Our First Embrace

Yes, that’s what she repeatedly told herself, but she couldn’t beat back the nagging voice and feeling inside of her that challenged that assertion. Why, oh, why did she have to have these inappropriate feelings for Alexander?

Oh, Lord, she was in big trouble, and she had no earthly idea of how she was going to get out of it.

* * *

Bright and early the next morning, after a somewhat restless night spent thinking about her worrisome attraction to Alexander, Nicole arrived at work at 7:00 a.m., and by 8:00, she had already downed five cups of coffee. Her excessive beverage intake necessitated a few trips to the ladies’ room. On her way back to her desk, she passed by Alexander’s slightly ajar door and quickly recognized Alexander and Victor’s voices.

She had every intention of walking on by, but her feet became glued to the spot when her name was mentioned. She knew she shouldn’t eavesdrop, but curiosity to hear what they were saying about her kept her rooted in place. Unfortunately, when she heard Alex question her commitment after he had told her last night he didn’t regret hiring her, any semblance of common sense flew straight out the window.

Without thinking, Nicole pushed open Alexander’s door the rest of the way and walked inside, glancing from one startled brother to the other. Her defiant eyes immediately landed on Alexander’s displeased ones.

“When gossiping about someone,” she sweetly began, “it’s prudent to make certain your door is closed to minimize the risk of being overheard.”

“Yes.” Alex folded his muscular arms over his broad chest. “It’s also wise to account for snoops.”

“I wasn’t snooping.” At Alexander’s skeptical stare she continued, “I was simply passing by and heard my name. Naturally, I was curious.”

“Naturally,” Alex sarcastically agreed.

“Nicole, I apologize...” Victor began.

“Don’t worry about it, Victor.” Nicole gave him a slight smile before returning angry eyes to his brother.

“So it’s safe to assume your anger is reserved for me alone.” Alex bristled. It exasperated him to no end that she didn’t seem the least bit miffed at Victor, who had also been discussing her. “Is that right?”

“You know what they say about assuming, don’t you?” Nicole softly asked, her anger dissipating instantaneously.

“You know what they say about curiosity and the cat, don’t you?” Alex shot back without answering her question.

“Yes, I do,” she pleasantly assured him. “But do you know that after curiosity killed the cat, satisfaction brought it back?”

Victor chuckled, Alex snarled and Nicole smiled triumphantly at getting the last word before leaving them alone and closing the door behind her with a decisive click.

* * *

“Damn, she’s something,” Victor approved, and Alex silently agreed. “That’ll teach you to complain about your employees publicly.”

“Yeah, I was complaining all to myself, wasn’t I?” Alex frowned at Victor.

“I was merely being a sounding board so you wouldn’t take your foul mood out on your staff,” Victor informed.

“You’re such a humanitarian,” Alex sarcastically rejoined.

“What can I say?” Victor shrugged. “I do what I can.”

“Get out of here, Vic.” Alex sighed, reclining against his desk. “You’ve caused me enough trouble for one day.”

“Me? Trouble?” Victor pointed to himself. “Surely you jest.”

“No, I don’t,” Alex said. “You’re nothing but bad news.”

“My dear brother, you know your life would be so boring without me.”

“Oh, how I’d like to test that theory.” Despite his black mood, Alex cracked a smile.

“No, you wouldn’t.” Victor confidently grinned and opened the door. “Later, bro.”

“Hey.” Alex halted his brother’s exit. “What do they say about assuming?”

“You’re kidding, right?” At his brother’s blank stare, Victor laughed heartily before explaining, “When you assume you make an ass out of u and me. Get it?”

“Ah, I see.” Alex smirked at his brother, who gave him a mock salute before exiting. Well, she had told him off without raising that sweet little sexy voice of hers, hadn’t she?

He glanced at his closed door, and his smirk transformed into a slight smile as he replayed the confrontation with Nicole. Today she was dressed in a red dress with a matching duster jacket and red pumps. She looked wonderful and smelled even better—like lavender. He had fought down an insane urge to bury his nose in her neck and inhale deeply. What the...? His smile quickly slid into a deep frown. Oh, Lord, what am I doing reminiscing over how she looked and smelled?

