Chapter 2 - Well, Hello Cowboy!

Melbourne Airport had always held such exciting memories for me; there was something about aviation fuel and jet noise that got me excited. The thrill of an impending trip or a loved one returning, what’s not to love? And today I was happily welcoming Matthew Burns into the Cole fold. I had slipped the file unnoticed back onto Jane’s desk yesterday, she had been chatting on the phone to someone about the latest boy band who had captivated her interest and I was sure she’d completely forgotten that I’d even taken the file. I quickly called Kate on my way out of the office, saying I thought it would be more personal to pick up Mr Burns rather than send a car or taxi and, while she had her reservations, she reluctantly agreed. “Don’t make me regret this” were her parting words to me as I hung up the phone.

I had leapt out of bed this morning, throwing items of clothing all over my room in my haste to pick something suitable to wear. I finally settled on a fitted back shift dress and my red Steve Madden pumps. I finished the look with a slim-line jacket in the same red. I gazed into the mirror feeling a bit disconnected from the woman who stared back at me. I knew that I was not ugly but no woman is ever really truly satisfied with herself. I think it’s some weird glitch built into the second X chromosome. My big light brown eyes opened slightly wider as I studied my reflection. I had left my cascading mane of brunette curls loose, so they spilled onto my shoulders like an untamed waterfall.

My carefully manicured eyebrows arched back at me from my reflection. I had been told so many times I was beautiful and yet I struggled to believe it. It was the chink in my armour, my dirty little secret. No one would ever believe I struggled with self-esteem. It’s not what I projected. I glanced up and down at my body. I’d worked extra hard on my fitness over the last few months and the training and working out was showing results. My long arms travelled up the length of my thighs and over my firm butt. It was never enough; I would have to work harder. I mentally chastised myself – Lexi, you are a strong, successful, beautiful woman. Get over your hang ups. I fixed a smile on my face and I walked out the door.

The flight had landed about an hour ago and people were starting to spill into the arrivals area where we were all corralled. I had flirted with the idea of holding up a sign with his name but decided it was too cheesy. Besides, those eyes... It’s not like I could forget what he looked like. I spotted him as soon as he walked through the double doors. He was dressed in grey tailored pants, a light linen shirt and a matching tailored jacket. No tie. Mmmmm, I likey! He was just less than six foot; I could tell his body was toned even with his clothes on. His broad shoulders and chest filled his shirt and jacket nicely before his torso thinned to his lower abs and waist. His muscular arms flexing as he pushed the luggage trolley in front of him. “Mr Burns?” I questioned as he came closer. He blinked in slight confusion at being approached and then a smooth grin spread across his face as he realised who I must be. He had the same smattering of stubble across his face as he’d had in the photo. His clear blue eyes fixed on mine “Hi, you must be Alexandra - Kate just sent me a text telling me you were going to meet me here.” Hmmmm, what else had Kate told him?

“Actually, it’s Lexi. No one has called me Alexandra in years.” I still felt like a naughty child whenever someone called me by my full name.

“Sorry, Lexi.” His low gravelly voice caressed my name, sending a shiver right to my core. “I’m Matt,” he crooned, his smooth accent rolling off his tongue like morning dew off my windscreen. He held out his hand and gave me a firm but polite handshake.

“Well, Matt. You got everything? My car is just over here.” I pulled my hand away from a shock of electricity and spun on my heel, leading him to the parking garage walkway. He followed me, hanging slightly behind. I wasn’t sure if it was because he was being polite, he didn’t know where he was going, or maybe he was checking out my ass. Either way, it wasn’t long before we made it back to my car.

“Nice ride.” he smirked glancing at my silver Honda Civic as he lifted his suitcases off the trolley. Was he being sarcastic?

“Thanks, it does the job and it’s easy to weave in and out of traffic.” I cringed inwardly at my lame response. “So... Matt. Is this your first trip to Australia?” I steered the conversation back into my favour while I helped him load his luggage into the back of my car

“Yeah, it is actually, and I have to say my first impressions of this place are pretty good.” Hmmm was he flirting?? I couldn’t quite work this one out.

Usually I could figure a guy out pretty quickly. Hell, most of the time I knew if I was going to sleep with him within the first 5 minutes of conversation, yet Mr Cowboy aka Matt Burns had me perplexed. He was standing at the driver’s side door after I closed the hatch, having carefully stowed his suitcases away. “Umm, unless you are going to drive, you are going to have to go around to the other side.” I mused. He glanced inside at the steering wheel that was firmly in place on the apparent wrong side of the car.

