The card was rich cream colored vellum with bold black ink.
I SAW THIS DRESS IN TOWN YESTERDAY AND IT REMINDED ME OF YOU.
WOULD YOU WEAR IT FOR ME TODAY?
ALEXANDER
Her hands were trembling as she reached up to unzip the bag. As the zipper slid down she pulled the vinyl back to reveal a soft peach sundress. The top crisscrossed and tied behind the neck and a matching pale blue sweater was draped over it. The skirt looked to be about knee length and as she looked deeper into the bag she found a pair of matching peach and blue sandals with cork wedge bottoms.
When Leis stroked the fabric it felt like raw silk, and the sweater was whisper soft. The label on the sweater was a designer she’d never heard of and leaning close to read it, the label said the material was 100% angora. Her heart began to race when the fog of her vision cleared and she could make out the name on the garment bag. Neiman Marcus was repeated over and over again in the texture of the vinyl. Picking up the shoes she wasn’t surprised to see they were Marc Jacobs.
Gritting her teeth she sealed the bag back up and left the shoes on the floor. Angry and a little unnerved, she flipped the bathroom light on and froze. On the counter and in the shower her own personal products had been removed and replaced with all new bottles and lotions from L'occitane. The towels she had been using were also gone and lush grey ones were in their places. When she stepped into the room another note was propped on the counter.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE NEW PRODUCTS.
THEY ARE SOME OF MY PERSONAL FAVORITES.
I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR TIME TOGETHER.
ALEXANDER
Closing her eyes, she repressed a shudder wondering when and how someone had gotten in her room last night. When she’d gone to bed none of this had been there. She had no choice but to use the items, and resolved to get hers back from Crescentia as soon as possible.
One more shock waited for her when she opened her hair case and found all of her hair ties gone. A simple note was laying on top of the empty box.
YOUR HAIR LOOKS SO MUCH BETTER DOWN.
ALEXANDER
“UGH!” She exclaimed and slammed the box shut. “Of all the nerve!” Angry beyond words, Leis reached into her closet and chose a deep emerald green maxi dress with mid length sleeves and a scoop neck. She wrapped a brown infinity scarf around her neck and slipped into the pair of brown flats she’d purchased at the store where Koen had embarrassed her by trying on the heels. Thankful for the memory, she couldn’t help but giggle and wished he were the one taking her out today. She searched her purse and found a hair tie at the bottom. Defiantly, she swept her hair into a low pony. “Much better.”
The clock chimed 8AM and she knew she needed to get downstairs before someone came looking for her. They would be expecting her to delay as long as possible. Sighing and wishing she could delay, she tossed the purse over her shoulder and opened the door. As the air swept into her room she cringed.
“Good morning, Leisel.” Alexander’s rough voice spoke quietly. She steeled herself and stepped into the hallway pulling her door shut.
“Good morning, Mr. Koch.” She met his gaze and his expression gave her pause. He was leaning against the wall opposite her door in his usual sharply creased dress pants, a pale blue oxford, grey waistcoat, and a black leather belt. His sleeves were rolled just past his wrists and she cringed at the glittering Rolex he wore around his thickly veined wrist. His flaming hair was loose and appeared to still be slightly damp. He was clearly offended she wasn’t wearing the clothes he’d left for her, but hid it quickly and cocked his head in feigned confusion. “Didn’t you like the dress I bought you?”
“It didn’t fit.” She lied. She swallowed as he pushed his towering form away from the wall and gestured for her to precede him down the stairs to breakfast.
“Hmmm. What a shame. I’ll have to take you for a proper fitting later.” As she passed in front of him at the bottom of the stairs she felt his hands tug at her hair. His strong fingers slid up the back of her head and through the length of her hair taking the elastic band with them. As she turned to face him he held onto the the ends and draped them over her shoulder. “Much better.” His nearness was sending off all kinds of alarms in her chest and even from him she could smell his adverse reaction to touching her. She was surprised when hurt and disappointment wafted through the air.
Alexander grinned as she glared at him, holding out her hand for the return of the hair band. “I’ll take that back, please. And I believe the rules state that you are not allowed to touch me.”
He lowered his chin and chuckled, the sound greasy in her ears. “I think I’ll keep this for now.” He tucked the band into his pocket and turned to Ray who was now standing behind him. “I didn’t actually touch her, did I Ray? I was simply adjusting her hair for her.”
Ray nodded but crossed his arms. “The same rules apply to you Mr. Koch that applied to Mr. Fertig. You know the rules and I will decide what is appropriate and what is not. Ja?”
Alexander motioned toward the table. “Of course. I wouldn’t want to jeopardize my claim by breaking one of the rules. I promise to be the perfect gentleman where Miss. Gottschalk is concerned.”
Ray inclined his head and Leis growled under her breath. Undeterred, Alexander held a chair out for her, lifting and smoothing her hair over the chair back. “Did you like the new products I bought for you? Yours were department store brands I believe. Not very good for your skin or hair, really.”
