Unravel Me (18 page)

I stopped myself from launching into a thousand questions about what happened last night, where he went and why. He seemed to sense my thoughts and ran his knuckles down my cheek.

“Soon, love. You’ll get your answers soon.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

I rejoined Stephanie and Darren on the dance floor after I couldn’t take anymore of their pleading. Alastair chose to stay in the VIP section and watch from the couch. I laughed to myself when Tyler and Wesley cornered him for what would no doubt become an interrogation, rather than conversation.
And he thinks I’m curious
.

"Oh my gosh, Lia. You look
a-maz-ing
.”

I turned toward the perky voice and came face to face with my co-worker, Katie Vitale.

“I hope you don’t mind that we’re so late,” she smiled, flipping her strawberry-blonde hair over her shoulder. “We figured these things don’t get really exciting until later anyway.”

The morning show reporter was joined by Vanessa Jaxson, who usually worked the evening shows. They were both dressed to the nines and scanning the room. I cringed internally. Everyone in the newsroom knew about this party but I’d hoped only the people I was actually friends with would show up. I had a sneaking suspicion these two weren’t here to see Stephanie or me.

“Is your boyfriend here?” Katie asked.

Bingo
.

“Yeah. He’s up there talking to Wes and Tyler.”

They both looked up and dragged their eager eyes all over his well-dressed figure. “Oh great. We’re just going to introduce ourselves real quick. Thanks, Lia.” They sashayed away in a cloud of perfume and hairspray.

“What did the Wonder Twins want?” Stephanie asked.

“To check out the main attraction,” I said, motioning toward Alastair.

“Oh my God,” she snorted. “They’re unbelievable.”

“They’re fit,” Darren observed. “Are they single? Dating? Dating each other?”

I rolled my eyes and laughed. “They’re both single. Go get ‘em, cowboy.”

“I do have the better accent, you know. They’ll be putty in my hands.”

“Darren, when’s the last time you had an actual girlfriend?” Stephanie folded her arms.

He paused and thought for a second, then shrugged. “I don’t know. Last year maybe? Why?”

“Just curious.”

Darren smiled broadly and wrapped her in a bear hug. “Are you sweet on me, Stephanie?” She scrunched up her face and tried to wrestle out of his grip. “Ah, come on, lass. Give us a kiss.”

Stephanie’s protests were almost as loud as the music. She laughed so hard I thought she might pass out from lack of breathing. It dawned on me that she’d be leaving for Glasgow in less than a week. A wave of sadness washed through me.

“And you,” Darren exclaimed, pulling me in for a hug, “need to get your pretty little self to Scotland immediately. This one over here won’t make it long without you. I have room at my place. The door is always open for you.”

“Thanks.” I smiled.

“She’ll be over before we know it,” Stephanie grinned. “I have a feeling you-know-who wants you in Glasgow just as much as we do.”

Laughing, I turned toward the VIP section. Alastair was flanked by Vanessa and Katie, while engaging in an animated discussion with Wesley. He caught me looking and lifted an eyebrow. I just waved and blew a kiss in his direction.

“He always attracts a crowd no matter where he goes,” Darren mused. “Sort of feel bad for the guy. He has loosened up a bit since you two started dating though.”

“Really?” I asked.

“A little. Don’t get me wrong, he’d still rather put in his allotted time for public appearances and then bugger off somewhere private. But he’s a little less frosty these days. I suspect you’ve had a lot to do with that.”

I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face if I tried. Seeing Alastair reveal more of his true self was something I wanted for him so much. I watched him interact with my co-workers. His natural charm and charisma commanded attention. Make no mistake, he was still as guarded as ever but his easy manner of speaking with people he barely knew masked it perfectly. I meandered back to the VIP section and stood off to the side, continuing to watch him.

He embraced their general curiosities. Katie and Vanessa fired off question after question. Alastair smoothly deflected a few of the more probing ones but managed to satisfy their hunger for information. When they’d finally exhausted every avenue to pry, inquire and interrogate, the foursome scurried off to the bar. Tyler gave me a thumbs up as they brushed past.

Alastair sighed, running a hand through his hair.

“Did they wear you out, chief?”

