He's Captured My Heart (Captured Series Book 1) (6 page)

“Mr. Mathews.” I hold out my hand to shake his. I hope he realises I am not intimidated by him. Well, maybe I am just a little, but I won’t admit that. He brings both his hands up to meet mine and takes my hand. The palms of his hands are warm and soft, very soft, but I already knew that from my earlier encounter.

“Miss Stewart, it seems I am going to spend my entire time here apologising to you. I’m sorry for the way I acted earlier.” He’s studying my face, which I am hoping gives nothing away, because I think I could crumble at any time.

“Are you? Because I don’t think you are. What was it you said? Something along the lines of always getting what you want?” I snap.

“Please, I’m trying to say I’m sorry. That’s not something I do very often, and so far today I’ve already had to do it twice,” he says.

“Look, I am really not sure an apology is going to cut it. What you done… What gave you the right to think it was okay to take?”

I can feel my hand getting sweaty with his hands still wrapped round mine. His eyes are locked on mine as if he’s in a trance or trying to read my mind. I go with the latter. I try to pull my hand away from his, but he keeps a tight grip.

“Miss Stewart, I’m sorry if my actions earlier upset you. That wasn’t my intention.” He looks sincere enough, but I for one am not buying it.

“Really? So what
was
your intention?”

“Please. I’ve obviously misread you,” he says. He looks hurt at my curtness and genuinely surprised. But really, what
was
he expecting? That I would just roll out the red carpet, so to speak, because he’s so bloody important? I still don’t even know who he is.

“But you have to admit there is some chemistry between us. You must have felt it earlier?”

“Seriously! That’s your excuse for your behaviour?” I snap trying to pull my hand free. “Can you let go of my bloody hand before I make a scene.”

“Alex…..” It’s Michael’s voice that distracts me from the man in front of me. Alex lets go of my hand and glares at Michael, he shakes his head at him.

“Miss Stewart, I don’t know what else to say, except sorry.” His eyes are pleading with me. “If it’s any consolation my behaviour was totally out of character”

“That I wouldn’t know about. But I will say this; you being here is obviously important to my father and yourself and for the time being I will not discuss this matter with my father, but so help me god, you step one foot out of line and I can assure you any business you have with my father will come to very abrupt end.” I have confidence in my words.

“Miss Stewart, you have my assurance that I won’t step out of line, unless I am invited to.” He winks at me. Seriously this man is going to be detrimental to my health.

“Apology accepted. Now if you would excuse me, I have a friend waiting.” I look back at Kirsty, who has the biggest grin on her face.

“Yes. I can see that you’re busy. If I could, though, Miss Stewart, I would still like a tour later today. Michael will join us.” He’s obviously sensed my apprehension about spending time alone with him and with good reason. “And remember we need to check both our schedules for the next week. Perhaps you and I could do that over dinner this evening?”

Dinner. Why on earth would I want to go for dinner with a man like him? Arrogant and domineering. He reminds me of someone.

“This is my day off. You don’t want much, do you?” I say, trying to sound stern but not unprofessional. I fear I just sound petulant. “I could meet you both at reception in say, an hour. We could go review our
schedules in my office, and then I can give you both a tour of the hotel and the grounds. As for dinner, I don’t customarily dine with guests.”

He looks very disappointed.

“Miss Stewart, we will be spending a lot of time with each other over the coming weeks. I think we can both agree that my extended stay means that I am not your normal hotel guest, so I can’t see why dinner would be a problem.”

I suppose that is true. Would it be so bad? I glance at Michael from the corner of my eye; he’s standing about ten feet away from us. Has he been there the whole time listening? Does he know what happened earlier in my room, or does he think Mathews is apologising for his rudeness over the accommodations? Oh with the expression on his face I think he knows only too well what happened.

“I’ll consider it and let you know.”

His eyes light up with a half-smile on his face. “That is already more than I expected after earlier. I mean it when I say I am sorry.” He lifts my hand to his lips and places a very gentle, warming kiss in the middle of my hand. “An hour then. We’ll see you soon.” He turns and walks away with Michael, leaving me in the middle of the terrace staring after him.

“Oh, Elizabeth? Elizabeth Stewart!” Kirsty shouts, startling me as she walks towards me.

