Alluring (13 page)

She remembered him telling her, when he meant something to her she would want to do something for him.  Well, he did mean something to her.  And, she did want to do something for him.  So, she would try to sell cars, give up her night job, so she didn't have to run around half naked, and work fewer hours, so she would get more rest.  All that should make Jack happy.  She fell asleep with a smile on her lips.  Making Jack happy, made her happy as well.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

The next morning at work, she got started on her plan.  She talked with her manager, and he was trilled she wanted to be a salesperson.  For some strange reason, he was convinced she would be their top seller.  He guaranteed, he could find a replacement receptionist in no time, and because she already knew so much about Mercedes, she would need only a few hours of training on the sales floor before she could go out on her own. 

The call to her manager at Allure, to inform her she needed to quit, for personal reasons, was harder.  Patti was always good to her, and she felt guilty, leaving on such short notice but this was for Jack.  Patti assured her there were no hard feelings and that she would be missed.  She also said that if she ever needed her job back, her door was always open.  Alexis thanked her and told her she would be missed as well.

So now, at seven o'clock on a Friday evening, Alexis found herself officially off for the weekend.  She was excited to see Jack's face when she told him her news.  She texted him on the way to the hotel (she still had her driver, so she was not texting and driving), but he didn't reply back.  Which, she thought was a bit odd because he always returned her calls right away.

Jack still hadn't returned her text by the time she arrived at the hotel, and as she had no idea what he did when he wasn't with her, she wasn't sure where to start looking for him.  She figured, he probably had an office around somewhere, but she didn't know where it was.  She decided to go up to the penthouse first, to drop off her bag, before continuing her search and maybe by then, Jack will have texted her. 

The place was quiet and had an empty feeling when she stepped off the elevator.  She took a quick look around anyway, ending in the bedroom where she dropped her bag on the bed.

"Who are you, and what are you doing in here?"

Alexis jumped, startled and turned.  Standing in the doorway was a very short,
very
stern looking, silver-haired lady.  She wore a brown, silk pantsuit with a cream, silk tank.  She had a chunky, gold necklace around her neck that was so large, Alexis wondered, with her slight frame how she stood upright.  She had a stack of folders in her arms and an eagle eye on Alexis.

Alexis hadn't changed from her work clothes when she'd gotten home, so she knew she looked nice.  She was in black heels with a cute bow at the toe, a short (but not too short), black skirt, and a burgundy, short-sleeve, silk blouse that had a row of ruffles down the front.  "I was looking for Jack."

She gave Alexis one of those one eyebrow raises (something Alexis always envied people being able to do).  "How did you get in?"

"I have his key."  If possible, her look became even more stern.  God, she was scary.

"And, who did you say you were?"

She was such a ninny.  This lady had her all flustered.  She took a few steps forward, holding out her hand.  "Sorry,  I'm Alexis,  Alexis Taft."

The lady's face broke out into a smile as she took her hand.  "Alexis, my dear, it's so wonderful to finally meet you.  I'm Becky, Jack's PA." 

Um, could someone say bipolar?

Becky was still holding her hand and not showing any signs of letting  go.  "Um ... It's nice to meet you, too, Becky." 

"You said you were looking for Jack."  It was more a statement than a question.

"I tried texting him but he hasn't returned my text yet.  I wasn't sure where to look, other than here."

She was nodding her head.  "He's in a meeting right now.  Come, I'll take you to him."

"Oh, I don't want to bother him if he's in a meeting."  Damn, Jack went to a lot of meetings.

"Oh, it's no bother.  Let me just drop these folders in his office, and we can go."

Becky led her to a part of the hotel Alexis had never been to before.  A long hallway, off the lobby, opened into a huge space holding several offices and a large conference room.  The conference room was made of glass, the inside, clearly visible.  Around a large table, sat four men with Jack at its head.  He spoke, jabbing his finger at a paper that laid on the table, clearly making a point.

He must have seen something in his peripheral view because his head turned to her.  His angry expression turned to one of confusion and then concern before he turned back to the seated men.  He stood, said something, then walked out the door.

He walked straight to her and captured her cheek with his hand, tilting her face up.  "Alexis, what's wrong?  Why aren't you at work?"

"Nothing's wrong.  I just need to talk to you."

He nodded his head.  "Give me a minute to wrap things up.  Wait for me in my office."

"Don't wrap things up on my account.  I can wait."

He looked at Becky for the first time since they arrived.  "Take Alexis to my office.  Get her something to drink.  I'll be there in a minute." 

"Come on, his office is over here."  Becky took Alexis's arm and steered her to a set of wooden, double doors.

Jack's office was large and sterile.  A big, wooden desk dominated the center of the room.  Two leather guest chairs sat in front of it and a grand, leather chair sat behind it.  A bar was set up in the corner.  A comfortable looking couch with a large wooden coffee table made up a little sitting area. A few pieces of artwork hung here and there.  And that was it.  Not one trace of anything personal.  No pictures or memorabilia.  Not even a nameplate on the desk.  It could have been anyone's office.

"Have a seat."  Becky waved to the couch.  "What can I get you to drink?"

"Just some water, would be nice,"  Alexis said, taking a seat.  Yes, it was as comfortable as it looked.

Becky disappeared behind the bar coming back out with a bottled water.  "Here you go.  I'll be in my office right next door if you need anything else."

"Thank you, Becky.  This should be fine," she said, indicating the bottle she held in her hand.

Jack walked in as Becky was leaving.  He nodded to her, shutting the office door behind him.  "Tell me what's going on," he said, taking a seat next to her on the couch.

