A Playboy's Love Affair (7 page)

“A-Alex…oh my…” Carly cried. She quickly covered her mouth with her hands, hiding her orgasm, clenching her muscles around his fingers. His tongue flicked against her clit, riding her orgasm with her until the last second.

Alex got back on his feet and righted her skirt before rearranging his jeans and polo shirt. His eyes fixed on hers. “Don’t try to outsmart me because I always win. I’ll be away for a month but I’ll call you when I’m back. Please don’t fight me on this. Sweet dreams, darling.” He placed a soft kiss on her forehead and walked out of the powder room.

Alex was an asshole for handling her the way he had, but he didn’t feel a single ounce of regret. Seeing her with Jay stirred something raw and unexplainable and it irked at him.

He needed Carly to understand she was his and his only.

He wanted her to think of him and this moment for the length of his absence.

Chapter Ten

Carly liked reading gossip columns and magazines about the rich and famous, except that now the rich and famous included the playboy she wanted nothing to do with but couldn’t stay away from. Damned paparazzi, why couldn’t they shoot pictures of someone else, someone more important? She sighed. Carly didn’t understand why the media was so intent on exhibiting what Alex St. Jones did or didn’t do, other than enjoying the piss-off match they created between father and son every time he was caught stirring trouble.

Six weeks had passed since Carly had seen or heard from Alex. Well, his whereabouts the night after the tee ball game had been well publicized. A copy of a gossip magazine sat on top of her desk, the latest pictures of Alex had made front page yet again. There was a twinge of jealousy at seeing him getting reacquainted with an old fling. Too bad the news had come out a week too late.

Carly didn’t know whether to feel ecstatic the contract would be over in less than four months because she wouldn’t have to put up with his antics anymore, or to feel saddened. She should be happy she’d never again have to set eyes on him.

What had happened to him, anyway? Alex had been away longer than a month, and she missed their arguments. Then again, truth be told, it wasn’t
what
she missed it was
who
she missed. Carly missed him, plain and simple. Regardless of her troubled thoughts and feelings, she’d never admit to missing him. Alex could stay away for the remainder of their agreement for all she cared. She wasn’t about to go looking for him.

Liv walked in her office carrying a medium size garnet red box. “This just came for you.” She placed the box on an empty spot on top of Carly’s desk.

“Who’s this from?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know, but here’s the card.” Liv offered an envelope and fled the office. Disconcerted at Liv’s flight, Carly took a deep breath and extracted the card concealed in the envelope. She rolled her eyes at the handwritten message.

Carly,

Be ready at six thirty sharp. You’re coming as my date to a black tie charity event. No ifs or buts.

P.S. Hope you enjoy the chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Alex

Carly read the message countless times and finally gave up trying to decode it. If the man thought she’d jump at his command, he was mistaken. How dare he? Carly wouldn’t be the one for the night. That was what Alex was used to, what he expected, and someone needed to teach him a lesson. Carly knew her true worth, and refused to make the gossip columns as Alex St. Jones’ new fling.

She glanced at the note again, for a playboy he fell short on this one. Surely Alex knew a girl needed enough advance notice to go shopping for the perfect dress and shoes, to get her makeup and hair done. Of course he knew. He was being Alex, and Alex St. Jones didn’t give a damn. That was his signature style. Carly pressed auto dial on her desk phone.

“This is Kiera.”

“Kiera, it’s Carly.”

“Hold on.” The line went silent for a few seconds then her cheery voice was back. “Hi sunshine, your playboy is back.”

“I know and he’s not my playboy. Sorry to call you at work but do you know anything about a charity function tonight?”

“Honey, you know you can call me any time. I’m surprised you even said that. Now, about your question, yes, there is a charity for orphaned children. Why?”

“I need your help.” Carly bit her lip as she played with the note in her hand.

“Uh-oh, this sounds like trouble. I’m all ears. Spill it,” Kiera replied.

After her chat with Kiera, Carly asked Liv to reschedule her afternoon appointments. She had a dress and shoes to pick, a mani and pedi to get, and hair to do. Alex St. Jones wanted to see her, and see her he would.

