by T Gephart
Alex led me out to the drive way where his “ride” was parked. My mouth twitched into a wide grin as I gazed over the car that Alex casually opened the door to. No wonder he thought my car was a piece of shit, this car was breathtaking. I ran my fingers along the lines of his silver Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale, tracing its sexy yet sleek curves. The car’s obscenely dark windows reflected Alex’s curious yet entertained gaze as I moved to the front of the car, letting my fingers run across its shiny chrome trident logo which was in prime position over the equally shinny yet menacing grill. I’d never really felt an “attraction” to a car before, but this one was playing with my inner chemistry. It was, like Alex, SEX. Mmmmmmmmmmmm
“Are you done molesting my car?” Alex grinned as he continued to hold the door open for me. I hadn’t noticed I’d actually been ogling his car, my appreciation of the sexy allure of the machine translating to my face as I circled the car with lustful eyes. A wicked grin crossed my mouth as I playfully slid my tongue out and carefully yet seductively licked the hood. I watched his smile fade and his eyes darken as I walked back toward the open car door.
“Now I’m done.” I smirked as I slid in to the luxurious seat. He slowly closed the door before walking to the driver’s side of the car and effortlessly slid into his own seat. He turned to watch me as I expertly clasped my five point harness together, his eyes followed down the lines of my body which were now firmly secured before he did the same, the air between us barely breathable. He shook his head as if discounting a thought and pressed the ignition. The roar of the V8 exploded to life as he revved the engine, gripping the large, leather embossed steering wheel. We peeled away from the house as we travelled down the long driveway, before stopping at the main road. He looked at me and smiled as he pressed his foot down hard on the accelerator, the force pushing us both back into our seats. I laughed as I watched him handle the car effortlessly, shifting through the gears seamlessly, his excitement growing to match the rising speedometer. I marvelled at his driving prowess, he drove exceptionally fast yet controlled, at no time did I feel fear. It was exhilarating; my smile felt like it was going to crack my face. I wanted to drive this car.
As the bright lights of Manhattan came into view, he slowed to a more conservative pace. “Would you let me drive your car?” I asked, flashing him a sideways glance.
“No.” He smiled defiantly, not even entertaining the idea. Jerk!
“Not even if I say please?” I smiled sweetly. He glanced over at me as I gave him my best sweet, innocent, butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth smile. He laughed and shook his head.
“The answer is still no Lexi.” I pouted as I interlocked my arms across my chest.
The Maserati protested as we slowed further, easing into traffic. This car was designed for highway not for the stop/start of city driving. I felt a strange affinity with the car as I sighed loudly empathetically. Alex turned to me with a raised eyebrow and questioning gaze. I felt the tension return as we sat in silence.
“Alex, this is exactly what I didn’t want to happen. Can we talk?” I decided I would be the one who made the first move. His clenched jaw loosened a little as he sighed.
“What’s there to talk about Lexi? You made yourself pretty clear the last time we spoke.” I saw darkness return to his eyes as he continued to stare at the road. His body language translated exactly what he was thinking; I’d rejected him the last time and he wasn’t about to give me the chance to do it again.
“Can’t we be friends?” I protested as I searched his amazing ice blue eyes for a hint of endorsement “We have to work together.”
He gripped the steering wheel tighter before turning to me with irritation.
“You aren’t seriously giving me the “let’s be friends” speech are you Lexi? I didn’t peg you as a cliché.” His words were clenched as tightly as his jaw.
“Alex, I don’t want it to be this way.” I snarled, my anger growing exponentially as I watched his eyes narrow. He slammed on the breaks, forcing the car to the curb and into a submissive stop. The inertia sent me careening into the harness which bit into my chest. Car zoomed passed us as we sat on the side of the road, I watched as Alex struggled to bring to heel his rapid breathing, his eyes flaring wildly.
