Chapter 9 – R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Yesterday had been such a whirlwind. I went straight from the hospital to the office to inform Kate of the unexpected new account I had won. “What do you mean we are now representing Power Station?? Isn’t that the band you have an unhealthy obsession with? Am I going to have to talk to the legal department again and defend you in a stalking charge?” Kate scoffed at me.

“Relax Kate, I ran into them, they needed a support band so I hooked them up and then they asked if I knew a PR company... it’s totally legit, you don’t need to stress” I reassured.

I don’t know why I continued to be so cagey about how I met the band and what had actually happened that night. Part of me didn’t want to share the personal information of these people who had let me into their small circle of trust and part of me didn’t want the 5 billion questions that would follow. I wanted it to be my secret. No one needed to know and I didn’t want to share it with anyone. Evasion was so easy for me, I barley blinked... I wasn’t pathological, there was always a reason but it was part of my makeup and I had to accept it.

“Well, then that’s quite a coup you’ve pulled off. WELL DONE! I’ll make sure I do what I can to lessen your work load to assist you. You have a full roster as it is but this is obviously the kind of business we would never turn down. Get Matt on board if you need anything. Looks like that bonus cheque is getting fatter by the minute!” Kate congratulated me.

So it was only natural that today when I came into work, it was like a minefield. I spent my time wading through the list of clients I could offload and ones that would pitch a fit if I even suggested it. I had been buried since arriving at 8:30am, it was almost noon and I hadn’t left my desk except to pee.

“Lexi… there is someone here to see you. He looks important and is really pushy; he says he won’t leave until he meets with you!” Jane didn’t often make a visit to my desk. Kate’s personal assistant would get extremely irritated when people assumed she was just a secretary. She was in her late twenties with short feathery red hair and no matter what time of year it was, she ALWAYS had a tan.

Jane was one of those people who was content with mediocrity. It’s not that it was a bad thing but she really didn’t feel the need to strive for anything else. I just couldn’t relate to her on that level. She had a personality that needed to be cared for, which was reflected in her choice of men. Rich guys with lots of disposable income were her usual MO. It’s not that she was a gold digger, she just enjoyed the finer things in life and if someone was willing to provide them for her while she kept a nice home, then what’s the harm? She was young at heart and despite leaving adolescence behind years ago was clearly still clinging to her youth.

“Send him through to a meeting room, Jane” I motioned, barley looking up from my computer screen.

I walked to one of our meeting rooms to meet my visitor. I had so much work to do and did not welcome this interruption but I was going to follow the protocol which dictated we meet clients in our receiving rooms. These stylish rooms had come in handy over the years when I wanted to have discussions in private, away from prying ears. I peered through the glass window and saw that he was already inside.

The man waiting for me in the ugly brown suit reluctantly stood and stiffly introduced himself as I entered the room. “Hello Ms Reed. My name is Sol Rossum, I represent James Bowden and his interests,” he drawled in a thick Queens accent. He was a burly man, in his late 40s. He had thinning hair and as I looked closer I realised that it was a REALLY ugly but expensively made brown suit. He bristled with displeasure and he was making it clear that my mere existence offended him. Perhaps he was one of these “women belong in the kitchen” kind of guys. Either way... I hated lawyers.

“Call me Lexi, Please. What can I do for you Mr Rossum?” He annoyed me and it was conveyed in my curtness. I gestured for him to take his seat and I slid into my seat at the square meeting table.

“I just have some documentation I need you to sign, I like all my I’s dotted and T’s crossed. Call me old fashioned.” He smiled, yet I felt no warmth in it.

“Huh... a courier couldn’t have organised that?” I chided.

“No, these documents require your immediate attention. I would like your signature NOW if I could.” He placed a pile of documents in front of me with little “sign here” flags protruding from the sides. I glanced over the lofty pages. A confidentiality agreement.

“I believe I signed this earlier today with the other business contracts Chris faxed over... it seems you wasted your time Mr. Rossum. Rest assured that here at Cole our clients’ privacy is of paramount importance.” I practically spat out the company line.

