22. James
James
The meeting with Collins took a lot longer than I had hoped. It’s technically still not finished. I threw an envelope of legal documents at him after hours of that shit show. Collins has a lot of house cleaning to do at his company, and I don’t have the time or care to witness it all.
Alester checked all of our contracts and most have a clause that they can’t just jump ship without cause and notice.
He also found a bunch of legal problems within the Collins and Sons company, so he added those to the envelope for fun.
By the time I got to the apartment building I needed to get changed and get to the ball.
I was hoping I could convince Alex to come, but she wasn’t there.
Just a note on the counter that said, ‘See you soon.’
I sent her a couple texts, but they’ve all gone unanswered.
The Fireside Ball is just a massive event where people with money can flaunt around comparing dicks as they overbid on items for auction.
The only reason I’m here and not chasing after Alex is because Ryder and Alester demanded it’s good for the company to show ourselves and mingle with the clients that will be present.
I also don’t mind donating, since all proceeds go to the local fire department and helping orphaned children in the area.
Ryder is already following around the servers carrying snacks trying to take an entire tray. I shake my head at him and scan the room for Alester. He’s seated at our table, waiting for the auction, as an elderly woman leans close, talking his ear off.
I laugh to myself as I continue scanning the room. A few clients are sprinkled around the room, big names that fill our books for years and allow us to take on smaller clients at a discounted rate, like Family Farms. I’ll have to mingle with them after the auction.
The door to the auction room slams open, causing half the room to look towards the ruckus, and I turn to take in the scene as well.
I chuckle to myself as I see Ashlyn stomping through the door in a silver dress with her heels so high I’m impressed she doesn’t break her ankle.
Jaz follows behind her in a navy dress, waving awkwardly at the people watching.
I crane my neck waiting for the third in the trio, my Alexandra.
Her fingertips gently push the door open.
I watch her black-studded heels step through as my eyes travel from her toes up her toned legs showing through the thigh high slit in her bright red dress.
I hold my breath as I take in the mesh dip between her breasts going almost to her stomach.
Her cleavage is on display demanding to be worshipped, but only by me.
I make my way across the room to her. Her long brown hair is styled in loose curls over one shoulder, and her eyes are latched on my body, eating me up with the same fire I have burning for her. Fuck the ball. I want to take her out of here now.
I stop just shy of pulling her body flush against mine, but barely.
Alex bats her long lashes at me. “God, how am I supposed to focus when you look like that?” She bites her lip, and I have to fight the urge to scoop her in my arms and haul her out of here like the caveman I am.
My voice is husky with need. “Me? Did you pass a mirror before you came here? It’s taking all of my control not to throw you over my shoulder and leave this place.”
That beautiful flush crawls up her light skin, and I can’t help but brush my fingers against her arm, causing her to shiver and lean into my touch.
Her eyes flutter closed as she almost whispers, “If that’s true, then why did you leave without saying anything, again?
” Her big brown eyes plead at me, and it makes my heart feel like it’s breaking.
I cup her cheek. “Baby, that had nothing to do with you.”
She leans into my touch and puts her hand on my chest. “Then what was it? ”
I look down at her delicate hand. This woman would never do anything to hurt me, I feel it deep in my core.
“I had meetings set up to ensure Taylor wasn’t able to poach clients for Collins and Sons.
Apparently the woman he cheated on you with is Collins’s granddaughter.
She isn’t involved in the business, but she thought she would have a shot if she could get Taylor to take clients from my company.
One of which was a client who my dad had the idea of partnering with.
” She watches me with an understanding I didn’t believe another person could give me and that I’m not sure I deserve.
“I couldn’t let another part of him get pulled away from me, so I left without thinking at the cabin.
Then this morning you just looked too adorable to wake.
” I press my forehead to hers. “I’m sorry, I should have woken you. ”
Alex threads her fingers behind my neck, pulling me closer to her and pressing her lips to mine.
It’s a gentle caress at first, but once I have a taste, I can’t stop.
