Crazy, Undercover, Love (3 page)

‘Yes, I’ll be here. You have a safe journey as well.’ Tipping his cap, he marches back to the car.

Interesting there’s a respectful relationship between the two men. But then, it’s only female employees my temporary boss has a problem with, isn’t it?

Alex walks over to join me as the long black vehicle pulls away smoothly. ‘Ready to go?’

Not at all. My feet are stuck to the floor. If I get on the sleek-looking plane, that’s it, no going back. Plan B. Temporary PA. In Barcelona. Undercover ex-employee. Working with the hot CEO. But what would I say if I don’t go? To Alex? More, to myself, for not at least trying? So I take a deep breath and reply, ‘Sure.’

He points at the metal steps set against the side of the luxury plane. ‘You first.’

‘Thank you.’ Careful to watch my footing as I clank upwards, I pray I won’t slip and tumble backwards on to Alex. There’s an inherent clumsiness running through me like a current and I’ve no wish for it to be on show this weekend. It’s something I can normally keep under wraps, but my reactions this afternoon have been anything but normal so far.

I duck under the door frame as I step aboard. At five foot nine I usually feel like a towering behemoth, especially since I hit that height at thirteen and curves erupted all over the place. It doesn’t help that adorably petite women seem to occupy the world. Wearing high heels makes me even taller but they give me confidence. I ignore the little voice inside my head whispering Alex is a good few inches over six foot and I don’t feel like a behemoth standing beside him.

Entering the main cabin, I hold back the uncool gasp longing to break free, but my eyes feel a metre wide and my mouth drops open. When people talk about the height of luxury, they’re not kidding. Plush velvety black carpet gives the cabin a cosy feel and a dozen matching executive chairs and small expensive looking tables are bolted to the floor in three groups, instead of the narrow, torturous seats on the planes I usually fly on. The plastic walls are white with the bottom half navy, almost the same shade as Alex’s eyes. Everywhere I look there are lights and sockets.

Alex squeezes past me, oblivious to the tiny space between us. Shame I can’t say the same. My nipples stand to attention at the waves of heat emanating from his body and my cheeks flush. It’s become a humiliating habit in the last hour.

‘Bathroom through there,’ Alex nods to a narrow door across the cabin, ‘why don’t you sit, get comfortable?’ His tone is offhand. ‘Just like all the rest.’ He mumbles beneath his breath, looking furious.

‘Pardon?’

‘Nothing.’ He shakes his head. ‘Just … sit down and strap up. We’re taking off soon.’

‘Please don’t tell me to shut up!’ But I drop into one of the padded chairs anyway and glare at him.

Something in his gaze flickers and he strides over to crouch down in front of me, putting his hands to my waist. What the hell is he doing?

‘I said strap up, not shut up.’ Staring into my eyes, he grabs both ends of the seatbelt, pushing the tongue decisively into the buckle. I clutch the armrests. ‘I’d
never
speak to a staff member that way.’

If he hadn’t gone on about boundaries earlier, the intense expression on his face might make me wonder if he finds me attractive. He held my hand for longer than necessary when I took my little trip into his lap too  …  but no, those are crazy, unwelcome thoughts.

‘Sorry,’ my mouth is suddenly so dry I worry my lips will stick to my teeth, ‘my mistake.’

‘Yes, it is.’ Grabbing the spare end of the belt with a sure hand, Alex tightens it slowly and smoothly. The practical action is so erotic it’s ridiculous. Frozen to the seat, I’m ultra aware of his broad shoulders and how close he is. I inhale his crisp sexy aftershave; hear the even sound of his breathing; notice the tiny lines at the corner of his blue eyes which add an extra zing of charisma. Skin fizzing, my nipples peak again and I gulp. Hard.

All the reasons for staying professional are forgotten. I want to lean forward, drive my hands into that thick dark hair and kiss him, nibble on that biteable lower lip and get lost in the sensation of his tanned, confident hands all over me.

‘No problem,’ he says, with a funny twisted smile, breaking the spell, standing to take the chair opposite.

‘Huh?’ I blink, dazed. Why does he look so annoyed? What was all that about?

As the plane lifts off, I stare at the carpet, my body humming along with the vibration of the aircraft. My emotions feel as tangled as the Christmas lights Jess and I recently bundled up and shoved away in the hallway cupboard.

I’m attracted to a man I can’t have.

It’s that complicated and that simple.

As soon as the seatbelt signs ping off, Alex wordlessly moves across the cabin. Sliding a slimline laptop from his briefcase, he’s soon fascinated by whatever is on it, but his focus is
so
fixed it feels like he’s freezing me out deliberately. Is he angry because after what he said in the car about female employees and my reassurances he picked up my physical reaction to him?
Awkward.

Fanning my face, I catch the eye of the pretty, blonde cabin attendant. ‘Can I have some water please?’

‘Of course, Madam.’ She smiles politely.

Moments later she places a sparkling water in front of me, complete with perfectly squared ice cubes and a succulent slice of lemon. I hold the glass to the light, half expecting it to be encrusted with diamonds, or the water to be flecked with gold. I flush as I catch her watching me quizzically, before she edges away like I’m a mad woman.