“Yes I have those, but this is for your personal relationship with my client. I am aware that you offered his brother some medical assistance during the course of his vehicular collision, and I’m here to see that all information about your personal dealings with Mr Bowden, his family members and his colleagues remain private and out of the tabloids.” He took a breath then continued “Of course we have compensated you in what I’m sure you will agree is a more than generous amount.” He pulled out a cheque from the pocket of his ugly brown jacket and sat it on top of the pile of documents meant for my immediate attention. One hundred thousand dollars. I blinked in disbelief.

“I don’t sign ANYTHING without my own representation going over it. Thank you for dropping these over. Now if you excuse me, I have work to do.” I herded him out of the door.

“Ms Reed, I really need those signed as soon as possible” he protested as I practically shoved him into the corridor.

“Mr Rossum, I believe I made myself clear the first time. I will not sign anything without consulting my own representation, so I suggest you leave and I will give them the attention they deserve in due course.” Now, he had pissed me off! FUCK him and his fancy legal talk. Medical assistance during the course of vehicular collision? What the fuck was that? It was a car accident and I pumped on Mike’s chest until he started breathing again. I stopped the bleeding in his thigh. I saved his life. I was fairly confident that this goes BEYOND the definition of assistance.

I glared at him as he made his way down the corridor and into the lift lobby. I felt the anger seethe through me, like venom coursing through my veins. I had two choices; accept the money graciously (after all it could make my life VERY comfortable) and sign the damned document or I could do what I usually do when my integrity is called into question - raise bloody hell! The choice was not a hard one as I gathered the documents, the cheque and my handbag and practically ran from the office. “Important meeting, tell Kate I’ll be back” I yelled back at Matt as I sprinted past our work space, car keys in hand.

I levelled my anger as best I could as I entered the hospital. Mike had recovered enough to be moved from ICU to a private room and I knew that’s where I would find James. After the obligatory security third degree, I entered his room. Mike was sitting up in bed watching TV. Alex stood with his back against the wall busily texting and James stood when I entered. “Hey Lexi” He greeted me with his usual warm hug.

“Hello James.” My cold tone was not lost on him.

“Hey is everything alright? You sound a little off?” He cautiously inquired.

“Well now, that depends on your definition, doesn’t it?” I snapped back. Alex looked up from his phone and Mike turned down the TV.

“Lex, whatever it is....I’m sure it can be resolved... did Chris chew you out?” James tried to settle me.

“No Chris was fine; I actually can relate to her a lot, she doesn’t have time for bullshit and nor do I.”

“Then, what is it?” James asked. There was a quiet but deliberate tap on the door. “Lexi, just calm down... let me get this and we’ll work through whatever has pissed you off” James turned and opened the door. Sol Rossum strode in. His eyes darkened when he met my unrelenting gaze. I spoke before he could paint his own picture of our meeting.

“Great, it seems that all the important people are here so we can continue this conversation.” I looked around the room at all of these men. Who did they think they were? And, more importantly, who did they think I was? “Here is the personal confidentiality agreement you required me to sign.” I reached into my bag and thrust it at James. “I’m sure you will see that I have agreed to all your terms and conditions and have made no amendments. I can assure you that this insurance is both unnecessary and unwarranted as I have not nor do I intend to speak with anyone regarding my dealings and or relationship with any of you. I suggest you either trust me or we end both our personal and professional affiliation right now.” Next I took the cheque and tore it in half. “As for your generous compensation I can also assure you that I have never nor will I ever be anyone’s WHORE so do NOT treat me like one,” I barked.

Alex and James exchanged questioning glances “What personal agreement?” James asked; Mike’s monitor became more animated, clearly showing his anxiety over the situation.

Sol interjected “Ms Reed, there is no need to get upset, no one is calling you a whore. Clearly you misread the documents or have not understood them. Perhaps you would like me to go through them with you.” His condescending tone insulted me further.

