MAN OF SORROWS
CHAPTER 31
Erik's business was going smoothly and he was eager to wrap up the deal. No matter how sweet the deal was, he found his mind wandering to Christine much of the time.
This was his final meeting and then he could go home.
Alex McGuire was the only barrier left between him and the contract, and Erik prayed that the man was as open minded as his board of advisers had been.
Erik sat at the bar, sipping a Vodka Martini, and waiting patiently on him to arrive. They were supposed to been engaged in heavy negotiations by now, but Mr. McGuire was running a bit late.
Five more minutes and he can kiss my designs good-bye. Erik thought, glancing at his watch one more time.
"Mr. Argeneau?"
Erik turned toward the source of the voice. A stunning brunette stood before him, dressed in a form fitting, black rayon skirt, a deep blue, Satin, swoop-neck tank – which allowed a fair view of an ample bosom; and a black, crepe, one-button jacket.
The whole outfit was complimented by shiny, black stiletto heeled shoes and a tigress smile.
Erik tried to keep his eyes from popping out of his head, but he feared he had failed miserably.
"Yes…may I help you in some way?"
His voice sounded foreign to him, as did the annoying pounding of his very male heart.
The tigress smiled; a cocky half-sided smile that seemed to appeal to a very primitive part of him.
"Yes, you may….I'm Alex McGuire."
The look on his face was priceless – he assumed – as she stared right into his very soul and continued to smirk with female prowess.
Somehow, he managed to offer his hand in a business handshake, and felt the assurance of her confidence within her firm grip.
"You were expecting a man, weren't you?"
Erik chuckled, having regained his composure; and inclined his head slightly, indicating to her that she was correct.
"I was…I will confess."
Her smile was effervescent and Erik found himself admiring the confident air she exuded; she was a woman of power and she knew it.
"I don't often have the pleasure of working with a woman in my profession."
She nodded and then instructed the waiter to find them a more private place to talk.
"Allow me to buy you dinner, Mr. Argeneau…and we'll have a look at your designs."
He followed her chic form as she followed the waiter, and he couldn't help but admire the curve of her waist and elegant sway of her hips.
"What are you drinking?" She asked.
"A Vodka Martini."
She ordered him another drink and then took a moment to run her eyes over him. He was certainly a handsome man with a definite innocence to him that appealed to her nurturing side.
His dark hair swept back over his brow and was long enough to brush the collar of his charcoal gray Armani suit jacket. The half of his face that was exposed was masculine perfection and his eyes were incomparable; she didn't think she had seen eyes that beautiful – ever.
Her father had done a Google search on Erik Argeneau and had come up virtually empty handed; but a private source had been able to learn of Erik's painful past and the reason he wore a mask in the first place.
After being seated in a secluded room, they ordered, both choosing steak, and then Alex scooted her chair back and crossed her long legs. She turned her body such that she faced Erik, giving him a good view of her entire body.
"My father is the CEO of the business, but he has left me in charge of the design projects of this hotel."
Erik heard the tiniest hint of bitterness in her voice and assumed that she was tired of being the son that daddy never had.
"He assumes I'm going to fail, but I've got news for him…" she smiled sumptuously and winked at Erik, "…I'm better at this job than any son of his would have ever been."
Erik had no doubt about that, but he was getting signals of another sort from her – signals he was trying his best to ignore.
"Ms. McGuire, my designs are original, progressive, and highly sought after…" Erik pulled his portfolio out of his briefcase and handed it to her. "…see for yourself."
She flitted through the designs and Erik saw the appreciation and approval on her face. She lifted her intelligent blue eyes and smiled broadly.
"Yes, I see that they are everything I would want for this hotel…my board of advisors is very adamant about their desire to have a Genea original in Montreal."
Erik bowed his head toward her, acknowledging his appreciation of her words. He noticed the smile that played about her lips and was certain she was giving him an invitation into her bed.
Erik couldn't help but chuckle lightly and shake his head, women would never cease to amaze him. He didn't care how many times Christine told him how beautiful he was, he would never believe it; now, he had a business client eyeing him with open interest and lustful eyes.
"Mr. Argeneau, I see that you are not wearing a wedding ring."
She did not pose it as a question; but rather, assumed he was unmarried. She lifted the side of her succulent lips in a smirk, and then ran her tongue along the edge, knowing she was being provocative and forward.
Erik watched her tongue caress her ruby red lips and was thankful that Christine didn't wear lipstick – not when she anticipated seeing him, anyway.
"I am, at this moment, unmarried…but I hope to remedy that condition within the next few weeks."
Alex chuckled sadly and pursed her lips in defeat, "Ahhh, you're engaged."
"Not officially, no…but it's only because I have not asked her yet…the ring is in my possession and I intend to ask her this weekend."
Alex stood and then reached her hand out for him to shake.
"Mr. Argeneau, it would be the pleasure of my company to use your designs to enhance our hotel."
She shook his hand firmly and then suddenly stepped very close to him. Her body was flush against his and she waited for him to react.
"You're not married yet, Mr. Argeneau." She whispered. "I'm not asking for commitment – just mutual gratification."
Erik smiled and took a step back, "Mademoiselle, I am truly flattered; but in my mind, I am already married to Christine. To take what you offer would destroy what I have with her and go against everything I believe."
Alex smiled and finally bowed her head in defeat, "Can't blame a girl for trying."
Erik pulled her hand to his lips and grazed her knuckles with a kiss.
"It's been a pleasure, Ms. McGuire – I look forward to working with your company."
She smiled at the chivalrous way he behaved, "I'll have the contract drawn up and half of your asking price forwarded to you…where should I have them sent?"
Erik jotted down his mailing address and handed her the paper.
"I have a team that actually does the onsite assessment and overseeing, I prefer to be behind the scenes….I pay them to do the things that I don't like to do."
He took the last sip of his drink, ate the olive, and then nodded toward her.
"Good-bye, Ms. McGuire."
She nodded back and smiled, "Call me Alex, please."
He nodded again and shook her outstretched hand, "Alex."
TBC
Mlle. Fox and I both pictured Catherine Zeta-Jones as Alex McGuire. Erik passed with flying colors, but I'm sure he was tempted, as any man would be.