Chapter 54
ALEX
“Thank you for all your support and hard work,” I say, shaking yet another hand.
Elise and I have made it our mission this morning to visit every department and thank the teams personally. We couldn’t have done it without them, and I like to let them know we appreciate their hard work and dedication and that everyone’s efforts have paid off.
Our Fall/Winter collection was a massive hit everywhere it landed.
Media coverage for the brand has been extensive.
We’ve secured lucrative wholesale orders from almost all our major buyers and some new ones, and by Paris, we had a queue of A-list celebrities and brand ambassadors ready to fuel the hype.
That, combined with the rave reviews and editorial features we’ve been promised, means St Clair is flying.
I draw a deep breath as the elevator finally arrives on my office floor.
The past few weeks have been torture. I’m not sure how one woman could invade my every waking moment, but she has.
I’m usually in control of my thoughts and emotions, but she seems to have broken through my defences.
We’ve spoken on the phone, but now I want, no, need, to see and touch her.
Brooke is sitting at her desk, her nose wrinkled as she focuses on whatever is on the screen.
“Hey,” I say quietly.
She jumps, her hand going to her chest.
“Alex,” she says, a dark flush spreading up her neck and over her cheeks. “I wasn’t expecting you until later.”
“I wasn’t intending to come in, but I got some sleep on the flight and wanted to congratulate the teams. I’ll draft an official message, but I prefer the personal touch.”
She smiles, and my breath catches.
“I like that,” she says. “Valuing your staff is important.”
“Well, I know one I especially value,” I say under my breath but loud enough for her to hear.
The streak of colour on her cheekbones darkens, and her pupils dilate.
The elevator pings, and footsteps approach at speed.
Dominic rounds the corner, pulling up short when he sees me.
“Alex, you’re back.”
“I am,” I say, stating the obvious.
“I was just coming to see Brooke to find out when you were due in.”
“You want to talk now?”
“Is that all right?”
“Of course.”
“Can I get you anything?” Brooke asks.
“Coffee,” Dominic says. “Is there any more of your cake left?”
Brooke smiles at him. “I believe there may be a slice or two. Alex?”
“None for me. I ate before I headed in, but a coffee would be great.”
She nods, and I shoot her a look of apology before ushering him into my room.
Dominic talks about everything and nothing for the next hour.
“You have some valid points, Dom. Send Brooke an email, and she can add them to the agenda of our next board meeting. Let’s put them to the rest of the team.”
I emphasise the word team. As old-school as Dominic is, he sometimes seems to forget that he’s part of one. He wants to keep himself relevant.
“Good, good,” he says. “Now go home and get some rest. You must be exhausted.”
“It’s been a long three weeks. I can’t wait to be back in my own bed,” I admit, especially if someone is there with me, although I don’t say the last part.
He nods and grabs the plate with the leftover cake.
I see Dominic out and beckon Brooke in.
“More baking?” I ask, as she follows, shutting the door behind her.
She smiles and shrugs. “It gives me something to do, and Dominic has an incredibly sweet tooth.”
I chuckle. “I think it’s more the home cooking. His wife has him on a very strict diet.”
Brooke’s face falls, her brows furrowing.
“Don’t worry, everything in moderation. At nearly sixty-five, he takes good care of himself.”
“Maybe I’ll drop the frequency then,” she says.
“I’m hoping you won’t have time now I’m back.”
I step towards her.
Her smile deepens.
“Is that right?”
My hands go to her waist, and I want nothing more than to haul her against me.
“Are you coming over tonight?”
“Would you like me to?” she asks, her tongue moistening her bottom lip.
My hands encircle her waist, pulling her towards me.
“Most definitely…”
A knock at my door has us jumping apart. I stifle a groan.
What do they say? No rest for the wicked? I want to do wicked and inappropriate things to the woman in front of me.
“Come in,” I say.
I shoot Brooke a look of apology, but she simply grins, moving further away.
Mother enters.
“Sandro,” she says. “I was in the area.”
She looks between us. “Am I interrupting?” she asks.
“No,” we both say together, causing her to raise her eyebrows at me.
I smile. “I was about to dictate a thank-you message to the team,” I say, wanting to deflect.
“I heard this week proved quite successful. I wondered if I could treat you to lunch? Catch up on what happened in Milan and Paris,” she says, stepping further into the room.
Mother was with us in London but returned to the US before the second leg.
I look at Brooke.
“You go,” she says with a smile. “No one was expecting you in today.”
“Thank you, Brooke,” Mother interjects. “See? No one is expecting you. I’ve made a reservation at your favourite restaurant.”
I close my eyes and reopen them, forcing a smile.
“Great,” I say, knowing it’s either now or later. “I’ll meet you downstairs in five minutes.”
“Perfect. Lovely to see you, Brooke,” she adds before sweeping out of the room.
“Sorry,” I say, shooting a look of apology to the woman I want to take in my arms and kiss until we’re both breathless. Who am I kidding? It’s not only kissing. I want to worship her. But the office is not the place, and she still has a job to do.
“I’ll see you later?” I ask again.
She smiles, inclining her head. “If you want to?”
“I most definitely do.”
I move to my desk drawer and pull out my spare keycard.
“This will give you access to the penthouse,” I say.
She takes it, staring at it and then at me.
“Tonight,” she says, and I nod.
“Tonight.”
I don’t kiss her, not with Mother waiting downstairs.
I’m going to need to set myself some boundaries.
I’m a professional. The office is not the place to conduct a clandestine affair.
I’m not some lovesick teenager who can’t control himself, and there’s still the issue of HR, something I’ll need to address once Brooke and I have talked tonight.
We walk out together. Brooke moves back to her desk, our fingers brushing. She looks down, and when her gaze returns to mine, her eyes are sparkling.
“Go…I’ll see you tonight. We can talk then,” she says.
I groan, making her laugh, but head towards the elevator; duty calls.