She had barged into his office uninvited, so he should be angry; however, he was intrigued instead—which was surprising and intensely disquieting. Nicole Carter had that effect on him. The question was, what was he going to do about it?

* * *

As Nicole slowly made her way to her workstation, she chewed on her lower lip worriedly. What in the world had possessed her to do such a stupid thing like confronting her boss like that? Even though his door had been ajar, he had been in the privacy of his office talking to his brother, and she should have just walked on by.

She wasn’t impulsive, and now was no time to change her ways; she usually weighed everything she said and did very carefully. You’re sleep deprived. That’s why you acted so unwisely, she told herself to feel better, but it wasn’t working. She sat down at her desk and sighed heavily.

She was used to order and normalcy in her life. Since moving to Paris, her equilibrium had been constantly in flux—due primarily to her volatile boss and her disturbing attraction to him. She didn’t know where she stood with Alexander from one second to the next. She had thought after last night that they were starting to get along, but after overhearing him complaining about her this morning, she wasn’t sure anymore.

She wanted Alexander’s respect and maybe even his admiration. They had gotten off on the wrong foot, and the little scene she had just caused probably hadn’t helped things. She half expected him to barge out of his office, tell her off in front of everyone and order her out of his company, but thankfully, he didn’t. Apparently she was still employed at her dream job—for the time being anyway.

Resting her chin on her hands, she silently reprimanded her unruly tongue, which had caused her far too much trouble so early in the morning.

* * *

The next time Nicole saw Alexander was in the late morning. He was walking around the designers’ workstations peering over shoulders, making suggestions and giving out compliments when he deemed warranted. After their confrontation this morning, she held her breath, praying he would bypass her. Of course, he didn’t.

He reached her station and sat down beside her. She had removed her jacket, leaving her arms bare. When he slid his chair close to hers, the sleeve of his jacket brushed against her bare flesh, sending tremors through her.

“Settling in?”

“Yes.” She managed a slight smile. “Monique is great.”

“She is,” he agreed. “You seem startled. Why?”

“You know why,” she softly accused.

“You’re right. I do.” He paused before adding, “I apologize for talking about you behind your back. I shouldn’t have done that.”

Her eyes widened. “You’re apologizing to me?”

“Yes, I am. Do you accept my apology?”

He had completely flabbergasted her. Where was the anger and outrage she expected from him? This man was truly hard to figure out; she never knew what he was going to say or do next.

“Of course I do. Thank you.” She magnanimously added, “I’m sorry for barging into your office.”

“It’s already forgotten.” He waved her apology away. “You may have figured out that I can be very demanding, Nicole.”

“Yes, I had noticed that,” Nicole quickly agreed around a smile.

“Right.” Humor lit up his gorgeous eyes. “I’m going to be hard on you, but I promise to give you a fair shot.”

“I can’t ask for anything more than that.”

“Truce?” He offered his hand.

“Truce.” She placed her hand in his momentarily, but that was long enough for needles of awareness to shoot through her. “I’m looking forward to working here, Alexander.”

“And work you will,” he assured before standing and leaving her staring after him.

Seconds later, Monique walked out of her office to perch on the edge of Nicole’s desk. “Hey, girl.”

“Hey.” Nicole tore her attention from Alexander’s retreating back and focused on her colleague.

“You and the boss looked rather cozy.”

“He was just showing me something.”

“Really?” Monique grinned. “Do tell, what?”

“Something about work,” Nicole said with a shake of her head.

“Oh, okay.” Nicole raised an eyebrow at her skeptical tone. “You’re starting to like him, aren’t you?”

“He’s—” Nicole paused, unsure of how to finish that sentence. Finally, she ended, “—very complicated.”

“Truly,” Monique agreed.

“I never know what he’s going to do or say.” Nicole glanced around to make sure he wasn’t within earshot. “He’s so...temperamental.”

“He definitely is. I think it’s the artist in him. He’s also very fair.”

“I hope so.”

“Trust me, he is.” Monique couldn’t resist adding, “You’ll find that out soon enough.”

“Here’s the sketch you asked me to revise.”

“Nice subject change.” Monique took the sketch from her and studied it. “Very good. I like it a lot.”

“I’m glad.”

“You’ve got talent, girl. I see why the boss hired you.”