I slip my tongue between her lips, her vanilla taste taking over all of my brain power, and then she moans. Fuck. I’m not strong enough for this.
Someone coughs, and I’m barely able to pull myself away from Alex’s delicious mouth. Her eyes slowly open to me like she’s caught in the same haze. “It’s okay,” she finally says.
She presses her entire body against me, and a growl rumbles up my throat. I look down at her. “If you keep pressing against me like this, I’m going to have to carry you out of here. Now. ”
That blush returns to her cheeks as she takes a micro-step backwards. “We can’t have that. I promised my mom I’d make an appearance. Thank God you’re here. Now I won’t have to be set up with all the men I’m sure she has lined up.”
My anger rushes to the surface, thinking of someone else touching what’s mine. I pull her back against me. “Yeah, that’s not going to happen.”
She smiles up at me. “I thought you said I couldn’t be this close?” She starts batting those damn eyes at me again.
I shrug. “I’ll just walk around with my dick hard and everyone can have a nice show.
” She laughs and wiggles her hips against me.
I take her chin in my hand, making her go still.
I move my mouth a breath away from her lush lips.
“Don’t tempt me, Alex. I will lift that gorgeous dress and show everyone that I belong to you.
I don’t give a damn. Everyone will know you’re mine. ”
I watch her pupils dilate. She presses her perfect breasts against my chest, letting me feel the quickening pace of her heart. A soft whimper slips past her lips, and I smile before taking her mouth against mine. She’s perfection, and I can’t imagine my life without her in it.
I’m about to drag her out of here and go home when a throat clears from behind her. Alex panics and pulls away from me, smoothing her hair back over her shoulder and wiping around her mouth like she’s worried her makeup is messed up.
“You’re beautiful, don’t worry.” I tip her chin up with my fingers and place a soft kiss on her lips, so she relaxes.
The throat clears again. “Alexandra, seriously? I invited you to this ball so you could meet someone respectable. Not so you could make out with some man right before the auction.” The woman scoffs. “Just a disappointment. Come now. We will go to the restroom and get you cleaned up.”
The woman reaches for Alex’s arm, but I slide in front of Alex effectively blocking the woman’s hand unless she wanted to grab my abs.
“Alex is right where she belongs, thank you,” I say as I intertwine my fingers through Alex’s hand.
I glance down, and she looks like a deer in headlights with her eyes glued open darting back and forth from me to the woman.
She obviously knows her, but at this point I don’t care. No one needs to talk to Alex like that.
The woman huffs and raises her voice. “Excuse me, who do you think you are?”
Alex grimaces. “Mom. Stop.”
I look between them now, trying to see the resemblance, but I can’t see anything that screams Alex in this woman. It’s obvious from her tone and Alex’s posture folding in on herself that they don’t have a great relationship, and that’s all I need to know.
I put my hand out for her to shake, always the businessman.
“I’m James, Alex’s boyfriend.” Alex gawks at me, but I feign ignorance.
“What’d I say? Would you rather, lover? Hot side piece?
Boo thing forever? Or are we jumping right to it and calling me your husband?
Because, let’s be honest, that’s where … ”
Alex throws her hand over my mouth, and I have to resist the urge to lick it.
“Jesus, James. We can talk about your crazy labels later.”
I nod. She waits a minute, not trusting me to keep my mouth shut. Fair. Then she removes her hand, turning to her mother. “Mom, this is James. James, this is my mom.”
Her mom lifts her nose in the air. “You may call me Mrs. Lewis. I wasn’t aware you had a new boyfriend, Alexandra.”
“It just sort of happened.” Alex responds. Everything about Alex is now short and to the point. Not the brave, artistic woman I got to know at the cabin.
Before her mom can chew her ass for whatever she believes is her job within Alex’s love life, I interject. “I’m terribly sorry, but I have a lot of business I need to tend to tonight, and I’d like Alex to meet everyone.”
I give Mrs. Lewis the small smile I use in difficult business meetings and lace Alex’s hand through my arm, walking away.