“It’s not always about what YOU want Lexi. You GOT what you wanted when you told me to walk away. That’s the limit of your choice. YOU do not get to decide my reaction. YOU want to be friends? Is that how it works with the rest of your life-size sex toys? Should I be grateful?” He paused, pain in his eyes. “We have to work together so I will be cordial but I think you have severely unrealistic expectations if you are expecting more than that.”
“I told you what it was from the beginning,” I argued, my anger mixing with hurt. “I told you I didn’t want a relationship. You agreed to it. Don’t make it sound like you weren’t a willing participant and I was some evil seductress who prayed on your poor vulnerability. YOU were the one who changed the rules, I never mislead you!” My tone was equally as hostile as his had been as I stared at him, my face inches away from his. He whipped his head around to face the road as cars sped past us. He brought the Maserati to life and roared back onto the road, rejoining the flow of traffic. Alex ducked and weaved through lanes, driving excessively fast before finally arriving at my apartment building and slamming the car into a parking spot in the undercover garage. The smell of the burnt rubber permeated the cabin of the car.
“You’re an asshole!” I shouted over the throaty rumble of the engine.
“And you’re acting like a self-absorbed bitch” he shouted back.
I raised my hand to slap him and he caught it, gripping my wrist tightly. His eyes narrowed as he looked at my hand. He was right, I was a self-absorbed bitch. It’s what I had become; it cemented my rise to the top and ensured that my heart would remain intact. At this point of my life, it was about what I wanted, what I needed. I hated that he had seen through my charade and I hated even more that he was calling me on it.
I struggled to wriggle my hand loose as he unbuckled his harness with his free hand, twisting his body toward mine to push me back further into my seat. His other hand grabbed mine as I tried to wrench myself free. “Is this what YOU want?” I sneered “To hate me? For me to hate you?” His hands relaxed and he released mine, the tension in his face easing slightly.
“I don’t hate you Lexi,” he whispered.
“Then what? What do you want?” I stormed as I fumbled with my own harness, wanting desperately to get out of the car.
“You,” he stated, his hypnotic gaze fixing on mine.
I shook my head in disbelief, was he insane? After everything I’d said? I felt my heart tighten as I stared back into his eyes. “Then you want what you can’t have,” I whispered.
He didn’t try to stop me as I opened the door and walked away. My phone buzzed from my pocket. I stopped in my tracks and I looked over at the car, headlights and ignition running yet still parked. I couldn’t make anything else out from the darkness of the windows. I pulled out the phone to examine the message.
- OK. I’ll Try. Friends? Alex xx
I considered going back to the car, to try and work this out but I figured our emotions were too raw and maybe this was a better way.
- I don’t want to hurt you anymore. I’m sorry. I’ll try too. Friends. Lexi xx
The Maserati roared as he pulled away from the garage, its tail lights disappearing into the darkness till they finally faded. My phone buzzed again.
- I’m sorry too. Alex xx
I gave a long sigh as I re-read it over and over again. I missed him so much; I really hoped we could salvage something. I closed my eyes as I walked into the elevator and pressed the button for my floor. Sleep would not come soon enough for me tonight.
Chapter 18 – Just Being Friendly
I spent the next few days settling into my new life. I’d finally unpacked my bags so my apartment felt more “homely” without boxes and suitcases.
I’d gotten to know Taylah and Dave a little better. When I invited them over for dinner, Dave laughed hysterically when I confessed my first impression of them was that they were swingers. He assured me that while they were quirky, they didn’t “swing” that way. The band was busily writing new material for a new album so my job was fairly easy. Keeping their private lives out of the press was mainly the top priority, while still maintaining public interest in the upcoming album. It was a difficult dance, knowing how much to disclose and when to pull back, but I relished the challenge.
It was my first day in my new office; I had woken early and gone for a jog around Central Park, the cold air stung my lungs as I struggled to suck in breath. Ughhhhh, I was going to need to find a gym until spring at the very least. The old PR Company was doing a handover so I was working closely with one of their representatives until I was brought up to speed.