Nicole placed a hand on her hip in fake outrage. “Did you ever doubt it?”

“Never.” Monique smiled. “Work me up two variations of this sketch—one with a longer skirt and the other with a different top.”

“I’m on it.” Nicole flipped to a clean page in her draft book. “When do you need them?”

“How does tomorrow around noon sound?”

“Perfect.”

“Great. I’ll let you get back to work.” Monique stood. “If you have any questions, holler.”

“Will do,” Nicole agreed, reaching for her charcoal pencil and bending her head to study the sketch on her desk.

Her hand froze in midair as the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She felt rather than saw Alexander’s eyes on her. Slowly glancing up, she found him standing across the room at Crystal’s desk. He was nodding as though listening to something she was saying, but his eyes were glued on Nicole. She returned his intense stare for a few seconds before lowering her eyes back to her sketch, pretending interest in her design when she was really wondering what that look was all about.

Chapter 4

Around noon, Nicole had finished one of Monique’s requested revisions of her sketch and was starting on the second when the hair on the back of her neck stood up in rapt attention. Instinctively, she knew Alexander had entered the designers’ area. It was uncanny that she could feel him before she saw him.

He stopped to answer a question from another designer. Nicole heard him laugh heartily, which was a sound she could really get used to. She held her breath involuntarily, praying he wouldn’t stop by her station, which, of course, he did.

He stood beside her desk silently for a few seconds, willing her to look at him. She knew she couldn’t ignore him and slowly raised her eyes to his.

“You’re not using Victor’s design software?”

“I’ve played with it, and it’s fabulous,” Nicole carefully began.

“But?” Alex smiled slightly. At her hesitation he ordered, “Be perfectly honest.”

“But when I first create a design, I have to do it with my charcoal pencil and paper.” She shrugged. “It allows me to feel the design. I don’t know how else to explain it.”

“You explained it perfectly,” Alex assured. “I know exactly what you mean.”

Nicole sighed in relief that she hadn’t offended him. “You, too?”

“Yep.”

“I’m glad I’m not the only weird one.”

“Hardly.” Alex winked, pulled up a chair beside her and sat down. “May I steal of piece of your paper?”

“Of course.” Nicole tore off a couple of sheets from her pad and handed them to him, along with a charcoal pencil.

“I’m going to start a design.” He began effortlessly sketching. “And you’re going to finish it.”

Nicole’s heart jumped into her throat at his casual, terrifying statement. Was he serious? The walls started closing in on her, and she gulped in air. She glanced down at his hands as they expertly glided over the paper, and the formations of an elegant beaded blouse began to take shape. Oh, Lord, please let me remember how to sketch, she silently prayed.

“Okay.” He handed her the paper and charcoal. “Your turn.”

Nicole cautiously took the pencil from him and held it between her shaking fingers. She willed her nerves to subside; however, they persisted mercilessly.

“I’m not sure what you want.” Nicole’s terrified eyes stared into his serious ones.

“I want you to revise my design any way you see fit to make it better,” he elaborated.

“You want me to make your design better?”

He chuckled at her incredulity. “Yes.”

“Okay,” she nervously agreed. “I’ll try.”

How was she supposed to improve on Alexander James’s design? She swallowed her apprehension, took a calming breath and started revising as requested. After hesitating endlessly, she finally added jeweled cuffs to the sheer sleeves to match the neckline, which she changed from the square design Alexander had created into a sweetheart one. Last, she lengthened the blouse by an inch.

When she finished he didn’t say a word, simply took the charcoal from her and sketched a pencil skirt, followed by a ball gown. He handed the sketches and charcoal back to her, which she took and immediately began revising. The only design he rerevised was the ball gown and insisted she do the same. They spent about forty minutes together designing, and it was nerve-racking, but also exhilarating.

“How did I do?” She held her breath.

For a few minutes Alex studied the three designs they had created without responding. She fought against tapping her fingers impatiently on the desktop or shaking him to get an answer; instead, she folded her hands in her lap and waited for his critique.

“Very nice,” he finally answered, and she frowned.

“Is that good?”

“That’s good.” At his assurance, she released her heretofore held breath on an audible sigh. “Well done.”

“That was nerve-racking,” she admitted with a slight smile.