“What?” I snap.

“You’d better start talking, lady, and he had
better
not be the reason you’ve been crying,” Kirsty says. She sounds pissed at me.

“Let’s go back to the table. I’ll tell you everything this time; I promise.”

We sit down, and I start at the beginning, telling her everything that has happened with Alexander Mathews and his assistant, Michael Smith—what I first thought of him, how pushy he is, how he tried to force himself on me, and how angry it made me feel.

“He likes you, and it’s obvious you like him. There’s chemistry between you, and don’t you dare try to tell me otherwise,” Kirsty says, smiling. “He’s also gorgeous. But he sounds like a spoiled, rich brat. That kind of man is trouble for innocents like you, but I know how to handle them. You should tell him to push off, but you should push him my way.” She chuckles.

“What do you mean, ‘chemistry’?”

“Where do you want me to start? I’ve only seen him with you for a few minutes, and already I have a list. Maybe it will take him throwing himself at you—again, that is—’cause you’re sure as hell not going to make a move, are you? He couldn’t take his eyes off you the whole time. It’s not often you see a man with such a longing, needing, wanting look in his eyes. His hands stayed touching yours the whole time, and if I am not
mistaken, his hands were caressing yours. Go on, tell me I’m wrong.”

“Okay, okay, yes, I’m attracted to him. But you’ve seen him! Of course I’m attracted. But after how I’ve seen him behave, I’m not sure that’s enough. I need to spend the next few weeks with him and remain professional, if only for my dad’s sake, although I’m really not sure what his connection is to my dad. So, Kirsty, my question to you is this: what the hell am I supposed to do?”

“Relax. He likes you, you like him. You have to spend time with him anyway, so try to stop worrying, and just enjoy his company. And if things do end up going too far, try thinking of it as a holiday romance. Once his business with your dad is done, you probably won’t even see him again. My advice, for what it’s worth, is simple. Have some bloody fun, girl! You deserve it. All work no play leads to a very boring life. And all you’ve done lately is work.” She’s smirking at me.

“So you’re saying I’m boring?” I stare at her. God, am I boring? I shouldn’t be boring. I do have fun when I have the time. Although she’s right; time isn’t something I’ve had a lot of lately. “You know, it’s funny. Earlier today Stephen tried to warn me off him. He recognised Mathews, said he’s always in the papers with a different woman on his arm each week.”

“No, you’re not boring, honey, but it would be nice seeing you have some fun for a change,” Kirsty says. “And as for Stephen, why do you think he’s done that? You know how Stephen feels about you. He’s never tried to hide it. If you’re that worried, do some research on the Internet, and then give him a grand tour of this place. Take him down to the marina, and finish off with a tour of your room.” She’s laughing at me now. That is just the type of thing she would do. “Now why are you still sitting with me when you’re meeting him shortly?”

“I’m meeting him and his PA. But you’re right; I should get a move on. So about Sunday—you’ll come over early?”

“You just
try
keeping me away now! I’ll want all the info on what you get up to,” she says.

“By then you’ll have had three full days together for some fun.”

“Not quite. I still have other work to do each day round here. We have a big wedding on Friday, for example, and I need to be round for that.” Bolstered by Kirsty’s words, though, I have to admit that the prospect of having some fun, even if it’s with Alexander Mathews, sounds rather appealing. That thought has me grinning.

When we say our good-byes, Kirsty makes me promise to relax and have fun. I plan to try and keep that promise, but at the moment I’m still
apprehensive about spending time with him. I wonder if I should spend the time before our meeting looking him up on the Internet. But then maybe I’m better off not knowing. When I check the time, I realise I don’t have the time right now anyway. He’ll be at my office before I will if I don’t move it.

4

I’M SIT TING AT
my desk, staring at the computer screen. Do I really want to do this? I’ve already typed in his name, and my hand is hovering over the search button. No. I pick up my phone and call Dad. He answers on the second ring.

“Hello, honey! Is everything all right?” he asks.

“Hi, Dad, and no, it’s not. I thought you said Mr. Mathews wasn’t arriving until tomorrow. He’s arrived a day early, and he’s upset staff already,” I say, taking a deep breath. “Americans! They’re always so bloody damn pushy, wanting their own way. What kind of business are you doing with him?”

