His Boss’s Daughter Page 4

  I roll my eyes and laugh with her. “No, I don’t mean it like that. I’m just trying to be helpful.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know. Sure. You seem too honorable to do anything like that.”

  Honorable. I don’t know why this seems like an insult. It sends an uncomfortable burst of distress swirling around my stomach. It’s usually a word associated in a positive way, but not with Alexa.

  “Or are you?” she asks, seemingly returning to game playing mode. “I can’t work you out yet.”

  “That’s me, a real mystery for sure.” I roll my eyes. “You’ve got me all figured out, haven’t you?”

  In a weird way, she does seem to see me in a way that no one else does. I have walls sky high, they’ve been there ever since Christine died, but it’s almost like she knows how to peer over them just a tiny bit.

  “Oh look, here I am.” She stares at me, almost challenging me to come inside. As if I would ever do that. I mean, for one, she lives with her father and if he caught me inside, he would kill me. Literally grab me and tear my head off. “I suppose I should probably say goodbye then, shouldn’t I?”

  “Yes,” I practically whisper back. “Goodbye. I will probably see you soon.”

  She slides out the car, taking a moment to pause so I can get a glimpse of her perfect round ass. God, she has an amazing ass. One that gets my heart pounding like crazy. I lick my lips, half wondering if she would be worth the risk. I know that if I went in there behind her, I would have the night of my life. She would re-introduce me to the world of dating in a really incredible way. But I don’t think I can. No, I know I can’t. No way.

  I shake my head as she slides in through the door. What the hell is wrong with me?

  I reel off my address to the cab driver and make him pull away before I can do something crazy like jump out the cab to chase after her, basically asking for death. I need to get my sorry ass out of here, instantly.

  I call Cody as we drive along, needing something to fill this thick silence where all I can think of is her, but of course, he’s found someone tonight, so he isn’t going to answer me. I’m all alone with these feelings. These confusing, weird, half drunken feelings that don’t actually mean anything at all.

  It’ll be fine in the morning, I try to convince myself. All of this will be over.

  Seeing Alexa tonight hasn’t changed my opinion of her, she’s still exactly what I thought she was when I met her at that dinner, but there’s something different within me now when I think about her. I’ve really noticed the sultry, sexy side of her and I can’t switch that off. As much as I would like to.

  I feel like I’m in trouble, and I haven’t even done anything yet. There’s something dangerous about this situation, and if I’m not careful I will end up sinking far too deep.

  Chapter Six

  Alexa

  “Urgh, what?” I gasp as my eyes snap open. My mouth is so desperately dry, it feels like someone has stuffed cotton between my lips. It’s disgusting. And with my head banging I feel like shit. “What happened?”

  I clutch onto my head and blink a few times, trying to adjust to the brightness of the light. It seems that I must have fallen asleep with the curtains wide open which leaves me with no relief at all.

  “What is wrong with me?” I groan. “Why can’t I be more careful when I come in?”

  I grab my cell phone, hoping that it will have some answers for me. I don’t just mean the time, although that is definitely something I would rather know, but something about last night. Right now, my brain is a big, black hole, and the sooner I fill in the missing pieces, the better.

  “Er, ten o clock, have I really slept that late?” I ask myself. “Not that I have anywhere to be today.”

  Rebecca: What happened to you? I met the fittest guy. He’s in bed with me right now xx

  Rebecca: Hey, bitch, you aren’t dead, are you? Fit guy has gone now xx

  Rebecca: Fucking hell, don’t ignore me. I’m sorry I left you, he was just so fit, that’s all xx

  I roll my eyes, trying not to get pissed off with her. It won’t solve anything. She’s demanding when she wants something from me, and right now, she wants to tell me all about the man she had last night.

