Buttoned-Up Secretary, British Boss Page 13

  Later, choosing to wear her dark-green cut-offs and an ivory, loose-fitting top, Sabrina slipped on her flip-flops and went downstairs.

  ‘I think I’ll show you the area, drive you around a bit this morning,’ Alexander remarked, glancing across at her briefly. She was wearing her hair in one long, thick plait down her back; however she did it, it always seemed to suit the contours of her fine features perfectly—and to leave those intriguing green eyes room to express themselves in a way which fascinated him as much now as it had on the first day he’d met her.

  ‘Sounds great—whatever you say, Alexander,’ she replied, going over to the window and gazing out. ‘I am in no position to argue about anything,’ she added, smiling, thinking just how much she was enjoying the present situation.

  ‘I can’t imagine a time when you wouldn’t be prepared to put your point of view, Sabrina,’ he said, coming up to stand alongside her. ‘But in this instance I shall take complete control of our day—and you can complain later if you haven’t enjoyed it.’

  The rest of the morning was spent idling through the local countryside. Although it was pretty deserted, as Alexander had said it would be, they did pass along a few clusters of dwellings, and the occasional small garage.

  ‘Do you, um, do you ever bring other friends here?’ Sabrina asked casually, not looking at him.

  ‘Certainly not,’ he said as if she should have known that without asking. He clicked his teeth, irritated for a second as he recalled the hundred and one hints Lucinda had made in the past about wanting to visit the Barn with him. ‘I’ve just remembered something. Lucinda—you will recollect having met her, Sabrina?’ This was said with a sardonic twist to his mouth. ‘Lucinda is about to celebrate a rather important birthday soon, I believe. I received my gilt-edged invitation to what will be a ghastly event just before we came away.’

  ‘That should be fun,’ Sabrina said noncommittally.

  ‘Probably not,’ he replied. ‘But, as I shan’t be going, it’s irrelevant.’

  ‘I know where I’m going to buy you lunch,’ Alexander said. ‘It’s a pretty little place, and the village has a rather interesting château on the hill.’ He turned to smile at her briefly. ‘The French are big on châteaux,’ he added. ‘But the restaurant right by the canal is the one I’ve used before—food’s good.’

  As they meandered along lazily, Sabrina could easily see why Alexander loved this area so much. You couldn’t get much further away from civilization, at least as they knew it. But it was interesting scenery, vastly populated by olive trees and vine groves, separated now and then by a narrow river. Suddenly they came upon a small village which, surprisingly, had quite a large shop in the middle of the street they drove along. It had paintings in the windows, and various items of craftware displayed outside. Noticing her leaning forward, Alexander immediately slowed down.

  ‘Do you want to look?’ he asked.

  ‘I’d love to,’ Sabrina said at once. ‘I suppose somewhere like this is bound to attract artists,’ she said, and he nodded.

  ‘Oh, there are several forms of cottage industry around and about,’ he said. ‘And the French have a formidable eye for business, as I’m sure you know.’

  He parked the car and they wandered along, browsing curiously as they went and passing one or two interesting-looking cobble-stoned alley ways before coming to the shop.

  ‘It’s a surprising place—and there’s lots more to see inside,’ Alexander remarked. After they’d looked at the paintings in the window, they went through to be greeted effusively by a young Frenchwoman.

  ‘Bonjour, monsieur, mademoiselle…’ She smiled, indicating that they should come inside.

  ‘Bonjour, Colette,’ Alexander said easily. He glanced down at Sabrina. ‘I know you said you were no shopper, but this could well lead you astray, Sabrina,’ he added, before wandering off by himself to look further inside.

  Sabrina had to admit that he had a point. It was a fascinating place, much larger than it appeared, and opening into other, smaller areas. For the next half an hour she enjoyed herself picking things up and putting them down again, studying everything that was on sale and wondering whether to buy or not to buy…

  As well as quite expensive water-colours, there was a rack of woven scarves and shawls, a display of hand-painted plates, vases and pots of every description. There was a section for local jars of honey, of garlic bulbs in oil, of cherries in syrup, and rows and rows of home-baked biscuits in polythene wrapping. And in a corner by the window there was a display of brightly coloured, hand-made jewellery, all glistening in the pale sunlight.

