Bearly Consenting: Russet Falls Series (13 page)

“Alright, get out of here,” Trevor slurred, motioning to the
door.

“Thanks,” Drew muttered, getting up and heading out the
door. There was no one guarding the door, but he easily made his way out of the
club. There were no taxis around, so he quickly jogged down two streets, until
he came to a busy intersection.

He flagged down a taxi, jumped in, and gave his hotel
address.

The sooner he got the shoddy club and his awful actions
behind him, the better.

Chapter Eighteen

Drew was planning on spending the remainder of the week in
Chicago to conduct business, but he changed his mind. He hated what Seraphina
had turned him into, and he wanted to be far from the city to forget what he
had done.

He made a few calls and arranged for a private plane to
leave Chicago at one in the morning.

He might as well take full advantage of the business and
wealth he had built with Seraphina’s help.

He had his private car wait for him downstairs, and it took
him less than ten minutes to go to his room, pack his bags and check out.

He rested his head against the window as the car made its
way towards the small airport outside of town. He was grateful that his driver
was not a talker. Nothing annoyed him more than an overly chatty driver when he
was trying to think.

How could he ever feel completely honest with Avery if he
wasn’t able to share about his dark side? The things Seraphina made him do, the
control she wielded over him.

He was despicable.

Maybe it was a blessing in disguise that he couldn’t
actually tell Avery about it. Seraphina’s strange gag order on him at least
served his purpose with Avery.

But he felt awful not being completely honest with Avery.
She deserved better than that.

Hell, she deserved better than him.

He was weak. He had given into the lucrative promise of
wealth; power and prosperity and now he had earned himself a seat in hell by
getting caught up with Seraphina.

He slept during the flight to New York, a rare thing for him
since he usually spent flights as an uninterrupted time to craft ideas and work
on business. But that’s what Seraphina’s power over him did.

It made him useless, worthless, and unable to function
properly.

The plane touched down in the early morning hours and Drew
groggily made his way to his waiting car.  He had sent Ricky an email overnight
detailing the changes to his itinerary, and Ricky had come through.

Drew was already set for meetings starting after ten in the
morning, allowing him plenty of time to check in to his hotel room, eat
breakfast and get cleaned up.

Drew needed to give Ricky another raise.

Feeling slightly more clear-headed, he got into the car.

“Good morning, Mr. Alexander,” the driver said. “There’s a
cup of coffee waiting for you in the back.”

Surprised, Drew turned and sure enough there was a hot,
steaming cup of coffee.

“Your assistant directed me,” the driver explained.

Ricky was definitely getting a raise.

The car made its way through the city that never slept,
though it was certainly quieter than usual at this hour. Drew loved seeing New
York come alive in the early morning hours.

They arrived at Drew’s preferred hotel, the Mandarin, and
easily checked in and made it to his room. It was just after six in the
morning, and he felt much more awake thanks to his coffee. He took a long hot
shower, the hot water waking him up further.

He exited the shower, wrapped a towel around his waist, and
made his way out into the room to get dressed.

Seraphina was sitting on his bed, looking as posh and
polished as any wealthy New York woman. She looked perfectly calm, as if she
had been there for ages, her legs delicately crossed.

“What the fuck!” Drew yelled, nearly jumping two feet in the
air. “What are you doing here?” he accused, not even focusing on the logistics
of her actually getting there that quickly.

“Well, hello Drew,” she said sweetly, running her hand
through her glossy hair. Her hair was straight and shiny down her back, and she
was dressed in an expensive-looking patterned dress, with sky-high heels.

It was definitely not her Russet Falls look.

“What are you doing here?” he asked angrily.

“Well, I was going to come visit you in Chicago, but then I
caught wind that your plans changed, so I had to quickly change my own.” She
rubbed her hand appreciatively over the luxurious duvet cover on the bed. “You
certainly have good taste in hotels.”

Drew didn’t take the bait.

