“Wow, a balcony overlooking the Thames, lucky you.” He came up behind her, and as she glanced over her shoulder, he smiled. Her heart did twenty somersaults. Alex wanted to ask her about the man she had been with today, but he could not let her know he had seen them.
“It is open, go outside,” he said, so she did. She leaned on the balcony and looked out, the sun was still warm, and it glistened across the water.
As the wind lifted her hair, she pulled it back from her face. Alex took in a deep breath, as it was such a beautiful sight, that it made his heart race with desire.
“It must be lovely to sit out here and have breakfast,” she remarked, as she looked at the small bistro-style table and chairs.
“It is,” he agreed. “Maybe you could stay over tonight, and see for yourself in the morning,” he offered, as he leant an elbow on the balcony. She glanced at him and caught his eyes.
“I have a spare room,” he added, quickly. “The performance does not finish until gone twelve and I would am not happy letting you go home on the tube that late by yourself.” She considered it for about three seconds.
“Okay, thank you, Alex, I will,” she agreed, although she was not sure that was such a good idea.
“So did you have a good time at the museum? I have lived in London twenty years, and have never been,” he said, casually.
“Oh, you must, it is amazing. I took the boys there a lot when they were little,” she replied.
“Yes, well I am sure one day I will get around to it. So it was good, you and your friend enjoyed yourselves?” he pushed.
“Yes, we did thanks.”
“Great, well this way to the bathroom,” he said, going back inside and knowing he was not going to get anything else out of her about him. “There are clean towels in there, and if you need anything else, give me a holler. Do you want a glass of wine?”
“Yes, please,” she replied, and she watched him as he went into the kitchen area. He opened a bottle, and grabbed two glasses.
“There you go,” he said, giving it to her.
“Thank you, I’ll go and change,” she said. His eyes wandered all over her face and he gave a nod. She took a breath, as she went into the bathroom. Jane tied her hair up and stepped into the shower, as the hot water pounded over her body she took his shower gel from the holder, opened it, and inhaled. She closed her eyes, her skin tingling at as she imagined him being in the shower with her. His body pushing against hers, his lips kissing her neck, and his hand raking through her hair, she opened her eyes, and put the gel back on the holder. Those were not thoughts that she should be having.
She dressed, and pulling some of her hair off her face, she secured it with silver clips she had brought, and left the rest loose. She slipped on her silver sandals and put all her stuff back into the carrier bags.
As she came out, Alex was watching the TV. He glanced towards her, his eyes widened and his heart did a little flip. He used the remote, switched off the TV and stood.
“Wow,” he said, “You are stunning,” he said, and swallowed as he approached her, warning himself to take it slow.
“Thank you,” she replied, the heat rise to her cheeks as he was still staring at her. “Is it okay, it’s not too much is it, I really was not sure what you wore to a ballet.”
“No, it is perfect, you are perfect,” he said, with a smile. “And with ten minutes to spare,” he said, glancing to the clock on the wall. “Another glass of wine?” he offered as he walked to the kitchen.
“Sure, why not,” she said, following him. He poured her another glass, and gave it to her.
“Thank you,” she said. God, her heart was pounding, as the tension between them was almost unbearable and she wanted to kiss him.
“Oh,” he said, lifting a hand. “I know it is work stuff, but I just had a phone call from Bestora Productions, and they want to meet with Jack Trent, about turning his book into a mini-series.”
“I’m reading his book at the moment,” she said.
“Good, because I want you to come to the meeting, this is going to be a big contract for the company if we can get it. I am holding it down in Devon in a country house, and I have arranged for a 10.00am start. There is a party in the evening so I have a couple of rooms booked for the night. And they have a fabulous pool, which if it is as hot as it has been this week, would be rather nice.”
She looked at him. This would be their first weekend away together; work or not she had been looking forward to it.
“Sure, I’ll come, not a problem, after all it is part of my contract,” she reminded.
“Of course,” he said. He looked at clock. “Right, the cab should be here now, shall we go.” She gave a nod, put her wine glass down, and picked up her clutch and walked with him to the door.
They got out of the cab outside the Royal Opera House, and he offered his arm in a courtly manner. She accepted and they walked inside. They had to wait a while until the performance started, so Alex took her to the bar. He glanced at her as he ordered their drinks. She was so beautiful that he was convinced his heart would stop as he looked at her. She was clutching her bag a little nervously, and glancing all around her. He smiled. He was not planning anything tonight, he was going do as she asked, and keep it professional, for a little while longer. It was going to be difficult as all wanted to do was sweep her in his arms, hold her, kiss her, make love to her and protect her forever. Now in the back of his mind he was also worried that she liked someone else.
“There you go,” he said, giving her a glass of wine.
“Thank you, Alex,” she said, taking it from him. “This place is amazing,” she said.
“Wait until you see the auditorium. We have the best seats and you will get a great view of the performance.”
“Alex,” she said.
“Mmm,” he replied, lowering his glass from his mouth. She smiled her eyes unable to stop looking at him.
