Chapter 5
5
JASMINE
We’d checked in at the airport and were now heading to the business lounge.
I’d like to say I was doing a good job at keeping my cool, but I’d be lying.
When I saw Alejandro walking towards me, my heart skipped a beat.
It was strange. My ex-husband, Kane, was always immaculately dressed. Everything he wore was designer and he took great pride in his appearance.
Alejandro on the other hand had a more relaxed style. On the few times I’d seen him in his own clothes, he’d always worn something casual and understated.
Right now, he may only be wearing a plain white T-shirt and jean shorts, but man did he know how to make them look good.
His T-shirt accentuated his muscular chest and arms and his toned legs were made for shorts.
And his smile. Every time he looked at me, my stomach fluttered.
I liked his confidence too. My ex was cocky, but in an arrogant rather than a playful way.
Kane built himself up at the expense of others. He never hesitated to put other people down to make himself feel better.
But when Alejandro spoke about being an excellent chef, I noticed it was secondary to praising me. And it came from a place of confidence and self-belief rather than just blowing his trumpet.
We’d barely been here together for half an hour and already I found myself drawn to him. I was treading on very dangerous ground.
When we stopped outside the business lounge, Alejandro’s eyes widened.
‘I cannot believe we are travelling business class,’ he whispered.
‘We work for the Love Hotel: one of the most luxurious resorts in the world. Everything they do is first class and we’re going to help them set up a luxury hotel in Jamaica, so it’s important that we experience what it feels like to travel in style. Consider it market research.’ I smiled.
‘Very true. I am glad that I will finally become a member of the Mile High Club.’ He grinned.
‘What?’ My eyebrows shot up.
‘I will finally be travelling business class – which is like first class. That is being a part of the Mile High Club, no?’
‘Erm.’ I stifled a giggle. ‘ No . The Mile High Club is something completely different… It’s for…’ I looked him in the eye, then quickly looked away. God, he was beautiful. It was going to be difficult to explain the meaning whilst staring at him, because I knew part of me would be wishing we really could join that club. Together . ‘The Mile High Club is for people who have sex on planes whilst it’s in the air.’
‘Fuck!’ He laughed, then chuckled again as he realised fuck was a very accurate description. ‘I did not realise! I told you that I make mistakes with my English!’
‘It’s fine! At least now you know that’s not the club that you’ll be joining during this trip.’
‘Well, it is a long flight. Anything could happen.’ His eyes darkened and a bolt of desire raced through me.
I’d never considered having sex on a plane. The toilets were impossibly small and cramped. There was barely enough room for one person, so how two people could manage getting jiggy in there was beyond me. Not to mention the fact that it was highly inappropriate and could result in being chucked off the plane or even arrested.
It was extremely irresponsible.
So why was I currently picturing Alejandro pushing me up against the bathroom sink and burying himself inside me?
The shrill ring of my phone brought me back to my senses. I tore my gaze away from Alejandro’s hypnotic eyes and pulled out my mobile, grateful for the interruption.
It was Stella. Thank God.
‘I need to get this,’ I said. ‘You go on through to the lounge. Just show your boarding pass. I’ll meet you in there.’
‘ Vale .’ He nodded to confirm that it was okay.
I quickly walked away from the lounge, then once I’d double-checked the coast was clear, I answered the call.
‘Hi!’ I said.
‘Hey!’ Stella replied brightly. ‘I got your message. You said you were in London last night and were staying over to catch a flight today?’
I’d been so busy doing the handover with the other Love Alchemists and making sure my last group of guests returned home okay that I’d only remembered to message her when I arrived in London.
‘My boss is sending me on a work trip to Jamaica. With Alejandro.’
‘Oh my God! That’s amazing! What time do you go?’
‘In about an hour and a half. I’m at the airport now.’
‘Shame we didn’t get to see you. I’m so jealous! I’d love to go back to Jamaica. I know Max would like to visit too.’
‘Shame we can’t swap places.’
‘I don’t get it. Why would you not want to go?’
‘Because, as you’ve annoyingly pointed out a few times, I like Alejandro. And I’m going to Jamaica to work. But how am I supposed to concentrate with him around?’