“I’ll ask one more time—what are you doing here?”

Seraphina laughed, rising. “I’ve come to see you of course!
I just had to thank you for the wonderful work you did with Trevor.” She walked
slowly towards him, her eyes hungrily looking over his body.

Drew had momentarily forgotten that he was only
half-dressed.

“You do such good work,” she purred, reaching out to touch
his face.

Drew turned his head to rebuff her.

Seraphina didn’t seem to mind.

“I take it that Trevor is no longer with us?” Drew asked
tightly.

“Unfortunately, he is not,” Seraphina said with mock
sadness, bowing her head.

Drew rolled his eyes, walking around her and grabbing his
clothes and heading towards the bathroom.

“I need to get dressed. I have business to conduct,” he
snapped.

He walked into the bathroom, slamming the door shut.

His breath was coming rapidly and he tried to take slow,
deep breaths to calm himself. Seraphina pushed his buttons like no other person
could.

“Is there anything else?” he asked roughly through the door.
He wanted to be done with her and get on with his day.

“Nothing else,” she sang, “I just wanted to tell you in
person of what a nice job you had done.”

Bull shit. There was obviously another reason that she was
in New York, but Drew could care less.

He finished dressing and stepped out of the bathroom.

Seraphina looked him over, taking in his suit.

“You certainly have grown up from the scruffy street kid
that you were when I took you in,” she remarked.

“Took me in?” Drew asked incredulously. “Is that what you
think you did? Because that was definitely not what happened.”

“Details,” she said in a bored tone, waving her hand to dismiss
him. She narrowed her eyes in a sultry way and took a step towards him. “Why
don’t you want Jade?” she asked batting her eye lashes.

Drew rolled his eyes and took a step back.

“Do you want someone more mature?” she asked softly, placing
her hand on his chest.

Drew took another step back. “Watch yourself.”

“Or what?”

“I’m not interested,” he said slowly. “Not in you and not in
your daughter.”

“Big mistake,” she warned. She made her way to the door and
turned around just as her hand was on the doorknob. “Just so you know, Trevor
was a cousin on my mother’s side. He had squandered away my aunt’s fortune. And
that was after he beat her to death.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder.
“Not every thing you do for me is evil.”

And with that she was gone.

Drew stood there in shock.

He wasn’t sure if he was more surprised by Seraphina
actually sharing something with him, the fact that she had known what he was
thinking, or the fact that she had done something that was supposedly not
malevolent.

He squeezed his eyes shut, pressing his hands to his
temples. “I can’t deal with this shit now,” he said to himself.

He pushed the information aside, compartmentalizing things.
He needed to focus on business now.

Actually what he wanted, what he needed, was to hear Avery’s
voice. He needed to get downstairs and have breakfast and review his notes
before his first meeting, but it was most important that he spoke to Avery now.

“Hello?” she answered groggily. “Drew? Is everything okay?
Are you okay?”

Shit. He had forgotten that he was now three hours ahead.
“Avery, I’m sorry,” he said quickly. “I forgot the time difference. Everything
is fine. I’ll talk to you later.”

“No, don’t hang up!” she said quickly and her voice was a
little more clear. “Where are you? What’s going on?”

Drew sighed, glancing at his watch. It was four in the
morning for Avery. Seraphina had his mind so fucked up that he was forgetting
simple details; it was unlike him.

“I’m actually in New York. My plans changed late last night,
so I came to New York overnight.”

“Wow. That must have been annoying. You don’t sound right,
Drew. Is something else going on?”

Avery was so perceptive.

“It’s not really something that I can talk about, but I just
wanted to hear your voice. Some of my business is,” he floundered looking for
the right words, “a little out of my league,” he explained.

“I’m sorry. I wish I could help. I can’t imagine how much
pressure you are under.”

“Hey, I have an idea,” Drew said suddenly. “Would you like
to join me out here? I know that you have to work, but what about Friday night?
What if I flew you out here Friday night and we spent the weekend together and
went home Sunday?”

