#Kristina is flustered enough to receive something

[keischreiber]

I was supposed to share this earlier but work called so.

I am here now and I will share a Valentine's related commission!

This beautiful piece was made by Hiragii Tsukasa (@iwanttobeaseme) of tumblr. I absolutely adore how this turned out. Hiragii-san was such a pleasure to work with, and was so accommodating with my requests.

I can just see how this is probably a year or so into Reiner's return to Marley. Where, throughout that time, him and Kristina had developed a friendship which eventually ended up with them secretly just wanting a little more.

I mean, Kristina from the get-go was alright with some one-sided pining on her end (because she just wants to see Reiner happy, first and foremost), so despite wishfully thinking that it's nice to have his affection, she was fine if he had eyes for someone else.

After all, their agreement was that... Until Reiner finds someone who he truly wanted by his side, Kristina was willing to be the friend who kept him on track as he atones for the crimes that he committed.

Despite their odd setup as friends, Reiner always ends up appreciating Kristina's often aggressive pep-talks. It didn't take him too long to realize that her callous words and sharp-tongued remarks were facades to ensure that she wasn't considered 'friendly' with him. Reiner knew the repercussions better than most, if a Marleyan was even suspected of having an affair with an Eldian. He knew that she didn't want to cause any trouble or misunderstandings. And frankly, that sort of consideration for him, was something that he found... endearing? He didn't know what to make of it, but it was something that surely made him feel seen, and also cared for... in a way. He didn't want to read too much into it.

When thoughts like "gotta marry her one day" enter his mind every time Kristina seems a little more caring than usual (usually when they are alone, thus catching him off guard), he chases the thought away quickly. Often times he would convince himself that he was just remembering Krista, that one girl from Paradis who always treated him with so much care and kindness. Convinced himself that it was wrong and unfair to project these feelings onto someone who he assumed was simply being kind. It was just tough at times since it's not every day that someone cared about him like this. So, there were days when even he was just lost in a little haze of far-fetched wants and what-ifs. Plus, he knew better than to pursue something with a Marleyan. Just because he was an Honorary didn't mean they were the same. Because he painstakingly understood this at a young age, he knew better. As his eyes sometime follow her steps when she leaves for the day, all that he could tell himself at the back of his mind was that he knew better. He knew better...

So, it was a real shock to them when they ended up receiving a little something from one another; leaving both quite flustered. Kristina, for one didn't expect to receive a handful of her favorite flowers from Reiner. When and how did he even learn about it? On the other hand, it didn't even cross Reiner's mind that Kristina would bother giving him something.

However, perhaps what flustered them the most was the surprise of acceptance. The intent behind the gifts... the effort and the emotion, were not rejected.

Without saying a word or explaining themselves in that short span of time, they have come to realize that perhaps they were both on the same page after all.

[losille2000]

Building Happiness, Chapters 4 - 6

CHAPTER NUMBER: Chapter 4 - Chapter 6 AUTHOR: Losille2000 WHICH ALEX/CHARACTER: AU!Alexander Skarsgård GENRE: Romance FIC SUMMARY: Life as Alexander knows it unravels when he takes over as CEO of the family business for his retiring father—especially when his modern ideals collide with the past. The fact that he also has to deal with a distracting new assistant doesn’t help matters any, either. Alex struggles to step out from under his father’s shadow and eventually find happiness and fulfillment in his career and love life. RATING: M WARNINGS:  Language and sex. AUTHORS NOTES: See them here. I am working on reposting this story as I am bringing some of the characters into The Chocolate Affair, namely Alex and Rory. Old fic, unedited, you’ve been warned. Rory and Christine will have a similar backstory, but that’s on purpose.

Prologue-Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Friday rolled around before Rory knew it. She rarely saw her boss but for a few times when he appeared in the office to grab a few files only to leave again—without her. After Kristina’s insight into the inner workings of the company on Monday, Rory wondered if it was an avoidance technique so he didn’t have to think about the future. Still, she worried that she had started out on the wrong foot with him if he wasn’t asking her to do things in the same way he obviously relied on Kristina.

Like Alexander had said, the work wasn’t particularly difficult, but there were definitely many tiny details she had to learn to be successful from operating the technology the company used to how one communicated within and outside the company confines.

Though she had used a great deal of technology in her job as an archivist, the amount of technology that had been thrown at her now was staggering for a person who mostly relied on books and papers. After all was said and done, she felt like she could open up shop as a small electronics store with the number of gadgets the IT guys has deposited on her desk Tuesday morning.

