it. Brian is a cool guy, and I bet he’d let you use it.”

  Mark just stared at me. I wasn’t sure if that was a good or bad thing. “Do you honestly think that if I go to one of the owners of one of the most prestigious marketing firms in New York and ask to stay at the company’s apartment he is going to let me? Not to mention that I have to let my boss into my personal shit. Yeah, I don’t know.”

  “You won’t know until you ask.” I didn’t understand why this was so difficult. Mark needed a place to stay, Walker-Stone had one, but he wouldn’t ask; this had to be a case of male pride. He reminded me of Alex.

  “Why don’t I call Alex and Julie and maybe we can all go out tonight. It’ll get your mind off things. We can go to the club, and you can check out the wine room that he plans to open.” I looked at him with hope and airiness.

  Mark just looked at me. “You know what? Yeah, let’s do that. Why should I sit around being pissed off when Jessica is obviously okay?” He stood up to leave and I did as well. “Set it up and let me know. I’ll be there. Meanwhile, I need to go scour the Internet for apartments.”

  He kissed the top of my head, and we both walked out and went back to work. I called Alex to ask him if we could all get together tonight. It was Thursday, and the club wouldn’t be too busy.

  “Hi, babe.” Seriously, his voice could just make me rip off my clothes.

  “Hi, handsome, how is your day going?”

  “You know, busy, but it’s good. What’s up? Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, everything is fine. Well, everything is fine with me; Mark on the other hand, not so much.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yeah, Jessica has been pretty harsh with him. Not only did she leave him but she told him he needs to get out of her apartment because she’s decided to sublet it. He isn’t in a good place right now. His girlfriend dumped him, and his impending homelessness has him completely stressed out, so I thought that we could all hang at the club tonight. I was going to call Julie too. I know you and Brett have to work, but at least we’d all be together. Maybe Mark will find someone to have fun with. What do you think?” I felt as if I were rambling.

  He chuckled. “I think you had me at ‘all hang out at the club tonight.’”

  “Good, I was hoping you’d say that.”

  “Why don’t you guys come right after work? I’ll order dinner, and we can eat in my office and then head down to the club.”

  “That sounds awesome. Thanks, Alex.”

  I told Mark and Julie, and they were both up for it. We all left work a little early, which Brian was fine with, and went home to get ready. We decided to meet at the club at six.

  I took a qui
ck shower. I wanted to look fresh for Alex. As the hot water was running over me, I thought about how lucky I was to have him. He was really a great man, and I would never do to him what Jessica did to Mark, especially when it was unprovoked. I just didn’t understand how a person could do that to someone they claimed to once love.

  I got out and toweled off. I left my hair down and put some loose curls in it, letting it drape over my shoulders. My makeup was light. I hoped to be dancing with Alex tonight, and I didn’t need makeup dripping off my face. I put on my navy short skirt, a white top, and my navy peep-toe pumps. I didn’t want to look as if I was on the prowl, but I didn’t want to look like a frump either.

  I made it to the club at five fifty-five, and it was pretty busy. I’d forgotten it was ladies’ night. I spotted Julie and Mark at the bar, talking to Brett and Tyler. Walking over to them, I looked around to see who was there. Since it was happy hour with drink specials for the women, the ratio of men to women seemed even. Naturally, Leah and her entourage were there, and she was hanging on some guy who looked as if he just wanted to get out of there and be done with her. I rolled my eyes and went to my friends.

  “Hi, guys. Where’s my man?”

  Brett smiled. He was such a doll, and I was so happy for Julie. “He is in his office setting up dinner. We were told to wait for you.”

  “Well, I’m here now, so let’s go up.”

  When we arrived at the office, Brett went in first and stopped so fast that we all ran into each other. It was like a train crash with all the cars ramming into the one in front of them. Julie smacked his shoulder. “Dude, keep walking. I almost broke a heel.”

  We were all laughing, well, until I looked at Brett’s face; then I wasn’t laughing anymore. Something wasn’t right. Was it Alex? “What’s the deal, Brett?”