"Well," Alexis looked down and picked invisible lint off her skirt.  She didn't know why she was so anxious all of a sudden when, not five minutes ago, she was so excited.  Maybe, she was worried she wouldn't get the reaction from Jack she was hoping for.

He captured her fidgeting hand and lifted her chin with his finger, "Tell me," he said, softly.

"I talked with my manager at the dealership today.  I'm going to start selling cars.  With the extra money I'll make on commissions, I was able to quit my job here.  I won't be waitressing anymore."

Jack was silent for a moment before he said, "If selling cars makes more money with fewer hours, why didn't you do this before?"

"I couldn't take the chance of not selling enough cars to pay my bills."  She gave his hand a squeeze.  "But for you, I'm willing to take that chance.  If it eases your mind that I'm not running around half naked where guys can hit-on me, then that makes me happy."

He closed his eyes, took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly.  He laid his forehead to hers and moved the hand, holding her chin, to the back of her neck, holding it tight.  He took another deep breath before saying quietly, "Thank you, baby.  You don't know how much what you did means to me."  Then he placed the softest of kisses on her lips.

Alexis felt a tear slide down her cheek. 
That
was
exactly
the response she was hoping for.

"So does that mean you're mine tonight?"

"Tonight and any other night you want me,"  she giggled.

"I want you every night, silly girl."  He stood and led her to the door.  "I say, we go celebrate.  Dinner and dancing?"

"I'm not really dressed for a celebration."

"A problem easily fixed."  He kissed her on the nose.  "Trust me.  Becky!"  he yelled.

Becky popped her head out of her office.  "Yes, sir?"

"Call down to Enchanted, and let them know we're coming,"  he said, briskly.

"Doesn't she get to go home?"  Alexis asked, knowing it was at least eight o'clock.

"Don't worry about Becky.  She gets paid extremely well."

"Is she married?"

"No.  Divorced."

"Did that happen before or after she started working for you?"

He stopped walking and looked down at her, frowning in thought.  "After, I believe."

"Uh huh,"  was all that needed to be said.

Enchanted was a high-priced clothing store sandwiched between a magic shop and a jeweler, on the second-floor promenade of the hotel. 

A cute blond greeted them as they walked in.  "Mr. Cole, it's an honor having you here this evening.  What can I do for you?"

Alexis rolled her eyes.  She was ignored, again.  Not that she blamed the girl for giving her full attention to Jack.  She thought he was mighty spectacular herself.

"We need a cocktail dress, preferably red, size six."

She wasn't even going to ask, how he knew her dress size.  She had a feeling, she wouldn't like the answer.

The salesgirl gave him a nod.  "Follow me.  Our dresses are right over here." 

A half hour later, Alexis was decked out in a red dress with a heart-shaped bodice held up by spaghetti straps.  The flowing skirt ended at mid thigh.  Spiked-heel, open-toe, red pumps, completed the look.  "This dress doesn't cover much more than my waitressing outfit."

Jack held her arm and whispered in her ear.  "Yes, but tonight you won't be leaving my side."  He nipped her lobe playfully before sucking it into his mouth.  "We have one more stop to make before dinner."

Jack told the salesgirl to hold Alexis's clothes, that someone would be by to pick them up (probably, poor Becky).

He took her, next door, to the jewelers.  "Jack, no," Alexis said, stopping outside the door.  "You are not buying me jewelery."

"As lovely as this neck is," he said, tracing a path down the column of her throat, "it would be stunning, surrounded by a diamond choker."

"It's too much.  You already got me a dress.  That's enough."

"I'll say what's enough.  Your gift to me was far more valuable than a few paltry diamonds."

By the time Jack had finished, it was far from a few paltry diamonds.  He did get her a choker, then insisted she get the matching bracelet.  She put her foot down at the diamond earrings.

He just leaned in, gave her a quick kiss, then his devastating grin, and muttered, "Next time."

No.  No.  No.  Just the thought of what he'd spent on her already had her almost breaking out in hives.

He took her to a fancy steakhouse where she had lobster for the first time.  When she informed him of that fact, he gave her an inquisitive look but didn't reply.  Of course, they were treated like royalty.  The funnest part, Alexis thought, was that they had a male server.  For once, she wasn't ignored!  At some point, she even heard what sounded like a growl come from Jack, making Alexis giggle.

"You think it's funny that I'm jealous?"  He playfully snarled, in her ear.

"I think it's nice not being ignored, for once, by your bevy of blond babes."

"Should I even ask what the hell that means?"  Jack asked her, smiling.

She gave him a coy grin.  "Probably not."

After their meal, he took her to Pulled.  Alexis had eaten far too much and figured burning a few calories on the dance floor was a good idea, but Jack had other plans.  Upon their arrival, he pulled out his cell phone, had a three-second conversation, and within a minute the upbeat music changed to a slow song.  The lyrics to one of the most beautiful love songs ever written, Bryan Adams,
everything I do, I do it for you
, came through the speakers.

He took her by the hand.  "Come dance with me."

"Is this your doing?"  she asked, once she was in his arms.

"I don't dance.  Ever.  But for you, I'll do this at least."

He held her close and hummed along with the song, and Alexis wondered whether he picked it especially for her or if it was a random track.  While he held her close, their bodies swaying to the rhythm of the song, and its hauntingly beautiful words pouring over her, she wanted to believe, in this moment, that he picked it for her.

They danced for three more songs before the music picked up-tempo again and he led her off the dance floor.  "Thank you, Jack.  I'm having a great time."

He kissed her on the temple.  "Your smile, is thanks enough.  Do you want a drink?"