Chapter 7

 

“Okay, that’s fine. What about the color scheme for the front lobby? We also need to discuss lighting and fixtures for the penthouse suites,” I said. I was speaking to Diana Freeman, head designer for the all of the Cosmo hotels. I had arrived to work early Monday morning, determined to remain focused on the job, wanting to stay as busy as possible.

I had spent the rest of the weekend thinking about Alex, my career, and my priorities. As much as I had enjoyed Saturday afternoon with Alex, my focus was my career. Alex may not care about his reputation, but I planned on keeping mine intact. In fact, the more I thought about, the more I realized I was probably just another woman for him to chase. And once the chase was over, I would be out cold. Well, think again, Mr. London. I wasn’t going to be used like that. I was here for my job, my career, and I had bigger plans than drooling all over myself, pining over him. I’m sure there are plenty of women who would be more than happy to do that for Alex. I, however, wasn’t one of them. He may have thought so, but he would have to think again. I took a deep breath, smoothing down my black and white tweed skirt, and resolved to keep things strictly professional between the two of us.

Sandra walked by, stopping to say hello. “Good morning, Katherine,” she said brightly. “You’re here early today.”

“Good morning, Sandra. I thought I would get an early start on the day, you know, catch up on some things.”

She nodded understandingly. “How was your weekend?”

Oh, shit. Did she somehow know about me and Alex? Was it written all over my face? Cut it out, you’re being paranoid.

“It was fine,” I said lightly, trying to sound casual. “Just did some shopping at Portobello Market. And how was your weekend?” I asked, hoping to get the subject off me.

“Oh, I love shopping at Portobello Market. I haven’t been there in ages. Would love to go with you next time. Harry just hates shopping at markets, you know, the crowds and all,” she said, rolling her eyes. Harry was Sandra’s second husband. They had been married for two years and Sandra absolutely adored him.

“Yes, we should do that sometime soon,” I said, smiling.

“I gotta go, must be at my desk when Mr. McCool arrives,” she said, giggling. I liked Sandra and felt like I was getting to know her better. Initially, I wasn’t sure what to make of her. But now I find her easy to talk to, and she has a funny English sense of humor. She would die if she knew about my kiss with Alex. Maybe I should tell her about it. I decide against it, thinking it was better not to take the chance. Office gossip has a way of getting around.

I sit back down at my desk and begin reviewing some reports. A few moments later, I hear a knock on my door. I look up to see Alex, sipping a coffee and holding another cup in his hand. He is wearing a dark beige suit paired with an emerald green shirt and a green tie, a shade lighter than the shirt. He looks delicious, as usual.

“How are you this morning?” he asks.

“Fine, thank you. And you?” I respond, wanting to sound casual. Just act like nothing has happened. It was just a kiss. No big deal.

“I’m well,” he responds. “This is for you,” he says, handing me the other steaming cup of coffee. “Not sure how you like it, I hope cream is fine.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” I stand to take the coffee from him, our fingers touching for one brief second. I’m grateful for the coffee, but feel like the rest of the office knows there’s something going on between the two of us.

“It’s okay, Katherine. I brought coffee for the rest of the staff as well,” Alex said, sensing my discomfort. I could feel the tension in the air, not knowing how to act or what to say.

He clears his throat. “We’ve got a busy day ahead of us. I’ll need you in my office in ten minutes.”

“Yes, of course, I’ll be there.”

Alex looks at me, unblinking, his eyes slowly trailing down. I feel the heat in my body rising. “Nice skirt,” he remarks. His gaze lingers, a hint of a smile on his lips.

“Thanks. Nice suit.” Our eyes lock.

“Thank you, Katherine,” he replies, teasingly, while turning to leave my office. He seems to be enjoying this. If he wants to banter back and forth, okay, I can do that. But I need to set things straight with him before this goes any further.

 

 

Ten minutes later I enter his office, quietly closing the door behind me. Alex is on the phone, standing in front of his desk. He runs his hand through his hair, obviously frustrated, his voice edgy. He takes a quick glance up at me as I sit down.

“The site’s cleared, the foundation has been laid. Bloody hell! Why I am just now hearing about this? This has to get remedied immediately. Get moving on it. Call me later with an update.” With that, he pushes a button on his phone, tossing it on his desk.

He stands for moment before sitting down, looking out of his office window, his blue eyes clouding over. Abruptly he says, “I need last week’s reports – work progress and financial.”

I’m already prepared with the reports in hand. “Here they are,” I reply, handing them to him. He takes a few minutes to review the reports, flipping back and forth between each one. The silence weighs heavy in the room. Finally, he looks up. “This is good, Katherine. Your reports have given me a lot useful information.” I breathe a sigh of relief.

He leans back in his chair, placing his arms on the armrests. “Unfortunately, there’s a problem with the site for the Cosmo. The engineers have reported that the ground is too weak in certain places to support the structure. Engineering will have to stabilize those weak points. Which means there will be a delay in schedule.”

This wasn’t good at all. No developer wants to hear the dreaded D word - delay. No wonder he was on edge.

