For the fifth time, Jayden wondered how the girls’ shopping trip went. He felt like such a jerk for leaving Alex, but Britney and Beth had been so insistent, dragging him out before he had the chance to see Alex.Lunch with Mr. Marcelo, Britney, and Beth was excellent, and although there wasn’t much discussion about the property he was interested in because Beth and Britney pretty much took over the conversation, he quite enjoyed it. When lunch was finished, Jay wanted to leave straightaway, but Britney insisted he come up to the office on the top floor to look at the property’s paper. It was an invitation he couldn’t resist. Thus, he found himself in Mr. Marcelo’s office, going through countless papers relating to the property, and by the end of the afternoon before he left, Mr. Marcelo invited him to join a cocktail party he was hosting. Jay knew refusing the powerful Marcelo was simply not done, and he rushed home to change into something proper, secretly hoping to see Alex.No one
“Come on,” Britney said, dragging the reluctant Jayden along the hotel corridor. “You’re dragging your feet.” She laughed.Jayden smiled politely as he followed her. Up on the top floor of the hotel, Britney unlocked the door of the penthouse with a swipe card. She leaned back against the slightly ajar door and wrapped her arms around his neck.“Come on in. What would you like for a drink?” she asked huskily, her lips near his as she moved her body ever so close to his, an invitation no man ever resists.Jayden said, “It’s late, Britney,” and unwrapped her arms from his neck.“But don’t you want to come in?” she asked, pouting her lips to full effect so he’d want to kiss her.“No. You need your rest. Good night,” he said and turned to go. He walked into the elevator, and a few moments later, he was gone.Britney growled and stomped her feet. Once she thought she had gotten her frustration out of her system, she turned on her heel, shoved the door open, and slammed it shut.“You’re not
Alex blinked, her sleepiness gone. She was now aware of his strength and warmth against her body, excitement bubbling up in the pit of her stomach.Jay ran his fingers through her hair, mesmerized by her newfound beauty. Yes, her hair was soft and silky under his touch.“Your pupils are dilated, Jay,” she said, grinning, knowing he liked her new look.“What?”“Your pupils are dilated,” she repeated.“Yeah?”“Yes. We humans are like that. When we see what we like, our pupils dilate.” She grinned cheekily.“Right,” he responded, still at a loss as to what she was talking about. To be frank, he didn’t care. He just liked listening to the sound of her sweet, husky voice, inhaling her scent, and gazing at her pretty face he had the urge to kiss so badly.Alex cocked her head to one side. “Do you like what you see, Jay?”That brought him up short. He stopped stroking her hair and frowned. Is she implying something?“May I ask you a question?” She started.“What?”“Does touching a woman make
Jayden woke up feeling refreshed and alert. Despite the late night, he had managed to get a good sleep. He sighed with satisfaction as he stared up at the ornate ceiling. Then everything that happened the day before flashed back. The thought of Alex caused him to grin. He glanced to his left and noted she was still sound asleep. Damn! So last night hadn’t been a dream after all.She groaned and stretched a little as he held his breath, wondering if she was going to wake up and see him ogling at her, thinking about her in such an ungodly manner. Oh yeah, he was thinking about her full lips, thinking about licking his tongue along the soft flesh.She didn’t open her eyes or show any sign of waking up. He sighed with relief. Suddenly, she moved to him and snuggled against him, her head now on his arm, her face resting against his chest, and her hand resting on his stomach. Not to mention the fact that one of her legs was resting on the top of his. He stroked his fingers through her long
Alexandra slipped back into the bedroom. She leaned against the closed door and sighed. She saw the BlackBerry Jayden gave her on the bedside table, grabbed it, and started dialing her home numbers. After a few rings, it was picked up by her mom. “Hello? Mali speaking.” “Hey, Mum.” Alex tightened the phone in her hand near her ear. The sound of her mother’s voice caused a knot in the pit of her stomach. Gosh, she missed her family. “Sweetheart, how’s things? The conference is not tiring you out? I know how much you don’t like traveling and especially going to another country.” “I’m good, Mum. How’s Dad and everyone else?” “Everyone here is good. Sweetheart, we miss you so much, and it has only been four days.” “I know. I miss you all too.” In the distance, Alex could hear Emma’s voice shouting, “Mum? Is that Alex? Hey, Alex, have you been shopping for my presents yet? Remember, I want gifts. And have you been sightseeing at all yet?” Alex shook her head. She wanted to laugh. Em
Alex slid into the passenger seat, clicked on her seat belt, and put on her sunglasses. Jayden couldn’t help but admire the way she handled herself—with such elegance and innocence. She looked as though she belonged there, as a part of his world, but at the same time, she looked vulnerable and lost. She was very contradictory in his mind, but desirable.“Back home, then, I suppose,” she said absentmindedly.Back home? Jayden was surprised at her choice of words. Did that mean his home was now her home?“What?” she asked when she saw him looking at her oddly.“Nothing,” he replied, starting the engine. He steered the car around and into the thick traffic.Alex relaxed, thoroughly enjoying the sun. A moment later, she asked, “So what was it?”“Hmm?” Jay glanced at his blind spot and switched lanes.“What did you get? Your errand.”“Oh. In the bag,” he said, nodding to the back seat. “Have a look.”“Sure. Don’t mind me.” She leaned over and reached for the blue bag. She placed it on her
“Where are we?” Alexandra asked, looking around her curiously. Jayden had been driving her around the city and showing her the sights, which she still could not believe since he did not utter one word to her since they left the restaurant. It was such a pleasant surprise, and she was sure they both enjoyed themselves tremendously.Jayden got out of the convertible and came over to her side. “Come on, missy,” he said, pulling her out of the car.“All right. Hold on.” She chuckled, grabbing for her handbag.Once out, he led her to the wharf. She had no idea where they were, but she loved the scenery. All she knew was she was at the harbor because there were lots of yachts around—really big, expensive-looking ones.“Slow down, will ya?” she said, laughing. “I’m wearing heels. My feet are sore now.”Jay shook his head. “Women,” he said under his breath.“Well, excuse me for being one,” she snapped as she tried to catch up with him so his hand on her wrist wouldn’t hurt her as he dragged h
Try as she might, Alex just couldn’t get up the next morning. What happened yesterday in the yacht was still fresh in her mind. Thank God Jayden didn’t return to their room. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to face him. She thought he was probably back with Sarah, making out.She felt guilty she had told Gracie not to bother her last night when the woman came in to ask if she wanted dinner. She lied that she had a terrible headache and she didn’t feel like eating because the food made her feel sick. It was true about the food part, at least. A normal dysfunction, surely, when one was in a depression—the heartbroken type.She slowly and reluctantly got up, showered, and dressed. No makeup for her today, as she didn’t feel up to the task and the fact that the makeup artist was coming anyway to do a trial.When she finally came downstairs, the makeup artist, Laura Andrews, was there. She was busy chatting away animatedly to Kelly, Gracie, and Beth in the drawing room.“Alex, did yo