Chapter Eleven

Alex had been away on business longer than he’d planned. His firm’s dealings had been a success, but what gave him greater satisfaction were the results of his work for orphaned children in South Africa. Seeing the happy faces of all those kids and the appreciativeness of those in charge at the grand opening of the new facilities he’d built for them, had all been worth it. Alex wished the media never got wind of his big secret. He liked his bad boy reputation, letting people think what they would.

Alex was anxious to see Carly. There was nothing wrong admitting he’d missed her. Stating it aloud was a different matter. He wouldn’t do it. It was enough for him to know he had. Alex wondered if Carly had missed him as much or given him any thought at all. He reckoned he’d find out soon enough.

It was seven thirty exactly. Where the heck was Carly? She’d received his message and he expected her to be ready and waiting. He showed up at her place on time only to be informed by the concierge that Carly left for work at eight that morning and hadn’t been back since. Waiting for her was pointless because she purposely ignored his request. Carly would pay dearly for this. No one stood up Alex St. Jones. No one. Now, he wasn’t only late for the event but also dateless. That was just pretty fucking great. Shit! He wasn’t sure what upset him more: being without a date or the fact that he was eager to see her and Carly was nowhere to be found.

Alex walked into the arts center where the event was being held and was promptly greeted by the hosts near the entrance. Other benefactors soon surrounded him, engaging him in polite conversation as he made his way into the room. Where were Paul and Dominic? He glanced around, finding exquisitely decorated tables, an improvised dance floor and guests taking their seats. Then he stopped in his tracks. “What the f…” he muttered.

“I beg your pardon?” the sponsor he’d been talking with asked.

“Please excuse me,” Alex said.

The sponsor nodded as Alex walked away.

Jay and his companion were involved in an enthusiastic conversation with two other couples, in fact too enthusiastic for Alex’s liking. Jay handed a champagne flute to the woman next to him and placed a proprietary hand on the small of her bared back, the woman in return raised her hand to his face adjusting a strayed strand of his sable brown hair back into place. Alex quickened his pace.

Alex stepped in the small circle as he offered Jay a handshake, his grasp unbreakable. “Jay, it’s a surprise to see you here tonight.”

Jay didn’t shy away and returned an equally firm shake. “Alex it’s good to see you’re back in town. I didn’t think you’d be here,” Jay replied.

“Well, I am back.” Alex went on about greeting the other couples in their circle focusing at last on one person. “Carly,” he said in a dry tone, appreciating the way the rouge silk halter gown hugged her curves like a second skin. His fiery gaze was filled with a mix of anger, jealousy, and a promise to claim her, whether she wanted it or not.

“Hello, Alex.” Carly remained at Jay’s side and nodded in return. Her smile lacked the warmth he’d seen her give Jay just a few moments before he’d crashed their little circle.

“If you’d please excuse us,” Jay addressed everyone in their small ring, placing a possessive hand on the small of Carly’s back and guided her to their table.

“Alex it’s great to see you’re back.” Paul’s voice sounded from behind. Paul and Dominic stepped in the small circle. “Pardon me, I have an urgent matter to discuss with my business partner and I’m afraid I’ll have to steal him away from you for a moment.” Without waiting for the other guests to acknowledge his statement, Paul gestured to Alex and Dominic to follow him out to the arts center terrace.

The cool night air hit him as soon as he set foot outside. Alex walked to an isolated corner and the other two men followed. Scanning the terrace making sure others were out of earshot, Alex turned facing his friends. “Can anyone tell me what’s going on? What’s Jay doing here with Carly?”

Dominic shrugged, shoving his hands in his pockets.

Paul approached him. “Alex whatever is going on, don’t make a fool of yourself. Carly is here with Jay, like it or not, there’s nothing you can do about it.”

“Like hell I can’t.” Alex paced back and forth in the corner of the terrace.

“Alex,” Dominic cut in. “Paul is right, you don’t want to make a fool of yourself here of all places.”

“Then, what am I supposed to do…sit back and watch them together?”

Dominic raised a brow. “Why are you so upset about it, anyway? Your only binding to her is that senseless agreement which if you weren’t so set on it you could end now. Come on Alex, it’s not like your little game is going to turn into a happy ever after. You’re not interested in that stuff. You don’t do emotional crap, remember? What’s wrong with you man? Or, have you changed your mind? Please don’t tell me you’re thinking of doing the love and marriage ordeal?”