Learning how to take Alexander’s calls was another headache entirely. Screen all calls and only calls from the upper level board members and his family could be patched through to him. All others were to leave a message. Though Alexander usually gave his cell phone number to people he wanted to contact him directly, including women, at times they called the office for him. They were to go through to his voicemail. Appointments were to be run by him before they were scheduled, unless it was an appointment he asked her to make in which she could just fit it into the schedule and email him the details.

Expenses were to be entered into the accounting software at the end of each week and forwarded to his accountant. Rory had tried desperately not to balk at the amount of money spent on some of these bills, but it was difficult to ignore the fact that one monthly mortgage payment alone was her total salary for the year. This drove home the fact that she was no longer in small town America. Frankly, she hardly felt like she was in America any more. Or even on the same planet. She was in a radically different world. A confusing, sometimes backwards world.

What little Alexander had said or explained to her had been short and perfunctory. There was no getting to know each other, even in the professional sense. He’d been very quiet. Not that she was helping, either. She found it difficult to start a topic, especially as flustered as she became around him and the fact that she just didn’t know where to start. They were clearly different people. What could they possibly talk about?

However, at four thirty Friday afternoon, as she slowly wound down from the intense week, ready to have two days to recuperate for the next, the inevitable happened. Alexander had sequestered himself in his office for most of the day and she imagined he would be in there long after she left so it surprised her when the phone beside her beeped. The screen lit up, showing it was coming from Alexander’s office.

“Yes?” she said into the receiver.

“Please bring me the printed board meeting minutes from Monday,” he said.

“Sure,” she replied. Rory set the phone back in its cradle and went to the filing cabinet where they kept the notes. She walked toward his office and took a moment to breathe in a deep breath before pushing back the door.

He sat behind his desk, surrounded by papers and files, his short hair falling across his forehead, shirtsleeves rolled up to his elbows. His tie was missing, slung over the suit coat on the couch across the room. Every time she had seen him before, there had never been anything out of place about him—from his hair right down to his expensive leather shoes. Even Wednesday when he had shown up in a polo and khakis in preparation to go golfing, he had seemed perfect and untouchable.

Clearly something was awry. Or perhaps he wasn’t as perfect as she originally thought. It certainly did a great deal toward making him more real to her.

He looked up and extended his hand for the thick book of notes, setting it on his desk. Instead of turning to his work, he leaned back in his seat. “Have a seat.”

“Okay,” Rory replied, sitting carefully into the chair across from him. She folded her hands in her lap and met his eyes.

“I want to apologize about not being around much for your first week,” he said. “It’s insane with the transition and everything my father has me doing. But… I just wanted to check in and see how everything was going.”

“It’s good,” Rory said. “Kristina taught me a lot this week, so I just hope I have everything.”

Alexander nodded. “Do you feel comfortable enough to go on your first business outing with me?”

She didn’t feel comfortable, but she’d never admit that to him for fear of being considered slow. Yet the tasks of her job weren’t the problem. Their discomfort with each other was the main problem. Even as she sat here speaking with him, she wanted to be any other place than in the hot seat. And he clearly didn’t even know where to begin. “I’m confident in the tasks of my job, and the only way I will learn what to do on a business trip is by going with you and doing it.”

He smiled. “I like the attitude. I know it’s a lot to remember, and I want to be make sure that you feel confident enough that there won’t be any big mistakes if I were to take you.”

“I can do it,” she said flatly.

Alexander nodded. “Good. Kristina is going on this trip as well, but she’ll only be able to help you periodically. She’ll be focusing more on her own work since this is a charity function.”

“Okay,” she said.

“We leave at 8 tomorrow morning for New York,” Alexander said.

“Oh… okay,” she said. It took her a moment to run through her memory and figure out what was happening in New York.

Alexander pursed his lips. “You are aware of my engagements in New York, correct?”

Rory froze, hearing the tension in his voice. He had misunderstood her surprise. Of course she knew what he had planned—it was a week long series of events to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the American-Scandinavian Foundation culminating in a ball the following Friday. Kristina had explained the week at length since she had organized their attendance and donations to the event.

“Yes, I am aware,” Rory said. “Sorry… I was just caught a little off guard. I know this is huge and I knew Kristina was going so I didn’t expect to go.”

