A Playboy's Love Affair (14 page)

He took Carly as his date to all his engagements and made sure everyone knew she was with him. This thing, this agreement or whatever it was they had between them had embedded deep roots in him. Carly took his breath away every time Alex stole a glance at her, or he heard her laugh in that contagious way of hers, argued with him whenever she didn’t agree with something, or how freely and comfortably she’d give her professional opinion even though he hadn’t asked for it.

And did she really think it escaped his notice she wasn’t using his credit cards? She was a top-notch designer, surely she was paid handsomely, yet Alex wondered how she managed to dress in designer clothes from head to toe each and every time. Carly didn’t have to tell him for him to know she had a weakness for anything designer made. His Carly wouldn’t have it any other way; she didn’t do generic. As was usual, she hadn’t listened to him about not driving, Carly did what she pleased. What was wrong with her? She was in a foreign country and Alex was only watching out for her safety. He sighed, running a hand over his face,
his
Carly. The buzzing sound of his BlackBerry interrupted his thoughts. “Alex St. Jones.”

“Alex?” Paul’s voice sounded over the phone.

“Hey, is the Sabatini’s contract ready?” Alex asked.

“We have a small problem. Hold on, Dom’s here too.” Paul put him on speakerphone.

“What’s the problem, Dom?”

There was a paper shuffling sound before Dom responded. “Ahem…The Sabatini’s attorneys are very peculiar about details and what their client will sign—”

“Cut the crap. What’s the matter?” Alex demanded.

“They want to finalize the details face to face,” Paul replied.

Alex walked over to his desk and woke up his laptop from its dormant state. “Fine. Is Kiera coming?”

“Kiera isn’t, but Jay is,” Dominic said.

Alex abruptly closed the top of his laptop. “What? Why can’t Kiera come? She always deals with this kind of stuff. Can’t they send someone else? What’s going on?”

“Kiera is indisposed. The only other person who knows how we deal is Jay, so you’ll have to suck it up this time, Alex.” Paul’s tone was final.

Alex ran a hand through his hair. “I want him out of here in a matter of a couple of days. Got that?”

“That won’t be a problem. Jay’s already there. I can’t promise he’ll be in and out, it all depends on how fast the negotiations go, but you don’t need me to tell you that because you already know how things work. So don’t screw it up, Alex,” Paul said.

“Dammit! What do you mean he’s already here?” Alex crushed a drawing on his desk. “You’ve known about this at least for a few days and you’re just now calling me to give me the heads up. That’s pretty messed up.”

“Just don’t screw it up.” Dominic disconnected the call.

“Fuck!” Alex flung the phone across his desk, shoved a hand in his dark blue slacks pocket, rubbing his neck with the other one. He walked out of his study with a cold shower in mind, hoping to clear his head, but on his way to the bedroom he stumbled upon Carly and her visitor.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so excited to see a familiar face here.” Carly threw her arms around Jay.

Jay embraced her, lifted her against him and gave her a closed lip kiss on the mouth. “Hi baby girl, I’ve missed you.”

Oh hell no! Closed lip or not, no one was kissing or touching Carly. Best friends, his ass. Alex didn’t roll that way, not when it came to Carly. What was she doing wearing that trendy raspberry-ice cover-up? Had she been at the pool? Aargh.

Alex changed his track and headed into the living room instead. “Jay, I didn’t expect to see you here so soon.”

Jay turned around without letting go of Carly. “Alex.” Jay extended his hand to shake hands.

Carly’s gaze wandered from one man to the other, her smile slowly faded as the two men greeted each other. “Alex,” she said. “I didn’t know you were home.”

“Now you do.” Alex strode to her, unbuttoning his cuffs, rolling up his white shirt sleeves. He stopped a couple of feet away and grabbed her hand, gracefully pulling her next to him, placing a possessive hand around her lower hip and kissed her temple, breathing in her scent. “You smell like the sun.”

Carly dazzled him with a smile in response to his caress, and turned back to Jay. “How long are you staying?”

“Jay’s only here for a couple of days,” Alex cut in.

Jay furrowed his brow. “Actually, I’ll be here for as long as I need to be.”

“That’s great.” Carly seemed too enthused for Alex’s liking.

