Chapter 30
CHAPTER 30
LEAH
T he apartment downstairs is complete. The furniture has arrived, and the interior designer has been staging the place, but there’s been no talk of me moving out. We’ve fallen into a comfortable routine. We work, eat, game, exercise. We have kept our private relationship out of the office, and it appears no one suspects, likely because Gabriel and I have always been in close contact daily.
“Pack a bag,” Gabriel says the minute I walk through the door.
“What? Gabriel, it’s Friday night.” I kick off my shoes and place them on the rack in the cupboard near the door.
“It is, and it’s coming up to that time. I heard your alarm go off. I thought we’d go away for the weekend.”
I freeze on the spot. What is Gabriel doing? I must admit, he’s been amazing over the past two weeks since my period. He’s encouraged me to go to the gym, has kept me company. I admit, I haven’t had this much fun with anyone other than the girls in a long time. Looking back, mine and Vince’s relationship had gone stale long ago. I’d thrown myself into my work and spent more and more time with the girls. He’d done the same. We’d been stuck in a rut. It’s unsurprising that one of us left.
“I don’t understand?”
Gabriel looks at me with his usual patient glare. “I’ve been doing my research. Being in a relaxed environment is more conducive to successful insemination.” He starts off with facts and figures, and I suppress the laugh that bubbles up in my chest. This man is a walking fact machine. He does nothing by half. My lower stomach flips, the muscles clenching as I think about what’s coming.
“The private jet is waiting. We’re spending the weekend in Monaco.”
My jaw drops as I stare at the man in front of me. What!? He’s taking us to Monaco?
“Leah, stop staring, get your things together. You’ll want some shorts and t-shirts, a bikini or a swimming costume. We can eat out, although there is a chef on the yacht.”
“Yacht?” My voice comes out slightly higher pitched than I expect, making me cough.
“You know I own a yacht. I prefer to stay there than in a hotel. There’s more privacy.”
My head bobs up and down as I listen to him, my heart racing. Euphoria fills my body. The girls will never believe this. I’m going to experience life on a yacht for the weekend.
“Go!” Gabriel says, and I turn tail and sprint up the stairs, his laughter following me. It’s a sound I’m getting used to.
I enter my bedroom and stop.
“Oh, boy,” I say out aloud before clamping my hand over my mouth.
Realisation hits. We’re not just going to the yacht. We’re going to be doing a lot more than just sightseeing and sunbathing. I close my eyes for a moment, my hand coming up and rubbing the place over my heart as my nerves all start firing at once. Clinical sex. Although I think we’ve gone way past that after the dining table incident. Making me come three times, no hiding under the covers. Yes, we were clothed, but I was out on display, dripping all over the tabletop.
I give myself a mental shake and look at the clock. Damn, I’ve been daydreaming for too long. I grab my small case and throw it onto the bed, taking out clothes from my drawers and wardrobe, including the dress and top I ordered from Chloe. I rush into the bathroom and grab my makeup bag and products. Throwing them in alongside the rest of my things.
Gabriel appears at the door.
“You ready?” he says, making me jump.
“All set.” I zip up the case before lowering it to the floor.
“Here, let me,” he says, taking the handle and wheeling it behind him.
Oh boy, I’m in trouble.
Gabriel calls Caleb’s driver to take us to the airport, swearing the man to secrecy. I laugh at the seriousness of the driver’s face.
“Of course, Mr Frazer. Mr Caleb is also away for the weekend. Not a word,” he says as we get out of the car.
“Thank you, Mason,” Gabriel says, surprising me by shaking his hand.
The other man grins at him. “Have a lovely weekend. I’ll pick you up on Sunday evening.”
Gabriel takes my hand and leads me across the tarmac. A beautiful woman in a uniform greets us at the plane’s entrance.
“Welcome aboard, Mr Frazer, Ms Walker,” she says, offering us a warm and generous smile. We follow her into the body of the plane. The seats are enormous, more like armchairs. The leather upholstery gleams under the cabin lights .
“Where would you like to sit?” Gabriel says, snapping me out of my daze.
“I don’t mind,” I say. “Where do you prefer?”
He motions to the twin seats on the left of the plane. A large, shiny black table in front of them. “This way, we can eat supper while we’re in the air,” he says.
I nod, stepping into the seat and moving across to the window seat. I know I shouldn’t feel disappointed when Gabriel sits in the seat opposite me rather than next to me.
“Is there anything I can get you?”
“A glass of whiskey for me... Leah?”
My head snaps up. “Er, sorry”
Gabriel chuckles, and the woman standing next to him jumps at the sound.
“What would you like to drink?” he asks, his eyes twinkling. “Champagne?”
“That would be lovely,” I say to our stewardess.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Thank you, Claudia,” Gabriel says, his eyes never leaving mine. “Are you warm enough?”
“I’m fine. A little overwhelmed being taken away for the weekend. All this.” I move my hand to take in the entire plane. “Not my usual hangout for a Friday night.”
“I suppose not. But the plane... we’ve always had a private plane in the family. Dad, travelled a lot with business. My sister Kat does too. It makes more efficient use of our time. We arrive and take-off as we need to.”
