Collateral Damage

chapter 15

I woke to the smell of coffee. And the sight of Alexis moving around in the small kitchenette.

I yawned and smoothed down my hair.

'Morning,' he smiled when I walked over to him.

I hummed, sat down on a stool, and laid my head on the counter. He slid a mug toward me. I knew he was a morning person but he was exceptionally cheery today.

My mind started functioning after I had some caffeine in me.

He leaned on the small counter next to me.

'So, what's the plan?' I asked.

He had already finished his coffee. He raised an eyebrow. 'Isn't that your job?' he asked. 'For an assistant, you are exceptionally bad at keeping track of your boss' plans.'

My fingers tightened around the coffee mug. I knew he was kidding, but his humor was awfully brazen.

'Of course, I know that,' I said. 'I was asking about the free time we got between the meetings and the dinner tonight.'

We had to attend meetings all morning and afternoon, well, I didn't have to but I was sure he would make me. Then we had to attend dinner with a business associate and his family. We also had an early flight tomorrow morning to New York.

He shrugged. 'I don't mind. What do you wanna do?' he asked.

I smirked. Now that he had asked...

'Oh. I don't like that look,' he said.

'I have something in mind,' I said.

It felt utterly domestic the way we were getting ready for the day. I decided to wear a pinstripe suit because why not.

He had on another of his white shirts. I didn't think watching a man buttoning his cuffs could be so arousing. He wore a blue blazer jacket over his crisp white shirt. His face had a little bit of stubble which was a much better look on him than clean-shaved and his hair was styled to impressed. Mine was in a bun. Simple and professional.

I avoided looking at him directly or his reflection after that. I needed to get my head straight. Nothing good could come out of lusting after your boss. Besides, I bet he didn't even see me that way and he had a girlfriend.

A half-hour later we were out the room and tackling the meetings. When the afternoon finally arrived, I was exhausted from listening to people droning on for hours and taking notes. But both the meeting went well, so that's a plus.

'So, what was your plan?' he asked while we waited for the valet to bring our rented car.

I looked down at my clothes and frowned. 'I need to change,' I said, the distaste clear in my voice.

He looked at my suit. 'You look fine,' he said.

'It's not the best choice for where we are going. Neither are your clothes. You should change into something comfortable too,' I said.

'I'm not changing. And I'm very comfortable,' he said just as our car arrived.

'Whatever you say, boss,' I muttered and climbed into the passenger's side.

He drove back to the hotel and kindly sat on the end of his bed, waiting patiently while I changed into more comfortable clothes. I brought out the dress I had packed and changed into that. It was a sleeveless, knee-length teal-colored dress that was flowy below the waist. I wore a pair of strappy heels and let my hair fall down in waves.

Alexis looked up from his phone when I walked into the room and he just paused for a moment, his thumb hovering on the screen and his eyes fixed on me. He didn't say anything, just stared at me.