Jay would be out of there as soon as Alex could arrange it. “Jay, why don’t we go to my study so we can brief each other on what’s needed to seal this new deal?” Alex gestured the way.

Jay nodded and looked at Carly. “Do you have any plans tonight? Perhaps we can dine together.”

Alex let out a heavy sigh, she better not say she was free.

Carly gave him a side glance. “Tell you what, why don’t you join Alex and I for dinner.” She turned to Alex. “You’re cool with that, right?”

How about, no freaking way we’re dining together? Alex bit his tongue. “Yes, I’m cool with that.”

Carly beamed at Alex and rose up on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. “I’ll leave you two gentlemen to talk business.” Carly hugged Jay before heading back out to the pool.

Alex informed Jay of the plans for the concept the architects were working on, giving him details of the verbal concessions he agreed upon. Jay took note of it and in return briefed Alex on his plans to get Sabatini to sign the contract.

After a few hours of planning, Carly let them know dinner would be served at the terrace.

Alex was still not happy about the turn of events but he wasn’t in a position to dig in his heels and demand someone else other than Jay to finalize the negotiations this time.

He was even less thrilled about the fact that now he also had to dine with him as Carly hadn’t given him much choice in the matter. In spite of everything, Alex admitted it was a better alternative than her going out to dine with her supposed guy best friend.

He groaned.

If his relationship with Carly went where he thought it’d go, he’d eventually have to put up with Jay anyway, and might as well start getting used to the sucker now. Alex would make her pay dearly later tonight though. He’d punish her by making sweet slow love to her all night.

****

Celebrity News!

Things are getting hot and serious.

“Welcome to another show of Celebrity News!” The entertainment anchor smiled to the camera. “Everyone’s been wondering where Alex St. Jones has been these last few weeks. Wonder no more.”

She motioned to the screen behind her. “After his brawl at the club in L.A., Alex took his new girlfriend to his hideaway in Cannes. Take a look at the lovebirds holding hands, as they walk on the beach. Aren’t they adorable?”

She looked back at the camera. “I don’t know but I’m thinking his most wanted bachelor days may be over sooner than later. Tweet me your thoughts.”

Chapter Seventeen

Alex drove his roadster along the Mediterranean coastline with the top down. His new business deal had just closed, the guys were happy, and his firm couldn’t ask for more. He finally had the time to spend with Carly, this was their last week together here and Alex planned to spend with her every moment of it. Whatever her plans were when she got back to the States was a mystery to him, but he’d do his best to keep her at his side. Alex had grown so accustomed to having her around that the thought of going back alone to his gorgeous bachelor pad made him anxious.

His lips twitched at her struggle trying to keep her unruly long chocolate locks in place.

“Where are you taking me?” Carly looked at him, pulling her lose strands behind her ears.

“Do you like surprises?”

“Um, I’ve had a fair amount of surprises lately. I don’t think I can take any more.” Carly turned halfway in her seat facing him.

Alex grinned. “All right. That’s fair. I think you’ll appreciate this town we’re going to. How about we pretend to be tourists for the day?” He stole a glance at her. God, but she looked so beautiful in that sleeveless green dress. Carly was so carefree—it was contagious. Seeing her sitting next to him in his car only made him want her more, she made him feel free. This was the kind of freedom Alex never thought he’d ever have.

“That sounds like fun,” Carly agreed. “But, you still haven’t told me where you’re taking me.” She turned on his car stereo. “Hmmm, what do we have here?”

“Really Carly? I didn’t think you were the kind to snoop around,” he teased.

She placed a hand over her heart. “I can’t believe you just said that. I don’t snoop around, I’m merely curious about who Alex St. Jones really is.” She winked at him.

Alex assessed her through his aviator shades, taking in the amber flecks in her flagrant emerald green eyes. “Darling, what you see is what you get,” he replied, focusing his attention back on the road.

“No. I know there’s more. Since you won’t tell me, I’ll have to find out for myself.”

“Be my guest. Let’s see how much you can find. Beware, I’ll do the same,” he said.

“Sunshine, I’m an open book.” She gestured with her hands letting out a soft laugh.

