I’m still lazing in bed. After I left the hotel yesterday afternoon, I came home and practically slept the day away. I’ve checked my emails today, but that’s it. It’s the weekend. I’m going to follow Max and Mhairi’s advice and take care of myself. By God, I need it.
“How’s things going with Mr Sex On Legs?”
“It’s going…” I pause for effect. “It’s just a bit of fun, Mhairi.” I roll my eyes.
“Are you telling yourself that or me? We both know that you can’t do pointless hookups, baby girl. You’ve got a heart and soul. You feel every emotion.”
My friend is so right. I’m falling so deep for Max that I know my heart is going to be ripped out of my chest when he decides that he’s had enough of little old me or when things get too heavy. I was going to say hot and heavy, but it can’t get any hotter… can it?
“I think I’ve been living under a rock all my life. I’m enjoying whatever Max and I are doing at the moment. It’s exciting. Thrilling. Scary. I don’t know, Mhairi. Right now, I just plan on having some fun. Whatever happens, happens.”
Mhairi sighs down the line. “Okay. Whatever you say. Just know that my arms will be open when you need a shoulder to cry on.”
“What’s wrong with you? I thought you’d be happy that I’m living a little. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted me to do?”
“I am happy for you. I’m ecstatic that you’ve moved on from your Mother Theresa ways, but I just worry about your heart. But hey, I’m proud of you. What good ol’ Doris sang,what will be, will be.”
I hold my hand over my heart. My friend can be an obnoxious so and so at times, but she really does have my back. Over the years, it has been me dragging her arse out of trouble, being the shoulder to cry on, the listening ear. It makes a change to have the tables turned.
“Right, I need to go and make myself look presentable. It may take more than a shower, hair, and makeup to make Cinderella ready for the ball.”
“You sound like shit, but you always look amazing. Get your arse in the shower. Now.”
“See you soon, biatch.” I hang up the phone and toss it onto my bedside table. Apart from Mhairi, not many people call my private number. I often wonder why I have a mobile phone for private use. I should just use my work phone twenty-four-seven. At least that gets used.
I haven’t heard from Max since I left the hotel. I know he’ll be run off his feet today getting everything ready for tonight. I just can’t help but feel the disappointment of not even receiving a text message to see how I’m feeling.He’s not your boyfriend, Lexi,snipes the devil on my shoulder.
I vowed after Nigel and I split up nearly two years ago that I’d never let another man get under my skin. Yet here I am, fantasising about Max, worried that he’s not interested in me anymore, that I’ve done something to chase him away. I growlout my displeasure at my insecurities. I thought I had changed my mindset over the years, but those silly, immature thoughts creep back in at times.
I close my eyes and relax back into the mattress, cocooned in a blanket I had when I was a child. It’s a comfort I always use when I’m feeling off. It’s one of the only things I have from my childhood that holds any memories. I’m not really a sentimental person, contrary to what some people may think, but everyone needs that one thing to comfort them… and not just a warm-blooded male.
“…about keeping the spice alive, baby. You have no idea what I have up my sleeve. I’m the master of all things spice and we’re just getting started.”Max’s words to me float around my head, turning me to mush, making me hot under the collar. How much more spice can he come up with?
I bang my hands down on the mattress and climb out of bed. I’m never going to get myself organised for this evening’s gathering at the hotel if I keep lazing around in bed feeling sorry for myself or fantasising about Max and what weird and wonderful position he’ll fuck me in next.
“Get your mind out of the gutter, Lexi,” I chastise myself.
I’m going to hell.
Chapter 11
Max
Today has been a long-arsed day. I’ve floated around the hotel, getting last-minute things done, but all I really wanted to do was call or text Lexi, but as she so eloquently put it yesterday, we’ve already muddied the waters between us. That line between business and pleasure has been scrubbed out. I’ll never let what we have between us affect our working relationship. Her company will always have the contract for my hotels in and around Glasgow. I might be a bastard, but I would never break a business contract. However, if Lexi wants out, then I’d do the decent thing and let her walk away without any consequences. I’ll do anything to make her life easier; she just needs to say the word.
I tighten the tie around my neck and gaze at my reflection in the floor-to-ceiling mirror in my bathroom. Whenever I look at the bathtub now, I see Lexi lying in the water, soaking up the bubbles. My suite was Lexi-free, but now she’s everywhere.
A knock sounds on my door, breaking my thoughts away from her. I’m glad of the distraction because I’m going to have to go out there soon and meet and greet people and do what I do best; talk about my business, be a good host, and provide the best hospitality.
I open the door and Brendan is standing fumbling with his tie. He looks up, helpless, with doe eyes. I step closer to him, take the garment out of his hands, and make the perfect knot. “I fucking hate ties.”
“Me too, kiddo. Me too. You scrub up all right.”
“If you’re fishing for a compliment and hoping I’ll say it back to you then you’ll be waiting a long time.”
I chuckle at my brother’s honesty and ruffle his hair. “I don’t need a compliment; I know I’m the good-looking brother. Are Mum and Dad out there yet?”
He shrugs. “Not been out there yet. Thought we could go out together.”