  She’d been so engrossed in looking around that she’d only been dimly aware that Alexander was further in the shop, having a lengthy conversation with the owner. But just then he emerged, smiling, and glanced at what Sabrina had in her hands.

  ‘Have you made your choice, then?’ he enquired, and Sabrina handed a scarf and bangle to the French woman.

  ‘Yes, thanks,’ she said. She looked up at him. ‘Have you bought anything?’

  He nodded briefly. ‘Oh, just a small present I needed to get, but it’s rather bulky to take back with us so Colette’s arranging for it to be shipped home later,’ he said.

  Well, that was obviously some little gift for Lucinda’s birthday, Sabrina thought. He might not intend to go to her party, but the woman would certainly expect a decent present from someone as rich as Alexander McDonald.

  Colette wrapped Sabrina’s gifts carefully before handing them to her, and Sabrina took some euros from her purse. ‘You have a lovely shop,’ she said, and the woman smiled, darting a quick glance at Alexander.

  ‘Merci, mademoiselle,’ she said. ‘Please do come again soon.’

  They went back to the car, and just after one o’clock, they arrived at the other, slightly larger village which Alexander had told Sabrina about. He pulled up outside a restaurant which had a few tables outside standing under brightly coloured canopies which were moving gently in the breeze.

  Across the road and through the trees, Sabrina could see a canal glinting in the sunshine with a well-maintained longboat idling on the water and one or two small craft floating nearby. She was struck again by the whole atmosphere of stillness and quiet. She thought, I could get to love this place, too. Time really did seem to stand still.

  They strolled over to the restaurant and took their places at one of the tables outside. There were one or two other people already eating, and immediately a waiter came up with a menu. Soon, Alexander and Sabrina began to enjoy the fluffy omelettes they’d ordered, complemented by a bottle of good wine and some cheese.

  Leaning back in his chair and watching Sabrina finish the last of her food, Alexander wondered, not for the first time, what lucky chance had sent his current secretary into his life. He hadn’t found a single fault with the way she did her work, or with her attitude at all times. But best of all, he realized, he loved her company.

  They left the restaurant a little later and began to walk up towards the château Alexander had talked about. This once-beautiful residence, resembling those constructed during the Renaissance, had been built by a noble family but was now largely in ruins. It was a somewhat austere, turreted building standing right on the cusp of the hill, and suddenly the sun went in and Sabrina felt a chilly breeze around her bare arms. She reached into her bag and took out the scarf she’d bought.

  ‘I think I’m going to need this sooner than I thought,’ she said, coiling it around her neck and shoulders, and Alexander nodded briefly.

  ‘Well, it is November, and it can get cool quite quickly,’ he said. ‘I hope you came prepared for all weathers.’

  ‘I most certainly did,’ Sabrina replied, thinking of the thick sweater she’d brought with her.

  There was only a small party of French schoolchildren there as well, and Alexander and Sabrina wandered mostly uninterrupted through thick, stone entrances and gaunt passageways, before deciding to go back to the Barn.
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  ‘I think I feel ready for my swim now,’ Sabrina said as they drew up outside.

  Alexander smiled across at her. ‘And I’ll join you,’ he said. ‘After I’ve made us a cup of tea.’

  Later in her room, as she slipped into her black one-piece bathing suit, Sabrina admitted to feeling worried about everything—about Alexander, and about herself. Because, heaven help her, she knew that she desired him…She’d have had to be made of stone not to want him to touch her, to make love to her—and she had to keep reminding herself over and over again not to get carried away. She did not want, did not need, any emotional turmoil or entanglements with him, or with anyone, that could lead to more disaster in her life.

  She went barefoot into the bathroom to fetch a towel to take downstairs, her mind still darting every which way. The good thing was, Alexander had behaved impeccably, almost impersonally, since they’d left the UK. They’d barely brushed against each other at all, she realized, hardly made any physical contact. So, if she’d thought he had an ulterior motive in asking her to come with him, she was obviously mistaken. But every instinct told her that for her part she’d better keep any romantic notions—and her emotions—well under control.

