Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Alexander
I have played for royalty, presidents, and celebrities. Tonight, I played my cello for the most important person in the world.
I played it for the woman I’m falling in love with.
Admitting that to myself hasn’t been easy, but running from the truth is futile.
I’ve felt it for weeks. It was unfamiliar at first.
My experience in love is limited. I felt something for a woman once, but it can’t compare to this.
I look over to where Olivia’s sitting.
I brought a folding chair onto the stage of the rehearsal hall because I wanted her to feel the music.
If I had taken her home and played it there, the magic would have been lost in the cramped space and limited acoustics.
She hasn’t said a word.
I finish packing my instrument back in its case, the entire time feeling Olivia’s eyes on me.
Once I’m done I motion for a stagehand to take it. He’ll carry it back to my office and lock it up.
It’s a treasured piece to me. It was given to me by one of my early music teachers. At the time I wasn’t tall enough to play it. I grew into it and its charm grew on me.
It’s not perfect by any means, but it fits me like a glove.
“Alexander?”
I turn to find Olivia on her feet. Her purse is slung over her shoulder.
She’s dressed, as any woman might be if they were coming to the symphony. She’s wearing a simple black dress, silver hoop earrings and black heels. My hands braided her hair.
I did that after our shower this morning before I took her to work.
“Yes?” I ask as I approach her.
“Is it always that beautiful?” Her hand flutters over the center of her chest. “Am I supposed to feel it in here?”
I rest my hand over hers. “If I’m playing it correctly, yes.”
“I had no idea.” Tears well in her eyes. “You’re so talented.”
I swallow, my emotions warring with each other. I want to kiss her, hold her, take her to my office and fuck her. I want all of it.
“Thank you,” I say simply.
She extends her hands, taking mine. “It’s incredible how much emotion comes through the music. You do all of that with your hands.”
I bring her hands to my lips, kissing each of her fingers. “Your hands convey your emotions too.”
She tries to tug her hands free, but I hold fast to them, resting my lips against them.
“You speak with your hands.” I smile wryly. “I don’t think you’re aware of it, but they move with your words. It’s fascinating.”
Her brow furrows, her nose scrunching up. “I don’t do that.”
I drop her hands. “You do.”
“I don’t.” Her hand swings in the air.
I stop it in place with my fingers on her wrist. “Point proven. You’re unaware of it. That’s why I love it.”
Her gaze falls to the floor. “Where to now?”
“You’re hungry.” It’s not a question. I met her here at six. Unless she ate dinner at five, she’s ready for a meal.
“Famished.” Her hand rubs her belly.
It’s another perfect example of her expressing herself without noticing it.
“I take it pizza is still off the table?”
Her arms cross over her chest. “I eat it if there’s nothing else available.”
“We’re in New York City.” I wrap my arm around her waist to lead her off the stage. “Everything is available here.”
Two hours later, we are both satiated. Good Italian food can do that to a person.
Olivia passed on the pizza in favor of linguine. I opted for the same. Watching the woman eat, and enjoy every bite was one of the most erotic experiences of my life.
“You’ll come home with me tonight.”
She’s quiet for a minute as we walk hand-in-hand down a street in Tribeca. “I can’t tonight, Alexander.”
That stops me in my tracks. “Why?”
She looks down at her watch. “I have a phone meeting at four a.m. with an associate in London. All of my notes are at home.”
“Four in the morning?” I start moving again, walking with slow even steps. I want to prolong my time with her.
Hell, I want her to invite me to sleep at her place. I’d make her coffee before the meeting, and breakfast after.
“I’ll set my alarm for three and Uber back to your place with you,” I offer.
“No,” she replies with a curt shake of her head. “That’s not necessary. I’ll head home soon and we can catch up tomorrow.”
I’m frustrated. My cock is irritated. I wanted to be inside of her tonight. “Why don’t we stop for a nightcap?”
I’m grasping at any straw that will give me thirty more minutes with her.
“Another time?” She turns to face me. “This call is important. I want to get some sleep in so I’m rested and alert.”
I cradle her face in my hands, brushing my lips over hers. “I hate the person in London who can’t wait a few hours to talk to you.”
She smiles wide. “You can’t hate someone you don’t know.”
“I hate them,” I repeat with a half grin.
She takes a breath and points up the street. “There’s a taxi coming. I’m going to grab it.”
“At least let me kiss you goodnight outside your building.”
Her hand jumps into the air as she swerves around me to get the taxi driver’s attention. “You’re impossible to resist. I’ll want you to come up to my apartment and I won’t get a wink in before my call.”
Fuck. I’m striking out at every turn.
I move to open the taxi’s door as it comes to a stop next to the curb, but she beats me to it. She’s settling onto the seat when I pop my head inside.
“Goodnight, Olivia.”
Her hand cups my cheek. “Goodnight, Alexander. Thank you for the private show.”
“Anytime,” I whisper before I step back and shut the door.