  Alexa: Sorry, only just woke up to a lecture from my dad. Call you as soon as I can xx

  I hope that will placate her for now. She does know what my father is like, so this is totally plausible. It might even happen anyway, as soon as I get my sorry ass out of bed and I face him. Thankfully, he was asleep last night, so he didn’t see me come in and he didn’t see Reece outside in the car either…

  Reece… oh my God, I almost forgot about all of that. Reece and the flirting, the sexy dancing, the definite chemistry between us both that even he couldn’t deny. Then there was the highly sexually charged cab ride home. That was really something else, I could barely keep my legs together under the pressure of it all. All I wanted to do was straddle him. I wanted to wrap my legs around him and make love to him right there.

  “Ooh, and there’s his phone number,” I declare with glee. “I have him, I really do.”

  He resisted me last night, mostly because he seemed to think that I was really drunk, but that won’t last. I’ll just make sure that next time there isn’t any booze around. Alcohol is usually a good lubricant, it makes things much easier for me, but Reece is different. I just need to act differently to get my claws in to him.

  Not that I’m having any issues in that department so far. After all, I have his number.

  Alexa: Hi, Reece, it’s me, Alexa. I just wanted to apologize for last night. How embarrassing! Xx

  I stare at the screen, waiting for him to message back. If he leaves it for a while then it won’t lead into a nice easy going conversation. I would much rather that because it easily bends into flirting.

  Reece: You don’t need to be embarrassed. We have all been there. Hope you are okay today x

  I fist bump with glee, I can barely contain my excitement. Not only has he replied, but he’s done so in a way that lends itself to more conversation. This man is sinking deeper into my trap by the minute. And there’s a kiss at the end of the message as well. Just the one, but that’s okay. It’s a good enough start.

  Alexa: I am good, thanks to you. I really appreciate you looking after me. How are you feeling? Xx

  Reece: I’m okay. I didn’t actually have too much to drink, so no hang over! X

  Alexa: You’re so lucky. Maybe I’ll do that next time! You know, I would love to buy you a coffee xx

  Reece: Oh, thank you, but that really isn’t necessary xx

  Alexa: I want to thank you for what you did for me last night. No one else has ever looked after me like that. It was kind of you, and then you’ve been nice today as well. Even if you aren’t hung over, you must like coffee xx

  There’s a pause, I can tell that he’s thinking about his answer carefully. I suppose that makes sense, he needs to work out whether I’m worth the risk or not, since he knows my father. That hasn’t ever been an issue for me before, so it’s not a new territory, and I’m sure that it won’t get in the way for too long…

  Reece: I do drink coffee, so I don’t see why not.

  He’s gone more formal, he’s scared, but we can easily overcome that. This is so going my way.

  Alexa: Great, do you want to meet at Sara’s Coffee Shop in an hour? Xx

  Reece: I will see you then.

  “Perfect!” I exclaim with glee. “Absolutely perfect, this is just… yes! I am the best.”

  An hour isn’t long, I don’t know if I’ll be able to look my bets in that time, but I want to jump on that gun while it’s still smoking. The longer we leave it, the more chance I have of him changing his mind and pulling out. A shower will help anyway, I can just go for the fresh faced, more natural look. I’m sure I can work that.

  I leap off my bed and race to the bathroom, determined to get started right away. However I play, this will be vital for how successful this wh
ole intense mission is going to be.

  * * *

  My summer dress swings around me, scraping my knees as I walk, swinging my hips. Someone whistles at me as I go, but I chose to ignore them. I didn’t dress up for them today, I dressed up for Reece. I’m just hoping that he likes this natural look as much as my dressed up one. I only have on minimal make up, and my hair is all around my face, barely blow dried, never mind styled. But I think I’m pulling it off.

  I’m late as well, but only by a little bit. If Reece was more keen on this meeting, I would make him wait for me, leaving him desperate and on tenterhooks before I finally arrive, but I fear he may walk out and I don’t want to risk that. So, I’m only just over five minutes when I said that I would be here.

  I push the door open, my steps confident as I move inside. I scan my eyes about the place and soon find him. He looks even better this morning than he did last night. All rugged and manly, very handsome too.