“We’re going to the site today. I want to speak face-to-face with the project manager.” He buzzes Sandra. “I need Antonio to drive Katherine and me to the site. Tell him to be here in one hour.”

 

Precisely sixty minutes later, Antonio arrives in a dark blue Range Rover, and me and Alex are heading to the location. This is the part I love about my job. To be able to be out, not always stuck behind a desk. It gives me a feeling of freedom. I was looking forward to seeing the progress made, regardless of the current problem.

We arrive to controlled chaos. Bulldozers, cement mixers, construction workers carrying pipes. Alex speaks to the project manager. “What are we going to have to do, Sam?” he asks irritably.

“It’s the groundwater level. It’s too high. We’ll have to go in and excavate, pump the water out, then add a layer of cement to seal it.”

Groundwater issues are a common problem during construction. Common, but a pain in the ass. The structure has to be built ‘in the dry’ with no groundwater present, otherwise it won’t hold up.

“Ok. How long will this take?” Alex asks, his irritability subsiding a bit.

“No longer than a week,” Sam responds.

“Fine. Make it happen.”

 

 

We return to the office several hours later after a full day of discussion with the project manager. We go over the construction timeline and review blueprints of the hotel. By the time we return to the office its six o’clock and everyone has left for the day.

“I need to talk to you.” I felt foolish saying those words. Typical female words. Words that most men probably don’t wish to hear.

“Okay,” Alex replies, nonchalantly, as though he has been expecting me to say those exact words. “Let’s sit down over here,” he says walking towards the sitting area of his office. He pours himself a glass of whisky. “Would you like a drink?”

“No, thank you,” I replied crisply. Alex and alcohol don’t mix well for me.

He sits down on the small, cream colored sofa, loosening his tie. I sit in a chair across from him.

“What happened Saturday was wonderful……” I trail off, shifting in my seat. “But, Alex, it was inappropriate.”

I pause, waiting for his response. He leans back on the sofa, crosses his legs, a tumbler of whisky in hand. He takes a sip of his drink, gently shakes the glass. I hear the tinkling of ice.

“Don’t you think?” I ask expectantly.

Alex raises an eyebrow. “Don’t I think what, Katherine?”

“You know what, Alex. That our kiss was inappropriate.” Exasperated, I stand up, walk behind the chair, placing my hands on the back on it.

Alex looks at me, a sexy, knowing smile spreading across his face. “It’s only natural for two people who are attracted to each other to do something about it.”

“How do you know I’m attracted to you? Maybe, Alex, it was just the alcohol,” I say defensively. I know that’s bullshit. I’m attracted to him whether I want to admit it or not.

He knows its bullshit, too, because he laughs which only makes me furious. “Katherine. It wasn’t the alcohol and we both know that.” He then takes another swig of his whisky, staring directly at me. He’s acting as if this is no big deal. And for him, it probably isn’t.

“Look, I want to preserve my reputation. My career. You’re my boss, Alex. My boss.” I feel conflicted. Confused. Part of me wants to straddle him on that sofa right now, another part of me wants to tell him to go to hell.

“It was exciting, don’t you think? Maybe just a little?” He tilts his head to the side, slight smile playing on his lips. Those sexy lips.

I feel a hot flush creeping up my chest. I can still feel his lips on mine. It was exciting. It was exhilarating. It was everything. I am so hot right now I can barely speak.

“You’re exciting,” Alex says, leaning forward. “And I can’t stop thinking about you.”

He places his whisky down on the glass-covered coffee table and walks toward me. My heart is pounding, the adrenaline pumping through my body in anticipation of being close to him.

He takes me in his arms, wrapping me in his warmth. “I want you, Katherine. I wanted you the moment I laid eyes on you.” His strong hands travel up my back, pulling me closer to him.

My resolve crumbled in that instant. I could feel the burning sensation of my own need. He kisses me deeply, passionately, with an urgency I have never experienced before. I can barely hold myself up, dizzy with desire.

This man who makes me want to surrender myself to him with complete abandon.

Slowly, our lips part. I nuzzle my head in the crook of his shoulder, and he wraps his arms around me, strong arms holding me tightly. I close my eyes, trying to savor this moment.

I pull back from him, smiling ruefully, fully realizing I have no control over myself when I am around him.

“What is it?” he asks, a curious look on his face.

I shake my head. “Nothing. It’s getting late. I really should go home.” Not that I really wanted to leave, but knew I needed to before I lost control and devoured him.

“Are you hungry? We could go grab a bite to eat,” he asks, a hint of eagerness in his voice.

I shake my head. “Really, I have to go. But thanks anyway.” I give him light peck on his cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Alex.”

He opens his office door for me, a look of disappointment on his face. “Good night, Katherine,” he says softly.

I gather my things and head home for the night. I walk out of the building and inhale the refreshing cool air, hear the sounds of the city at night.

Suddenly, my skin prickles and a tingle runs through me. I can feel him watching me. Glancing over my shoulder, I look up at the building. I see Alex’s silhouette in the window.