“I know.” He touched her hand briefly. “Come on, wasn’t it just a little bit fun?”

“It was—now that it’s over.” She laughed, and he joined her.

“Which is your favorite?” He spread the designs out on her desk for her review.

“The ball gown.”

“Mine, too.”

He picked up the design and studied it. Their codesign was floor length, free-flowing and simply elegant. It was Grecian-inspired, sleeveless, cut into a deep V nearly to the waist, which was gathered with a wide sequined belt, and the skirt cascaded down to the floor in soft folds.

“What material would you use for this?”

“Chiffon.” Nicole decided without hesitation. “This gown was made for layers and layers of chiffon.”

“I agree,” Alex said approvingly. “I think this might have a place in our April fashion show.”

Nicole’s eyes dilated to twice their normal size. Surely he was teasing her. Wasn’t he?

“Are you serious?”

“Absolutely.” Alex smiled at her shocked expression. “This will be the first James-Carter creation.”

Nicole was too flabbergasted and thrilled to respond to this fantastic news. She didn’t know which was more thrilling—designing a gown with him or the fact that he had referred to it as their first one. Somebody pinch her; she was going to codesign a gown for a fashion show with Alexander James!

“Wow.” She wasn’t aware of speaking out loud, but Alexander’s chuckle informed her she had.

“I hear Monique asked you to move in with her.”

“What?” Nicole blinked rapidly at his change in subject.

“I said I heard that Monique asked you to move in with her.”

“Oh. Yes, she did.”

“She told me you refused to relocate until the weekend because of work,” he continued.

Nicole groaned. “I wish she hadn’t said anything to you.”

“Why?”

“Because...” She faltered, unwilling to finish verbalizing her reasons.

“You thought I’d make a big deal if you asked to take the time off to move,” he correctly completed for her.

“It’s not a problem,” she quickly guaranteed. “I’m fine with moving over the weekend, Mr. James.”

“Alex,” he reminded with a smile.

“Alexander.” She opted for the full version instead. “I don’t expect nor do I want any special privileges.”

“And you won’t get any,” he quickly assured. “Nicole, you’ve relocated from another country. You’re entitled to time off to move. Leave here at two today, and get yourself situated at your new place.”

“But...”

“That’s an order,” he commanded in mock sternness. “Just make sure you’re here bright and early in the morning.”

“I will be,” she promised as he stood. “Thank you, Mr.—I mean, Alexander.”

“You’re welcome.”

He studied the designs she had been working on before he interrupted her. “That’s nice. You’re working on a variation of this?”

“Two. Monique wanted one with a different top and another with a longer skirt.”

“Why don’t you also do one that shortens the hem by half an inch and add a slight flare to the skirt?”

“I will.”

“What type of material are you thinking of using?”

“It’s meant for casual wear, so I was entertaining jersey knit for freedom of movement and ease of care.”

“Good choice.” His eyes strayed to her desk to the pictures arranged there. “Your family?”

She followed his eyes and smiled. “Yes.”

“May I?” He pointed toward the wedding photo showing them all.

“Please.” She handed him the photo.

“Your brother’s wedding?”

“Yes.” She waited for a snide remark, and when none came, she relaxed and pointed everyone out. “That’s Nathan and Marcy. That’s my sister Natasha and her husband, Damien—who’s Marcy’s brother.” She paused and glanced at him. “Are you following me?”

“Yeah, I think so.” He chuckled. “There wasn’t a brother free for you?”

“Nope, the Johnsons were fresh out of siblings.”

“Are you sad about that?”

“No, I don’t need to be fixed up. I’ll find my own man when I’m ready.” How had the conversation taken such a personal turn? It was too weird and very uncomfortable talking to her boss about finding a man to settle down with.

“So you’re not ready now?”

“No, I’m focused on establishing my career.”

“That’s commendable.”

She purposefully refocused his attention to the photo and concluded. “That’s my mother, father and Marcy and Damien’s parents.”

“And you.”

She smiled. “And me.”

“You have a nice-looking family.”

“Thank you.” She took the photo from him and replaced it on her desk. “I love them.”

“It shows when you talk about them.” As if sensing she was missing them, he changed the subject. “The wedding dress is beautiful. Who designed it?”

“I did,” she proudly proclaimed.

