Chapter 6

" Oh my God! he exclaimed, throwing himself under the counter.

" But what...? Norah was startled, frowning.

“Ethan! He is here! she muttered terrified.

“Where …?”

"Please, Norah!" Don't say I'm here! " begged.

" OK! – despite agreeing, the other seemed not to understand.

He knew he would have to explain later. Many of them!

Soon I heard Ethan's voice.

" Hello, good afternoon!

" Good afternoon, sir!" How can I help you?

"Oh... I'd like to see Amanda Shepherd."

“Oh, I'm sorry, but she isn't there. You're traveling on business!

" Same? How unlucky!

He came to see his ex"lover! Clear! Not for her, but for Amanda! Despite everything he had said about not being interested, he came looking for you! After the kiss they had exchanged, he came looking for his former lover .

"Do you want to leave a message, sir?"

"No. What I have to say to her needs to be said face to face!"

" I understand.

“But then… Norah. – he read on his badge. 'Alexis Morgan, she works here, doesn't she?'

Oh God! He had come to see her! A smile hovered over his face.

“Yes, she is Miss Shepherd's secretary.

"And she traveled with her boss?" His voice seemed to hold a certain anticipation and she found herself biting her lip with a contentment she knew she shouldn't feel.

'No.' Alexis grabbed Norah's leg under the table in a silent plea. – But she is not there either! He had to go out.

" Same? – he looked disappointed. "Doesn't seem like my lucky day, does it?" —she could feel his smile, oh , that smile… “Well, anyway, thank you very much, Norah!

" Anything else sir?

" No thanks! I come back another day.

"Don't you want to leave a message for Miss Morgan?" Obviously Norah wasn't going to miss this opportunity, right?

He contained himself for a moment, fingering on the table, thoughtful:

"Just say I've been here looking for you, okay?" Thank you, Norah!

"Ready! He is gone! " the other warned. "Now get out of there and start talking!" She crossed her arms inquiringly.

" I just didn't want to see him!" She composed herself, smoothing her clothes as soon as she was on her feet. And he knew that his voice was a little shaky and that he didn't sound convincing at all.

"What woman wouldn't want to see a man like that?" He's so handsome, sexy...

" All good! Alexis exploded. I couldn't bear to keep that secret any longer! " We kiss, okay?

" What? Nora screamed.

Then he realized where they were and apologized to the few people who passed by:

"How come you didn't tell me any of this before?" He continued in a lower tone. " When happened? How it was? Come on, I want details!

“Calm down, Norah! Look, it all went so fast...

He started to tell the whole story. In fact, I was relieved to share it with a friend. I knew you would!

" And how it was? – Norah could not contain her curiosity.

Alexis bit her lip. I had to be honest.

" It was spectacular! She bit her lip, clasping her hands in front of her. "A single kiss, but what a... Oh, God, I don't even know how to classify it!"

"And why didn't you want to see him?" It's obvious he was here for you!

“It's complicated, Norah! she faltered.

— Oh, Alexis! Do not start! It's you who complicates everything, you know? I haven't seen you so excited about a man since…' He tugged at the memory. " Never!

"Norah, I'll say it just once: I don't want to get involved with any man!" And even less so with Ethan Marcus!

"But you're clearly attracted to him!" – the other was indignant.

"It was just a kiss!" A perfect kiss, but that's all! I'm not seeing him again, okay?

Norah opened her mouth to argue, but she cut him off.

“And if you're really my friend, you'll respect that and not discuss it again, right?

Seeming to swallow a reply, Norah nodded.

" OK! Know that I do not agree, but I will respect! Stupid!

Chapter 3

Once he reached the sidewalk, Ethan sighed in disappointment. I wish I had laid eyes on the beautiful Alexis! Who knows how to invite her to lunch? Which she probably wouldn't accept. But it would have been enough for him to see her. What was it about that girl that couldn't get out of his mind?

As he put on his sunglasses, he noticed a beautiful blonde entering the building and gave her a smile. He reciprocated, following her with his eyes until he was out of sight. He liked to flirt and women were not indifferent to him. He only hoped that his charm would also reach Alexis...

Yes, they had kissed, and that kiss had awakened his entire body, he mused as he walked to his black Audi SUV parked across the street. But what if she's determined to stay away?

Starting the engine, he thought that all he had to do was wait.