He nodded. “Like I said, Kristina is going to have enough of a headache with her own work. It’s going to be big for us this year because my father is being honored with the Gold Medal Award and also officially announcing his retirement.”

“I understand,” she said. “I’ll be fine, like I said.”

Alexander nodded and turned back to his work, sufficiently ending the conversation in a way she had somewhat become accustomed to in the past week. Rory sighed again and shook her head, getting up and leaving the office, shutting the door behind her. Kristina was at her desk when she returned, flipping through a file.

“I heard,” Kristina said. “Do you feel ready?”

“We’ll certainly see,” Rory laughed.

Kristina playfully smacked her arm. “Oh, I know you’ll be great. And that’s just because I taught you.”

“You possess such confidence,” Rory said. “I wish I felt like you do.”

“You have it in you, trust me,” Kristina replied, sitting on the edge of the cubicle desk. “Just believe in yourself and it will all come along.”

The problem was, she didn’t really believe in herself. She never had.

Rory sighed. “I have to find a pet sitter… do you know anyone?”

“Yeah,” she said. “I’ll get the number for you.”

“And then I have to go shopping tonight… I don’t think we’ll be able to go out like we’d planned,” Rory said.

Kristina chuckled. “We have Monday to do some serious damage shopping. We’ll go together and use my company card for the evening stuff you need since you haven’t received your card yet.”

“What exactly can I buy with the clothing allowance?” Rory asked.

“Anything you need,” Kristina replied. “But most major fashion houses know me or Alexander and the company, and usually allow us to borrow dresses for big events so we don’t have to pay the high price tag. Everyday things you want to keep have to come out of your allowance.”

“Okay,” Rory said.

Kristina smiled. “Don’t worry about it, hon. We’ll get you all set on Monday.”

Rory nodded. She hated shopping, most of all for clothes. She’d never been thin exactly, but also never round. She was what she liked to call “solid”. It was difficult to find clothing that fit correctly, straddling a line between two different sizing guidelines. And frankly, she just didn’t care enough about fashion to care. She’d decided a long time ago she abhorred shopping and being girly. She was more comfortable in a pair of jeans than she ever would be in a skirt, and she had planned to keep it that way.

Unfortunately, by the twinkle in Kristina’s eyes, Rory knew she wasn’t going to get out of this without at least one dress.

“But you’re right, we can’t go out tonight,” Kristina said. “Too much to do… by the way…” Kristina held up a finger and walked around to her cubicle, returning with a well-worn book. “You’ll want to read this.”

“The Idiot’s Guide to Scandinavia,” Rory muttered, reading the cover.

“Chapter four is marked… it explains how to address the various royals we’re going to be meeting this week,” Kristina said. “It has been a lifesaver these last ten years. Alexander gave it to me as a joke because I told him he needed a user manual.”

Rory laughed, fanning the pages quickly. “Oh, god. Good thing I read fast.”

Kristina nodded. “See, the librarian training comes in handy!”

“No kidding,” Rory said, glancing at the clock. “Can you text me the number to the pet sitter? I still have to run to the store for some things before we go.”

Kristina smiled. “I will. I’ll see you at the airport an hour before takeoff.”

“Awesome,” Rory replied, gathering her things and shutting down her computer to leave the office and prepare for a week of work in New York.

Alexander leaned back in his office chair, staring at the door Rory had just closed behind her. He let out a long sigh and closed his eyes, trying to find some way to gather what little energy and good grace he had left. He’d need a whole heap of it this coming week, especially knowing his family would be there with him, likely attempting to give him an aneurysm.

His father would be at his shoulder to tell him repeatedly he was doing everything wrong, while Gurra would sit silently back with that imperious demeanor of his. His mother would be there with her ever-present mask of indifference, supporting his father and family, though his parents weren’t currently on speaking terms with each other. Sam would be flouncing about, ever the tortured artist who happened to be showing a few pieces at the Scandinavian art installation opening Wednesday. Eija would make sure to be the spoiled brat, while Valter, his youngest sibling, kept trying to break out of everyone else’s shadow.

It was a recipe for disaster that he had been dreading the entire week. No, for the last month since he found out his father was being awarded such a prestigious honor. The only way he was going to get through it would be by having a solid foundation in the support of his team. It was imperative that his new assistant knew what she was supposed to be doing and where she was supposed to be at all times to accommodate him on this trip.

