Grace hadn’t meant to upset him, that wasn’t her intention at all and now she felt responsible for the look of disdain that crossed his face. She had offended him so badly that he couldn’t even drink the coffee.
“I’m sorry. I wasn’t implying that you were any different in that sense. It’s just that...well you know...you’re famous and I’m not. I don’t know how you do what you do or put up with the whole fan thing. It must be crazy for you. And, well, I only mic’ed you up the once. You kind of threw me, sending all those huge gifts to thank me for doing my job. Like you, it’s what I do. It pays the bills.” It was her turn now to look uncomfortable.
“You think I sent that crap to thank you for doing a job? I sent those things because I wanted to get to know you, spend time with you. I asked you to call me; I even gave you my number. I never give my number to anyone. You know what, I get that you’re not interested, it’s fine. You don’t need to make any more excuses, I’ll leave you alone. Thanks for having dinner with me.” Alex stood to leave. Pushing his chair under he grabbed the cup, moving to the sink to rinse it out before he left.
“Wait, wait, Alex. Don’t rush off.” She placed her hand on his arm in some vain attempt to hold him there. “I kinda liked the email bit; it was the other stuff that freaked me out. Besides, I think I owe you dinner now. That’s how it works, isn’t it? You pay then I pay?” Grace lowered her head to catch his attention, trying to get him to look at her now; it felt like the tables were turned all of a sudden. She was now the one who had to rescue this situation before he left.
“That’s not how it works in my world at all.” Alex held her gaze, his dark, sexy eyes fixed to the stunning green pair that sparkled before him. “Yes, I think you owe me dinner again but I don’t understand the bit where you think you get to pay. What are you doing tomorrow night?” Maintaining his stare he fought tostop his mouth from turning up at the corners, desperately trying to maintain his fake hurt look.
“Busy all week now with some work stuff I can’t get out of. But I can do Thursday night. How long are you up here for? Is that too late? Do you have to go back to work?” Grace fiddled with her cup, his nearness making her feel all hot and bothered, the heat settling in the pit of her stomach.
“No plans. I have a few weeks of down time so Thursday is great for me. I’ll pick you up at work.” Alex sensed her nerves around him now.
“You will not!” The thought of everyone she worked with gossiping behind her back gave her the creeps. Sasha could keep a secret but she didn’t want anyone else judging her just because she had been to dinner with him. “Well... you can, but wait outside for me this time. I can’t deal with Sasha gushing all over you, never mind everyone else!”
Alex moved to position himself between her knees, placing his hands either side of her legs on the countertop. Grinning he moved in closer to her, holding her gaze to the point she daren’t even blink.
“Is this where you kiss me and walk out the door?” Her voice was breathy and low, giving her feelings away.
“You’re safe with me for tonight at least, but if Iwas going to kiss you...” Alex leant down, placing his lips a fraction above the skin behind her ear, allowing his breath to warmly wash over her. “I would kiss you here...and here...” Moving lower, his breath led a trail down her neck towards her collarbone, causing goose bumps to spring to the surface of her skin. As he placed his hands on her thighs he felt her shudder. Resting his forehead against her shoulder, he smiled, allowing a small chuckle to escape his lips. “...but I promised to behave myself tonight. I am going to leave now or I may not be able to stop myself from actually kissing you, but I will be back on Thursday. Iwillpick you up at work too but I promise to play nicely and wait in the car park for you if you insist.”
Grace couldn’t speak; the whole not kissing thing had left her completely speechless. That was by far the sexiest thing anyone had ever done to her. Her skin was crying out for him to touch her, the urge to wrap her legs around his waist to pull him into her was now becoming insufferable. Lifting his head, their noses now no more than an inch apart, he stared into those beautiful green eyes again. “Thursday. I expect you to call me before then though.” Walking backwards towards the kitchen door, his eyes never left hers.
Grace was acutely aware of the brainless grin that had plastered itself across her face but could donothing to remove it. “Thursday,” she said just loud enough for him to hear as he turned to head out of the flat and to the rental car.
Alex hoped she wasn’t spying on him out of the window or the little happy dance he had just performed on the pavement was going to come back and haunt him.
Sitting on the balcony of his hotel suite the next morning, Alex called home. Best to get it out of the way now. His mother wouldn’t be happy that he had decided to look for somewhere to rent for month or so up here; a decision he had made on his journey back from Grace’s last night. It was a risk but he figured it was one worth taking. Now he had gotten her to agree to see him he didn’t want to spoil anything by having to fly back and forth. It may only have been just over an hour’s flight but he had an overwhelming urge to be wherever she was.