“Oh yeah, completely forgot about that. I hear the water runs the opposite way down the drain down here too.” I couldn’t help but laugh at his innocent perception. I’d bet my new Mimco clutch he’d be flushing the toilet the minute he got into his hotel to test his theory. He smiled as sauntered passed me, moving to the passenger side and getting in.

The ride to the hotel was surprisingly smooth, he was easy to talk to and pretty funny too. He was incredibly well mannered and I was impressed by his knowledge of my home city. Chances are he’d probably read a traveller’s guide book on the plane and was merely regurgitating but still it showed he made an effort! He was originally from Houston, Texas but went to College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Carnegie Mellon University. He loved his time in Pittsburgh and spent a few years working there after graduating, speaking fondly of the city that was his home during that time. “It’s a lot like Melbourne in some ways,” he explained “it has amazing sports arenas and the city is full of diverse restaurants, born from the influx ethnic migration back in the 1920s.” He seemed passionate about knowing about a city’s culture and I could see his eyes light up when he spoke about Pittsburgh.

“Sounds like a place I’d probably like to visit” I mused.

“Oh, you have to go. I could give you a list of things to see and do, an absolute must is to have a Primantti’s sandwich in the strip district. That sandwich will change your life” he grinned. I couldn’t imagine any sandwich changing my life but I was willing to humour him.

The traffic was light so it didn’t take too long to reach his hotel. He was only booked in until he found more suitable accommodation, hopefully an apartment he explained. He hated living out of a suitcase. I parked out front in the drop off zone and stepped out to help him with his bags.

“Lexi,” he breathed. I glanced up at him. I had to tilt my chin back slightly to look him in the eyes (even with my killer Madden heels) “It was a pleasure meeting you and thank you for the ride. I’d love for you to meet me for dinner tonight and help me go through my schedule for tomorrow.”

“Sure, I’ll bring over all your induction paperwork if you like and we can go over it together, saves you doing it tomorrow.” I couldn’t peg this one... Was he asking me on a date? Was this business? What the hell?? Was he gay?? I must be losing my edge. Perhaps I needed to up the ante tonight and try and work this one out. “I’ve got to stay back tonight to tie some loose ends in the office but I’ll make it back by 8, ok?”