“Oh I understand perfectly Asshole. I can see your posturing a mile away. I have been in this game a lot longer than you think. This is where you whip out your dick to show me how BIG it is... like that is supposed to intimate me.” I looked each one of them in the eye before continuing. “Let me inform you Gentlemen that while I do not have a cock, I have bigger balls than the lot of you combined.” I faced James head on. “So you need to deal with me directly from now on because I will not speak to this disrespectful motherfucker any longer, and if this doesn’t suit you - then you can go fuck yourself. The whole lot of you can GO FUCK YOURSELVES.” My disappointment at this insulting behaviour of my idols was fuelling my anger and I knew I was being over the top but I just couldn’t stop.

“Lexi, I didn’t know... this isn’t from us... Sol?! What the fuck man??” James was clearly confused about how this had played out but was quickly catching up. He grabbed my arm to try and hinder my exit.

“Let her go James, this is for your own protection... I’m only looking out for you.” Sol commanded. I wrenched my arm from James’ grasp and flung open the door.

“Lexi no, please don’t leave,” Mike begged. It was too late, I was committed and I couldn’t back down. I strode purposely down the hall to the elevator and pressed the down button. C’mon you piece of shit... Open the door. It took a minute before its silver doors opened to allow my refuge. I was safely inside and the doors were closing when Alex’s hand seized the door, prying it back open.

“Alex, Fuck off... I’m not interested in anything you have to say nor do I want to go back into that room,” I growled.

“Oh, I’m not here to say anything or try and convince you to come back.” Alex insisted. He entered the elevator, reached across and pressed B. The elevator started its descent. He turned to me and breathed in my ear “I’ve never seen anyone speak to James like that. In fact I’ve never seen anyone speak like that full stop.” His breath tickled my neck. “You think you can give me a ride back to my hotel?” He moved in closer so that his lips were almost resting on my ear. I could feel my skin prickle and the anger filling my body was morphing into a different kind of arousal. The doors flew open as we reached our destination.

“Fine. Just don’t talk to me. I don’t need to be appeased right now.” I groaned, still too angry to give into desire – especially in a hospital elevator. Alex nodded and followed me as I strode through the basement car park to my car.

“This piece of shit car is yours?” Alex blurted out.

“What happened to you not talking to me? Are you trying to piss me off even further? Yes this is mine and it’s not a piece of shit!” I scolded. As the anger grew inside me, so did my arousal. Just being in his presence sent waves of electricity through me, but being with him now while I was so emotional, it was like a red flag to a bull. I wanted to fling him across the hood of my car and fuck the aggression out of my system.

We climbed into the car and I slammed it in reverse, skidding out of the parking spot. “Lexi, I’d really like to not die,” Alex laughed.

“Shut it... no talking!” I snapped. I exited the car park and sped onto the road. The car responded to my abuse, fishtailing slightly into traffic. Alex didn’t flinch, his hands rested in his lap.

“Just so you know... we had no knowledge of the agreement...”

“I said shut up. I don’t need to be handled,” I cursed. With each kilometre my fever rose higher, my Civic having to bear the brunt of it, as I manoeuvred it agilely across the road. Alex sat silent but relaxed, his eyes surveying the landscape as it passed by in a blur.

I purposely chose the back entrance to the hotel, I knew the paparazzi and fans would be camped out at the front and I didn’t trust myself to deal with either of them given my current state. I pulled into the undercover garage and parked close the service entrance. Alex gave me a sideward glance as my grip tightened on the steering wheel. He reached across me and grabbed the keys from my ignition, my car stalling into submission.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I demanded.

“I’ve followed your rules Lexi, now you will follow mine. You will hear me out. We can do this the easy way or the hard way... You choose. I imagine both will have its benefits” He smirked. Damn he was hot!

“Fine... what is it that you want to say” I pouted.