Gulping back some water, my thoughts flow toward Alex again. It’s strange, playing it cool with men has never been a challenge. Perhaps because until now they’ve only ever provoked lukewarm reactions, as opposed to scorching hot ones?

Alex is still frowning at his laptop when I look over. Admiring his long muscular frame, thick dark hair and gorgeous face, lust packs me a punch and I feel like I’ve been knocked out by a world heavyweight. What is it about him? I’ve known plenty of fit guys, men who are handsome and charming. I even had a brief thing with a wealthy banker, not my usual type at all. He was really attentive, lavishing me with luxury gifts and treating me to expensive meals but when I wouldn’t sleep with him on our fourth date he backed off. To be honest, I was glad not to have to dodge his calls.

Alex is more than good looks and wealth though. He has a confidence and complexity which make me gravitate towards him like the moon to the Earth, even though his ideas about women should repel me..

I have to put distance between us.

Shame it didn’t work with my assistant, who I was definitely not interested in. Cringing, I rest my head against the padded seat, mind zipping back to the time that work went from good to ugly without stopping at bad.

Then

My manager John was supportive and lovely, with years of experience that I learnt a lot from. The last of the old-fashioned gentlemen, he and his wife doted on their four grandchildren, even with his late shifts, and I loved listening to his stories about their youngest granddaughter's quest for a full working monkey tail. He made coming to work a pleasure and everyone was sad when he retired early.

‘I’ll be leaving in three months time,’ he sank into the chair behind his desk, ‘and I think you should apply for my job.’

‘You do?’ I dropped into the chair opposite. ‘I’ve only been your PA for fifteen months.’

He smiled at me, adjusting one of the photos on his desk by a millimetre. ‘I’ve been part of your journey from casual bar staff to temporary front-of-house receptionist to supervising the whole customer care team. You had some of the best sales when you worked on the floor – the customers love you – and your local marketing campaigns were very innovative. You were appointed PA because I’ve watched you grow passionate about the casino and thought your manner and organisational skills were exceptional.’

‘Thanks.' I smiled, warmed by his praise.

‘I’m just calling it as I see it and in the last year you’ve only improved. You’ve got a knack for finances and the customer and are a capable young woman.’ He picked up his trademark silver fountain pen, placing it in the pot on his desk. ‘Which is why I campaigned so hard for the company to fund the business admin course.’

‘Yes, and I’ve really appreciated the support, the way you've let me interview colleagues, and have extra days off, or swap shifts.’

‘I know you’ve appreciated it.’ He sat further forward. ‘It’s been obvious in your dedication and energy.’

‘I’m glad,’ I smiled, tapping my Biro against my notepad. ‘And you know I value your opinion.’ I hesitated. ‘I am interested, but I’m worried it might be too soon.’

‘Nonsense.’ He waved a hand as if swatting away a hyperactive fly. ‘I have complete confidence in you. You know the job better than anyone, and you’ve seen me doing it up close and personal for long enough.’ He was right. Part of the reason for becoming his PA was to understand what it took to be a manager. ‘I think you’ve got the skills for it,’ he continued. ‘You just need to believe in yourself. Nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that.’

I hid a smile. He always came out with clichés. It was part of his charm and impossible not to inadvertently copy. ‘Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’ll give it some serious thought and let you know what I decide.’

Discussing the idea of applying with Jess, who’d replied with a heartening, ‘Go for it!’ I was stunned to be offered the job after a demanding recruitment process. My team leadership experience was limited and I was certain there were better qualified candidates but John’s reference and the policy of internal progression meant I was given the chance to prove myself. For the first eighteen months I did, and it was fantastic. Mandy, the assistant I recruited directly from the reception team, was lovely. She was eager to please and efficient and we got on well. Then she went on maternity leave and decided not to return and I got handed Tony Ferrier as part of an internal transfer I never got to the bottom of.

In his mid-twenties, broad–shouldered, squat and slightly pinkish, he reminded me of an ex-public school boy, swaggering around the place from the beginning. But he was polite enough, did his work with a minimum of fuss and didn't create any drama, so I didn't think I had reason to worry. At first we got on okay and shared a few jokes.

One Monday I came into the office and frowned, studying him. ‘You look a bit green Tony. Are you all right to be here?’

‘Yes,’ he smiled sickly, normally pink cheeks pale. ‘I’ve been on a stag weekend. The after-effects are getting to me, that’s all.’

‘Right. Well, take it easy, drink plenty of water,’ I disappeared into my office and came back out, handing him a pack of tablets and can of energy drink, ‘and make use of these.’

‘Thanks.’ Taking them from me gratefully: ‘Do you suffer with hangovers often then?’

‘No. I keep a stock of stuff hanging around for staff. It comes from most of them working into the early hours. It’s hard for them to fall asleep when they finish, they’re still buzzing, so there’s a tendency to go for after work drinks.’

‘Right.’ He sighed and rubbed his head.

I smiled sympathetically. ‘Have you got some quiet work you can do?’

‘Filing?’ he asked hopefully.

‘Okay. I’ll take the phones for a few hours while you do that and then why don’t you knock off early? I can handle things on my own.’

