A Twist of Fate (2 page)

~~~~~~

What a freaking
crazy morning. I swear - so much to digest. I still needed to find
out about our mysterious Mr Cowboy. I giggled. The things I could
do with that rope. Mmmmmmm, I wondered if he owned leather chaps
and boots? This fantasy was getting hot; I could already feel the
dull pleasure ache in my lower stomach and the slight moisture
forming in my underwear. I wondered if Jane had a photo? I could
totally Google him. Better go get Jane a coffee; I’d learned from
previous covert missions that she was a complete coffee addict and
freer-flowing with information after she’d had her fix.

“Yummy is that
for me?” Jane’s saccharine voice squealed.

“Yep, look I
even got you one of the cookies you like” I held out the package
and batted my eyelashes slightly. I have danced this dance before
and while Jane was good at her job, she wasn’t the worldliest of
creatures; she was naive and too trusting. This was going to be too
easy; I could see the partially covered personnel file on her desk.
“So... Jane, I’m going to be showing the new guy around,” I
pretended to look bored “and I figured I’d quickly go through his
file and see if there is anything I need to cover in his
induction.” Smooth Lexi, very smooth.

“Oh, I don’t
know Lexi... these files are kind of private. Kate would have my
head, you know.” Jane looked very uncomfortable with not giving me
what I wanted but she knew it would be breaking the rules to let me
have access to a private HR file.

“Jane, do you
think I would be asking if it wasn’t ok with Kate?” I said, looking
straight into her trusting brown eyes “You saw me talking to her
earlier didn’t you?? Remember when Justin called and I was in her
office?” I marveled at how easily the lies rolled off my tongue. I
was a master of this game and Jane didn’t even come close to being
a worthy adversary.

“Well,” Jane
paused and looked from the coffee and biscuit I was holding out to
the files on her desk. “I guess if you have cleared it with Kate
then it’s Ok.”

Jackpot! I
hoped there was some decent information in the file. I passed the
delicious bribe over and she hesitantly handed over the pristine
manila folder in return, clearly having second thoughts until I
gave her my award winning smile. Yep, entirely too easy. I should
have been a spy or a con artist. Maybe Mr Cowboy and I can play on
that fantasy as well? Mmmmmmm the list was endless.

I walked into
one of the private meeting rooms. I wanted to do my recon without
being disturbed and let’s face it, I was breaking company policy by
accessing his personal details. While I was brazen, I wasn’t
stupid. I closed the door behind me and I settled into one of the
comfortable chairs. As I opened the file, a sheet of paper slipped
out, a small passport photo was paper-clipped to the side. WOW
Cowboy, you’re hot. The photo was black and white but I could tell
his hair was dark and his eyes were so clear they were probably
blue. He had a strong jawline with amazing bone structure; he could
have been a model. The photo had obviously been taken later in the
day with a light stubble accentuating his masculine features. His
brows were furrowed and he had a distant, almost-forlorn look; like
he was looking beyond the camera and straight into my soul. It was
like he wasn’t even trying to be sexy, yet it oozed out of every
pore. Damn Kate and her “no fraternisation” policy. I wondered what
the outer edges of her definition would be? After getting a look at
this new piece of talent, I was determined that I was going to find
a loophole or at least skate to the edge of that line because
MATTHEW BURNS, whose name was printed across the top of his file,
would be worth it.

Melbourne
Airport had always held such exciting memories for me; there was
something about aviation fuel and jet noise that got me excited.
The thrill of an impending trip or a loved one returning, what’s
not to love? And today I was happily welcoming Matthew Burns into
the Cole fold. I had slipped the file unnoticed back onto Jane’s
desk yesterday, she had been chatting on the phone to someone about
the latest boy band who had captivated her interest and I was sure
she’d completely forgotten that I’d even taken the file. I quickly
called Kate on my way out of the office, saying I thought it would
be more personal to pick up Mr Burns rather than send a car or taxi
and, while she had her reservations, she reluctantly agreed. “Don’t
make me regret this” were her parting words to me as I hung up the
phone.

I had leapt out
of bed this morning, throwing items of clothing all over my room in
my haste to pick something suitable to wear. I finally settled on a
fitted back shift dress and my red Steve Madden pumps. I finished
the look with a slim-line jacket in the same red. I gazed into the
mirror feeling a bit disconnected from the woman who stared back at
me. I knew that I was not ugly but no woman is ever really truly
satisfied with herself. I think it’s some weird glitch built into
the second X chromosome. My big light brown eyes opened slightly
wider as I studied my reflection. I had left my cascading mane of
brunette curls loose, so they spilled onto my shoulders like an
untamed waterfall.

My carefully
manicured eyebrows arched back at me from my reflection. I had been
told so many times I was beautiful and yet I struggled to believe
it. It was the chink in my armour, my dirty little secret. No one
would ever believe I struggled with self-esteem. It’s not what I
projected. I glanced up and down at my body. I’d worked extra hard
on my fitness over the last few months and the training and working
out was showing results. My long arms travelled up the length of my
thighs and over my firm butt. It was never enough; I would have to
work harder. I mentally chastised myself – Lexi, you are a strong,
successful, beautiful woman. Get over your hang ups. I fixed a
