He's Captured My Heart (Captured Series Book 1) (8 page)

“I love this view,” I say, looking over my shoulder at Alex, who’s standing just behind me. “Don’t think I’ll ever get tired of looking at it.” The water is still and has a calming effect on me.

“I have to admit that I don’t think I will either, although I think my point of view is especially spectacular,” he says with a smile so full of promises. He slips his left hand round my waist and places small kisses on the nape of my neck, which sends shock waves through my body.

“Libby, I’m going to turn you around and kiss you. I am warning you to give you a chance to say no. I’d
rather not be slapped again.” Alex slowly turns me to face him, and all I see is a wanting look in his eyes. My breathing has altered, picked up pace, and my heart is racing. I
do
want this.

“Well, what are you waiting for then?” I whisper in invitation.

That’s all it takes. One hand is still on my waist. The other reaches up to my chin and tilts my face, so I am watching as his face comes closer. His soft, wet lips meet mine, and they taste so sweet. And before I know it, I’m kissing him back.

When we eventually pull ourselves apart, all I can do is sigh. He still has one arm held firmly round my waist. I notice his smile. What a beautiful smile it is.

“I hope that makes up for my mistake earlier today?”

“It certainly does. But as you recall, I already accepted your apology hours ago,” I say, smiling back at him.

“Hours ago” sends me thinking about the time. I shiver. It’s a lot cooler now. How long have we been out walking? I glance at my watch; it’s nearly seven.

“What’s wrong? Do you have somewhere you need to be?” he asks.

“No, not really. But I should check in and make sure everything is okay back at the hotel. I didn’t realise how long we’ve been away. Michael must be wondering where you are. We’ve been gone a few hours.”

“Michael must still be working. At least he hasn’t called or texted to say otherwise,” Alex says checking his phone. “I probably should go and see how he’s getting on. But before we head back, you haven’t answered my earlier question about dinner tonight. Do you have an answer?”

“What about Michael?”

“I would much rather have dinner with you by myself,” he says with a smile, “but if you’d like, I’ll ask him. Would you like to eat at the hotel, or do you want to recommend somewhere else?”

“I don’t dine in the restaurant at night since I don’t let any of the staff do it,” I say. “So it’s either the staff canteen, or we go out.”

“Well, let’s head back up, and we’ll take it from there. Although we could just stay here. I can’t remember the last time I had a few hours off work and didn’t give it a moment’s thought. I think the company had a lot to do with it.”

I hate to admit it, but the company
was
great. I think I could get used to his company. But it isn’t going to be just the two of us over the next few weeks. Michael will be there and others as well, on occasion at least. I think of Kirsty’s words to me earlier in the afternoon:
Just enjoy yourself. Enjoy his company
. Maybe it won’t be as bad as I first thought.

Alex leans forward and gently places a small kiss on my forehead, saying, “Come on, then.” He places one hand in the small of my back as we walk back
towards the hotel. Even this small gesture has sent my heart racing again; the feelings are all completely new to me. Even Jeff, the man I dated for two years, never sparked this intensity of feeling within me.

We walk the short distance back to the hotel in silence, but it isn’t an awkward silence. As we pass through the doors and enter reception, Fraser smiles. Sally is still at the desk. She’s looking flustered, but that isn’t too unusual for her.

“Sally, what’s wrong?” I ask her as she fumbles about the desk.

“I can’t seem to find the financial reports Kieran gave me. I was meant to give them to all the department heads tonight for your meeting in the morning.”

“Don’t worry about it, Sally. We can print off copies in my office. It’s fine, really.”

Poor Sally. She’s not had a great day. I know that the man standing at my side has caused most of her problems today. Sally looks at me and then at Alex; he just gives her a slight smile, which makes her turn quickly away.

“Sally, why don’t you get off home now? I can make and sort the copies. It’s been a long day for you. Go home. Relax. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Are you sure?”

“Go—before I change my mind.” I smile.

“Thanks, Miss Stewart. See you in the morning, then.”

Alex sniggers at my side.

“What’s wrong with you?” I ask as I turn to face him.