“Hey, we are going in,” he said, downing his glass of wine before she had chance to say anything. She did the same and he put the glasses on a table. He offered her his arm again, and escorted her to the balcony. They took their seats and he gazed her as she took it all in. His eyes strayed to her cleavage as her chest rose and fell, and they lifted to her neckline, and back to her face. She caught his gaze and smiled.
“This is so exciting,” she said, and she reached over and placed her hand on his briefly. A surge of desire rushed through his body at this simple touch. Alex closed his eyes for a second, took a deep breath, and looked towards the stage, as the lights lowered and the curtain rose.
Alex spent most of the evening watching her, watching the performance. She was in awe of it, her face bright with excitement and at times emotional, and her eyes tearful. It took all of his resolve not to take hold of her and kiss her.
“Oh, god, Alex,” she said, turning to him and breaking his thoughts. His eyes lifted to hers, and she had a tear running down her cheek. “That was the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life,” she said, as the lights came back on.
“Good, I am so glad you enjoyed it, would you see another?” he asked.
“Oh yes. Anytime your mum cannot make it, I am quite happy to fill in,” she said, smiling at him.
“And I am quite happy to take you,” he said, and he lifted a hand and used his thumb to wipe away the stray tear. Jane gazed into his green eyes, her heart trembling as he gazed back.
“Shall we go,” he said. She nodded, and they rose to their feet. They took a cab back to his apartment, and got in after 1am.
“Gosh, I am so tired,” Jane, yawned, as she put her clutch on the kitchen worktop. “Oh and hungry,” she added, when her stomach growled telling her she had not eaten since lunch.
“Do you want a sandwich or something?” Alex asked, going into the kitchen.
“Yes, please if that’s okay.” He grinned at her.
“Of course it is, chicken mayo, cheese, or ham?” he asked, as he stared into the fridge.
“Sorry, I do not have prawns.” Jane smiled, that he had remember her favourite sandwich.
“Chicken please,” she replied. Alex grabbed the chicken and mayo and made them both a sandwich, and a glass of orange juice.
“Thanks,” Jane said, as he passed them to her. “Oh this is good,” she said, biting into the sandwich.
She spotted a manuscript on the worktop.
“What’s this?” she asked, picking it up. Alex dived towards it and went to take it from her hands.
“Oh, nothing,” he said, mysteriously as he claimed it back off her.
“Alex?” she asked. “What is it, a new secret client?” she asked. He shook his head.
“No, it is mine,” he confessed.
“Yours?” she asked, surprised and she glanced at him. “So you really do write.” He smiled at her.
“Yes I do, just for fun. I have done a few children’s books,” he said.
“What, where are they, do you have them here?” she asked.
“No, they are not published,” he said, with a laugh.
“Why not, I bet they are brilliant,” she said.
“Maybe,” he said with a shrug. “I do not think they are quite right yet, there is something missing from them.”
“Has anyone ever read them?” she asked. He shook his head.
“No.”
“Why ever not?” she asked. “Can I read them?” she asked.
“No,” he replied, shaking his head, with an embarrassed smiled.
“Alexander, really,” she said, with a smile, as he looked so cute. His heart did a little skip at the way she said his full name.
“Maybe one day,” he said, as he took the manuscript and walked over to his desk. He opened a drawer and threw it in.
“Do you have anything to wear for bed?” he asked, moving her off the subject of his books.
“No, I don’t,” she said.
“I will see if I can find something for you,” he replied, and he went into his bedroom.
“Is this any good?” he asked, a few minutes later, and offering her a pink shirt.
“Yes, thanks that will do fine.” She took the shirt from him and pulled it to her chest. “Well good night, Alex,” she said, after they finished their sandwiches, “and thank you again, for taking me,” she said. Her hand hovered on the door handle of the spare room.
“Yes, goodnight, Jane, sleep well and if you want anything, a drink or something to eat, just help yourself okay?”
“I will thank you.” She turned the handle and walked into the spare bedroom. It took all of her will power not grab hold of him, and beg him to take her to his bed. Jane remembered so well how it had felt making love with him, it had been wonderful, romantic and intense. Her breasts swelled at the thought, but she had asked him to keep it professional, and he was. She took off her dress and slipped on his shirt, it was quite long and covered the tops of her thighs. She lifted the collar to her nose, and inhaled, and her eyes rolled as it smelt of Alex. She pulled back the covers of the double bed, climbed inside, and covered herself with the top sheet, as it was a warm night. She yawned, and was grateful that she was tired as she soon fell fast asleep.
Alex shut his bedroom door, and groaned, being professional was driving him insane. He could see the hunger in her eyes for him, he was sure of it, but she fought against it. Why would she not admit she wanted him too? Her job was important to her, she was a woman on her own who needed to support herself, he understood that; but he was certain they could make it work. If anyone at work were to give her hard time about it, he would soon sort him or her out. He stripped off, put on his boxers, and climbed into bed. He would give it another week, they had the weekend together in Devon, and maybe he would push it a little harder.
Jane woke to the smell of bacon wafting into her nostrils. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and yawned as she glanced to the clock on the bedside table. It was eight thirty. She pulled the cover back, jumped out of bed, and made her way to the door. As she walked into the lounge, she saw Alex in the kitchen.