“Oh, Drew, I don’t know,” she said hesitantly, and Drew
could hear the fear in her voice.

“If that’s too much and too fast, I understand. It was just
something that dawned on me. I have a meeting Saturday morning, but then I’m
free for the weekend,” he trailed off, feeling like a lovesick fool. What was
he thinking?

“You know what?” Avery said, her voice sounding stronger.
“Sure. Why not? I’ve never been to New York, and I want to see you.”

“Really?” Drew couldn’t believe that she actually agreed.

“Yes!” she laughed. “I’m crazy, but yes, I will come to New
York!”

A huge smile spread across Drew’s face and all his troubles
with Seraphina seemed to melt away.

“That’s fantastic! Okay, I need to go now and get ready for
my day, but I’ll have my assistant Ricky set everything up and then we can talk
more!”

“Okay,” Avery laughed. “And Drew?”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for calling me.”

“Thank you for answering. Avery, you know that you can call
me anytime, too, right? Any problems, anything, you pick up the phone and call
me.”

“I know. Thank you, Drew.”

They hung up and Drew felt lighter already. The first thing
at breakfast would be to call Ricky to get Avery set up. Then he would focus on
his meetings ahead.

Seraphina may make him feel small and worthless.

But Avery did just the opposite.

Avery made him feel alive, worthy and real.

He wasn’t Drew Alexander of Alexander Global Industries with
Avery.

He was just Drew.

Chapter Nineteen

“You agreed to what?” Molly screeched at dinner that night.

Avery gave a nervous laugh and bit her lip. “New York,” she
repeated. “This weekend.”

“Oh my god,” Lindsay sighed, “That’s unreal.”

“It’s crazy, I know,” she said fidgeting with her napkin.

“When do you leave?” Molly asked.

“Tomorrow night after school. His assistant set it all up,”
she said, flushing. She was embarrassed because it was so absurd. “A car is
picking me up after school, I’m being taken to the airport, and then getting on
a plane which should have me to New York around midnight local time.”

“Wait—how will you get there that early?” Lindsay asked.
“That doesn’t factor in any time at the airport. You’re flying across the country.”

Avery shrugged. Everything about this was out of her comfort
zone and she had no idea how these things worked.

“Are you taking a private plane?” Lindsay demanded.

Avery nearly spat out her water. “What?” she nearly
shrieked. “I don’t think so! Why?”

“Because logistically, I don’t know how that all works.”

Avery shook her head. “No. I can’t imagine. That would be
crazy. Totally crazy.”

Lindsay shook her head, smirking at Avery. “It would be
totally possible considering who you are dealing with.”

Did Drew really have the means to put her on a private
plane?

Avery buried her head in her hands. “I hope not. That’s
insane. I wouldn’t even know how to handle myself.”

Molly laughed. “Well if you can’t handle it, then I will
gladly take your place. Oh my god, I can’t even imagine how amazing that would
be!”

“What am I going to do?” Avery moaned. “What will I wear?”

“It’s not a problem,” Lindsay assured her. “Your
jealous
friends
will help you out.”

Avery sighed with relief.

“But you better bring his ass over here soon so we can meet
him.”

Avery nodded. She was in way over her head.

Her friends kindly helped her pack for a whirlwind weekend
in New York and she took her bags with her to school. She barely remembered
what happened during the day, and soon she found herself turning off the light
in her classroom, and making her way down the hall to the front doors.

“There’s some swanky car out there,” the vice principal said
to her as she passed.

“Oh, really?” she asked in a tiny voice, butterflies in her
stomach.

She walked out the doors and sure enough there was a sleek
black car running quietly at the curb.

She walked towards it, and the passenger window rolled down.

“Miss Monroe?”  the driver asked.

“Yes, that’s me.”

He jumped out and popped open the trunk. “I’ll take your
bags,” he said kindly, placing them in the back. He opened up the back door and
motioned for her to get in.