“I get the impression you’re a soft touch with your staff and—”

I don’t let him finish. “Don’t. Just don’t.
You
caused most of that poor girl’s problems today. The least I can do is let her get off home, and the least you could do tomorrow when you see Sally is apologise to her,” I snap. I turn and head to my office. Soft touch, indeed. That’s new, even for me. I’ve been called a lot of things but never a soft touch. Dad would laugh at that.

Kieran is in my office working on the computer when I go charging in. “Oh boy,” he says. “I take it this afternoon didn’t go so well? I thought that since you were gone so long you’d have an exciting story to tell.”

“This afternoon was fine—more than fine—it’s just…oh, nothing,” I say, shaking my head. “Will you be long on the computer? I need to print off extra copies of the reports. Sally has misplaced the copies you gave her.”

“No, I’m just about finished. But we don’t need extra copies; I have them right here,” he says, lifting a pile of papers from the desk and waving them at me. “I did give her them, but then I needed to check something. Poor Sal. She’s had a bit of a stressful day, with one thing and another.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ve sent her home.”

“So, missy, are you going to give me details on your day?” Kieran asks with a wicked smile.

“No.” I walk back out the office.

Kieran shouts after me, “You can’t leave! Get back here!” I ignore him. Kieran’s mind will be going into overdrive.

Alex is still standing out in reception. He’s talking on his phone. As soon as he sees me, he hangs up. “So, Libby, what time will you be ready for dinner?” he asks.

“Eh, I think I’ll have to pass on dinner. Maybe another night, Alex. I have a few calls to make.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. I just finished speaking with Michael, and he was looking forward to it,” he says. He looks disappointed.

I’ve just seen Kieran from the corner of my eye. He’s looking between me and Alex. I know he’s desperate to find out what’s going on; Kieran and gossip go hand in hand. Alex glances at Kieran and shrugs.

“Okay. I’ll see you tomorrow?” Alex leans forward, and I know he is about to kiss me, but I lean away ever so slightly and reach my hand out to shake his hand, which isn’t going down well.

“Yes, I’ll see you then,” I say sharply.

With that, Alex turns and walks away. I let out a sigh of relief. Kieran comes rushing towards me, grinning. I know he’s going to grill me about Alex.

“Right. You and me…I think we should go have some dinner in the canteen. It will be quiet, and I
have questions that I want answered—and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

“Okay, okay. You know, Kieran, you and Kirsty are so alike.” I laugh.

We make our way to the staff area and head to the canteen, which is empty except for a junior chef who is sorting out food in the hot plate. Most of the staff would have already had breaks before the evening service in the restaurant. Kieran walks along the hot plate looking at the food.

“Tonight’s choices are as follows: chicken curry, haddock and chips, or a mushroom stroganoff. So, what’ll it be, Libby?” Kieran asks.

“Kieran, I’m not really that hungry.”

“Oh, Libby. You need to eat to keep your strength up. I think you’re going to need it.” He laughs teasing me. “What if I go and ask Karl if he’ll rustle you up something else? I am sure he will if it’s for you.” Kieran turns and heads towards the kitchen.

“Hold it. Stop right where you are,” I say. I turn towards the junior chef at the counter. “Kieran, Karl is a busy man. And anyway, all I want is a sandwich, which I am sure—what’s your name?” I ask the chef.

“Thomas, Miss Stewart.”

“Which I’m sure Thomas is more than capable of putting together.”

“Yes, ma’am. Any kind in particular you would like?”

“Anything at all. A round of sandwiches for two would be great. Is that okay with you?” I ask Kieran, who just nods and heads towards the coffee machine.

“Kieran, can you get me a tea? I don’t want coffee.”

I sit down, waiting for Kieran to join me, knowing that he wants me to give him the details of my afternoon. He can read me just as well as Kirsty can. It’s no wonder that we are all friends, although sometimes it would be good if they
couldn’t
read me so well. Maybe one day I will get to keep a secret.

“Right, Libby, now spill it. What happened with you and the American after you came back from your loooooooong walk?” Kieran asks. He takes a seat opposite me.

“He called me a soft touch because I let Sal go home early.”

“He obviously has a lot to learn about you,” Kieran says with a half-hearted laugh. “I mean, where the staff are concerned, you are always firm but fair. And I would have done the same thing. Poor Sally—she’s had a rotten day from start to finish. Between your American and her rat arse of a boyfriend.”

