And gratefully, I turned to my menu, staring at it blindly as my parents chit-chatted with the big man. I figured I could wing it through the rest of the meal, eat quietly and excuse myself early except that there was no such thing.
“Lindy,” said my dad, interrupting my thoughts. “Did you hear Mr. Jones just now? He said he has a meeting tomorrow and needs someone to take notes for him, his secretary’s sick. We thought you could go in her place.”
I gaped a little before snapping back to my senses.
“No, no, I have class, I’m so sorry, I can’t,” I made excuses quickly, looking between my parents’ expectant faces and my lover’s knowing one. God, I didn’t know if I wanted to slap Chris or kiss him right then.
But my dad frowned at me.
“Now Lindy, I know you’re a fancy college girl now, but we’re humble folk and you’re not too good to take notes at a meeting. Please assist Mr. Jones tomorrow,” my dad said sternly, “He was kind enough to make this trip, save us hours in traffic.”
And I was about to refuse again, about to stubbornly shake my head no when I caught my mom’s pleading gaze. Brenda was begging me without saying a word, her eyes droopy and sad, her mouth pursed into a downwards line that broke my heart. So I sighed, and found myself agreeing.
“Okay,” I said shortly, none to gracious. “But what time? I have class.”
“Your call,” said Mr. Jones smoothly, his eyes twinkling at me. “We haven’t decided a meeting time yet, so whenever works for you.”
Damn it. I was hoping to argue that I had a midterm and couldn’t possibly make it, but the big man had caught me again.
“Fine,” I said shortly, “Nine thirty okay?”
The alpha male just smirked at me.
“Perfect,” he rumbled. “I’ll let my associate know.”
And as we turned back to dinner, I had a sudden impression that I was a fly in a web … and I’d been caught by a spider with no hope of getting out.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Lindy
I walked into the hotel, grumpy already. Where was this meeting? I was going to take notes in the background and then disappear without a word, Mr. Jones wasn’t getting a second more of my time than necessary.
So with my mouth pressed into a firm line, I went up to reception.
“Hi, I’m here for the meeting with United Electric?” I asked. Hopefully that wasn’t too vague.
“Oh yes,” said the lady, pursing her lips and gazing at her monitor. “Looks like you’re in the Rose Room. Up one level and to your left.”
I nodded my thanks and made my way up the stairs. Chris evidently had something to prove to his clients because the meeting was in the Four Seasons and the surroundings were unbelievably luxurious. The grand staircase was a double spiral which flowed gracefully from the first floor landing to the second, with ruby red carpet decorated with gold scrolls. It sounds gaudy and tacky but was actually tasteful and elegant.
But I sighed. I was a nobody and no one noticed me making my way up the stairs. Which was for the better, I guess. All I wanted to do was to take notes and then make a getaway, my obligation done. I’d signed up for ten days of hedonism with the big man and that was over now, I’d done my part. This note-taking business was an extra that had been tacked-on by my dad, of all people.
So I stopped before the big double doors, knocking softly. When no one answered, I let myself in, a freezing cold blast of A/C hitting me in the face. God, why didn’t they turn up the temperature in this place? My summer suit was no match for the arctic blast and I could feel my nipples hardening, goose bumps coming up on my thighs, make me shiver involuntarily.
But that’s when I saw him. Chris was alone in the room, his feet up on a conference table, turned towards the door as if waiting for me.
“Hey,” he said casually, getting up, that big form unfolding. “How are you?”
I looked around, puzzled. Nope, not a soul in sight.
“Good,” I replied slowly, “But where is everyone? I know I’m early,” I said, glancing quickly at my watch again. “But it’s nine fifteen and I thought you said the meeting was at half past.”
“It is at nine thirty,” the big man drawled casually, sitting down again, “but my counterpart canceled five minutes ago.”
I stopped in my tracks.
“Canceled, really?” I said, disbelieving. “That’s rude, especially with such last minute notice.”
“It is rude,” growled Chris, nodding, “so I’ll be tearing him a new one the next time I see him, but in the meantime, let’s discuss business.”
I stopped for a moment, hands on my hips, mouth firm.