smile on my face and I walked out the door.

The flight had
landed about an hour ago and people were starting to spill into the
arrivals area where we were all corralled. I had flirted with the
idea of holding up a sign with his name but decided it was too
cheesy. Besides, those eyes... It’s not like I could forget what he
looked like. I spotted him as soon as he walked through the double
doors. He was dressed in grey tailored pants, a light linen shirt
and a matching tailored jacket. No tie. Mmmmm, I likey! He was just
less than six foot; I could tell his body was toned even with his
clothes on. His broad shoulders and chest filled his shirt and
jacket nicely before his torso thinned to his lower abs and waist.
His muscular arms flexing as he pushed the luggage trolley in front
of him. “Mr Burns?” I questioned as he came closer. He blinked in
slight confusion at being approached and then a smooth grin spread
across his face as he realised who I must be. He had the same
smattering of stubble across his face as he’d had in the photo. His
clear blue eyes fixed on mine “Hi, you must be Alexandra - Kate
just sent me a text telling me you were going to meet me here.”
Hmmmm, what else had Kate told him?

“Actually, it’s
Lexi. No one has called me Alexandra in years.” I still felt like a
naughty child whenever someone called me by my full name.

“Sorry, Lexi.”
His low gravelly voice caressed my name, sending a shiver right to
my core. “I’m Matt,” he crooned, his smooth accent rolling off his
tongue like morning dew off my windscreen. He held out his hand and
gave me a firm but polite handshake.

“Well, Matt.
You got everything? My car is just over here.” I pulled my hand
away from a shock of electricity and spun on my heel, leading him
to the parking garage walkway. He followed me, hanging slightly
behind. I wasn’t sure if it was because he was being polite, he
didn’t know where he was going, or maybe he was checking out my
ass. Either way, it wasn’t long before we made it back to my
car.

“Nice ride.” he
smirked glancing at my silver Honda Civic as he lifted his
suitcases off the trolley. Was he being sarcastic?

“Thanks, it
does the job and it’s easy to weave in and out of traffic.” I
cringed inwardly at my lame response. “So... Matt. Is this your
first trip to Australia?” I steered the conversation back into my
favour while I helped him load his luggage into the back of my
car

“Yeah, it is
actually, and I have to say my first impressions of this place are
pretty good.” Hmmm was he flirting?? I couldn’t quite work this one
out.

Usually I could
figure a guy out pretty quickly. Hell, most of the time I knew if I
was going to sleep with him within the first 5 minutes of
conversation, yet Mr Cowboy aka Matt Burns had me perplexed. He was
standing at the driver’s side door after I closed the hatch, having
carefully stowed his suitcases away. “Umm, unless you are going to
drive, you are going to have to go around to the other side.” I
mused. He glanced inside at the steering wheel that was firmly in
place on the apparent wrong side of the car.

“Oh yeah,
completely forgot about that. I hear the water runs the opposite
way down the drain down here too.” I couldn’t help but laugh at his
innocent perception. I’d bet my new Mimco clutch he’d be flushing
the toilet the minute he got into his hotel to test his theory. He
smiled as sauntered passed me, moving to the passenger side and
getting in.

The ride to the
hotel was surprisingly smooth, he was easy to talk to and pretty
funny too. He was incredibly well mannered and I was impressed by
his knowledge of my home city. Chances are he’d probably read a
traveller’s guide book on the plane and was merely regurgitating
but still it showed he made an effort! He was originally from
Houston, Texas but went to College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at
Carnegie Mellon University. He loved his time in Pittsburgh and
spent a few years working there after graduating, speaking fondly
of the city that was his home during that time. “It’s a lot like
Melbourne in some ways,” he explained “it has amazing sports arenas
and the city is full of diverse restaurants, born from the influx
ethnic migration back in the 1920s.” He seemed passionate about
knowing about a city’s culture and I could see his eyes light up
when he spoke about Pittsburgh.

“Sounds like a
place I’d probably like to visit” I mused.

“Oh, you have
to go. I could give you a list of things to see and do, an absolute
must is to have a Primantti’s sandwich in the strip district. That
sandwich will change your life” he grinned. I couldn’t imagine any
sandwich changing my life but I was willing to humour him.

The traffic was
light so it didn’t take too long to reach his hotel. He was only
booked in until he found more suitable accommodation, hopefully an
apartment he explained. He hated living out of a suitcase. I parked
out front in the drop off zone and stepped out to help him with his
bags.

“Lexi,” he
breathed. I glanced up at him. I had to tilt my chin back slightly
to look him in the eyes (even with my killer Madden heels) “It was
a pleasure meeting you and thank you for the ride. I’d love for you
to meet me for dinner tonight and help me go through my schedule
for tomorrow.”

“Sure, I’ll
bring over all your induction paperwork if you like and we can go
over it together, saves you doing it tomorrow.” I couldn’t peg this
one... Was he asking me on a date? Was this business? What the
hell?? Was he gay?? I must be losing my edge. Perhaps I needed to
up the ante tonight and try and work this one out. “I’ve got to
stay back tonight to tie some loose ends in the office but I’ll
make it back by 8, ok?”

“Yes, we
wouldn’t want any loose ends” he smirked and he turned as he headed
into his hotel. OK that was fucking weird! I was going to be on
edge for the rest of the day.

