16. Alex
16
ALEX
Right on time, our SUV slows to a stop in front of the airplane hangar. I’m reluctant to let Katherine’s hand go. She shoots me a knowing look across the backseat. It’s only a short walk.
Roman hops out and opens Katherine’s door.
“I’ll come around,” I say so she’ll wait for me.
She stays put, with no argument about how she can get out of a vehicle on her own. I know she can. I also know I love the serene but excited way she looks at me when I hold out my hand for her. That’s exactly how I feel whenever I’m in her company.
Hand tight in mine, she steps out of the vehicle and once again, I’m struck with pride over the fact that she’s wearing the outfit I ordered for her on Saturday. She looks so at home in the slouchy sweater and matching leggings with comfortable slip-on shoes.
“Thanks, Roman,” she says, and he gives her a single nod.
“Have a good trip.”
He’s more than earned the day off.
Inside the massive building, the sleek Bombardier jet sparkles beneath the overhead lighting.
My pilot meets us at the base of the stairs, and I introduce him to Katherine. It feels good to show her off, to stake that small claim, even if I’m sure he’s read the news this week. He’s professional enough to welcome her warmly and keep his questions to himself.
“There’s a storm between us and Boston, so I’m afraid we’re looking at a small delay,” he says. “Bonnie will make you comfortable, and we’ll be on our way as soon as possible.”
Well, that’s not the news I wanted to hear. It wouldn’t be an issue, but the client I’m meeting is a notorious hard-ass and hates moving his schedule.
Katherine is so in tune with me, obviously noticing the momentary hiccup, and gives my hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Thank you for the update,” I murmur, and then guide Katherine to the stairs. It’s impossible to pull my gaze away from her curves as she climbs the handful of steps.
With my hand at the small of her back, I nudge her past the two groups of seats into one of the more private rooms in the back. There’s a comfortable couch and a TV, not that we’ll need entertaining. It’s a short flight, and I want nothing more than to talk to her and soak her in.
“Sorry for the delay,” I say, settling into the corner of the sofa.
She sinks down next to me, immediately burrowing against my side. “Don’t apologize. Weather happens. And I’m not in any rush.”
My chest expands with a deep breath, and her delicious scent tickles my senses. I want to drag her into my lap and find all the spots she dabbed her perfume.
But I settle for wrapping an arm around her waist and holding her close.
“Do you need to work on the way? I’m okay with reading a book.” She waves her phone.
“And miss a chance to talk to you? Work can wait.”
???
As expected, my client is a pompous windbag who adores the sound of his voice. There was an off-color joke right out of the gate and a mention of my newfound fame, asking me why Katherine was worth a million dollars.
I didn’t answer, of course. Not because I don’t know why she’s worth that and so much more, but because it’s none of his fucking business.
We’re not friends. We’re not buddies. We’re never going to play golf together. I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him.
Guys like that just rub me the wrong way.
He and his business were inherited when I took over a smaller firm that does a lot of business in the city. And every time I have to deal with him, I think about firing him as a client.
Today, I almost pushed those words past my lips.
It’d be worth all the contract entanglements to never have to speak to him again.
Luckily, my Boston team handles him most of the time. And they handle him well. Today was no exception.
After my meeting, I swing by the office to touch base with everyone. As I meet with the managerial staff, there’s an odd buzz in the air. Hushed voices.
Everyone’s terribly curious, which I get. I might own one of the world’s largest security firms, but I go the extra mile to keep my name out of the news. If there’s press, I want it to be about how well my team does their job.
Not about who the boss is dating and if he’s at war with his best friend.
Normally, I don’t let things bother me, but today, my body is keenly aware of how far away Katherine is. We’re in the same city, but she’s not by my side.
My muscles are tight with the need to track her down, but I don’t want to interrupt her time with her friend. So, I try to keep my head in the game. As soon as my watch lets me know it’s four o’clock, I’m out the door to the waiting SUV.
???
“This doesn’t count as our date,” I murmur, leaning in close as we follow LaShonda to the door.
Katherine sends me a delighted look, tightening her hold on my arm. “I’m glad to hear that.”
Is it my imagination or does she sound like she wants to prolong all these ‘not our date’ dates?