“Not at all,” he grinned, hooking his arms around my waist.

“You do realize I’ll probably never have another peaceful day at work. Ten bucks says you charmed the pants right off them.”

“The novelty will wear off soon. I’m not that interesting. Besides,” he leaned his forehead to mine, “the only pants I plan to charm off anyone are yours.”

“Cheesy,” I smirked.

“You love it.”

“Maybe.” I pulled him in for a kiss. A bright light flashed, ruining the moment. I opened my eyes just in time to see some random girl lower her smartphone and stare at the photo she’d presumably just taken of us.

“Hey,” I shouted, bolting towards her.

“Let her go, love,” Alastair said, holding my arm. “It’s not worth it.”

I watched her disappear into the sea of dancing people.

“It’s not fair to you,” I grumbled. “You shouldn’t have to put up with it here.”

His lips curved. “I’ve been dealing with it all my life. It happens everywhere I go. I block it out most of the time.”

“Yeah but still—”

“Enough,” he interrupted with a laugh. “Would you like to dance some more with your friends or are you ready to leave for New York?”

“Can we bring them on the plane with us and have a dance party at thirty thousand feet?”

“Not this time,” he smirked, lacing his fingers through mine. “Come on. Let’s dance a little more.”

* * *

I hugged Stephanie for the longest time on the sidewalk after we left the club. I’d see her again this week before she flew to Glasgow but I still felt so, so sad that this was our last weekend together. Darren made me swear up and down that I’d fly out for her birthday. Obviously I would, without a doubt.

“Have fun in New York,” she whispered, squeezing me. “If you get engaged call me immediately.”

My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets as I looked her incredulously.

“Don’t give me that look. It’s coming, whether you’re ready for it or not.”

Still speechless, I glanced from her to where Darren and Alastair were chatting.
Neither one of us is ready for marriage
.

“This right here,” she continued, touching the amber ring on my finger, “is the opening act. I watched you two all night. He is so in love with you it’s almost unreal. He tries to hide it, just like you do. Y’all are the same person. Just get married already.” She smiled.

I couldn’t convince her otherwise. Stephanie was the biggest romantic I knew and when she made a proclamation like that, nobody could sway her. Too bad she never applied that outlook to her own love life. Since I’d known her she’d had exactly one boyfriend. As amazing and fabulous as my best friend was, she had a habit of sabotaging her relationships with unrealistic expectations.

“How about we relax with all that?” I said, folding my arms.

“Still so jaded,” she sighed.

“I’m not jaded. I prefer to say ‘cautiously optimistic.’”

“Whatever you want to call it, it’s happening.”

“What’s happening?” Alastair asked, draping an arm over my shoulder.

I felt my cheeks heat up as a ridiculous blush commandeered my body. Stephanie giggled.

“Your amazing weekend getaway in New York,” she answered. “Now get out of here. If my calculations are right, Darren is starving and probably wants something unhealthy and greasy.”

“You’re a gem,” Darren said. “Those food trucks look mighty tempting.” He turned to me. “Have fun this weekend, Lia. I’ll see you in Glasgow soon, yeah?”

“I hope so.”

Stephanie linked her arm with his and the two strolled off to find some food. Alastair gave my hand a tiny squeeze.

“Ready, love?”

“As I’ll ever be,” I grinned up at him.

The ride to the airport was quick thanks to the late hour. Since we were leaving ahead of schedule I didn’t have any of my belongings with me.

“Uh, I don’t have my suitcase or anything, Holden.”

“It’s already on the plane.”

“What?”

“I may have stopped by your flat before coming to the party and gathered your things.”

Shaking my head, I climbed out of the car and walked toward the waiting aircraft.

“Is this new?” I asked, turning toward him.

“No.”

“It’s different though, right? I mean, it’s bigger.”

Alastair shrugged nonchalantly. “I have more than one plane, you know.”

I stopped short and stared at him. “Like a fleet?”

“You could say that. Are you going to stare at it all night?”