“Morning, sleepy head,” he said, as she walked towards him. Alex looked at her, he did consider to offer her his spare dressing gown, but as she looked so cute wearing his shirt, he did not bother. His eyes wandered to her firm thighs, barely covered by the shirt. He took a breath, and twitched a smile at her dishevelled hair.
“Coffee?” he asked.
“Do you have tea?” she asked back.
“Yep, tea it is,” he replied, and he switched the kettle on.
“Going to use the bathroom,” she said, walking passed the breakfast bar towards it. He smiled, and started to plate the food.
“Crap,” she said, as she stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror. Jane looked like a panda where she had not taken off her make-up before she went to bed, and her hair was sticking up all over the place. She went to the loo, and washed her face, taking off all the makeup. She dampened down her hair, and looking more respectable, she came out.
“Out here,” he yelled, as he spotted her. Bare footed Jane walked out onto the balcony.
“See, I promised you breakfast on the balcony,” Alex said, offering her a seat.
“Thank you,” she said, at his offering, of egg and bacon, mushroom, tomatoes and toast. She sat down.
“Oh, that’s cold,” she sniggered, as the bare metal of the seat touched the bareness of her bottom. He lifted a finger, jumped up and went back inside, re-emerging a minute later with a cushion, and a cardigan.
“Here, this should help,” he said, with a grin, passing her the cushion. She stood up, took it, and placed it on the chair. Jane sat back down, and nodded.
“Much better, thanks,” she agreed.
“Here, there is a bit of breeze coming of the river this morning,” he said, offering her his cardigan. She took it and slipped it on, it was somewhat big, but she pushed up the sleeves and pulled it over her lap. She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear, and picked up a fork.
“This looks delicious,” she said, and put some bacon into her mouth.
“So,” he said, as he chewed on a piece of toast. “How have you enjoyed your first week with A.H.S. Publishing?” he asked.
She glanced up from her plate.
“I’ve loved it,” she replied. “And,” she added with a smile. “It has some great bonuses.”
“What, like working for a brilliant boss?” he teased.
“No,” she replied, sarcastically. “Like free lunches and trips to the ballet.” Alex laughed, and gave a nod of his head.
“But, yes, I have a great boss too,” she added, with a smile.
“Good, so long as you keep the boss sweet, there will be plenty more of those bonuses,” he said, looking at her. Jane lifted her head and her eyebrow rose at his remark.
“Oh, god, I did not mean it like that,” he said, when he realised what it must have sounded like. “I meant, well - keeping me in coffee…”
“It’s okay,” she said, giving him a laughing smile.
“Shit, that sounded bad,” he remarked.
“Yeah, well good job I know what you are like,” she replied.
“Good, I do not’ want you thinking I was, well, one of those creepy bosses trying to take advantage of you. Because I am not, and I never would.”
“It’s okay, Alex, I know you wouldn’t, if I thought that, I wouldn’t have stayed the night,” she assured.
“Do you want more tea?” he asked, standing up.
“Sure, thanks,” she replied, and she watched him, chuckling to herself, as he went back into the kitchen. She gave a sigh, and looked out onto the river, she could get used to this, having breakfast with Alex.
“There you go,” he said, putting the mug down in front of her.
“Thanks,” she said, as he sat.
“I could sit here for hours and stare at the river,” she said, taking a sip of tea.
“Yes, I do sometimes, it is relaxing. Or I bring the laptop out here and work.”
“I have a meeting at one and dinner with friends, what about you?” She shrugged.
“I thought I might paint my kitchen,” she said. “It could do with it.”
“So not just a great PA, also an excellent DIYer,” he said.
“I’m not sure about that, this will be my first attempt, so if I come into work tomorrow with paint stuck in my hair, you will know why.” He laughed.
“So you are definitely coming back then, I have not scared you off?”
“No, of course not I love my job, and I lo– erm, like working for you.”
He glanced at her. “Besides, the money is brilliant,” she added.
“Really?” he remarked. “So what do I pay you?” he asked.
“What, you don’t know?” He shook his head.
“No, personnel sort all that out.”
“£30,000 a year,” she replied with a grin. “You know that was twice as much as I was getting pro rata at the bank.”
“So I am paying you too much, is that what you are saying?”
“Pah! No, now what does PA stand for… Personal Assistant, so that includes, weekend, evenings or whenever you feel inclined to pull me in and get me to do something for you.”
“Is that in your job description?” he asked, surprised.
“Yeah, didn’t you know that either. Damn I should have kept my mouth shut,” she said with a laugh.
“So I could ask you to come away with me every weekend?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
“Only if it was work related and you would have to give me a day off in lieu or pay me overtime. Or course if I haven’t had at least a weeks’ notice for the weekend, I do have the right to say no, if I have a prior engagement.”
“What even abroad?” he asked. She nodded.
“Yes, one of the job requirements was to have a passport. Why?” she asked, looking at his mused face.
“Hmm, I was thinking, perhaps I may need to go to a meeting in New York.” She sat up
“New York, are you kidding?”
He laughed. “Yes, unfortunately,”
“Oh bother, thought I was going to get a trip to New York then.”
Divorced, Free, and Single Page 8