I smile and shake my head. “Maybe,” I admit.
“Well it can’t hurt to spend some time with him then. But don’t forget that it’s just business. So don’t lead yourself on and get attached to him. He sounds like a man who wouldn’t know emotional commitment if it climbed into his bed and gave him a blowjob.”
I grin. “Don’t worry, I know the garden is not mine, but there’s nothing wrong with admiring the flowers, right?”
“Nope,” Rosa says. “As long as you only look and don’t touch.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep my legs crossed,” I say with a grin. As intriguing and sexy as I find Alex, I have no intention of being unprofessional on this trip. And I’m certain he feels exactly the same way. I can put up walls and not let myself fall for him. I’ve done it before. Never with someone as hot as Alex, but I know I can do this. And who knows? Maybe after a few days with him, I’ll see his bad habits and decide he’s really not all that after all.
“So when are you supposed to be going?” Star asks me.
“He said this weekend,” I reply. “Presumably Friday or Saturday. I’m not sure.”
“You’d better get home and get packing then. You’ve only got two days.”
I laugh along with them, then Star tells me what sort of clothes a person needs to go to Russia. I have no idea what to pack, but I’m sure I can work it out. Google will be my friend on this one.
“Isn’t it like the Arctic out there?” Rosa asks.
“It is in winter,” Star says. “But it’s June, so it could be wonderful, but depends where you are. Even so I don’t think it’ll be that bad”
We finish our brunch and as we leave the restaurant, the girls make me promise to stay in touch while I’m gone and keep them updated on how things are going. I promise I will and I can’t help but feel better just by knowing that they will know where I am.
That’s the wrong attitude to go into this with, and I decide to let go of my fears. Nikolai has confirmed Alex’s businesses are legit and Alex has promised me nothing bad will happen to me. I shouldn’t trust a man I’ve only met once, but somehow I do. I knew instinctively he would keep his word even before Star confirmed it. The worst thing that can happen is a few snotty comments from his family. That I can live with.
I pull my phone out the second I get back home and I send a simple text to Alex.
I’m in.
His reply is immediate. No messing about or playing games for him.
Good. My lawyers will Fedex your contract to you.
I text him back.
Great. When and where should I meet you?
My phone pings even faster than before. I read his message with a small smile.
Flying out Friday afternoon. My driver will pick you up from your house at 2pm.
I text him back.
See you then.
My phone pings again and I feel a rush of warmth inside of me. The business part is dealt with and Alex is still texting me.
You won’t regret this. I promise.
And a GIF of a man repeatedly banging his head against a wall.
I laugh to myself. Whatever happens on the trip, I think Alex and I will get on ok. He has a sense of humor and I think we’ll be just fine. I can’t help but wonder what he’s really like deep down, behind the dark and stormy exterior.
Just thinking about him, I feel a surge of excitement in my stomach which I swallow away quickly. I’m not meant to be excited about this. It’s business, not a holiday. My fingers fly over my screen.
I’ll hold you to that promise
Alex
I stand on the steps of my plane and glance at my watch. It’s a little after 2.30. She should be here by now. I feel a brief pang of worry, which I ignore. She’ll come. Of course she will.
My driver sent me a text when he picked her up.
I walk back into the cabin of the plane. The black leather seats and the blue carpet are spotless as always. The bar is well stocked with both drinks and snacks. Have they prepared orange slices?
I tell myself to stop this.
What the fuck is wrong with me? This is a fucking business arrangement. Nothing more, nothing less. I’m paying Cindy handsomely for her troubles. If there are no oranges she will just have to put up with lemons. They’re fucking good enough for everyone else.
Seriously irritated with myself I move back to the top of the steps.
What the hell is it about that woman that has me so worked up? I decide not to even try to answer that question. The answer is dangerous and it sits in a place I don’t want to go. I can’t let myself think of Cindy as anything other than one of my staff. I promised her I would be respectful towards her on this trip and I meant it.