And why do I feel so good when she clings to me like this? Immortal and proud, like nothing can touch me.
A thrill of excitement zings through my veins. I will never take for granted how easy it is to be with her. How steady and quietly confident she is, or how respectful she is to everyone who crosses her path.
That’s not breeding or etiquette lessons. I’m positive of that because I’ve seen how her mother and grandfather moved through life.
No, this is all Katherine. Innate and effortlessly kind.
A quick elevator ride carries us up to the rooftop bar. “I found this place not long after this one,” LaShonda nods to Katherine, “headed back to greener pastures.”
“Hardly greener.”
They laugh in the way old friends do. Like two people who can communicate through a look. It’s the exact sound that first drew my attention to Katherine. And just like that time, it warms me like a fine whiskey.
Soft jazz music carries across the rooftop from hidden speakers, along with a low murmur of conversation. I follow the women to a small, round table in the far corner, pleased with their choice of seating. I can keep an eye on everyone around us. Not that I need to. I assigned two men to Katherine as soon as we landed in Boston.
No way was I letting her loose in the city unguarded. Especially not after the latest round of pictures and speculation. Social media caught wind of Kingston’s return, and now there are bets about who Katherine will end up with.
I understand a passing curiosity in the elite. The wealthy. That’s been bred into us for centuries.
But this feels like more than that, probably because, for the first time, I’m on the other side of the story. It’s not just a client I’m watching. These are people I care about involved.
Blessedly, there aren’t too many patrons here yet, and no one is paying us any extra attention. My men grab a nearby table, and I breathe a little easier.
Katherine orders a bottle of wine. I stick with sparkling water. LaShonda gives me a long look.
She’s trying to get a read on me.
I get it. I’d do the same to any woman attached to Gabe.
Luckily, the one he has his eye on is the same one I do.
“I’m glad we got to hang out, Alex,” LaShonda says, giving me another one of those thorough once-overs. She shoots Katherine a smile, the kind that says they’ve been talking about me and she’s looking forward to grilling me.
Bring it on. I have nothing to hide from her. From either of them. “Likewise. You two always seem to have a good time.”
LaShonda’s brows lift above surprised brown eyes. “We do?”
I incline my head as the memory flashes through my mind like it was yesterday. “The first time I ever saw Katherine, she was with you at an event. The two of you were laughing.”
From the corner of my eye, I see Katherine’s jaw drop.
“Really?”
I look at her then. She really doesn’t understand the hold she has over me. I grab the base of her chair and pull her closer, then drape my arm over the back of it. She sinks into the shelter of my arm, completely relaxed.
“Really. You were wearing a stunning black dress. Strapless.”
“What was I wearing?” LaShonda asks, sitting back in her seat. There’s a hint of ‘gotcha’ in her tone.
I’m glad Katherine has someone like LaShonda in her corner.
“You were wearing yellow. A one-shoulder dress and sky-high heels.”
LaShonda’s brilliant red lips twitch, and she offers me a stunning smile. “He’s good.”
Katherine runs a hand down my thigh, leaning closer. “I couldn’t agree more.”
The server returns with our drinks, and LaShonda orders a handful of appetizers before returning her attention to her best friend.
“So, what are you guys doing for Memorial Day?” LaShonda asks, reaching for her wine.
I feel Katherine’s glance like a caress against my cheek.
“We haven’t talked about it yet. Are you still going to the Cape?”
“That’s the plan.”
“I have an invite from my father. Ford and Sutton will be there.”
I glance around the rooftop out of habit but also because there’s a new awareness I’ve never felt before. It’s deep and personal and tinged with anxiety. But also excitement. Being out in public with Katherine feels real in a way I hadn’t expected. No one’s paying attention to us. There are no drones overhead. No one snapping photos with a cell phone.
But it feels like a real date. Like a declaration. And I underestimated just how much I’d like that.
“Do you want to see him?” LaShonda asks, and I get the impression she’s not talking about Ford or Sutton.
“I think I do, actually.” She turns to me. “Do you have plans for Memorial Day?”
“Gabe and I usually hop down to Canouan for the long weekend, but?—”
“Nice,” LaShonda says appreciatively.
How do I tell Katherine I’d rather be wherever she is?