‘If you’re sure  …  I wouldn’t want you to think—’

‘I don’t. It was a special occasion, wasn’t it? And you’ve been doing well the past few weeks. Everyone’s allowed a night out occasionally.’

‘Thanks. If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate it.’

‘It’s fine. I know you won’t make a habit of it.’ A statement rather than a question, just so he knew I wouldn’t put up with it on a regular basis.

‘No.’ He groaned, rubbing his forehead again, ‘I won’t.’

‘So was it good?’ Leaning forward I pressed a few buttons on his handset to forward his calls to my phone, then looked up at him.

‘What?’

‘The stag do? What did you get up to? What’s the equivalent of tying someone to a lamppost nowadays?’

I glanced up, noting how bloodshot his pale blue eyes were.

‘It was my older brother’s do. We made him dress as a woman and tell everyone we met that it was what he did to relax.’

I laughed, stepping back. ‘Oh, dear. Very mean.’

‘It was quite funny. It took some persuading but I won. He always says I get my own way, whatever I want,’ he said, returning my smile before going quiet. Our gaze held for a few seconds longer than polite and his smile widened.

Uh-oh, I thought. That’s not where I was going with this.

‘Anyway,’ I changed direction briskly, ‘I’d better get on with some work. And you’ve got that filing to do,’ I reminded him pointedly.

‘Yes.’

As I backed away, he held his place, still smiling at me, still trying to maintain eye contact. As I went back into my office I had a twinge of unease but dismissed it quickly.

Everything was fine for a few weeks. Then, one Friday afternoon, I dropped a file, muttering under my breath. Tony appeared next to me, squatting down to help gather up the papers, handing them to me, fingers brushing against mine.

‘Thanks,’ I fumbled out breathlessly, flustered by my show of clumsiness. As I stood up I realised too late we were way too close. But to step away too obviously would be rude so I stayed put, shuffling the paperwork into order.

Staring into my eyes, he brushed something off my cheek. ‘Eyelash.’

‘Thanks.’ It was a line, and an old one, but it may have been genuine, so I said nothing, just smiled and looked over my shoulder. ‘I’ve got a report to finish so…’

‘Yes, it’s due in tomorrow morning.’

‘I’ll get to it then.’ I paused awkwardly, not sure if I should say something after all.

‘I’m really enjoying working with you Charley. You’re a good boss,’ he said, seeming to emphasise the last word.

Phew. He got that all we had was a professional relationship. ‘Good, great. Pleased to hear that. See you later.’ Turning, I swept into my office and was soon immersed in the sales data I was analysing. Forgetting about Tony and any fears I had that we were being too familiar.

But two weeks later he started ‘accidentally’ brushing against me in the outer office where he sat, as well as making mildly suggestive comments. I said nothing initially. I’d look stupid and paranoid if I raised it with him and had misunderstood what was going on.

I’d always thought there was nothing wrong with office romances if everyone was happy and they were handled sensitively, but they’ve never been for me. Especially with a junior member of staff, who’d be in an unfair position if things went wrong, given the imbalance of power. So the company’s anti-workplace relationship policy suited me fine. It was a moot point anyway. I didn’t find Tony attractive and there was something about him I was starting to dislike. So I gave him subtle ‘back off’ signals, hoping he’d get bored and leave me alone but it only increased his determination. One day he cornered me in the file run.

‘Fancy dinner with me tonight Charlotte? Just the two of us.’

My back was to him as I flicked through confidential files in a cabinet, so he didn’t see the face I pulled or the deep silent breath I took to control my annoyance. By then there was a niggle about the potentially patronising way he spoke to female staff, but none of them had come to me and there wasn’t enough evidence to raise it with him.

Shutting the drawer slowly, I turned around. ‘Thank you for the offer Tony, but it’s not a good idea. I’m your line manager and would prefer to keep this professional. Our contracts also make clear relationships between colleagues aren't allowed.’ I forced away the urge to demand he call me Miss Wright. I didn’t ask any other team members to and didn’t want him to feel I was singling him out.

‘Right. I see. Sorry.’ He smiled tightly.

‘That’s fine.’ I nodded. ‘So, if you don’t mind?’ I waved a file in the air.

‘Don’t let me stop you.’

The way he looked me up and down made me edgy. Was he intending to make me squeeze past him? ‘Would you mind moving please?’

‘Sorry. Of course.’ He stepped back to let me pass.

Striding out, I chanced a look over my shoulder. He was staring after me, grey suit rumpled and pale pink tie askew. The whole incident was another odd one, but hopefully he’d got the message.

The next day when I came in for the evening shift, he was sitting on the edge of my desk.

‘Evening, Tony. Can I help?’ Claiming my chair, I gestured him to take a seat opposite.

‘I’ve been thinking about what you said yesterday,’ he acknowledged, ‘and we can remove the problem.’ He paused, gave a smirk. ‘If you weren’t my boss we wouldn’t have a conflict in dating.’

My lower jaw momentarily dropped but I calmed myself, switching on my computer. ‘Sorry, what are you suggesting?’

‘If working together is a problem, we could change that.’