  “Hey there you.” I wiggle my fingers at him. “What would you like to drink?”

  He points to the latte in front of him which is still half full, but I promised to get him a drink, so I’m going to buy him one anyway. I make my way up to the counter and stand in the queue. While I’m there, the young guy behind me offers to buy my drink when we get to the front, but I politely decline. I’m kind of on a date.

  Once I have the drinks, I make my way over to Reece and I take the seat opposite him. By this time, his drink is empty, so he gratefully accepts the new one. I can tell by the twinkle in his eye that he saw me getting chatted up as well. I wonder if he’s jealous about it. He doesn’t mention it, but he might be.

  “So, again, thank you for looking after me last night,” I say with a laugh. “It got a bit crazy.”

  “You looked like you had a lot of fun though, so that’s the main thing.”

  There’s a definite awkwardness between us, but it doesn’t bother me. I know why it’s there, it’s because he’s still battling with what he feels for me. Well, he can’t fight it forever. We both know that.

  “Did you have a good time too? I mean, until I came along and ruined it?”

  “Oh, you didn’t ruin it. You were entertaining. And since Cody left me…”

  “Yeah.” I nod sympathetically. “My friend left me as well. Hooked up with some guy.”

  “Don’t you just hate it when your friend invites you out and then ditches you?”

  I nod and laugh, even though it doesn’t bother me really. “Tell me about it. At least we found each other.”

  My hand is in the middle of the table, dangerously close to his, and he hasn’t moved it yet. What am I supposed to think? This is definitely him flirting back with me, in his own very special way.

  “The coffee is nice here,” he comments idly. “I don’t think I’ve been here before.”

  “Then how did you know where to meet me? You should have said something.”

  “Pfft, what do you think the Internet is for? It wasn’t hard to find it at all.”

  We sip our drinks and fall into some easy small talk. For someone who seems very closed off and is also friends with my dad, he’s actually good to have a conversation with. I kinda like him even more than I should. I find myself smiling happily as he speaks, and really listening to all of his words. Even though he isn’t telling me anything too deep about himself, I’m fascinated by him in a really weird way.

  We even end up getting a second drink, this time paid for by Reece even though I try to disagree. I argue that I’m supposed to be the one taking him out since he helped me, but he won’t have it. There’s a real gentleman side to him which is very sweet. But once the second drink is done, we know we need to leave. Otherwise it’s going to end up getting complicated. But that’s okay, the dialog has begun. This isn’t the end.

  “Thank you for today.” I smile at him outside the shop. “That was great.”

  “Yeah it was.” He nods slowly, thoughtfully. “It’s good to get to know you better.”

  “Well, any time.” I shrug and smile. “I’m always up for a coffee and a chat.”

  I open my arms to hug him, and while he seems hesitant, but eventually he knows that it’s even weirder to leave me hanging, so he falls against me. We hug for a moment, then another, then another.

  Yep, this is definitely going somewhere, I tell myself decisively. He is giving up the façade.

  I pull back, but just slightly, and smile at him. He does the same, and gets that glazed over look in his eyes as he does. It’s go time, so I tilt my head and I lean in just a tiny bit. When he doesn’t resist, I purse my lips and lean in. My heart races with the thrill of something new, something exciting, and me getting what I want. I knew that I could, but that doesn’t make the end result any less joyful.

  I almost connect, I nearly get there, I nearly get the delicious feeling of his warm mouth that I’m aiming for, but then there’s a rush of cold air in front of my face, snapping my eyes open.

  “No, no, no, what are you doing?” Reece gushes. “Have you lost your mind? What is this?”

  We stare at each other, both panting and desperate, neither of us knowing what to say. What the hell are we going to do now?

  Chapter Seven

  Reece

  I’m speechless. She actually has left me with nothing to say. I’m shell shocked. It was one thing when she was drunk and trying it on with me, but this is in the cold sober light of day where anyone could see us. And she doesn’t even appear to care, she’s just staring at me like she’s challenging me.