She felt so fancy.

And so spoiled.

“Thank you,” she said sliding into the car. It was detailed
in buttery soft black leather, and the windows were tinted black so no one
could see in.

“We’re off to the airport, Miss,” he said.

“Can I ask what airport?” Avery asked. She hadn’t talked to
Drew besides a few short text messages; she could tell that he was very busy.

The driver chuckled. “I guarantee that you don’t know this
one.” He winked.

Avery gave him a weak smile, and sat back in her seat.

Lindsay was right. She wasn’t flying out of Portland
International.

They arrived at the private airport in no time, and Avery
was amazed at how seamless it was to travel this way. She was simply greeted by
name, and waved onboard.

Her luggage wasn’t even examined.

A bright-eyed flight attendant greeted her was she stepped
into the plane.

“Good afternoon, Miss Monroe. So nice to have you fly with us.”

Avery’s eyes nearly popped out of her head as she examined
the luxurious cabin.

“This is amazing,” she breathed.

The flight attendant smiled. “This is the way to travel,”
she agreed. “Please,” she motioned to Avery, “Come aboard.”

There were four massive and comfortable-looking chairs
outfitted in creamy tan leather. There were also two long and wide sofas in the
same tan leather, which looked like they could also double as beds. There was
also a highly polished cherry table, which looked like it could be used for
business or for eating.

There was a large flat screen TV, as well as smaller flat
screen TVs on the backs of the four large chairs.

“You have your pick,” the attendant said. “And I’m Cheri, by
the way.”

“Thank you,” Avery said, still in awe. She looked around,
unsure of where to sit.

Cheri gave her a warm smile. “The chairs are my favorite,”
she said, “They recline and spin.”

Avery gave her a grateful smile and sat in the first chair
so that she could see the large flat screen TV.

“Can I get you something?” Cheri asked. “Wine, beer, soda?”

Alcohol? This was too much.

“Do you have a Sprite or a Ginger Ale?” Avery asked.

“Both.”

“Sprite, please.”

Cheri slipped into the front part of the cabin and returned
with a large, and expensive looking crystal glass of Sprite.

“Thank you.”

“We’ll be taking off momentarily,” Cheri said, moving
towards the small seat by the cockpit.

Avery nodded, sipping her Sprite, and setting it in the cup
holder of the chair. She buckled her seatbelt, and waited for the flight to
take off.

Moments later, the plane began to slowly move along the
runway, and picked up speed. Within seconds, Avery could feel it lift off the
ground, and felt the vibration of the wheels tucking under the plane.

She closed her eyes as the plane climbed higher and higher
in the sky, and she waited until she could feel the plane level off at cruising
altitude before she opened her eyes again.

Cheri was already up and moving about.

“Mr. Alexander sent over some snacks,” she said, placing a
small spread on the table.

“Oh wow,” Avery murmured getting out of her seat to check it
out. She looked over at Cheri. “Is this Mr. Alexander’s plane?” It felt strange
referring to Drew as Mr. Alexander.

To her, he was just Drew.

“Oh no,” Cheri said, “This plane belongs to one of Mr.
Alexander’s clients.”

Avery nodded as if she had any idea what that meant.

“Please help yourself,” Cheri said, “And I’ll be serving
dinner in about two hours.”

Avery saw the remote, and turned the TV on before sitting
down at the table. Everything felt so surreal. She turned on an afternoon talk
show and then focused on the food in front of her.

Her stomach growled; it had been hours since she had eaten
lunch.

There was more food than she could ever eat—fresh fruit,
crudités, various cheeses, as well as crackers, nuts, deli meats and even
chocolate covered strawberries. She popped a few nuts into her mouth, and took
a small chunk of cheese.

Not surprisingly the food was delicious.

She wanted to text Drew to tell him this was way too much, and
more than she deserved, but she knew he was tied up in meetings until nearly
ten in the evening, Eastern Time.