I can see the logic in what he’s saying. It’s just a world away from the life I’ve lived. Vince and I used to travel business class. Our dual income and no kids meant we could choose how we spent our money, and we had some amazing trips.
“Well, I’m going to sit back and enjoy every moment,” I say .
Claudia takes that moment to return with our drinks. Placing them down in front of us.
“Thank you,” I say.
“You’re very welcome. I’ll serve dinner once we’re in the air. Until then, if you need anything, please press the buzzer, and I’ll return.”
With that, she turns and leaves.
“Wow, how the other half live,” I mutter.
“You may as well get used to it. When we have a child, this will be your mode of transport if you wish.”
“Your mode of transport,” I say.
Do I need to remind him that this isn’t my life and never will be? When he meets someone else, they won’t want to share the family plane with his baby-mummy.
“Yours too, Leah. I meant what I said. I will support you and our child, children, when we have them.”
I cross my arms over my chest and stare at him. “Gabriel, I didn’t accept your proposition in order for you to keep me. I’m happy earning my salary.”
He humphs and I want to smile, but I know it’s not the right time. “I get that. All I’m saying is, what good is my money if I can’t make life easier for you?”
I’m not and never have been a gold digger. When I got together with Vince, we were not long out of university. He earned less than I did. The fact that he became a front office trader and a successful one, the money was a bonus, but that was not why I was with him.
“I don’t want people thinking I’m only with you for your money,”
The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.
“No, if memory serves me right, you’re after me for my sperm.” It’s then I realise he’s teasing me.
“Ha Ha!” I say. “Okay, we’ll park this conversation for now. Let’s see what this weekend brings. ”
My cheeks warm, and I raise my hands to cover them. Aware of Gabriel’s intense gaze. Oh boy.
At that moment, the captain’s voice comes over the sound system. “Final checks are complete. We will be ready for take-off in five minutes.”
Gabriel moves to fasten his seat belt, and I mirror his actions as the plane begins to move. I stare out of the window, glad for the distraction. I pick up my champagne and take a sip. The crisp taste and bubbles tickling my nose.
We sit in silence until the plane levels out, and Claudia returns with our starters.
“I hope you don’t mind, I ordered ahead,” Gabriel says.
“Of course not,” I reply, smiling at Claudia as she places the roasted baby tomato and olive ricotta tarts on the table before us. “Thank you.”
The starter is light and delicious. The sweet taste of the baby tomatoes and olives against the ricotta, with the peppery taste of the rocket and balsamic vinegar, is perfection.
Next, comes hot smoked salmon with an orange glaze, served on a bed of mango tapenade. The side dish includes new potatoes and baby vegetables. It’s like being in a five-star restaurant.
I almost turn down dessert until Claudia announces it’s Eton mess. Not the dessert I would have expected, but one look at Gabriel let me know it was his choice after the conversation we had whilst playing a game of Scrabble.
As the plates are cleared away, I show my appreciation. “Thank you.”
“I hope you enjoyed it.”
I grin over at Gabriel. “Every minute. It’s quite the experience.”
The captain announces we’ll be landing at Nice International Airport in an hour .
“I have some emails to check. I want to take the weekend off,” his voice is apologetic.
“Gabriel, stop. It’s okay. Remember, I work for you. I know what your job entails. You do what you need to. I’m happy to sit here and read my book.”
He nods and pulls out his laptop, placing it on the table in front of him. I reach into my bag and grab my e-reader. I’m pleased that the book I’m reading is electronic, and Gabriel won’t be staring at a semi-naked man on the cover. Vince always complained about the trashy romance novels I read. Well, now I’m free to read what I want and where I want.
I jerk awake as I feel a finger run down my cheek. Gabriel has sat himself in the chair next to me. “Wake up, sleepy head, we’ve landed.”
Oh god, my hand flies to my mouth. Have I been snoring, or even worse, drooling?
“It’s okay. You only let out a few snorts,” Gabriel says, his lips twitching. “It was quite a cute sound.”
I slap his arm gently. “Oh, don’t,” I say. “How embarrassing.”
I notice my e-reader is back in my bag. Gabriel must have followed the direction of my eyes.
“It was going to slide under the table, so I rescued it. Interesting literature you’re reading, Ms Walker.”
Ground swallow me up.
I think back to the part I was reading, my hands flying to my cheeks. “Er, well.”
Gabriel tilts his head. “Is that what a woman really wants in the office? To be ravished over a desk?”
I gawp at Gabriel, knowing another rush of colour is flooding my cheeks. It’s bad enough he now knows my little secret of loving romance novels, but to have fallen asleep while reading a sex scene and then have him pick it up.
Ground double swallow me up .
Luckily, I’m saved from answering by Claudia’s reappearance.
“We’re ready to disembark,” she says.
Gabriel gets up and holds out his hand. I grab my bag, glaring at my e-reader.
“Have a wonderful weekend,” Claudia says.
“Thank you, you too,” I say as I pass her.
She grins at me.