Handling a band for a finite period like a tour was a lot different to taking the reins completely and working with them on a day to day basis. I dressed in my SABA long sleeved woolen dress; its delicate fabric keeping me warm yet it was so soft that didn’t scratch my skin. I pulled on some opaque tights and some knee-high leather boots. After applying makeup and taming my hair into a French braid, I grabbed my bag and phone and commenced the short walk to work.
I had been given an office in Chris’ building, which seemed logical as we would need to have frequent meetings and be working closely together. I was also glad, given I didn’t know many people in town, that I was able to say Hi to some familiar faces each morning. While I was happy to work alone, I still craved contact with people. I entered the dark grey building and pressed the button for the 25th floor. Various people shifted into the elevator, juggling their large takeaway Starbuck’s cups, briefcases and mobile phones, while seemingly ignoring their fellow combatants in the concrete jungle.
I smirked as I stepped out on my floor. I was greeted by its immaculately clean and modern design. Its simple lines accentuated Chris’ business philosophy - there was no place for clutter or bullshit, both physically and metaphorically. I glowed as I ambled down the halls; the airy crispness energizing me. People looked up and nodded hello when they noticed me. I got a few “welcomes” and a few “how you going’s?” but mostly everyone kept to themselves as I walked to the last office on the left, the one which had been designated as mine.
I was surprised my office was currently occupied by a cute, slender blonde who was busy chatting on the phone. Her gentle English accent sounded overly polite and sophisticated. She turned as she heard me enter and held up a finger gesturing for me to “hold on a minute” while she finished her conversation. I placed my coat and bag on the provided rack as I waited patiently for Mystery Brit to explain who she was and what she was doing. She finished her call and stood up; I noticed we were approximately the same height, though she must have been a couple of years younger than me. Her face was smooth and round, her dark rimmed angular glasses framed her sparkling blue eyes. She was youthful and fashionable, her clothes on the cutting edge of European design, her blonde hair cut into a sharp graduated bob. She was adorable, probably not the adjective the girl wanted to hear, but nonetheless what I saw in front of me!
“I’m Sydney. You must be Lexi! Pleased to meet you.” She strode to the doorway where I stood. “Good to hear someone with a pair of bollocks is taking over. I’m your intermediary, helping the transition and all. Chris has told me a lot about you. I’ve been looking forward to your arrival. Girl Power!” Her accent pierced the room and made me grin.
“Yes, I’m Lexi. Nice to meet you Sydney. So you worked for the old PR firm?” I inquired as I sat down in my newly vacated chair.
“Yeah I worked for them, if you can call it work. A bunch of misogynistic wankers. I was relegated to coffee run more times than not.” She rolled her eyes as I smiled back, entertained by her description of her former employers.
“Well I can assure you, you won’t be getting my coffee, I rarely drink the stuff,” I laughed as Sydney settled into the chair opposite me.
“Not a coffee drinker? What the hell’s wrong with you? If I could, I’d hook up an intravenous line. I don’t mind a tea every once and awhile but I’d die without my morning latte.” Her lips parted as a wide smile spread across her face.
The day went at lightning speed. Sydney was hilarious; her wicked sense of humour was peppered with British slang. She had nick names for everything and everyone. Her diligent work ethic was almost as good as mine, and to say she was thorough was an understatement. I commented more than once that she’d missed her calling as an attorney.
We ate lunch together at my desk, ordering in from a local Chinese delivery restaurant, devouring our delicious noodles directly from the box.
“So the Viking has a new girl he’s seeing. Just to let you know she’s in some trashy day time drama so there will probably be photos,” she mentioned while cracking open a Fortune Cookie.
“The Viking?” I asked, my brows scrunched together in confusion as she handed me a cookie to open.
“Alex, the tall, Nordic looking one. I have to say I’d be happy to roll over and find him in my bed.” She smiled as she gave me a wink. So his new mystery woman was an actress, how appropriate.
