The Perfect Plans Series [Box Set] (25 page)

“Well, I think that covers everything for this morning,” Thomas stands, pulling my attention. “Let us all get to it. Time to put all of this into great creative works. Enjoy the rest of your day everyone,” he finishes, making his way towards the door.

I glance quickly at the unknown goddess to find her eyes still locked on me. What the hell? Is she
still
staring at me? Or are we just making coincidental eye contact again? No, she was definitely staring, at least the first time. Who is she?

A light smile crosses her face and she finally turns away, standing from her chair to turn to a colleague in conversation.

I stand as well, my unanswered thoughts interrupted by Emily, “There’s a lot going on, but I’ll help you sort through everything,” she offers, obviously mistaking my bewildered expression.

I give her an appreciative smile. She’s very sweet. I imagine we’ll become friends as well as co-workers. A pleasant thought given the reminder of my best friend so far away. Stacey won’t be back in London for another three weeks, and though I’m thoroughly enjoying my dream-time with Alex, I do realize I won’t have him all to myself every day.
Though the thought is delightfully delicious,
I glance at his image on the wall, the sight of him creating a familiar butterfly sensation.

“Shall we go, Aby?” Emily calls from the doorway.

“Uh-huh,” I mumble, nodding, my eyes glued to Alex’s portrait. Slowly turning away, I momentarily catch the beautiful brunette’s eyes once again.

She offers another small smile. I attempt a grin in return, though I can’t be sure I was successful in my befuddled state, before following Emily out the door.

“The woman in the silk blouse, the attractive woman . . . glasses, brown hair in a bun, who is she?” I ask as we make our way back to our desks.

“Silk blouse? Oh, you mean Helena.”

“Helena?”

“Yes. Helena Adelaide. The Director of PR and Communications. She
is
gorgeous isn’t she? And lucky too. She gets to razzle-dazzle all of the big clients, and more importantly, the hot and famous models and actors they hire. When I grow up, I want her job,” she laughs.

“That does sound exciting,” I smile with her.

“I trust you found the meeting useful, Abigail,” Thomas joins us. “We haven’t overwhelmed you on your first day, I hope?”

He really is a charming man. He would have to be, though, wouldn’t he? It takes a hell of a lot to charm the pants off of Stacey Stevenson.
Well, no it doesn’t actually,
I giggle to myself at my feisty friend’s expense. He has done a number on her for sure, though. She can deny that to herself as much as she wants. I, however, have witnessed that fact, and I’m happy for her. “It was very useful, thank you. I look forward to reviewing my notes and getting into the full swing of things.”

“Glad to hear it. Before you get started, allow me to show you around the rest of the building. Perhaps you’ll get lucky and meet my father,” he places his hand on my back to lead me onward. “I must warn you, he’s nothing like me. He’s a bit of a silly bugger at times.” With a playful wink, he takes me in the direction of the elevator, turning back to offer a jovial wave towards Emily.

RETURNING TO MY desk, I smile at Thomas’s endless witty banter during my tour of the building. Oh Stacey Stevenson, you have surely met your match. I may need to tell her that. I’m sure she’ll call tonight to ask about my first day.

Or, I could call her. Maybe I’ll send her a text. I take my seat, suddenly remembering Alex’s unanswered message.
Oh my gosh, it’s been well over two hours.
Grabbing my phone from the drawer, I begin typing.

Subject: Hope you enjoyed your workout/busy first day

Mr. Tate, I’m so sorry for my delayed reply. The grind is ‘fine,’ thank you. Rest assured, Mr. Fines is treating me well—I’ll be sure to pass on your regards. And yes, you did mention your liking my work attire this morning, right before you almost messed it up. I look forward to letting you finish that unsuccessful attempt after work.

BTW, nice British Flag. You are quite the gentleman, ‘Alexander the Great,’ however I would much prefer you forego that this evening . . . I really enjoy your alter ego.

Aby xx

Late as it is, I’m satisfied with my witty reply. Thomas is rubbing off on me a little.

Returning my phone in my bag, I begin looking over my notes from the meeting, though my musings in attempt of work efforts are fruitless. I’m subconsciously awaiting Alex’s reply, the constant flashing images of my sexy gentleman and his
alter ego
endlessly breaking my concentration.

How very professional—
my inner actress forces me to refocus on the work at hand. Finally finding a rhythm, I begin my own notes of ideas for one of the campaigns. It feels good to be back in work mode. It takes my mind off
Alexander the Great
. . . until, of course, I unconsciously remind myself of that fact—and of him.
Ugh.
This is ridiculous. I have to get control of myself, and my thoughts. I can do this. Though it would help if he’d just reply.

My inner professional struggle and renewed attempt at getting any work done is interrupted by increasingly loud voices echoing up from the reception below. I try to ignore the auditory annoyance—having enough going on in my own head as it is—but I’m unable to ignore Emily’s uncontained excitement.

“Oh my God!” she squeals, peering over the metal railing.

“What is it?”

“Aby!” she bounces in giddy excitement, “It’s Alexander Tate! Here! Downstairs! Oh my God! I’ve always wanted to meet him. Did you see his picture in the boardroom? Isn’t he dreamy? Drool-worthy is what he is! And he is
here,
in our building! Oh my God! I have to meet him! Aby? Are you listening to me?”

I can’t speak. I’m lost in my own surprise.
He’s here? What is he doing here?

Though I’m incredibly excited to see him, I’m slightly apprehensive about the fury his wonderful visit is causing. Will Thomas be upset about this? Did he come here to see me? Maybe he’s here on business.

