“You’re looking at a raise after this new project. That ad is going to bring in thousands and all of you deserve to enjoy it as well as the company,” he told me as I stared into his eyes.
“Thank you.” I said shyly as he moved a bit closer to me. I blushed, and Paul came back with the wine, pouring us two glasses before taking our order and disappearing. Alexander held up his glass and I looked at him.
“Here’s to a successful project,” he said as I picked up my own glass and clinked it against his. “I suppose we should toast the apartment as well.”
“I don’t have it yet.” I reminded him as he smiled.
“You’ll take it. I’ve seen the complex.” Alexander assured me as I wondered what role he played in this situation. We moved on to lighter topics as we waited for our food and he told me about his favorite dives in the city and beyond. I nibbled on my lasagna as I watched his mouth move, captivated by his full lips. I allowed myself to get lost in his kindness tonight just a little, pretending that it was more than it was.
Chapter Four
Alexander
I watched Soledad the entire time at the restaurant closely, taking her in. She was more than beautiful as she smiled at me. It was always sweet but shy and I wondered if I intimidated her.
She enjoyed her dinner with hesitation, sipping her wine on controlled sips. I wasn’t surprised when Paul brought the bottle over since it was his habit when I came in, but he brought a good bottle this time. I wanted her to enjoy it and the entire night. I told her about other restaurants I liked, and she nodded, not offering too much in return. I sensed that she didn’t get out too much and leaned back, sipping from my glass. We hadn’t talked too personally, and I considered crossing that line a bit tonight.
Soledad picked up the cloth napkin and pressed it to her pink lips as I set the glass down. “How old is your daughter, Soledad?” I watched as warmth crossed her face, seeing how much she loved her little girl.
“Lindsay is four. She’ll be five in six months. I can’t believe it.” Her voice was low and filled with awe as she stared off into space for a moment.
“You’re twenty-three?” I asked as she stared sadly at me, nodding slowly. “So young to be a mother.”
“Life happens. She’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” Soledad assured me as I nodded, not doubting her words. This was the way my own mother looked at me and I respected her immensely in this moment. I also wanted to take her under my wing, them under my wing. I wanted to take care of everything for them and I wasn’t sure where this was coming from. I was never like this with a woman, much less someone with a child.
“Is her father involved in her life?” I asked as I watched sheer terror cross her face.
“No. Not for years,” Soledad told me before taking a large sip of wine. I watched her choke it down along with another one, wondering if he was the darkness that I saw in her eyes. We finished our meals and I paid at her protest before leading her to the car. I got her inside safely, closing the door gently as I stood there and breathed in the remaining hints of citrus from her perfume.
I drove us to the complex, entering the code as Soledad looked around in disbelief. “There’s no way these go for eight hundred,” she murmured as I parked in a spot near the office. The complex was newer and quite luxurious, and she was absolutely right. Carly owed me a favor for so many recommendations of renters over the last few years and I knew that it was a ploy to get me into her bed again.
“She’s the owner so she can work a deal,” I assured her easily as I got out and opened her door. Soledad followed me to the office and I opened the door, gesturing for her to walk inside. I saw the pale blonde woman stand as she took us both in, her eyes a little hard on Soledad. “Hello, Carly.” I greeted her in a bit of a cool
tone, so she would understand that this was nothing more than business.
“Alex, good to see you. You must be Soledad,” she smiled and walked forward to shake hands with my employee, forcing it. That was all she needed to do. “I can’t wait for you to see the unit.”
She shot me another look as she reached for a set of keys and I held my hand out. “I’ll take her. What number is it?” I asked as Carly stared at me.
“I should really join you. It is my complex,” Carly argued as Soledad let her eyes pass between us.
“Of course, but I am familiar with the layout,” I insisted as Soledad shrank back.
“Thirty-six.” Carly told me, and I nodded and looked at Soledad. I gestured for her to walk with me, placing my hand on her back as we left the spacious office. I turned to go to that part of the smaller complex and we took the stairs up as Soledad looked around.
“Is the top floor a good idea? Lindsay can be loud sometimes,” she worried aloud as we reached the door.
“I’m certain that the units are insulated well.” I told her as I unlocked the proper door and let it swing open. Soledad walked in with a gasp and I smiled at her.
“This place is beautiful. It’s too much for us,” she whispered as she looked around the sunken living room. I walked along quietly as she took in the chef’s kitchen slowly and then the large terrace that overlooked the city. Soledad seemed to stumble down the wide hallway as she looked at the three bedrooms, all of which had their own bathroom and large closets. “I can’t pay so little for a place this nice.” She turned to face me as her eyes searched my face in the light from the hallway. “What did you do to get me this? Have you slept with her and she wants you back?” I heard the jealousy in her voice and stepped into the room as she moved back.
“I asked her for a favor,” I assured her as sadness filled her eyes. “I haven’t slept with her for a long time and I don’t give a fuck if she wants me back. I’m here for you, Soledad.”
“What do you mean?” She asked as I reached out to cup her face gently in my hands. I leaned forward, pressing my forehead to hers as she breathed in harshly. “Alexander?”
“Call me Alex,” I whispered before pressing my mouth to hers gently. Soledad gasped, and her mouth parted as I tilted my head. I didn’t get involved with women I worked with normally, particularly assistants. That was the reason I’d lost a few. They wanted me far more than I wanted them. I slipped up one time and regretted it for years to come. Soledad groaned against me and I pulled her against me, feeling the heat of her body. She was different.
We kissed for moments or hours. I couldn’t tell but eventually she pulled her face back and breathed in deeply. “I’m your assistant, Alexan-Alex. We shouldn’t do this.” Her words were soft as she gripped my shirt underneath my coat.