  Unfortunately, over the following few days the weather deteriorated considerably. But Alexander and Sabrina were still able to enjoy their morning swim in the warm water of the pool, and go for long walks; Alexander was clearly intent on showing her this part of the country he loved so much. They also drove to the coast on the one afternoon when the sun reappeared. There was certainly no talk of any writing being done.

  They’d been there for more than a week when Sabrina’s mobile rang. That could only be Melly, she thought, who’d rung a few days ago to say that she and Sam were back in the UK.

  But it wasn’t Melly; it was Emma, one of Sabrina’s past colleagues who’d been lucky enough to be retained, telling her that an opportunity was coming up which Sabrina should apply for.

  ‘It’s a new thing they’re initiating,’ Emma explained. ‘And they’ve actually got the funding this time, surprise surprise. And it’s just up your street, Sabrina. As soon as we were told about it, your name was on everyone’s lips. But you’ll have to apply formally. Shall I get the stuff for you and send it over to your house?’

  It took Sabrina a few seconds to get her mind into gear. She hadn’t given her own profession a thought lately. ‘I’m on holiday in France at the moment, Emma,’ she said. ‘But we’ll be home at the end of next week.’

  ‘Who’s we?’ Emma asked.

  ‘Um, I’m here with my employer, actually—it’s a sort of working holiday. Look, I’d be really grateful if you would send me the application form,’ she added quickly.

  ‘Course I will. Final date for submission is thirty-first of December.’ There was a pause. ‘And I’m glad you’re having a break, Sabrina,’ she added. Emma had known Sabrina for several years, knew about the problems with her sister and about Stephen’s dreadful accident.

  Alexander and Sabrina had been reading and listening to music, and now he looked across at her as she snapped her phone shut.

  ‘That was one of my old workmates telling me about a post coming up that I should apply for,’ she said briefly, picking up her book again.

  Alexander resumed reading his magazine. ‘Oh? And…are you going to?’ he enquired, as if it was the last thing in the world that interested him.

  ‘Oh, I shan’t know until I’ve learned what it’s all about,’ Sabrina replied. She turned a page casually. ‘Shall we have that steak we bought yesterday for our supper?’

  ‘Sure,’ he said, though wondering whether he’d have any appetite to eat it. His spirits had dramatically plummeted at the thought that Sabrina might even be thinking of leaving him—leaving him to pursue a different path, which would mean he wouldn’t be seeing her every day, that she wouldn’t be there any more.

  Much later after supper, as they were sitting under the heater by the pool, Sabrina turned to glance at Alexander. ‘I don’t want to spoil your well-earned rest, Alexander,’ she said. ‘But have you given any thought to the next blockbuster? I told you I’d come prepared to do some work.’

  ‘I haven’t thought about it at all,’ he said. No—all I’ve been doing is enjoying myself here with you, Sabrina, with someone who feels like a part of myself.

  ‘Well, I just thought it my duty to mention it,’ she said lightly.

  It was past midnight before they left the poolside and climbed the stairs to the first floor where Sabrina slept. Before going up to his own room, Alexander paused briefly.

  ‘Sabrina, thank you for another perfect day,’ he said softly, and she turned to look back at him.

  ‘Alexander,’ she said. ‘Any thanks are due to you. And…you’re giving me such wonderful memories to take back with me.’ She smiled tentatively. ‘They’re going to last me a lifetime.’

  Silence between them hung in the air like a question waiting to be answered. Then, totally unable to stop himself, Alexander moved slowly over to Sabrina. Bending his head, he parted her lips with his mouth and kissed her fully, expertly, aware of a surging tide of passion tightening his groin. And, with her eyes closed against the intensity of the moment, Sabrina felt her senses exploding into a state of helpless longing…

  Then, gently, he released her and without another word went upstairs. Sabrina heard his bedroom door close softly.

  With her heart beating violently in her chest, she went in and sat on the edge of her bed, watching her knees trembling uncontrollably.