“Marcy?” I inquired as I crumbled my fortune cookie in my hand. I looked down at the disintegrated crumbs and fished out the tiny white message.
“Yeah Marcy Bryant... her agent has been calling for weeks to try and get a “meeting” with Alex. Earlier this week he finally agreed. I think she is more interested in him being arm candy than anything else but hey, whatever floats your boat.” Sydney rolled her eyes.
“I’ll look into it.” I smiled as I packed up our empty containers and cleaned up my desk.
“What’s yours say?” Sydney asked pointing to the crumbled fortune in my hand.
“Oh, they are such bullshit.” I took a breath as I read it aloud. “Never regret anything that makes you smile.” I scrunched it again before tossing it away with the rest of our trash.
“Huh, that’s a good one, I got this lame one,” she paused before reading “You will be hungry soon - order more take away.” We both exploded with laughter.
“It does not say that!?!” I squeaked in between hysterics.
“Look at it, it does. I got short changed on the fortune! Bloody brilliant marketing though!” she laughed as she held out her tiny white paper for me to read. I shook my head with disbelief as I read it for myself, it was marketing genius!
I spent the rest of the afternoon googling Marcy Bryant. As predicted she was blonde and looked like the stereotypical soapie starlet - fake boobs, fake tan, fake nails and lots of collagen. If her lips got any bigger she’d be able to kiss her own ass. Perhaps this was her plan? Ugggghhh, whatever! If that’s what Alex was attracted to then he could HAVE her and her big ass lips! I giggled at the thought. My phone buzzed silently on my desk interrupting my cyber stalking.
- So friend, got any dinner plans? Alex xx
I rolled my eyes. It was almost as if he had some kind of sixth sense and knew when I was thinking of him. I actually didn’t have any concrete plans, though heading out to dinner with Alex was not a good idea. Dave and Taylah had mentioned heading out to a club and checking out a band tonight but I had been pretty non-committal. Still it was better than hanging out in my apartment by myself. Guess that made up my mind for me.
- Well friend, I’m checking out some band in town with some other friends. Sorry, maybe some other time. Lexi xx
- Well maybe seeing as we are “friends” I could join you and your other friends? What’s the band? I like to check out the competition :-P
I smiled; I had really missed his messages and his sense of humour. Maybe we could be friends? After all I was friends with Matt and that had worked out well. Of course we had never slept together, so there wasn’t that complication, but still surely it counted for something.
I craved Alex’s presence in my lif
e again. I knew we couldn’t have the uncomplicated relationship I’d hope for (my feelings made it complicated) but I wanted to be close to him. I also had to keep in mind he was “seeing” other people, so sex wasn’t an option either. I sighed, my mind was so conflicted.
- Don’t know who they are or where we are going, sorry. I wouldn’t say they are your competition though, just some local guys. I’ll let you know the time and place later. See you tonight Lexi xx
- See you tonight. I can give you a ride if you like?
Hmmmm. I wondered what kind of ride he had in mind? NO! Stop it Lexi! Focus! He was referring to his car, he knows you don’t have a vehicle here and was being polite. Still, part of me couldn’t help myself.
- Only if I’m allowed to drive
- No one drives my car Lexi
- Well then I guess I’ll meet you there, talk later. Lexi xx
- Let me know if you change your mind. Alex xx
I pondered over the last message; I could read it a couple of different ways. I wondered if he knew this before he had hit send. I tried to push those thoughts from my mind, sometimes words were just that - words, no double meaning. I sighed as I tried to get my mind back on my work and not on that sexy Viking who now completely occupied my thoughts. It was going to take some effort.
~~~~~~
I had called Taylah before leaving work and informed her of the addition to our group. She seemed excited that I was joining them tonight and was completely fine with Alex crashing our “date”. She gave me the details of the gig so I could pass those on to him and she told me she would buzz me when they were ready to go. She’d assumed I was traveling with them and I happily accepted the offer.