Alpha Billionaire Series

CHRISTOPHER

Iwas not productive on the flight. I accepted a cup of coffee from the air hostess but spent the majority of the flight trying t relax. In an ideal world, Alicia would have been able to book the same flight and be next to me in business class.

As it was, my flight had been booked solid, and she managed to find a ticket for one of those seat-yourself airlines, a few hours earlier than my flight.

She was full of tired smiles when I found her waiting for me at the airport.

“How was your flight?” I looked down at her as she sat perched on a bench outside of the luggage claim area.

She groaned. “It could have been better. The plane was packed. Mostly business folks, so no one being rowdy or anything lik that. It was just very crowded. You?"

“Some turbulence, but nothing out of the ordinary. It would have been a nicer flight if you had been with me."

She stood with a tired smile. “It would have. But we're here now. We have enough time to get to the hotel, find something fo lunch and get you prepared for your presentation.”

She was all business when I was ready to be all play. But she was right, today’s schedule was tight. I had my big presentation in the kick-off sessions before the keynote speech.

The shuttle ride over to the conference hotel was full of other conference attendees, eager to play and call it to work. Admittedly, I liked conferences too. They were full of networking, and making new contacts, and the showroom floor was always interesting. Sure, I attended the presentations and a few panels. But it was nice to attend the sponsored parties, and just get out of my normal routine.

We followed others out of the shuttle and formed a line at the hotel check-in. Alicia stood behind me while we waited. I didn't know if she was nervous or wanted to continue the appearance that we were strictly colleagues.

“I hope you enjoy your stay with us The clerk handed me my room card key with a practised smile.

“I'm going to need a second key," I said.

“I have this room listed as single occupancy.’ She began clicking on her computer keyboard.

“Yeah, all your rooms are sold out for the conference, and I have a colleague with me. My secretary was supposed to call in and change my reservation.”

I'shot a quick glance at Alicia.

She gave me a slightly annoyed look. I had totally blamed her for something I knew she hadn't done. After giving her a quick wink, I returned my attention to the clerk.

“0h boy, well it doesn't look like that change made it to our system. I'm searching, and I don't have a room with two beds I can switch you to. Your room does have a couch in addition to the king size bed."

“Well, it was a last-minute change, we'll figure it out” I left my hand outstretched as she ran the second card key.

“Thanks.” I flipped the card through my fingers after she handed it to me. I turned to Alicia, and with an additional flip of the card, I presented it to her.

She snatched it away from my hand. “You made no such request of your executive administrative assistant. You are telling tales.”

She turned and began wheeling her suitcase toward the bank of elevators.

“I had to keep up appearances. How would it look to show up and announce that I was planning on seducing my executive administrative assistant, so only one bead please?”

“You didn't have to say anything. You could have requested a second key and said there was a last-minute addition to your trip. And leave it at that. She totally thinks we are having an affair now.”

I leaned close as we waited for the elevator. “But aren't we?”

Alicia kept her eyes forward. “Not if you keep acting like this.” She was acting all offended and like a frigid secretary, but I saw the smile play across her lips. She wanted to be cold and indifferent in public, fine, I could play that game. It just meant that she was going to be a wildfire in my arms when we were finally alone.

The elevator binged and the door slid open. I followed her in and hit the floor button, and then stood in silence as it filled up with other conference goers.

“Do you want to find lunch before checking into the conference or after?” she asked.

“Are you here for Print-Tech?” one of the elevator passengers asked.

“Yes, we just arrived.”

“Well, the conference center isn't fully set up for us today. Apparently, they thought that the time gap between check-in and the presentations meant they didn't need to have any of the food kiosks set up. If you want something that doesn't come oL of a vending machine or the little newspaper stand, you're going to want to go find food somewhere else. That's what we're doing. It's so annoying”

“Thanks for the information,” Alicia said as they exited the elevator.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

She waited for the doors to close again. “That put a hiccup into our schedule”

“What does that mean? We have plenty of time."

“That's what you think. But we have to get our stuff into the room. I want to change, I'm way overdressed, and I want my comfortable shoes.”

“But you look beautiful” She did. Her hair was up with tendrils of curls framing her face. She had on one of those skirts that hugged her ass.

“Liar. This is how I dress for the office.”

The elevator doors slid open on our floor. I stepped out first and waited for her.

“I know, and you look beautiful every day."

She sighed and blushed. It was adorable the way she bit her plump lower lip when she turned pink like that.

I looked up and down the hall, it was completely empty, except for us. I reached forward and captured her chin in my fingers Pulling her lip down and away from her teeth. I leaned in and claimed that lip for mine.

She was blushing harder when I stepped back.

“You were saying we are in a time crunch?”

“Let's get into the room, and I can pull up the schedule. If I can look at it, that will help, 'm going off of my memory at the moment.”

“Your memory is very good.” I leaned forward to kiss her again.

She ducked away from me. “My memory is a little fuddled. Stop kissing me, I have to be able to think."

“Are you saying you can't think when I kiss you?"

“Maybe."

“Then let's get to the room. I'd like to test this theory out a bit more.”

The room wasn't anything fancy. A single king-sized bed, a row of dark furnishings, and a large TV. There was a small mini fridge and a coffee maker.

I grabbed Alicia and spun her into my arms as soon as the door closed. At first, she returned my kiss. She was soft and supple in my arms. But then she started to squirm and press against my chest in an attempt to escape.

“No, you can't. I need to think.”

“We could skip going out and order room service. I've been waiting to get you alone for far too long.” My voice was thick with desire.

Alicia stepped away from me. She glanced nervously at the bed and back to me.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. She had been obviously nervous the entire time since we met at the airport, and I hadn't paid proper attention. I wanted her so much that I had ignored all the signs.

I reached out and took her hand.

“We'll go out for lunch” I tugged slightly and she stepped back to me. “We don't have to rush anything. We have days together. And tonight, is a long conference day away. We are going to be exhausted by the time we get back here. If nothing happens, nothing happens. You don't have to be nervous around me Alicia.”

The laugh she let out belied her inner feelings. She shook in my arms.

“I've been waiting for you for almost four years, Alicia. I can never forget that woman I met in Nashville. I can wait another day.’

“I'm not the same person I was back then. 'm not reckless or impulsive anymore”

“I'm not the same either. That's not a bad thing."

I leaned my face against the top of her head. She smelled of flowers and fruit. The scent of her shampoo triggered a memory of her from all that time ago. She had been wild, like she was out to prove something to herself, to the world.

“You don't need to prove anything to me." I reluctantly let her go. “Why don’t you change? I'll find a place to go eat. We can g over the agenda at lunch.’

She bit that lip again and nodded. This was going to be a very long day, but I was going to have her in my arms and in my be at the end of it. I could endure. I had to.