“You?” At her nod, he picked up the picture again. “It’s really lovely.”

“Thank you.

“What about the bridesmaids’ dresses?”

“Me again. I even made them.”

He whistled in admiration at her statement, and she felt ten feet tall.

“You sew, too?”

“Since I was nine.”

“That’s damned good work, Nicole.”

“Thank you again.” This was turning out to be a fabulous day. “I’m not used to so many compliments from you.”

“Get used to them,” he suggested.

He stood and walked away without another word, and Nicole shook her head in confusion. That man was a whirlwind of unpredictability.

He had certainly changed her opinion of him in record time. It seemed he could be both human and appealing when he wanted to. But she wasn’t sure which Alexander she preferred—the gruff one who set her teeth on the edge, or the likable one who she longed to get to know better—and not in a professional way.

* * *

Nicole left work at two and changed into faded jeans, a red “I Love NY” T-shirt, a denim jacket and sneakers. Monique had gone home to change and was meeting her at the hotel at three. Thankfully, the move wouldn’t involve any furniture, just clothes, though Nicole had a lot.

She hadn’t unpacked most of her bags, for which she was grateful. She stood in the middle of the sitting room, where she had gathered almost everything, and groaned at the rather large pile in front of her. A few bags were still in her hotel bedroom. Goodness, had she really packed this much stuff?

She was shaking her head in self-recrimination when someone knocked on her door. Expecting Monique, she opened the door and gasped in shock when she found Alexander and Victor dressed casually in jeans, T-shirts and light jackets.

“What are you two doing here?”

“We’ve come to make amends for our faux pas earlier.” Victor glanced at the pile of her belongings inside the room. “Looks like you can use our help.”

“You don’t have to help me move.” Nicole directed her words to the silent Alexander. “I’m sure you have better things to do with your day.”

“We want to.” Alexander finally spoke. “May we come in?”

“I’m sorry.” Nicole stepped aside to allow them in. “Come in.”

“Is this all that’s going?” Victor pointed to the stack of luggage piled on and beside the sofa.

“Most of it. There’s some more in my bedroom.”

“I’ll start on these. Alex, why don’t you see what’s in the bedroom?”

“All right.” Alex glanced at Nicole, who pointed the way and then quickly followed him, praying she didn’t have any unmentionables lying about. Thankfully, the coast was clear.

“I can manage this,” Alexander assured her after surveying the small stack of bags. “Why don’t you go and help Victor?”

“Are you sure? I can take...oh!”

She stumbled over a suitcase on the floor and wound up flying toward Alexander. He caught her effortlessly, strong arms automatically encircling her off-balance body. He held her tight against his unyielding strength.

All air left Nicole’s lungs, more from the close proximity to Alexander than from the impact of landing against his hard chest. Both appeared frozen in their unplanned yet potent embrace. Her palms rested flat against his broad chest cushioned by solid muscles. His hands rested on her waist. Their eyes locked, and each was aware that their mouths were only inches apart. A fact that became crystal clear when Alexander’s eyes darted to her slightly parted lips and stayed focused there as if mesmerized.

She held her breath while she waited to see what would happen next. She didn’t have to wait long. Unable to help himself, Alex lowered his mouth to hers. Their lips touched lightly several times before they both sought out much longer contact, and when they achieved it, time froze.

Their lips flirted, pressed lightly, pulled away. Alex’s teeth nibbled softly at her lower lip before sending his tongue to investigate the same territory. Nicole shuddered. Her arms snaked up his chest to rest into his hard shoulders as she moved and was pulled closer to his unbending length. She sighed and parted her lips invitingly, and her eyes fluttered close in anticipation of a deeper, more satisfying kiss.

“Nicole!” Victor shouted, splintering the intimate moment. “Monique is here.”

“I...I’ll be right out,” Nicole breathlessly replied, moving guiltily out of Alexander’s arms, placing fingers to her tingling lips. “Excuse me.”

“Of course.” Alex managed a slight smile as she skirted around him and out the bedroom door.

Oh, Lord, what had she done? She let out her breath on a noisy sigh. The chaste kisses they had shared didn’t begin to quench her disturbing desire for her boss, only managed to inflame it further. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed with Victor’s interruption, but she was certainly unfulfilled.