~~~~~~

“Oi! Lexi!”
Anna giggled. I looked up from my computer screen to see her dark
eyes staring at me over the wall partition.

“Hey Anna, you
trolling for information to take back to your asshole boss?” I
smirked.

“Bitch,
please... the asshole is golfing today. I could be out to lunch for
3 hours and he’d be none the wiser! Now if you’re done assaulting
that keyboard, grab your shit and let’s go to lunch. It’s Taco
Tuesday.” Anna retorted. I grabbed my bag and took my iPhone off my
desk.

“So what’s the
goss, Anna? Any rumblings I should know about?” Anna worked at a
rival events firm, so generally had to get a full pat down and
provide a urine sample on arrival. Kate knew we were friends and
had no issue with us “networking” as long as I exercised
discretion. She still however insisted Anna leave her phone at
reception and was accompanied to my desk by Jane, who eyed us
impatiently as we left the office.

We made our way
to the cosy little Mexican place down the street and had barely
been seated in our booth when Anna beamed. “I heard some shit went
down in your office yesterday…” She left her sentence trailing
deliberately. I knew it wouldn’t be long before word was out of
Stacey’s undignified fall from grace. Still, Kate would be livid if
I confirmed anything.

“Yeah, we
landed that account you guys have had for the last 5 years,” I
glowed “amazing how easy it was to convince Reece he was getting
robbed over there at your place.” I smiled and signaled the waiter,
I was hungry.

“HA! You could
argue the sky was green and convince people you were right - why do
you think Kate has you as her right hand man? Asshole would bring
you across to our team in a heartbeat if he thought he stood a
chance!” We both smiled “But seriously, no work talk... I want to
hear about Stacey, I heard she went all single white female.
Apparently she was screaming and crying in a client meeting. Did
she really call you all a bunch of C’s??” Anna whispered in a
hushed voice.