The evening had been a complete success as far as he was concerned. She had seemed to enjoy his company, even invited him in. He had no idea what it was this woman had that made him so desperate to be around her. He just knew he had to stay close to her. He had never just upped and left his home town for anyone else. That was precisely what he was now considering. For reasons unbeknown to him he wantedthis thing with Grace to work out, and for that he needed to stay in Scotland.
After promising his mother that she and his father could visit as soon as he got settled she became more reasonable. His next conversation wasn’t so easy. He had to get Izzie back on side. He needed her help to find a rental property. The ones he had looked at on the internet had been a little run of the mill; if he was staying for a while he wanted somewhere half decent where he would feel safe; somewhere a bit secluded. For some reason he wasn’t in his sister’s good books at the minute, he was damned if he knew why though. After a good amount of grovelling and agreeing that she was worth an average sized pay increase, Izzie agreed to help find somewhere for him.
“Right, bro, I’ve emailed you some info. I personally love the lighthouse one but it’s pricey. Depends on how long you plan on staying. The agent said he can get you an appointment this afternoon to view it. I’ve checked the flights and I could get there in time but you’d need to pick me up at the airport.”
“Bloody hell, Iz! Where did you find that? It’s perfect. Are you sure you can get here though? I can go alone if it’s a problem.” He was busy flicking through the online catalogue of photos listed for the lighthouse. This place was stunning; she was right about the costthough but he did only plan on staying for a short time. Everyone kept telling him he needed to spend some of his fortune instead of sitting on the huge nest egg he had built. “Can you bring me some clothes? Just chuck some stuff in a suitcase for me would you? Whatever the baggage allowance is, just use it up or charge it if you need to. Oh, and thanks, sis. I appreciate it.”
After collecting Izzie from the airport he drove down the long meandering road that led to the lighthouse. He was captivated by the scenery. The ground undulated across the cliff top, almost guiding him towards his destination. The lighthouse stood tall and proud, encapsulated by beautifully kept gardens all encased in high white stone walls. The agent was standing by the entrance to the glass walled extension that wrapped half way around the base of the building. “Mr Carter, pleased to meet you. Shall we step inside?”
Alex stepped past the aging man into the pristine entrance. Pulling Izzie along with him he wandered further into the room which the agent described as the morning room. The whole room was breathtaking; Izzie took control of the meeting leaving her brother to take in the full beauty as he made his way up the winding staircase that followed the outside curve of the ancient building. The top observation desk left himspeechless. The former light had been removed, leaving a circular wooden floored room which housed a small sofa and not much else. The views out over the sea were spectacular; Alex walked the perimeter of the room before settling on the soft engulfing sofa as he waited for Izzie to make her way up to him.
“I’ll take it. How soon can I move in?”
The agent smiled broadly as he began rummaging in his briefcase for the paperwork. Izzie however wanted to talk figures. There was no way she was letting her brother pay the over exorbitant rent without first trying to strike a deal. Her dad had always taught her to never accept anything at face value; there was always a deal to be had.
Alex rolled his eyes skyward as he watched his sister in full on negotiator mode. The girl was a demon but he had to hand it to her, she knew her job inside out.
Sprawled out along the sofa on the observation deck he didn’t think he would ever tire of this view. Tucked away at the top of the lighthouse he felt at one with the world around him. The day’s papers were scattered across the floor, long abandoned for the view. Instead of reading he just lay there propped up with his drink in his hand, fully appreciating the panoramic vista the glass walls offered him.
Izzie had left two hours ago in a taxi, allowing him to settle in to what would be his home for the next few weeks. They had spent yesterday lounging around the lighthouse, tying up any loose ends left over from the tour and making arrangements for the contract renewal meeting which was looming large over his head. He had kissed her goodbye as he promised tokeep to his word and have his parents up to visit in the next week or two. Before then he had a much more pressing arrangement to take care of. Today was Thursday. It was date night.
Grace hadn’t called but she had texted him explaining she had been snowed under with work and she hadn’t got cold feet as he suspected she would. Glancing at his watch he seized his phone, holding it to his ear as he listened for her voice to replace the dialling tone.
He let her ramble on about how busy her boss had kept her all week. He loved the soft gently lilting accent that poured from her; he could listen to that voice forever. “Just about to set off, wanted to check you haven’t been held up or anything. Great...yeah, yeah, I’ll wait in the car, I know! I wouldn’t want to embarrass you now, would I?”
Chuckling, he couldn’t help but be confused by her. Most of the girls he had dated – and there hadn’t been that many, certainly not nearly as many as the press made out he had – thrived on being seen with him. They wanted the whole celebrity exposure, but not Grace. She seemed quite embarrassed about the idea. Not bothering to change, no need for what he had planned for the night, he grabbed his keys and headed out into the late afternoon.
Clutching the large brown paper bag to her stomach, Grace headed off to the ladies bathroom dragging Sasha along with her for moral support.
