Chapter 32
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Alexander
What the fuck is this?
I thought I was meeting Gabriel Foster for dinner at Axel NY. It’s been a favorite restaurant of mine for years.
When he called me last week and suggested we meet up tonight, I was on board.
I don’t have a lot of friends other than Jack. I’m not on the hunt for new ones, but Gabriel has become one by accident.
Our shared love of classical music is the foundation for a burgeoning friendship.
This isn’t a dinner between two friends.
This is some fucked-up surprise party.
It’s not my birthday. I didn’t win any awards. I have no idea why so many familiar faces are staring at me as I walk through the entrance.
“You’re here.” Isla Foster rushes toward me dressed in a light blue sparkly dress that makes her eyes pop. “We wanted to do something special to show our appreciation for you.”
A case of beer would have done just fine.
My gaze slides to where Phoebe is standing. She’s wearing the same black sheath dress and pearls she always does when there’s a special occasion.
I raise a brow to her for not telling me this was happening when I talked to her this morning. She tosses me a shrug and a smile.
I doubt like hell I look half as good as most of the people in attendance.
I’m wearing a navy blue suit and a pinstriped shirt.
I haven’t shaved since I took Olivia to bed. Part of the reason was that I wanted her scent to linger on my face the next day. Today, it was pure laziness that kept my razor in the drawer in my bathroom during my shower.
I rake a hand through my hair. It needs a cut.
Gabriel approaches with a bottle of beer in his hand. “Your old friend, Jack, told me this was your favorite.”
I look over his shoulder to catch Jack raising a bottle in the air. I’m tempted to flip him the bird, but there are too many people in this room who wouldn’t find the humor in that.
Most of the musicians I work with are easy going, but a few take the job and themselves too seriously.
I scan the room examining every face. Some are familiar, others not, but one jumps out at me.
Christ.
I lucked out when I walked into this place.
Standing in the middle of the restaurant, dressed in a killer red dress is the woman I haven’t stopped thinking about in days, weeks if I’m honest.
Olivia Hull is here.
Maybe this night will turn out better than I imagined it would.
“You looked surprised.” Olivia takes the glass of champagne from my hand. “Did you not realize this was a party in your honor?”
I step closer to her. God, she smells incredible. It’s a combination of the fragrance of her skin and a trace of perfume.
All that’s missing is the scent of sex that permeated every pore of her body the other night when she was in my bed.
“I want to fuck you.”
Her eyes widen. “Alexander.”
“Olivia.” I reach to touch her hand. “Now, who looks surprised? Did you not realize that I want to fuck you?”
“People will hear you,” she lowers her voice.
I do the same, leaning in so my breath breezes over her cheek. “People have sex. Some people talk about having sex.”
“Not here.” Her head shakes.
I smile at the expression on her face. It’s surprise mixed with desire. “There’s a private room in the back. The door locks.”
“How do you know that?” Her gaze narrows.
I tap a fingertip to my ear. “I’ve heard.”
“Dinner will be served soon.” She nervously taps her shoe on the floor. “I wasn’t sure if I should come, but my boss invited me.”
“Gabriel?”
“Cathleen.” She gestures toward a woman dressed in a knee-length navy blue dress. “She’s a big fan of yours. She told me on the way over that she’s been dying to meet you.”
“I’m dying to eat you.”
The corners of her lips twitch. “After the party. My place tonight.”
“Something to look forward to.” I place my hand on the small of her back. “Introduce me to Cathleen.”
Her smile widens. “She’ll like that.”
“As your lover, Olivia.”
“What?” Her eyes slide over my face.
“Introduce me to your boss as your lover.”
A blush sweeps over her cheeks. “Are you?”
“We established that the other night when I fucked you raw.” I run the tip of my nose over her cheek. “I’ll remind you again tonight.”
She turns to me, her lips hovering just over mine. “I welcome the reminder.”
A tap on my shoulder lures my gaze back to catch Jack standing behind me. “Get to the front of the restaurant. Gabriel and Isla are waiting to toast you.”
I nod abruptly before turning my attention back to Olivia.
She raises her glass in the air. “Here’s to gentle reminders.”
I move to rest my lips next to her ear. “Who said anything about it being gentle?”
She gasps; I kiss her softly and leave her with a promise of what’s to come.