“What’s the boyfriend done now?”

“He’s only gone and dumped her by text this afternoon.”

“If I had known about that, she could’ve gone home much earlier. That’s such a shame.” What a
day she’s had! I now feel
really
bad for her. She had seemed really happy with the boyfriend too and thought he was the one.

“I did offer, honey, but she refused to go home and feel sorry for herself. She’s such a great girl, with a big heart.”

We stop talking when we see Thomas coming from the kitchen with our sandwiches.

“These look great, Thomas! Thanks so much for making them,” I say to the young boy. He must only be about seventeen.

“You’re very welcome, Miss Stewart. I hope you both enjoy,” he says, heading back to the kitchen.

Kieran and I chat briefly about things that have happened in the hotel over the course of the day as we eat our sandwiches and drink tea and coffee. I can tell by the expression on Kieran’s face that he is dying to know how it went with Alex today but wants me to tell him without him having to ask.

Should I just put him out of his misery? Yes
.

“Okay, we kissed.”

Kieran seems to choke on his coffee. He’s coughing and spluttering everywhere.

“Oh. My. God.”

“Are you okay? Can’t have you choking to death.” I lean over to pat him on the back.

“You can’t just say that and leave it hanging. You have to tell me more. I want all the details, honey,
and I mean
all
the details. I
knew
there was something between you, but if I’m truthful with you—as I always am—I really didn’t think you’d act on it. And especially not on day one. So I want
answers
.”

His last statement is definitely a demand, so I tell him the whole story—the start, the middle, and the end. Kieran hangs on every word I say, jaw dropped, mouth open. I think for the first time in all the time I’ve known Kieran, I’ve managed to shock him, but listening to my story I’ve also shocked myself. It so doesn’t sound like me. God, it took months of Jeff chasing me before I finally gave in and went on a date with him. And at the end of our first date, I only let him kiss me on the check.

“Well, Libby, you might not believe it, but I am almost at a loss for words. That sounds like a story from Kirsty, not my sweet and much-too-innocent Libby,” Kieran says, shaking his head in mock disbelief. “Have you told Kirsty any of this yet? She’ll be as speechless as me. But seriously—all this really happened today?”

“What can I say? I’ve surprised myself with today’s chain of events. And yes, Kirsty knows about earlier, although I know she’ll be waiting by her phone for an update. I’ll give her a call when I’m in my room.”

“Oh, honey, I knew there was some sexual tension earlier in the office between you and that
gorgeous
man, but I have to say I did think you would be able
to resist. Although I can’t blame you. I wouldn’t have been able to either. I’m so disappointed to have it confirmed that I’m not his type.” Kieran pretends to pout. He has a wicked smile on his face that lets me know he’s not
too
disappointed that Alex isn’t his type.

“Kieran, don’t you dare make fun of me. And anyway, Kirsty told me to have fun, so that’s what I’ve done,” I say. “Although after I refused his offer of dinner, I’m not sure how much fun I’ll have for the rest of his stay here. He’s a bit…unpredictable. Who knows how he’ll react?”

“Libby, he wants you; that much is obvious,” Kieran says, getting up from the table. He walks round to me and takes my hand to help me up. He draws me in close for what he calls a Kieran Special, a tight hug and a kiss on my forehead. As I stand tight to him, resting my chin on his chest, I find myself totally relaxed in his arms. Kieran is up there with my dad and Ethan; they are all able to take tension away from me.

“We’ll see.” That’s all I can say.

We head out of the canteen. It’s way past time for Kieran to head home, and I have a few things to take care of, such as unpacking all my stuff, then giving Ethan and Kirsty both calls before I turn in for the night. We say good-night at reception, and I tell him to make sure he’s not late in the morning for our meeting.

5

WHEN I GET
to my room, I take my phone and put it on charge, as its dead. I start unpacking my cases and hanging clothes up in the cupboard, putting other bits and pieces, namely my underwear, in the drawers. My phone starts buzzing, indicating that I have messages. I look at it; god, there’s quite a few.

Ethan: Had a great day with Lucy. Going to crash and have an early night. Catch you tomorrow xx