She snacked on the spread, and was sure to eat every
chocolate covered strawberry. She relaxed around the table, and when the talk
show ended, she flipped around and saw that she had access to hundreds of
movies.

She moved back to her seat, which reclined and made it even
more amazingly comfortable, and settled on a new movie that she hadn’t seen.

It was a romantic comedy, the kind of movie that was
considered material for a dinner and movie date, and she wondered if her and
Drew would ever do those things.

Would her and Drew ever evolve to that?

She nearly laughed out loud.

What was she thinking?

She kept wondering if she could pursue a relationship with
Drew, but if this wasn’t a relationship then what the heck was it?

Here she was, cruising high at forty thousand feet in a
private jet that Drew had
what
? Rented for her? And she was nibbling on
gourmet hors d'oeuvres wondering if she was in a relationship.

This was certainly a relationship to her.

But a small nagging voice in the back of her head wondered
if this was a relationship for Drew?

Is this what he normally did for women?

She remembered Lindsay mentioning Drew’s reputation with women.

Clean slate, clean slate, clean slate, she chanted to
herself.

She was giving Drew a clean slate. He had admitted that he
wasn’t perfect before, and who was?

Somehow Avery just couldn’t imagine Drew flying various
women all over the country.

Would he do that?

When they were alone together, or back on the clan lands, he
was the same old Drew that she had remembered.

They were Avery and Drew, sitting on their rock, falling
back into the easy rhythm of what they had once shared.

But plucked from Russet Falls, and what Avery considered
their comfort zone, Avery wasn’t quite sure where they stood.

How did she fit into this world of Drew’s?

The world that involved million-dollar galas with dresses
being flown over by one of the world’s leading designers.

Not to mention a personal note from the designer.

Stretch limos, and private jets, and owning a ridiculously
successful business.

This wasn’t Avery’s world.

It was a far cry from Avery’s small world of teaching—of
tears, and runny noses, and scraped knees, and ABCs and numbers.

Avery spent her days playing games and teaching letter
sounds, while Drew appeared to be running the world.

Fear and doubt crept into her heart, and she felt their
cold, firm grasp.

Why had she ever gotten into this plane?

The gala had been well out of her comfort zone, and she had
felt unsure and out of place.

But she had done it for Drew, because she cared about him
and she wanted to spend time with him.

But what had she been thinking when she allowed Drew to fly
her in a private plane across the country just for a weekend jaunt?

This was insane.

Of course, if she had known it would be a private plane, she
never would have agreed.

She narrowed her eyes –she was certain that Drew knew that
too.

Oh, Drew knew her so well. Knew her inside and out. He knew
what she was comfortable with, uncomfortable with and that fine line where he
could blur the boundaries and force Avery out of her comfort zone.

She had a half a mind to call him right this instant and
give him an earful, but she refrained.

Plus, she would never do that in front of another person.
Even though she couldn’t see Cheri at the moment, she was sure that Cheri was
just on the other side of the partition or in the cockpit.

Avery sighed and paused the movie.

She had just missed the last half hour as her mind and
wandered and worried. There was no sense in watching the movie if she couldn’t
actually focus on it.

She looked out the window, wondering where they could be.
The farthest east she had ever been had been to Dallas for a trip back in
college. She had always been fascinated though vastly intimidated by New York.

Which was part of why she had agreed to go, besides the
obvious fact of seeing Drew.

She wanted to experience New York, especially with someone
like Drew by her side.

She felt braver and strong with Drew alongside of her. She
knew that Drew pushed her out of her comfort zone, and that was what she had
always loved about him.

Loved.

Did she love Drew?

Had she ever stopped loving Drew?

Biting her lip, Avery knew the answer.

It scared her, yet comforted her.

She didn’t have any more time to contemplate her
relationship with Drew, because Cheri came out and gave her another perky
smile. “Dinner is almost ready!”