More than Just a kiss

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Adrian woke up smiling.

He tried to stop himself, but it was useless. The memory of the previous evening kept returning, especially the way Alexander had held him on the sofa and kissed him as though he had nowhere else he wanted to be.

It wasn't just the kisses anymore.

It was the ease between them. The laughter. The quiet moments when neither felt the need to impress the other.

Adrian was beginning to like Alexander in ways he hadn't planned.

His phone vibrated.

Alexander: Good morning. I hope you slept well.

Adrian: I did. You?

Alexander: Better than usual.

Adrian: Because of the film?

Alexander: Because of the company.

Adrian smiled.

Adrian: You're getting dangerously good at compliments.

Alexander: I haven't even started.

Adrian put his phone away before he could get distracted again. The final rehearsal was scheduled for that afternoon, and he needed everything to run smoothly.

Today was too important for daydreaming.

---

By noon, the main hall had been transformed.

The Christmas tree glowed beneath the high ceiling, the stage was ready, and the tables had been arranged according to Adrian's final seating plan. The lighting team was testing the fixtures while the musicians unloaded their instruments.

Adrian moved between them with a clipboard in hand.

"Let's try the lights from the entrance first," he instructed. "I want to see how the room looks when guests walk in."

One of the technicians adjusted the controls. Warm light spread across the decorations, highlighting the gold ornaments and greenery.

Adrian studied the result.

"That's better. Keep that setting."

He turned towards the stage as the jazz group began their sound check.

The first few notes filled the room.

Adrian smiled. It was exactly the atmosphere he had wanted: elegant, warm, and festive without feeling excessive.

Then the replacement vocalist stepped forward.

Adrian listened carefully as the singer began the first song. His voice was good, but the arrangement felt too energetic for the opening reception.

He waited until the song ended.

"Could we try something softer for the welcome performance?" he asked. "Something that allows people to talk comfortably while they arrive."

The entertainment manager nodded and discussed an alternative with the musicians.

Adrian checked his schedule.

Everything was falling into place.

At least, until a familiar voice interrupted him.

"You're running this entire operation yourself?"

Adrian turned.

Alexander stood near the entrance, dressed in a dark suit with his coat draped over one arm.

"Good afternoon to you too."

Alexander smiled.

"I've been watching you for five minutes."

"That sounds suspicious."

"I was admiring your work."

Adrian gave him a playful look.

"Then you should keep admiring it from a distance. I have a rehearsal to finish."

Alexander laughed.

"Understood."

He moved towards the side of the room, giving Adrian space to continue.

But his eyes followed him.

---

The rehearsal was nearly complete when Alexander's executive assistant approached with a folder.

"Mr. Sterling, the representatives from the investment group have arrived earlier than expected."

Alexander checked his watch.

"They weren't scheduled until four."

"They requested an earlier meeting. They're waiting in the conference room."

Alexander glanced towards Adrian, who was discussing the final music arrangement with the entertainment manager.

"Tell them I'll be there shortly."

His assistant hesitated.

"They also asked whether the event director would be available to join us."

Alexander looked towards Adrian again.

"Yes. Arrange it."

A few minutes later, Adrian received the request.

He frowned slightly.

"An investor meeting?"

Alexander nodded.

"They want an update on the Christmas celebration."

"I can give them the event details, but I don't want to interrupt the rehearsal."

"It should only take twenty minutes."

Adrian considered it before agreeing.

"All right. Let me get my notes."

---

The conference room was already occupied when they entered.

Three representatives sat around the table, each with a copy of the event proposal in front of them. Adrian recognised two of them from the initial planning documents.

Alexander took his usual seat.

"Good afternoon, everyone."

The representatives greeted him before turning their attention to Adrian.

Alexander gestured towards him.

"This is Adrian Blake. He's the event planner responsible for the Christmas celebration."

Adrian offered a polite smile.

"Good afternoon."

One of the men glanced at the proposal.

"We've reviewed the revised arrangements. Everything looks impressive, but we've noticed the budget has increased slightly."

Adrian opened his folder.

"The increase is connected to the additional guest numbers and the revised entertainment arrangements. I've kept the original atmosphere and quality in mind while adjusting the expenses."

"Could some of the decorative elements be removed?"

"Some could," Adrian replied calmly. "But I wouldn't recommend removing the entrance installation or the main hall lighting. Those two elements establish the atmosphere of the event."

The woman seated opposite him studied the design.

"And the additional entertainment cost?"

"The replacement vocalist was selected after reviewing several options. I've also negotiated the revised performance schedule to avoid additional charges for extended sound checks."

Alexander remained quiet, allowing Adrian to explain his decisions.

One of the representatives leaned back.

"You seem quite confident about your choices."

Adrian met his gaze.

"I am. I've planned the event around the experience we want your guests to have. Cutting costs without considering how those changes affect the overall experience would defeat the purpose."

There was a brief silence.

Then Alexander spoke.

"Adrian has my full confidence. I hired him because I wanted someone who understood the event, not someone who would simply agree with every suggestion."

Adrian glanced at him.

The words were simple, but they meant something.

Alexander wasn't taking over the conversation or answering on Adrian's behalf. He was making it clear that Adrian had authority over the work he had been hired to do.

The meeting continued for another fifteen minutes before the representatives approved the revised arrangements.