  She’s game playing, and I’m sucked in. Even more than I thought I was going to be.

  “I… I…” I need so say something, just to break this unbearable tension between us. “I didn’t…”

  “I just thought it could be fun, you know?” She’s brazen. Not bothered at all.

  “Fun?” I rake my fingers desperately through my hair. “Fun? Are you for real? This is… well, it’s crazy and I’m pretty sure you know that. There is no way that this could… you know. Because…”

  “Oh, why? Because of my father?” She rolls her eyes as if this isn’t something that I should be considering at all. “Because I am my own person, you know. I’m an adult. I can do what I please.”

  Fucking hell, my heart is pounding, my head spinning, I can barely stand up any longer. This girl has me doing twists and turns all over the place. I really need to be the adult here, the one with my head screwed on, yet I’m not. I’m giddy and excitable like a child. Like a teenage boy with a crush.

  But I’m not a teenage boy. I’m a man with responsibilities, and I cannot let this happen.

  “Look, Alexa, thank you very much for the coffee, that was great, but I don’t think that we should see each other again.” I hold my hands up in a surrendering gesture. “It isn’t a good idea.”

  “Why? Because you like me more than you care to admit?” She winks, brazen yet again. I’m a little blown away by her to be honest, it’s crazy how confident she is. I haven’t ever met anyone like her before. I can’t help but wonder if this is really her or it’s just a mask that she wears to cover up something deeper.

  “I don’t want to talk to you about this, Alexa, I just think that this needs to end right now. Whatever this is.”

  “So, you’re just never going to speak to me again?” She demands with her hands on her hips. “Even if you see me out? Don’t you think that’s a little childish, Reece? Just because you can’t handle your feelings.”

  I suppose it is really, but I don’t know how else to handle this. It’s just a nightmare that I have unfortunately put myself right in the middle of. As soon as I got that text message, I should have resisted. What on earth was I doing saying yes to come out for a coffee? It was blatantly asking for trouble.

  But that kiss, my brain unhelpfully pipes up. You kinda liked it. She’s right about that one…

  It did feel nice, but that has to be because it’s the first interaction I have had in that manner f
or a long old time. It has absolutely nothing to do with Alexa. She’s just a vessel, not someone I’m actually attracted to.

  But she’s beautiful, and you know it. Urgh, my brain is driving me insane. You do like her.

  “I have to go.” I spin on my heels quickly. “I have to get back home, I have things to do.”

  I move my feet quickly. Pounding them hard against the side walk. It’s almost as if I need to actually hear my foot steps to know that this isn’t a dream and I’m actually moving away from her. There’s this funny magnetic pull with her and it’s really hard to keep going… but that’s what I need to do.

  This is the right thing to do. Thank goodness, my brain is finally on my side. She’s trouble.

  I think about the Admiral, and how he would react if he knew that any of this would happen. It would destroy any friendship that we have built up with each other. I would be throwing everything that he’s done for me back in his face. I can’t do that, I just couldn’t. Nothing is worth that, even if she is beautiful…

  God damn it. Without me even giving my body permission to do so, my head turns to see her. The pull is far too strong, I can’t resist it. I see her, still standing there outside the coffee shop, looking at me with disappointment in her eyes. I’ve let her down, which hurts my soul. I don’t want to let Alexa down… and I don’t know why.

  All of a sudden, she’s running towards me at the speed of light. I stop because I know that she won’t, not when she’s a predator who has me in her sights. I might as well just get this over and done with. Face it and get passed it, so we can finally separate and hopefully never see one another again, which will be for the best.

  Just get this over and done with, I tell myself helplessly. It’ll be fine, she’ll understand in the end.

  Her hand curls around my arm and she roughly pulls me back to her. I almost crash into her body because she yanks me with such force. That’s some doing since I’m a beefy navy seal and she’s a petite young lady.