  That was a terrible thing to have happened! she told herself, knowing that she should never have let it take place. To allow her boss to kiss her, really kiss her, in an unbelievably heart-stopping way, was pure madness! Their relationship—association; whatever the word was—was going somewhere neither of them wanted. Well, she was sure he didn’t want it, and she couldn’t afford to want it! They could never have a business arrangement now, after that, surely?

  After a few moments, Sabrina felt her heartrate lessen and she stopped trembling, a feeling of quiet resignation sweeping through her. She knew that those erotic few moments just now had ruined all her good intentions, put paid to her common sense. She knew just how much she’d wanted it to happen deep down, had longed for it. To be held in Alexander’s arms and feel his body press against hers had been bliss, pure bliss, proving once and for all that she must face up to things, to the inevitable. She was tired of running away; she’d been doing it for too long.

  After a few moments, she got up and left the room—not even stopping to close her door—and slowly climbed the stairs towards Alexander’s room. Without bothering to knock, she went inside, closing the door behind her.

  He was standing by the window, and when he heard her come in he turned and looked down at her, a slow smile touching his seductive lips.

  ‘Alexander,’ Sabrina said, her voice cool and steady. ‘Would you mind helping me undo this little hook at the back of my neck?’

  Chapter Twelve

  AFTER a few seconds of complete silence, Alexander came over towards Sabrina, his arms outstretched. As he reached her she collapsed against him, automatically resting her head on his neck, a long sigh escaping her lips. They stood there, motionless, not uttering a word, letting this first breakthrough in their unspoken need for each other take them over.

  Then with casual ease he picked Sabrina up, carried her over to the bed and sat down alongside her. Sabrina dropped her head forward so that he could undo the hook of her top, and as she felt the warmth of his hands on her skin a raging tide of feeling surged through her, making all her senses crawl erotically, making her whole body limp with surrender.

  With infinite patience, Alexander slipped off her top and released the clasp of her bra, cupping his hands under her aching breasts and dropping a tender, lingering kiss on the back of her neck, making Sabrina want to cry out with desire.

  Slowly he began to undress her, then laid her down on
the bed before removing his own clothes until he, too, was completely naked.

  For several breathless moments, he gazed down at her, drinking in the beauty of her tender curves, the smooth creaminess of her skin, and his eyes glittered like granite, glittered bright with heady anticipation. With wide and misty eyes, Sabrina looked back at him, the open, tender curve of her lips inviting him to take her…

  Then Alexander lay down beside her and, taking his time, began to slowly explore her body with gentle, thrilling caresses, before his mouth, hot with passion, travelled from her lips to her neck, to her breasts and the flat plane of her stomach…Their hearts raced in tandem as they trembled on the edge of fulfilment.

  In a state of dizzy euphoria, when time seemed to stand still, Sabrina felt herself drifting on a cloud of pure ecstasy as Alexander’s expert, unhurried love-making made every nerve in her body deliciously painful. Then he raised himself up and over her, and she felt the hardness of his muscles tight against her until, with irresistible grace and confidence, he slipped inside her. She clung to him with desperate exhilaration, her whole world seeming to explode into a vast display of star-studded emotion.

  For a long, long time they lay clasped in each other’s arms, neither wanting this magical experience to come to an end, but eventually he eased himself away and lay down beside her again. Then he brought her head onto his chest, holding her to him protectively, and gave a long sigh of emotional revelation.

  As a pale moon shafted its gentle beam on to the lovers, they gave themselves over to a glorious sleep, a sleep which was filled with colour, wonder and total release.

  When Sabrina awoke, dawn had barely broken; realizing that she was alone, she sat up, rubbing her eyes. Then she took the huge duvet which had covered them all night and wrapped it around her, before hobbling over to peep out of the window. It had been the sound of water being thrashed about which had roused her, and she smiled faintly as she saw Alexander, half-submerged, thrusting forcefully towards the far end of the swimming pool directly beneath the window. Then he turned and swam back, his powerful stroke covering the distance in a matter of seconds, before swimming back again and again…Perhaps all this activity was to make up for his lack of gym sessions, she thought.