I sized him up with my best
you’re-a-show-off
look and boarded the plane. Comfort and class hit me right away when I walked on. The flight attendant smiled pleasantly and motioned for me to sit wherever I pleased. He was as well-dressed and elegant as the rest of my surroundings. Draped in warm neutral tones of cream, beige and gray, the interior boasted large leather seats, a section with a couch and two doors that led to what I assumed were a bedroom and a bathroom.

Alastair chatted briefly with the pilot before joining me.

“Buckle up, kitten. We’re taking off now.”

I settled onto one of the leather seats and fastened my seatbelt. Staring out the window, I watched the ground move faster and faster as we taxied down the runway. Once we were airborne Alastair nudged me with his elbow.

“You’re pretty.”

I laughed. “Working on some new opening lines?”

He rested his chin on his hand and grinned. “Just admiring the view.”

“What do you want?”

“That’s an easy question.”

“Is it?”

His intense, heated stare was unavoidable. “Yes, love. I want you. I always want you.”

Hearing that really never gets old
. I smiled and looked down, fidgeting with my dress. Sometimes he made me feel like such a lovesick puppy.

“No interruptions this weekend, right?” I asked.

I looked up in time to see his expression harden a little. There was still that whole business of him taking off last night after I told him about his uncle paying Rachel to follow me. I didn’t want the stress of that hanging over us but it needed to be resolved. My heart jackhammered in my chest the longer he went without saying anything.

“No interruptions,” he finally responded. “Except for the fancy dinner we’re going to later tonight.”

“I didn’t really bring anything for a…” My voice trailed watching his lips curve in a wide grin. “You have clothes waiting for me there, don’t you?”

“Maybe. Is that alright?”

“This whole playing tag-a-long with the billionaire thing is going to take awhile to get used to.”

“Don’t be so dramatic,” he teased. “Think of it as a gift.”

“But I didn’t get anything for you,” I pouted.

“None of that. You’re with me. That’s the greatest gift I could ask for.”

“You are quite the charmer.”

“You still think so?”

“Yep.”

“Care to join me someplace a little more comfortable?”

I lifted an eyebrow. “Where would that be?”

Flashing his hundred-watt smile, he guided me to the back of the plane.

“Door number one or door number two?” he asked.

“Does it matter?”

He stood between them, leveling a dark stare on me that quickened my pulse. “I’ll choose then.”

Opening the door to his right, I saw a decent sized bedroom. The skin on my shoulder warmed immediately from his touch.

“We have two hours. I’m going to get you out of this dress and make the most of them.”

Completely ruled by my overwhelming desire to tear all his clothes off, I followed him into the room and became intimately acquainted with the mile high club.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Windows surrounded me, rather than walls. No matter which way I turned, I had a fantastic view. The window to my right boasted the emerald green foliage of Central Park. At this moment I preferred the one to my left. Rolling onto my side, I drank in the never-ending beauty of Alastair as he slept. We’d arrived at his family’s penthouse at around three in the morning, exhausted from our in-flight entertainment. Smiling, I stretched my legs along the soft sheets. Bright and airy, the bedroom was drenched in gorgeous earth tones giving off a relaxing, almost resort-like vibe.

I rested my head on his bare chest, content with listening to his steady breathing and rhythmic heart beat. It sped up a little when I placed my hand on his stomach. Stirring gently, he covered my hand with his.

“Good morning, beautiful.” His voice always sounded richer and way more sexy when he first woke up.

“Morning. Did you sleep alright?”

“Yes, love,” he said, nuzzling into my neck.

“That tickles,” I giggled.

“My hair again? I’ll shave it off.”

“You will do no such thing,” I scolded him in mock horror.

Reaching for my waist, he gave it a few quick squeezes. I made a half-hearted attempt to stop him. I hadn’t been the victim of one of his tickle assaults in a while and sort of missed it.

“Do you know what time it is?” he asked, curling his body into my side. Something warm and hard poked into my thigh.

“I can take a guess.”

“Can you?” He hovered over me, his eyes clouded with sleep and lust. Leaning back, he sat up and pulled off his boxers then removed my cotton pajama bottoms and underwear with a wicked grin. Caging me against the mattress, he pressed his forehead to mine and used his left knee to part my legs. I shifted beneath him, my breathing becoming shallow and quick. Honestly, I could do this all day and night. Every nerve ending tingled.