A Time for Hope (Lexi, #3)(25)
“Thanks Monique. I’ll consider making it our Christmas card.” I guess in all honesty the photos weren’t that bad. Other than me being all over Alex’s like face acne on a prepubescent boy, they were kind of hot. I might actually have to save a few for my viewing pleasure. Alex’s hooded lustful gaze in those shots was a complete turn on.
The door opened loudly, announcing the arrival of Troy and Dan who strolled into the room with Jason not far behind.
“Well hello Groupie Whore,” Dan pulled his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose to inspect me more closely. His wicked smile betrayed how much he was enjoying this. “Saved one of those shots as the background on my cell. I can almost see up your dress!” Dan proudly held up his phone to display that he was indeed in possession of one of the more provocative shots. Really? Cue my lack of surprise.
“Ignore him, Lex. He’s just trying to get a rise out of you.” Troy greeted me with a big bear hug. “It’s good to see you back. We’ve missed the daily ball-breaking you give us.” Troy winked, giving me an extra squeeze before releasing me.
“Troy is right for a change, I am trying to get a rise from you. I can already feel things getting hotter… down there.” Dan wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“Dan, if you are feeling heat in your crotch I would suggest you go get tested for STD’s and perhaps be more discerning about who you share a bed with. Do we need to sit down and have the open and honest safe sex conversation?” While his suggestive comments annoyed me, it was Dan, so it was somewhat expected. I also loved the confused look that would often follow our friendly exchanges. Poor confused Dan.
Troy and Jason snickered as Jason took his turn to hug me hello. “Hey Lexi, we sure as hell missed you.” Jase lifted me slightly off the floor while his long arms encased me.
“Wait a second, I never have sex without a condom.” Dan waved his hands in the air to divert our attention back to him. “Not ever! There is no way I want to knock someone up. I don’t even like being called Daddy when I’m making a girl come. Freaks me the hell out! And the only time I go bare is with my own hand so there is zero chance anything being wrong with my cock. Other than it being obscenely huge.” Dan proudly displayed his satisfied grin.
“Hmmm… Interesting preamble to the meeting. Not sure I saw that on agenda.” Alex frowned as he strolled into the meeting room, ignoring other occupants as he walked directly to where I was standing.
He didn’t kiss me though I sensed he wanted to, instead he gave me a warm hug which was his way of trying to respect my limit of overt PDAs at work. It’s not like we were trying to hide we were together anymore (that ship had long sailed) but I still had a job to do which would be seriously hindered by Alex’s hands all over my ass. Regardless of how sexy my husband was, I would not compromise my professionalism.
“It’s Dan,” I smirked as I unwrapped my arms from around Alex. “He only has one thing on his agenda.”
Alex reluctantly shifted as James moved in to give me his trademark Bowden hug.
“Really good to have you back Lexi. We were struggling keeping Dan under control.” James looked genuinely happy to see me. “We missed you.”
“I make no apologies.” Dan continued, “You douchebags have decided to do the one-woman thing so Troy, Jase and I have got to pick up the slack.”
“His strike rate has dramatically increased.” Jason eased himself into a chair at the meeting table. “Not sure that’s a good thing.”
Taking Jason’s cue, Troy and Dan slid into chairs around the large oblong table. James also took his seat as he waited for Chris to arrive, sifting through the information folder that had been sitting idly in front of him.
Alex slowly joined the group, taking his place at the table but his eyes remained on me. I sensed his hesitation as he pushed the folder to the side. We both knew I was ready to be back at work, but it was the tour he was worried about. The road was unforgiving. Planes, hotels, fans, concerts and the pressure of a grueling schedule would push anyone’s limits let alone their sanity. While the words remained unspoken, it was written all over his face. Was I strong enough? Would this break me?
“Ah excellent! Everyone’s here. Lexi welcome back. Now let’s get started, shall we?”
Christine Duquesne’s personal style reflected her business model - clean, smart and sharp. No matter what time of day or night it was, she always looked flawless. Like me, she also had a penchant for designer clothes and heels, though her tastes ran more conservatively than mine. She favoured fitted power suits and classic pumps which was a perfect combination for the tight operation she ran.
I felt Alex relax as I sat beside him. His hand gently grazed my thigh as he moved closer to me. He’d compromised by not kissing me but he sure as hell wasn’t going to sit there and not touch me. I rolled my eyes as Dan made a suggestive hand gesture. Freaking Dan.
As she was Power Station’s manager, Chris led the meeting. She walked us through the detailed list of countries we would be visiting as well as the stadiums that would house the concerts. It was dry but necessary. The dates were set, venues booked and shit was about to get real. We had two months before we hit the road. In two months the safety bubble would be gone. The difference between this tour and the last (other than the obvious magnitude of it) was that Hannah and Noah would be accompanying us. There was no way James was leaving his family at home, not this time.