‘How long’s the trip?’
‘Two weeks! Fourteen days of trying not to look into his eyes or swoon when he smiles. God. Listen to me! I shouldn’t even be talking about him like that!’
‘First up, take a deep breath. You’re freaking out.’
‘Of course I’m freaking out!’
‘Is it really such a big deal?’
‘Yes! Especially after what just happened at work.’ After swearing she wouldn’t tell a soul, I filled her in on the washing-machine incident that led to Hazel wanting to reinforce the no-fraternising recommendation. Although we all knew it was less of a ‘recommendation’ and more of a ‘requirement’.
‘That’s hilarious! I’ve never tried it on a washing machine before. On a spin cycle, it must feel like sitting on a giant square vibrator. I’ll have to mention it to Max and see if he’s up for it!’
‘You’re missing the point!’ I blew out a frustrated breath. ‘I can’t fancy Alejandro. There’s a whole power imbalance.’
‘Really? Isn’t his boss the… whatever silly term you use for head chef?’
‘Yes. His main boss is the Cuisine King, Marco, but he also reports to me.’
‘Right. But that’s at the Love Hotel in Spain . Will you also be his boss whilst you’re away? Why can’t it be a case of what happens in Jamaica, stays in Jamaica ?’
‘Someone will find out. They always do.’
‘Not if you’re careful.’
‘It’s too risky. And anyway, that’s not the only reason. He’s only twenty-nine. I’m forty soon! I’m eleven years older than him!’
‘ And? You know what they say: age is just a number .’
‘We’re at different stages in life. He’s young and carefree. He’d want different things.’
‘You don’t know that.’
‘Anyway, I don’t even know why I’m thinking about that. It would never get to that point. Actually, what am I saying? It would never even start. I’m not going to risk my career for a quick roll in the hay. Or sand, or wherever we’d do it. Not that I’m thinking about where we’d have sex, because we absolutely won’t!’
‘Of course you won’t…’ Stella said sarcastically like she was thinking, Yeah, right.
‘We won’t !’ I protested.
‘I believe you… sort of. Look, I know how important your job is and how professional you are, so I’m sure you’ll find a way to handle it. What exactly will you be doing over there?’
‘They haven’t given specifics yet, but basically, I’m helping to set up the guest relations side of the operations there and he’ll be dealing with restaurant stuff.’
‘That’s fine then! It’s a hotel, so it won’t be like you need to share a room or bed together. And he’ll be busy doing restaurant stuff all day, so you probably won’t even see much of each other.’
‘True.’
‘You’re probably just overthinking. I know because that’s what I used to do. At least you’re finally getting a little taste of your own medicine!’ Stella laughed. ‘This is karma for all the scheming you did to bring me and Max together.’
‘I helped you realise you two were soul mates. The end justified the means. This is completely different!’
‘If you say so!’ She laughed again. ‘But seriously, just be your normal, confident, professional self and it’ll all work out in the end. You’ll see. You’re gonna have an amazing time. You’re going to Jamaica, baby! Don’t waste your time fretting, just enjoy the experience!’
‘I’ll try.’ I sighed. ‘Where are you and Max jetting off to next?’ I asked.
The two of them were always travelling. Stella had recently set up her own graphic design company and could work from anywhere in the world. Max ran a beauty-product company and thanks to his team, he was able to work remotely too.
‘We’re going to Madrid for a long weekend with Colton and his wife to watch Real Madrid play.’
‘Great! I love that you two are having so much fun together.’
‘You could be too with a certain Alejandro …’ she teased.
‘Anyway,’ I said quickly, deliberately avoiding responding to her crazy comment. ‘I’d better go.’
‘Have a safe flight and don’t forget to try out the Mile High Club!’ She laughed.
‘No way!’ I gasped.
‘Only joking!’ She chuckled. ‘Sort of… Max and I tried it and it was fun. I’d definitely recommend it!’
‘Bye, Stella.’
‘Bye, Jazzy. Safe flight and text me when you land.’
‘Will do.’