Crescentia lowered herself into her chair at the head of the table and patted Samuel’s hand as he pushed her closer to the table. “I hope you don’t mind that Mr. Koch and Ray paid your room a visit last night. Since you had already gone to bed we thought that would be the easiest way.” She signaled to the wait staff while Leis stared at her wide eyed.
“You let him in my room while I was sleeping?” Playing favorites was one thing, but letting him in her room…she pointed across the table at the wickedly grinning Alexander. “Surely that has to qualify as breaking a rule!”
“No, it doesn’t. Mr. Koch didn’t actually enter your bedroom. He was in your suite, in order to deliver gifts and he was never alone.” Crescentia dismissed her protest. “Besides, it appears you didn’t even have the good manners to wear what he bought you.” She sighed and turned toward the waiter who approached the table. “We’ll be having omelets this morning. I’ll have my usual.” She glanced toward Alexander.
He spoke quickly, staring at Leis. “Miss Gottschalk will have the veggie, no peppers, extra cheese and mushrooms. I will have the same without the cheese.” His glittering eyes dared her to contradict him.
Her mouth hanging open, Alexander raised an eyebrow to ask confirmation of her order. She nodded and real fear settled over her. With a sight nod he released the waiter and poured her coffee. “I believe you and I may have gotten off on the wrong foot, Leisel.” His use of her full sounded strange and she winced. He poured himself a cup and added a bit of creamer. “I’m afraid I get a bit competitive when challenged for something I want.” His piercing eyes still shocked her every time she looked into them. They were the clearest and brightest green she had ever seen. “Allow me to spend the next few days making it up to you.”
His scent was no less slippery, but she sensed something underneath. Trying to push aside her fear, she did her best to do what Baden had told her and pay attention to his emotions not just his intentions. Stewart had told her he hadn’t had an easy life. Though the man across the table from her quite frankly scared her, she knew he wouldn’t do anything to lose his opportunity to claim her. Not much comfort, but it gave her a bit of courage. Deciding a truce was the best course of action, she pulled her shoulders back and smiled. “I would be grateful for that. We did meet under less than ideal circumstances.” She sipped her coffee and did her best not to cringe at the victorious smile he gave her. “What did you have in mind for our day today, Mr. Koch?”
He settled the plate the man handed him and lifted his fork. “I have an appointment in Seattle with a client and I thought you could fly out and back with me.” He lifted a shoulder. “It’s only a couple hour flight and we should be back home by night fall. My jet is waiting for us as soon as we finish our breakfast.”
Dumbfounded, Leis paused with her fork midway to her mouth. “Your jet?”
“Of course.” He chewed and nodded while looking down the table at Crescentia’s delighted smile. “My compliments to the chef. The omelets are perfect, Crescentia.”
Still in shock and growing frustrated with the realization he was planning to use his wealth in an obvious attempt to impress her, Leis finished her omelet while Crescentia, Alexander and Samuel discussed the client he would be going to see. Alexander explained. “The home is nearly complete, but he apparently has a lingering question about the ability of the structure to support his helicopter. So we will be taking mine from the airport and landing at his house.” He smoothed a hand down his beard. “There’s nothing I like more than making a grand entrance.” Crescentia laughed with him and he added. “Besides, it’s two birds one stone. He will know I am willing to stake my reputation on what I build, and he will see for himself the structure is sturdy.”
Surprised by what she was sensing from him, Leis drew in a deep breath and was taken aback to sense genuine honor from him. Underneath all the bluster of his words and flash of his wealth he craved the approval of those for whom he worked.
“Is something wrong, Leis?” Crescentia must have heard her inhale and was watching her with a calculating eye.
“Nothing at all.” Leis lied. “Just tired and I didn’t want to yawn.” Again, not the complete truth. She looked at Alexander through her lashes hoping he would buy it and not pick up on her nervousness like Stewart had.
Alexander titled his head and appraised her. “The flight should take about two and a half hours. There is a private room if you wish to take a brief nap before we arrive.” He pushed back from the table when he saw everyone was finished. For such a large man she marveled at the way he moved with incredible grace. “If you are ready to go, Ray?” He came around the table and pulled Leis’s chair out for her. “I’ve reserved an extra seat for you in both the plane and the chopper so you can stay with Miss Gottschalk the entire time we are away.”
Ray looked to Crescentia then Samuel before answering. When both of them nodded their approval he started toward the door. “I’ll pull the car around.”
“No need, sir.” Alexander took her hand, tucked it into his elbow and guided her toward the door. “My driver is just outside. You will ride in the back with us.” His smile was tight as he looked down at Leis. “I’m sure she will feel more comfortable if you rode with us and let someone else do the driving.”
Completely taken off guard, Leis studied his eyes trying to breathe in without being obvious. “Thank you, Alexander. I do appreciate your thoughtfulness.” She couldn’t get a read on him. His scent was sharp and almost reminded her of the lemon she’d smelled in the apartment. Crisp and clean, but stronger and with a sharp edge of something painful she couldn’t identify. She was going to have to stay on her toes for sure.
Copyright 2014 Michelle Bolanger
All Rights Reserved
***Subject to Change and Heavy Edits***
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