Alex cast his eyes down to the side mirror. “Oh I see. I’ve now been promoted to sunshine. I must be doing something right this time. By the way you stole
my
line. I’m the open book here.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, keep telling yourself that why don’t you? I don’t know what book you got open, but I can definitely say it’s the wrong one.” Her index finger scrolled down the list on his stereo touch screen. “Um, let’s start with what were you like as a kid?”

He chuckled. “I’m afraid my mom wouldn’t agree with my version, you’ll have to ask her yourself one of these days.” He beamed back at her. What would his mom think of Carly?

Carly stopped scrolling down the list of songs for a moment, shifting in her seat at his response. “I’d like that very much,” she replied with a thoughtful look in her eyes. “Do you play any music instruments?”

“I have many talents but playing music is not one of them.”

“Oh that’s right. You know how to burn water…don’t forget that one.” She gestured with her hand.

Alex puckered his brow and faced her. “Okay, my turn now. What about you? Do you have any talents?”

She pulled her shades out of her tote. “Oh, that’s easy, I only have one. I blow people’s minds with my interior designs.” She paused. “Yes, I know… I’m boasting. It rubs after hanging out with someone who’s way overconfident.”

“I have no idea who’s that overconfident ass you’re talking about.” The road claimed his attention once more.

She searched his list of songs, a smile on her face. “Dog Days Are Over?”

Alex shrugged. “Hey I’m a guy who appreciates good music.” He kept a hand on the steering wheel and tapped the play button on the screen.

Her eyes danced in amusement. Carly upped the volume as they continued driving along the coastline singing together to the top of their lungs in between laughs. “Dog days are over, the dog days are done…” Carly let her hair down. She clapped, swaying to the song’s beat in her seat. He couldn’t remember when was the last time he’d had this much fun.

Alex drove them to a pretty little village on a hilltop and parked their car. “Come sweetheart, you’ll love this place.” He took Carly’s hands entwining his fingers with hers, leading her through the busy cobble stoned street.

“This place is lovely.” Carly’s expression was one of awe.

“I knew you’d like it.” He drew her to his side. “You’re looking gorgeous today… Gorgeous.” He brushed his lips over hers.

“Just today? Now that’s mean.”

Alex smiled down at her. “Come on babe.” He pulled her forward in the direction of a narrow road lined with bright flowers, guiding her onto a local artists’ fair. He basked in pleasure at seeing her “Ooh” and “Aah” at the local artists’ works.

“This one would look wonderful in my living room.” Carly stood in front of a painting of the prettiest village settled on a hilltop overlooking Cannes. Alex motioned to the artist. “Whoa, what are you doing?” Carly asked.

“I’m buying you a painting.”

“Alex, I am buying
me
a painting, please put your money back in your pocket.”

Alex grinned. “As you wish, darling.” He shoved his hand with his money clip right back in his faded jeans pocket. He wasn’t happy about not paying for the darn canvas but she looked so happy that he didn’t want to ruin the day by getting into a silly argument. Alex guided her out of the fair, leading her through the manicured narrowed streets passing pretty shops, and cafes until they reached one of his favorite restaurants.

“Do you come here often?” Carly asked, as the maître d led them to a sidewalk table.

“Not as often as I would like,” Alex responded, waiting for her to sit down. Soon after, a waiter took their order, Alex asked for the finest bottle of wine easing back into his chair. He looked around their table, assessing their surroundings before focusing his attention on Carly. “Tell me more about yourself darling. How come I hadn’t met you before?”

“What more is there to know? You already know all about me.” Carly clasped her hands in front of her. “I’m the best interior designer there is. I’d like to think so anyway. Hmmm…let’s see…my parents are still married, I have no siblings. My best friends are Kiera and Jay.” She seemed thoughtful for a moment. “I love music, food and good wine. What about you Alex?”

Alex considered how much to share with her. Other times he’d cringe at a question like this because sharing anything about his life with anyone was letting them into his personal space. Alex didn’t exactly enjoy the façade the media gave him over the years, at least a third of it was right but things with Carly were different. She was special. What harm would there be in sharing with her a little something about him that wasn’t exactly a secret? “Phillip is my stepdad. He married my mom when I was one year old. My mom discovered she was pregnant with me after my dad died in a motorcycle accident. He was a dare devil. Phillip was my dad’s best friend and in looking after her, somehow they fell in love, at least that’s what my mom says. You know the rest of the story.” He tapped his fingers on the table.