For the next three days, Norah didn't really talk about Ethan anymore. And Alexis tried unsuccessfully not to think about him. Uselessly!

Friday arrived and with her, Amanda! Early in the morning, she was in the mood like that! It was strange that the mistress did not call to find out about her visit to Ethan. Possibly because he was suspicious of his answer.

Another day when he didn't have the courage to show her his project. Curse!

The days were passing, soon the customer would return. I would have to act soon!

“How did he refuse? – was the woman's angry response, when she told her about Ethan's response. "He's gotta be kidding me!" Nobody treats me like that! Nobody! Well, you're going back there today!

Alexis shuddered. I couldn't see him! Could not!

Finding courage, he didn't know where, he started:

"I'm sorry, ma'am, but I don't think I should go back there...

" What are you saying?

"It's just…" she sighed, seeking the courage to speak. “ Mr. Marcus has made it apparent that he's not interested. I'm afraid it might not be well"received if you come back. – it was not true.

“You don't know Ethan! He would never be disrespectful to anyone!

She knew that. Even in that, he was perfect: a gentleman!

"But still, ma'am!" I don't feel comfortable going back there!

" Good! Guess I'll have to do the dirty work then, won't I? All right, Alexis. You can go now.

He was about to leave the room, but he stopped.

"Madam, may I ask you a question?"

Amanda seemed surprised by the subaltern's audacity:

" Clear! Go ahead!

"Why have you sent me to talk to Mr. Marcus?"

"Why, you're my secretary!"

" Just for that?"

The other remained silent, staring at her.

“Listen, better let it go, Morgan.

" Why? " he was curious. "Is there anything else?"

"I don't want to hurt your feelings, okay?"

" I... I don't think I understand."

"Do you really want the truth, Morgan?" – the other sat down, crossing her long legs.

" Clear!

"Well, I sent you on this 'mission' because..." She made a casual gesture. "You pose no threat!"

" Threat? " I felt like I wouldn't like what came next. But I needed to know everything.

"A man like Ethan would never be interested in a girl like you!" Look how you dress! Those hairs without a cut, always tied up! You are so unfunny! – She seemed to have gotten carried away in the assessment, as she lost track. " I don't even know if you like men!

Alexis looked at her, shocked, hurt. Was that what he thought of her? He glanced down at her gray suit and skirt ensemble. Suddenly, she felt very uncomfortable.

"Do you know what you look like to me?" " the other continued, with her air of superiority. "An asexual person!" This is the word!

From a very distant place, Alexis heard the question:

"Are you all right, Morgan?"

It took a moment to realize that he was talking to her. He managed only a slight shake of his head.

“Well, you asked for sincerity, Morgan, so I gave you all of it. I think someone should have done this sooner. You have potential, understand, but you're still a little lost.

Trying to recover from that humiliation session, Alexis cleared his throat before speaking:

"It's your opinion, ma'am!" And I respect it! Do you need anything else?

“No, no, you can go.

She walked without seeing the door. Her eyes burned with the desire to cry. Never been so humiliated.

As soon as she left the room, Norah looked up and noticed that something was wrong. The friend even got up to go to her. But Alexis asked, with a gesture, to take care of the reception for her.

She needed to be alone, so she went to the bathroom. Once there, he fought fervently against tears. If she started to cry, it felt like she wouldn't stop.

I expected to hear anything but all of that.

Asexual? He looked at his reflection in the mirror. Her hair was parted in the middle and tied at her nape in her usual hairstyle. The clothes... she always liked to buy a size larger so that her curves wouldn't show.

Okay, he had questionable taste in dress and Norah had always told him that, but that was how comfortable he was! She was trying to look more professional and not asexual, as the Cobra"Mor had implied.

“ A man like Ethan would never be interested in a girl like you! ”, she had said. She should have shouted at him, spoken with pleasure about the hot kiss they had shared!

He wet his face, took several deep breaths and went back to reception. I wanted to walk out of that building and never look back, but unfortunately, I couldn't. And the day was just beginning...

"What's up, friend?" " Norah inquired, worried, as soon as she settled down. "I felt like I was about to cry!" What did that cow do to you?

“ Oh, Norah! She said horrible things to me!

" Friend! Do you want to talk about that? He squeezed Alexis's hand tightly to give him strength.

— No... if I speak now, I'll start crying... And I don't want her to know that she has that power to get to me!

" It is true! We talked at lunch then...