“Not here” He said opening his door and stepping out “Hear me out and then you can leave if you like, I won’t stop you.” I grabbed my handbag and my phone before I slammed my door as I exited the car, demonstrating that I wasn’t happy with his rules, but at least I was still listening. Alex followed, flicking my central locking and alarm on before joining me beside the rear entrance to the Crown Towers hotel.

~~~~~~

Alex led me through the stairwell until we came to an elevator, he entered a code and the door closed. My body and mind was mixed up with emotion and lust, and I was unsure which need presented the biggest danger. The dingy service elevator door dinged open, revealing a luxurious entrance to the suite that Alex was staying in. Alex took his swipe card and we walked inside.

He turned around suddenly, “It wasn’t James...the bullshit Sol pulled - it’s not what we do. You need to understand something... this shit...” he motioned around the luxury of the room with his hands “comes with concessions, we hire assholes to ensure we don’t get fucked over so we can do what’s important - make music. I don’t necessarily like his methods but it’s the nature of the beast... You of all people should understand that.” His words were loaded yet level, devoid of anger and I could tell he wanted me to believe his sincerity.

“Do you understand Lexi?” his hand swept a stray hair from my brow. I nodded silently. He wasn’t intimated by me, in fact he openly challenged me. My pride aside, I knew what he said was true. It was business and I probably would have done the same, even Alex with his limited knowledge of me saw that. I didn’t know if I liked or hated that fact but I was more turned on than I had ever been.

“For someone who had so much to say you are remarkably silent right now” his wicked smile goaded me as he leaned closer.

“I’m so turned on right now, I can hardly speak,” I replied. “This is your chance to say no... Right now, I want to fuck your brains out but if you don’t want this I will go down stairs and I will drive away.” I exploded.

He dipped his chin so he looked me in the eyes, his own eyes hooded, filled with lust. “I’ve been hard since you told us to go fuck ourselves. I can’t tell you how turned on I am right now.” He slammed me against the wall. My mouth hungered for his lips as I bit and kissed the length of his neck. I felt him throw his jacket to the floor while my hands flowed over every ripple of his chest. I could feel the evidence of his arousal pushing against me through his jeans; my hand reached down and palmed him as I watched him draw a jagged breath. “Easy” he whispered, “You have got me so wound up, I’ll come right now.”

I half laughed “Surely not, Alex,” my voice was low with desire. “I can’t believe your stamina is not up to snuff.”

He grabbed my ass and picked me up and I moaned into his ear. I clawed my hand into his chest, digging my nails into his shirt while my other hand pulled his head back by his hair. He bit my lip and I let out a small whimper, desire surging through my body. I slid down his body and knelt at his feet. My nimble hands unhooked his belt while I rubbed the length of his cock through his jeans. I flung the belt across the room as I wrenched off his pants and pulled down his trunks. His head tipped back and he muttered “Oh God” as I took him into my mouth. My eyes were open, watching him as I sucked on his rock hard erection. I relaxed my throat so that it slid further into my mouth, allowing my tongue to travel to the base of his scrotum. I felt his breath hitch as my tongue slowly caressed his balls while my mouth stayed busy sucking him. “Ahhhhh... Oh my God... Lexi!” He moaned.

I slid him out of my mouth and he grabbed my arm to lead me into the bedroom, kicking off the pile of jeans and trunks that were around his feet. He reached and slid the zip down on my pencil skirt. I kicked off my shoes as my skirt slid to the floor. We clawed at each other like two animals desperate for each other, our mouths hungry for flesh. He ripped open my shirt and buttons flew across the room. He pulled down the cup of my bra so my breast spilled out into his hand and he pulled my nipple hard, which caused me to draw a sharp breath. He buried his head into my chest and placed his mouth to my breast, his tongue flicking my nipple before he gently bit down. I felt myself tighten as he slowly but deliberately pushed my panties aside and slid a finger inside of me. My slick wetness covered his finger and he raised it to his mouth to taste me. Watching his erotic display set me ablaze as I undid my bra, ripped off my panties and shoved him towards the bed.