Oh, who cares, I just want to see him . . . those beautiful eyes and amazing lips.
It’s incredible how much I miss him in such a few short hours.

“Aby? Did you hear me?
Alexander Tate
is in the building! Don’t you know who he is?” she looks at me in awe, awaiting my reply.

“I, uh . . . ”

“Miss Ryan, reception just called to report a special guest in the building,” Thomas calls from the door of his office with a smile. “It seems you have a visitor.”

“HE’S NOT HERE to see
you?
” I question Thomas, though it’s more a statement of doubt.

“I know, crazy isn’t it? With all my witty charm and good looks. Bloody crazy,” he winks, turning back to his office, my eyes glued to his empty doorway.

I feel Emily’s awe-shocked gaze burning a hole in the side of my head. Looking to her, I realize she’s stunned silent, her mouth hanging agape.

“Emily . . . ” I stop mid-sentence as Alex appears in my peripheral vision, having just exited the elevators.

Making his way up the hallway, he looks sexy as hell. Shocking surprise that is. He’s dressed in khaki pants and a thin, navy long-sleeved V-neck sweater—a little more form fitting around his incredible muscles then it would be on the average man—the sleeves pushed up around his elbows.

Drool-worthy?
Oh yes,
I note Emily’s apt description.

Having followed my gaze, Emily’s eyes are locked on Alex walking towards us, her mouth dropped further open. She darts a quick glance at me before looking back to him as he nears our desks.

“Hi. What are you doing here?” I stand, my surprise and lingering doubt evident in my question.

Wrapping his arm around my waist, he leans in for a brief kiss to my cheek. “I was just out and about, checking on my
properties,
” his lips curl up in a delicious smirk. “I didn’t hear back from one of them and decided that a personal visit was due.”

My eyes dart to Emily at her sharp exhale, her open-mouthed stare exaggerated, her head dropped even more in awe of Alex’s suggestive words.

Deciding to save her, I begin in introduction, “Alex, this is Emily. Emily this is Alex . . . Tate.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Emily,” he offers her his mega-watt smile.

“Hi,” she struggles with her one-worded reply, still frozen in place.

Clearly familiar with her reaction, and ever the gentleman, Alex’s smile softens warmly towards her. Looking back to me, his lips do their sexy-as-shit curl, transforming his sweet smile into a teasing grin, “So, you’ve had a busy first day so far.”

“Yes, I have. You did receive my text, then?” I ask, feeling the customary tingles and uncontrollable pangs of lust at his devilish smirk.

“I did. Where
is
Mr. Fines?” he cocks his head slightly in an obvious attempt to tease me.

“
Thomas
is in his office, Mr. Tate,” I return as playfully, marginally cognizant of Emily’s presence beside us. It’s amazing how he has the ability to make me lose all sense of the here and now.

Squinting my eyes in mock warning, I motion towards Thomas’s open door. Alex flashes a taunting wink before turning in the direction of the office.

Uncontrollably, I monitor his departure, watching him through the glass wall as he enters, Thomas standing from his desk in greeting. They shake hands amid smiles, and continue in conversation. Conversation unfortunately muffled in our distance.

What are you saying to him, Alex Tate?
I question in my own playful silence, smiling at the thought of the teasing suggestion in his text. He
was
joking, wasn’t he?

My momentary doubt is halted at the sudden smack to my arm as Emily begins her tirade of questioning, “
That
is your man? Alexander Tate?” Gawking at me, her mouth still open, she awaits my response.

With a slight shrug of my shoulders, I offer a guilty-as-charged, sorry-I-didn’t-mention-that toothy smile.

“Good God, Aby! Where did you meet him?” she questions, slapping my arm again. “Tell me
everything!
E-V-E-R-Y
THING! I want every detail.
Alexander Tate
is your boyfriend? Oh, and about my earlier question, does your man have a friend? I’ll definitely take one of those please!”

I can’t help but smile at her. We just met this morning, yet she feels like an old friend. I love her sincerity. Her sweet girlfriend questioning is kindred to that of Stacey’s. I almost do want to share everything with her, I realize. And as everything about my short time with Alex Tate flashes through my mind, I’m returned to my own disbelief with it all. “Well, it’s only been a week. It’s all very new and exciting . . . ” I smile, turning to look towards Alex and Thomas, still conversing privately. “I haven’t fully wrapped my own head around it.”

But you’ve wrapped your arms, and everything else, around him—
my inner dreamer bounces up and down as I lose myself in the view of Alex from his head to his toes.

He looks the personification of the heartthrob that he is, leaning partially seated on the corner of Thomas’s desk. His hands folded at the front of his strong manly thighs, his body turned towards Thomas as they continue chatting with the occasional laugh. That glorious charming smile takes my breath away. Even from a distance.

“Ladies,” Helena greets us as she walks through my view of the office, entering the open door to join the men inside.

I see Alex stand from the desk, offering her a quick kiss to both cheeks before sitting back in place. Helena is all smiles.
And hands,
I note as she brushes her dainty palm up and down his arm before moving her overly touchy fingers to rest momentarily above his knee. Her behavior is way too familiar as she continues to smile at him. They clearly know each other.

Of course they do,
I remind myself—his boardroom image flashing through my mind. Emily did say that Helena handled all of the celebrities. I’m just not sure how much I like how
well
she’s handling this one right now.

I survey the three of them intently through squinted eyes, trying to read their lips, immediately turning away at Alex’s sudden glance toward me through the glass. Making a lame attempt to appear lost in conversation with Emily, I shamelessly continue watching them through the corner of my eye. I see him stand and look back to Thomas and Helena. They exchange a few words before he turns and makes his way to the door.