As they stood to leave, one of them shook Adrian's hand.

"Well done. We're looking forward to the celebration."

"Thank you. I look forward to welcoming you."

---

When the door closed behind the representatives, Adrian gathered his documents.

"You didn't have to say that," he told Alexander.

"Say what?"

"That you had full confidence in me."

"Why wouldn't I?"

Adrian shrugged.

"Some clients like to take credit for everything when investors are involved."

"I'm not interested in taking credit for your work."

He moved closer.

"You earned that contract, Adrian. You made the proposal, handled the suppliers, and brought the event together. I won't pretend otherwise."

Adrian looked at him for a moment.

"Thank you."

Alexander smiled.

"You're welcome."

Adrian slipped the folder beneath his arm.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a rehearsal to finish."

Alexander caught his hand briefly.

"One question."

"What?"

"Will you have dinner with me tonight?"

Adrian raised an eyebrow.

"You're asking me again?"

"Yes."

"Don't you ever get tired of asking?"

"Not when the answer might be yes."

Adrian laughed.

"All right. But I have to finish the final checks first."

"I'll wait."

"You have a company to run."

"And you have an event to finish. Apparently, we're both busy."

Adrian shook his head, smiling.

---

The rehearsal ended shortly after five.

Adrian remained in the hall with the entertainment manager, reviewing the final performance order. Once they agreed on the sequence, he signed off on the arrangements and thanked the team.

He was exhausted, but satisfied.

The event was finally beginning to look like the vision he had presented weeks earlier.

As he walked towards the exit, he noticed Alexander waiting near the staircase.

"You actually waited."

"I said I would."

Adrian approached him.

"Didn't you have work?"

"I finished what needed to be done."

"Miracle."

Alexander laughed.

"Are you ready?"

"Give me ten minutes to freshen up."

"I'll be here."

Adrian started towards the guest wing, but Alexander called after him.

"Adrian."

He turned.

"Yes?"

Alexander smiled.

"I'm proud of you."

Adrian's expression softened.

For a moment, he didn't know what to say.

Then he smiled.

"Thank you, Alexander."

---

That evening, they had dinner in a small private dining room at the estate.

There were no elaborate arrangements, no expensive decorations, and no staff hovering around them. Just a quiet meal and the kind of conversation Adrian was beginning to associate with Alexander.

"How are you feeling about the event?" Alexander asked.

"Good. A little tired, but good."

"You've done a lot."

"I have."

Alexander smiled at his honesty.

Adrian took a sip of water.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"Why did you choose me?"

Alexander tilted his head.

"For the event?"

"Yes. You could have hired a much bigger company. One with more employees and a longer list of impressive clients."

"I could have."

"So why me?"

Alexander considered his answer.

"Because your proposal felt personal. Most of the others were filled with expensive ideas and beautiful photographs. Yours showed that you understood what I wanted, even though I hadn't explained it very well."

Adrian listened.

"You weren't trying to impress me with how much money you could spend," Alexander continued. "You were trying to create something meaningful."

Adrian looked down at his plate.

"That was the intention."

"And you were very convincing."

A quiet smile appeared on Adrian's face.

"Well, I'm glad you chose me."

"So am I."

Alexander reached across the table and held his hand.

"I also like that you challenge me."

Adrian laughed.

"That's because you need it."

"Apparently."

They shared a smile.

Then Alexander's expression became more thoughtful.

"There's something I've been meaning to ask you."

Adrian looked at him.

"What is it?"

"How do you see this between us?"

Adrian's fingers moved gently against Alexander's.

"What do you mean?"

"I know we're spending time together. I know we've kissed. But I don't want to assume we're on the same page."

Adrian studied him.

"You want to know whether we're dating?"

"Yes."

He appreciated that Alexander had asked directly instead of deciding what they were without consulting him.

"I like you," Adrian said. "And I want to keep seeing you. But I don't want to rush into a relationship just because things feel good right now."

Alexander nodded.

"That's fair."

"I want to know you properly. Not just the man who owns this estate or the company everyone seems to admire."

"And what do you want to know?"

Adrian smiled.

"Everything else."

Alexander looked at him for a long moment.

"Then I'll let you."

Adrian squeezed his hand.

"Good."

---

Later, Alexander walked him back to the guest wing.

They stopped outside Adrian's door.

"Thank you for tonight," Adrian said.

"Thank you for agreeing to spend it with me."

Alexander leaned closer, but waited.

Adrian smiled and closed the distance himself.

Their kiss was gentle, lingering just long enough to make Adrian forget the cold air around them.

When they separated, Alexander brushed his thumb across Adrian's cheek.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"You will. We still have the final event preparations."

Alexander laughed.

"I was hoping you'd say something more romantic."

"Goodnight, Alexander."

"Goodnight, Adrian."

Adrian opened the door, then paused.

"By the way?"

Alexander looked at him.

"Yes?"

"I like being around you too."

His smile was enough to make Alexander forget whatever he had intended to say next.

Adrian disappeared into his room.

Alexander remained outside for another moment before finally walking away.

He had spent years building a life where everything could be planned, measured, and controlled.

But Adrian Blake was becoming the one part of his life he didn't want to control.

He wanted to earn his trust.

And he was beginning to realise that wanting someone was the easy part.

Keeping them happy would require something much more difficult.