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“Time is it?”
“I’m not sure, you slept through your alarm. I was trying to wake you but you sidetracked me.” He leant up on his elbows and gave me a sheepish grin.
“I didn’t hear you complaining.”
“And you never will.” I tilted my face up and he obliged me with a kiss. “Do you have to work today?” As soon as I asked the question, his gaze shuttered and all trace of the relaxed, content Alfie from a moment ago was gone.
“Yes. You know that time off isn’t an option, Lola.”
“You’ve been missing work in order to spend time with me.” It wasn’t a question. I already knew it was true. “You hate it don’t you? Being the head of that company?” I asked, knowing I was pushing Alfie into a conversation he didn’t want to have. He sighed and withdrew himself from me, frowning when I winced as my sore folds released him. He leaned in and kissed my forehead.
“Don’t talk about things you don’t understand.”
I couldn’t help but bristle at his words.
“I could understand if you talked to me.” It was on the tip of my tongue to ask him about Charles, but I held back, too scaredof his reaction. Whatever was behind that door, I knew it wasn’t good.
“I don’t want you to understand. You are the only clean thing in my life. Let me keep you that way.”
We ate breakfast downstairs as usual and I discovered that my peach dress had been dry cleaned and magically returned in a dress bag, hanging from a coat hook. I shuddered to think what some poor maid might have heard during the night when she dropped it off. I put the dress on, grateful to put off exploring the wardrobe Alfie had bought for one more day.
Alfie was unusually quiet. I did my best to cajole him out of his mood. I told him about Keira’s new job and how my plans were coming along. I pulled faces at him in the mirror as we brushed our teeth, and when we were dressed I launched myself at him, forcing him to carry me caveman style down the stairs. By the time we were heading out the door, he’d thawed a little. He pressed the button for the lift and wrapped his arm around my waist as we descended.
“Make sure your weekend is clear. I want to take you back to L’Amour, seeing as we didn’t get to finish our dinner last time.” His mouth quirked slightly and I groaned at the memory of our disastrous first date. I wondered if Jean would ever forgive me for running out on his food.
“I’m free on Sunday but I’m going out with Keira on Saturday night.” He looked down at me, one eyebrow raised.
“Why didn’t I know that?”
“I’m sure I told you. We’re celebrating her new job, remember?” I was, in fact, certain that Ihadn’ttold him as Iknew he wasn’t going to like it, not after what happened the last time I went out without him.
“Fine, I’ll come with you,” he said and I let out a theatrical sigh. The lift doors pinged open and he strode out across the lobby.
“Alfie, you’re not coming with me,” I hissed, keeping my voice low. “It’s agirls’night, meaning no boys allowed.” I had enough time to wince at the twitch in his jaw before he rounded on me. I stumbled to an abrupt stop, barely avoiding crashing into him. A few people were already staring at us.
“Do you remember what happened the last time you went out without me? You got wasted and ended up getting manhandled by your ex.” His voice was a low, menacing growl that would have had anyone else trembling at the knees. I, however, had been on the receiving end of that tone so many times that I was becoming accustomed to it. “I’m coming with you, Lola.”
“Why? So that you can just sit there brooding at me all night?”
“Yes. I’ll bring Riley. We can brood together.” There was a half-smile playing around his mouth now and I held back a frustrated groan. A second ago it was all out war, now he was being playful. It exhausted me. It exhilarated me too.
“Alfie…”
“Put it this way, O’Connell. If I don’t come with you, then I’ll be working late, on a Saturday night, in my suite, with Angie. It’s your choice.”
I gaped up at him. He’d just won the argument and he knew it. Once again I was reminded of why he was a business tycoon and I just ‘did the filing.’ I opened my mouth to put up another argument, but the stubborn part of me seemed to have wilted. She was tired, and each day she seemed to become more resigned to the reality that he would always win. Always.
“You’re a sly bastard, Alfie Tell,” I grumbled, but he just chuckled and pulled me to him, pressing me close despite my arms still being folded firmly across my chest.
“I’m just a businessman, O’Connell, and you are my most important business.” He tucked a finger under my chin, tilting my face so I was forced to look at him. As it always did, the world around me dissipated when I looked at him.
“Your business? You want stocks and shares or something?” I meant to sound angry but Alfie just got that hazy look he sometimes got when he was thinking about fucking me.
“Stocks and shares, baby,” he said lazily and I swear my knees went weak. How had he taken my argument and turned it into a line?
“What is this, Alfie? You were too vulnerable last night so now you need to exert your power over me again?” The look on his face told me I’d hit the nail right on the head. I sighed. “Fine. You can come, but bring Riley to distract you. Having a guy on a girls’ night is awkward as hell. Also, you need a new PA,” I added as an afterthought.
“I don’t need a new PA. You need to get over it.” I opened my mouth to argue but he took hold of my chin, placing his thumb over my lips. “Enough, Lo. No more arguments this morning.” He held my gaze until I gave him a small nod.