“Okay. One thing at a time. It was definitely tomorrow he was due to arrive, but I take it you have things in hand?” Dad says.

“Yes. And of course I’ve sorted out the initial problems from when he arrived,” I say. “And I have
another question: why the hell am
I
stuck with him for a few weeks?”

“All right. I’ve not known Alex that long, but I never got the impression that he was pushy. As for the business I am doing with him, I’ll fill you in tomorrow morning when I come by the hotel. Does that answer your questions?”

“I suppose so.”

“Oh, Libby. I
was
planning on having Ethan spend time with him—they have similar interests—but then I thought maybe Ethan’s time would be better spent with Lucy. And you’re at the hotel anyway, so it makes sense,” he says. “Don’t worry. Most of Alex’s time will be taken up with meetings with me. I hope you’re not too upset with me.”

There’s a knock on my office door.

“Hold on a minute!” I shout.

“No, Dad, everything’s fine. I have to go. That will be Mr. Mathews at the door now. I’m going to give him a tour and sort through my schedule. I will see you in the morning. Early. Love you.”

“I love you too, honey,” he says, hanging up.

“Come in!” I shout. I look at the computer. His name’s still in the search box. I need to switch it off; I don’t want him thinking I’m interested in him. Even if I am curious. I quickly switch it off.

Alexander Mathews enters my office. He’s no longer in his business suit. Instead he’s wearing a bright white T-shirt that shows off his lean arms and
a hint of the fabulous torso beneath it, along with jeans that sit just on his hips. And I thought he looked good in a suit. He’s also just out of the shower; his hair is still wet.
Just out of a shower
. I need to get that thought out of my head, and it sends icy shivers through my body. I need to relax.

“I hope I’m not too early, Miss Stewart,” he says.

“No, you’re just on time. Please, could you stop with the ‘Miss Stewart’? It’s driving me mad. My friends just call me Libby.”

“Okay then, Libby. We should start again.” He smiles and holds out his hand to me. “I’m Alex. Very pleased to meet you.” He lifts my hand to his mouth and places a soft kiss in the back of it. I feel myself blush. He slowly lowers my hand. Michael is trying to hide a laugh – although not very successfully.

“Michael, have you got my calendar open?” Alex turns to Michael, who is standing in the doorway to my office with an iPad in his hand, smiling at me. He seems the calmer of the two, and he has a sense of humour—always a good thing.

I pull my calendar up on the computer screen so we can start going through each day. I also call Kieran, my duty manager, into the office. I want to run my free days past him to make sure he can cope on his own. I introduce Kieran to Alex and Michael. I know they met earlier, but I also know that the meeting didn’t go very well. I catch Kieran eyeing Alex. As soon as Kieran sees me watching him, he mouths,
handsome son of a bitch, isn’t he?
The four of us sit and start at the beginning.

“I’m free from noon onward tomorrow. I presume you are as well, seeing as it was tomorrow you were meant to arrive?” I say with a smirk, looking at Alex. He smiles. I wonder if he will tell me why he has arrived a day early. “If there is anything in particular you would like to do, just say.”

“I’m sure we’ll think of something.” His soft, brown eyes are firmly fixed on mine as he speaks, and there’s also a smug grin on his face.

God, we could be sorting out schedules all day if we go through each day like this. “Friday?” I ask.

“Friday morning I will be with your father. He’s showing me round the office. Then lunch…I should be back here about three.”

“We have a big wedding here Friday, so I’m tied up until after the meal is served.” We do weddings most weekends, and I have been here for lots of them, but this is the first one I’ve been in charge of. This is a part of my job. I love knowing that we’ve helped a happy couple create their perfect day and seeing that everything runs smoothly.

Kieran pipes up. “You know, Libby, as soon as the ceremony is done, you should be good to go.” Kieran is great. I don’t know what I would do without him at times. “I have the schedule of the day’s events with me, and as long as everything goes as planned, you
should be able to get away about four. As long as the rain stays away,” Kieran says with a laugh.

“Rain? What does rain have to do with it?” Alex asks Kieran with a puzzled look that shows frown lines across his head.