Alex didn’t respond to that, instead, he stared angrily at something out in the distance.

Paul broke the silence. “I think it’d be best if you left.”

“You know damn well I can’t leave.” Alex planned to stay as long as he could take it, but leaving this place without Carly was out of the question.

Paul studied him. “If you stay you’re going to have to keep yourself in check. No scandals.”

Alex glared at his friends for a moment as he turned on his heel, retreating into the shadows. Confusion, anger, jealousy even, filled his chest. Carly had put his life upside down since the moment they’d crossed paths, and he couldn’t get her out of his mind. He wasn’t even sure if getting her in his bed would do the trick anymore to put his life back in order.

He stayed at the event and went on about dinner like nothing ever happened. Alex was attentive to the various speeches and recognitions that took place nodding when appropriate, saying the right things as needed. When the dancing started Alex mingled with the sponsors and other business acquaintances, everything was excellent until Carly took to the dance floor with Jay. He made his excuses and straightened his tuxedo, making his way to the dance floor.

“May I cut in?” Alex seized Carly’s hand without bothering to wait for a reply.

Jay reluctantly let go of her, offering her an apologetic nod before turning on his heel.

Not wanting to make a scene, Carly smiled, avoiding Alex’s dark eyes. “Why bother asking if you already did?”

His arms slid around her waist expertly leading her around the dance floor to Quando Quando Quando by Michael Buble. Breathing in her lily-vanilla sweet-scent, he sang into her ear, “Please don’t stand me up again.” Alex swirled her around before Carly could say a word, and brought her back up against him again.

“I believe the lyrics are ‘please don’t make me wait again’,” Carly corrected.

He shrugged. “The lyrics can be whatever I want them to be darling.” Several curious eyes were on them, and he didn’t care. “You know, I don’t understand why you’re so inclined in making my life hell,” Alex murmured in her ear.

Carly opened and closed her mouth a couple of times before she spoke again. “I am making your life hell? If anyone is making anyone’s life hell it’s you, Alex St. Jones.”

“What’s your deal, Carly?” His red-hot gaze fixed on her.

“You. You’re my deal,” Carly said, her warm breath caressed his cheek. “The last thing I knew is you were having a grand time with one of your old girlfriends, then you disappeared from the face of the earth. What did you expect? That I’d sit and wait on you until you decided to show up again? Drop everything when you did show up just because you demand I do? I don’t think so. I have a life too, and I live it anyway I want to. I take demands from no one, especially not you, Alex.”

“Jealous, are you?” His fingers stroked her lower bared back before he whirled her around again.

Her delicate fingers tightened on his strong arm. “Jealous, me? I’m sure you really don’t think that.”

“What’s going on with Jay?” he asked.

“Jealous?”

He chuckled. “No.” Yes, he was jealous of another man touching what Alex considered his. Whether Carly accepted it or not, she was his.

“Then, why ask?” she asked.

“I’m just curious.”

“It’s none of your business. How about that?”

Alex leaned into her and whispered in her ear, “Our agreement terms say you can’t see or date anyone.”

“I don’t care what it says. Like I said, I don’t take orders from anyone,” she replied, being careful the curious gazes and ears around them couldn’t hear their conversation.

Alex twirled her around a third time without effort. “This was a requirement of our agreement. In view of the fact you didn’t fulfill your obligation our agreement is extended by another month. In fact, every time you miss one condition, an additional month is added to the contract.” His upper lip curled in that St. Jones way of his letting her know he’d won this round.

Carly’s step faltered. “You can’t do that.”

“You look surprised. Tsk, tsk, tsk, I thought you’d read the very fine print.”

Carly gasped in shock. “You’re an insufferable pompous ass, a control freak, incorrigible man.”

Alex threw his head back in laughter, calling center stage attention to them. “Anymore adjectives sweetheart?”

Carly pushed him back trying to disengage from his arms. “Honestly I don’t know what makes you think that
I
would do as you say. Haven’t you learned that by now? What’s
your
deal, Alex?”