“Yes, we wouldn’t want any loose ends” he smirked and he turned as he headed into his hotel. OK that was fucking weird! I was going to be on edge for the rest of the day.

~~~~~~

“Oi! Lexi!” Anna giggled. I looked up from my computer screen to see her dark eyes staring at me over the wall partition.

“Hey Anna, you trolling for information to take back to your asshole boss?” I smirked.

“Bitch, please... the asshole is golfing today. I could be out to lunch for 3 hours and he’d be none the wiser! Now if you’re done assaulting that keyboard, grab your shit and let’s go to lunch. It’s Taco Tuesday.” Anna retorted. I grabbed my bag and took my iPhone off my desk.

“So what’s the goss, Anna? Any rumblings I should know about?” Anna worked at a rival events firm, so generally had to get a full pat down and provide a urine sample on arrival. Kate knew we were friends and had no issue with us “networking” as long as I exercised discretion. She still however insisted Anna leave her phone at reception and was accompanied to my desk by Jane, who eyed us impatiently as we left the office.

We made our way to the cosy little Mexican place down the street and had barely been seated in our booth when Anna beamed. “I heard some shit went down in your office yesterday…” She left her sentence trailing deliberately. I knew it wouldn’t be long before word was out of Stacey’s undignified fall from grace. Still, Kate would be livid if I confirmed anything.

“Yeah, we landed that account you guys have had for the last 5 years,” I glowed “amazing how easy it was to convince Reece he was getting robbed over there at your place.” I smiled and signaled the waiter, I was hungry.

“HA! You could argue the sky was green and convince people you were right - why do you think Kate has you as her right hand man? Asshole would bring you across to our team in a heartbeat if he thought he stood a chance!” We both smiled “But seriously, no work talk... I want to hear about Stacey, I heard she went all single white female. Apparently she was screaming and crying in a client meeting. Did she really call you all a bunch of C’s??” Anna whispered in a hushed voice.

“What can I say? I evoke strong responses in people” I spat that out more curtly than I intended; I was annoyed that the crazy bitch was still on the payroll after all the shit she had pulled in recent months.

“A truer word never spoken” I heard it from over my shoulder… that voice! I didn’t need to turn around as I could see from Anna’s wide-eyed expression and open jaw that Matt was standing directly behind me. Mmmmm I’d love for him to take me from behind, feel his strong arms reaching around and pulling me close to his strong athletic frame. “Mind if I join you ladies?” he continued, oblivious to my hardening nipples beneath my jacket.

“Sure!” Anna sang out, almost a little too enthusiastically “Lexi, are you going to introduce me to your friend?” she asked with a knowing smile.

“Matt, this is Anna - Anna, Matt....he’s ‘on loan’ to us for 6 months and just got in from Texas this morning.” I explained. I could see Anna mentally undressing him as she took his hand and shook it politely. He then sat down and flagged a waitress down for another menu.

“I thought you would have crashed by now, it’s a long flight - aren’t you jet lagged?” I inquired of Matt.

“Yeah, I am but I find if I push through and sync with my new time zone I can usually beat it. I got bored in the room, I thought I’d take a walk around, maybe get something to eat. I hate room service.” He retorted.

“And yet of all the restaurants in this fine city of ours, you find yourself here... in the very one I’m at. Are you stalking me?” I purred.

A smile crept across his beautiful unshaven face. “Actually, I called the office when I realised I didn’t have your cell number and they told me where I might find you. But if you prefer the stalking idea, we can go with that.” I was slightly unnerved by his loaded retort... it had been a while since I had been challenged by man. This was going to be fun.

“Are you guys ready to order?” the impatient waitress tapped her foot.

“Sure, we’ll have the fajitas, the chicken soft tacos and two pineapple Margaritas.” Our order was always the same; I didn’t even have to ask Anna. “Matt would you like a beer? There’s plenty of food to share.” I glanced over my menu at his clear blue eyes. Oh yes, I have played this game before Cowboy, anything you’ve got – I can do one better. Men were one thing I understood, I could play them like a well-strung guitar and when I tired of them, I discarded them and went on to the new flavour of the month. I was not a whore, although I had been accused of being that so many times. So many people, men and women alike were threatened by a woman who is in touch with her sexuality and desire; it’s just not socially acceptable for a woman to want a no-strings relationship. For me it was the ultimate, I had no time for relationships, not real ones. I’d tried those earlier on before I worked out that I wasn’t ready to play that game because all it got me was disappointment and a broken heart. I vowed that no man would ever control me like that again. NO, I would hold the power - it would be about what I wanted, what I needed.

“Corona please, with lime.” His silky voice didn’t show any hint of annoyance. Our drinks arrived quickly and the conversation flowed as easily as it had earlier that morning. I could tell by the way Anna was looking at him that she would rather be devouring him than her lunch but she wasn’t as brazen as I was, so would bide her time. I cringed knowing the barrage of questions and requests that would surely follow.

“So Lexi, are we still on for dinner?” Matt asked after he ate his first round of tacos. I watched Anna visibly deflate in the knowledge that we would spending the evening together. Anna was beautiful and smart but she knew she couldn’t compete with me when it came to men; she was too “nice”. I generally backed off when I knew one of my friends was interested in a guy, after all this was just sport to me and to them an opportunity for happiness. I wasn’t completely callous and unscrupulous. Matt was different though, I couldn’t place what it was, but I felt compelled to play this out. Sorry Anna - I can’t yield, not this time.

“Yes, of course! I was actually wondering if you would like a home-cooked meal. I figured it would be easier to discuss business in a more comfortable setting and will give me time to fully brief you for tomorrow’s staff meeting.” More like fully de-brief you and get down to business, I silently corrected in my head.

“Home cooked meal sounds wonderful, it’s been a while.” The smile creeping across his face lit up his features.

“Great, I’ll pick you up at 8.” Home field advantage, this was going to be a cake walk.

“Well ladies, thank you for lunch. I’m afraid the jetlag is kicking my ass right now though, so I think it’s best I head off and try and get some shut eye.”

“Well it was so nice to meet you Matt, hopefully I will see you again soon?” There was still hope hanging in Anna’s voice.

Matt smiled as he met her eyes, “I look forward to it.” He turned his gaze to mine “See you tonight, at 8” he picked up my iPhone on the table and programmed his number “Just in case something comes up” and made his exit.

Anna glowered at me, I knew how the rest of this conversation was going to go. I took a deep breath, readying myself for Anna’s verbal assault when the waitress brought us the bill. PAID IN FULL was scrawled across the receipt. We stared at each other silently... that sneaky bastard!