I pushed him down flat and I lingered above him. His cock was rock hard against his taut, ripped stomach. I smiled slowly and deliberately, my hands travelled up the length of his long muscular legs. I stalked him like a lion would its prey, watching him squirm with my every touch. I was so wet; I could feel the stickiness on the inside of my thigh. He reached into his bedside table and pulled out a condom. I took it from him and ripped open the foil wrapper with my teeth and placed the condom in my mouth, sucking the tip slightly. Alex watched me intently as my mouth hovered over the head of his cock. I placed my lips around the outside rings stretching the condom to accommodate his girth and I slowly unravelled it along his length with my mouth, my teeth sheathed behind my lips so not to puncture the delicate latex. His eyes blazed as I reach the base, completely covering him while my tongue travelled behind pushing out any air bubbles. “Jesus Lexi... Argggh,” he muttered as I flicked him one last time with my tongue.

I climbed on top of him, straddling him, my legs either side. I pushed myself down hard onto his waiting erection. My eyes locked onto his. I gasped as he filled me, shifting to allow him to slide in deeper. I arched my back and rocked against him, pushing myself further down his cock. He reached down to support my back as I rocked back and forth, controlling the tempo. My breath quickened and my body quivered. I felt every muscle tense, begging for release. I shifted my weight forward so I was lying on his chest; he slid his hands up to my shoulders. He kissed me deeply. “I don’t think I can hold out much longer” his voice was pained with desperation. I rose up again, pushing down hard, allowing the base of his cock to stimulate my clitoris. I felt myself teeter on the edge as I pushed down one last time, harder and faster than before.

“Aghhhhhh Alex,” I screamed. I pulsed and spasmed as I came, I gripped his shoulders, my teeth sinking deeply into his flesh. I pushed down again and this time he found his release. “Lexi, oh my God... Lexi... oh fuck!” I watched him unravel underneath me.

I rolled off him and laid back on his bed. We were both still gasping for breath, our bodies shaking as the after effects rippled through us. He faced me. His sexy, just fucked smile was lazy on his features. “Wow...That. Was. Insane. I haven’t come like that in years.” His hand travelled up my hip to my waist and pulled me into an embrace. “You are so fucking intense but so fucking hot... I’ve never met anyone like you, I think I just came from my toes,” he laughed.

I laughed back, “Glad you enjoyed it but it was really for my pleasure not yours.” I glowed, my head cocked to the side.

“Oh baby, you can use me for your pleasure anytime.” His voice was low and loaded.

I smiled as my eyes followed the line of his ridiculously well built body and as much as I wanted to stay for an encore performance, clarity was starting to set in. Yep, time to cut my losses and leave. I rolled out of bed and started to get dressed.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Getting dressed.” I answered dryly as I slipped on my bra, “I need to get back to work.”

“Ummmm, ok...” He looked at me puzzled as I searched for my panties. I went into the bathroom to freshen up and check my makeup and hair, reapplying some lip gloss and slipping back into my skirt. I adjusted my shirt as best I could, thankful that the popped buttons were the ones that tucked in, and sprayed on some perfume. He was still naked but sitting up in bed when I re-entered the room.

I felt him scrutinize me as I gathered my shoes. “Lexi?” he asked, his sexed up blonde hair pressed hard against the bed head.

I sensed his hesitation. “Everything is fine Alex...seriously. We’re cool. This doesn’t change anything, don’t worry.” Illustrating that while our encounter had been amazing, it didn’t have to change our working relationship nor was I going to become some psycho, clingy fan-girl.

“That’s not what I was going to say....” his voice trailed off.

“OK. What were you going to say?” I questioned.

“Nothing, never mind.” He shook his head. “See ya soon.”

“Yep, we have a press call tomorrow announcing the new tour dates, see you at 9.” I announced. He gave me a wary look then I turned to exit the door.

I made my way back through the ornate hallway and back to the service elevator, a lot calmer than when I had taken the ride up. And what a ride it had been! I shook my head and smiled.

My phone chimed as the chrome doors opened to the basement.

- I’m sorry, let’s work this out. No lawyers. I promise – James

- Yeah, I agree. Talk soon Lexi xx

I unlocked my car and took a deep breath. I was no longer angry. I knew that I was going to have to eventually address what just happened with Alex but I couldn’t think about it right now. I just wanted to relish the moment.

Mmmmmmm it had been so good. He was so good. Everything I’d hoped for and more. He didn’t even seem un-nerved by my assertiveness. I couldn’t let it happen again though... I couldn’t do that and ruin this amazing chance I have. I told myself it was a one-time deal. An amazing one-time deal. I opened my door and stepped into my car.