For a moment, he had worried she wasn’t ready. He did know she was petrified of the tasks ahead of her though she hid her nerves relatively well. Kristina had been giving him reports all week about her progress while he had been out of the office. She’d given a glowing report on the woman, but concurred that there was a confidence issue. He knew he was throwing her into the fire, and she would either go up in flames or make it out unscathed, but it would be better that way. If she couldn’t hack it within two weeks, she certainly wouldn’t do any better in three months when her probation period was over.

He glanced back at his computer screen. His brain had finally reached the overload point when all the words on the screen appeared to be some form of gibberish. It was his cue that it was time to leave work.

He gathered his things together, trying to put his paperwork into some semblance of an order to stick in his briefcase. Finally satisfied with his organization, he grabbed his coat and headed out of the quiet office.

A cold gust of fall air blasted him as he stepped outside, but he was glad to feel it on his face instead of being cramped up in the office upstairs, in a cage that gave him no hope of escape. He was glad that he had walked the two miles to the office today instead of calling for his car. Walking would give him the opportunity to clear his mind and relieve some of the stress in his body.

He was about a mile from home, passing by the grocery store, when someone small collided with him. The person dropped whatever was in their hands directly on top of his food. This was followed by a string of strong curses that he barely made sense of as she mumbled them, but he recognized the low, husky Southern drawl instantly. It was feminine and smooth, and made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

“Shit,” she finished as he glanced down at her. Her pale green eyes stared large and mortified up at him. “I’m so sorry. I should really watch where I’m going.”

He laughed lightly. “Don’t worry about it.”

Rory brushed back a piece of hair behind an ear and bent down to begin collecting the bags she had dropped. His eyes slid further down where a heavy bag of cat food sat on top of his foot. She struggled with the bags in her hands and reached for the cat food. He stopped her.

“I’ve got it,” he said, lifting it into his arms. She shot up quickly, her forehead smashing his nose. For a moment he saw stars, but the world came back into focus quickly.

“Oh god,” she said, her hand flying to her mouth. “I’m such a terrible klutz.”

Alexander laughed, testing his nose and pinching the bridge. “I think I’ll be fine. Besides, it wouldn’t be the first time it was broken.”

“Huh?” she asked.

“Brothers,” he replied. “And maybe a few drunken nights.”

Rory laughed. “Is it really broken?”

“Nah,” he said.

“Again, I’m sorry,” she said. She held her arms out to him. “Can I have the cat food back?”

Alexander shook his head. “No, you can’t have it back. Where is your apartment?”

“Up the street a little way… in the Lakeshore East community.” She pointed in the direction of the condominium development he knew intimately.

“Ah,” he said. “I’m headed that way as well.”

Rory frowned but realization hit quickly. “What building are you in?”

“The Regatta,” he said. “Eighteenth floor.”

“The whole floor?” she asked blandly.

Alexander chuckled. “Yes. I built it that way. Great thing about being the developer’s son.”

Rory shook her head and looked around her, stepping out of the way of someone trying to get past her. “Okay, if you insist on carrying the cat food, you can just follow me.”

“I will,” he said. “Which building are you in?”

“The Aqua,” she said.

“How do you like it?” he questioned.

She shrugged. “It’s okay… the design is odd.”

Alexander knew he had brought it on himself asking about that building, but he had hoped for her praise. Hearing her unenthusiastic reply was sobering. “Oh?”

“It’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong,” she said. “It’s just a weird design. At least my apartment is.”

“Well, you’ll just have to show me when I carry this up for you,” he said.

They walked in silence for some time, coming to a traffic light and having to stop to wait for the right of way. She looked up at him tentatively. “You seem displeased that I don’t like it.”

He shrugged. “I designed it. It was my big project in my masters program in school… but my father only just okayed the development of the building when we started the Lakeshore project.”

“I didn’t realize you did the whole development,” she replied. “I really should just keep my mouth shut.”

Alexander laughed. “You know, we give rent credits if you’re in one of our residential buildings.”

“You do?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he said. “Ask Sam about it when we get back from New York. He’ll fill you in on it.”

Rory chuckled. “God, I can’t wait to tell my mother that the rent went down. Wouldn’t you know she guilts me from hundreds of miles away about it all the time!”

“Try getting guilted halfway across the world,” he said.

“Your mother’s in Sweden?” she asked.

He nodded. “For now, anyway. With Dad retiring, he’ll be in Sweden semi-permanently. She’ll kill him in a week if she doesn’t get out.”

Rory didn’t reply and turned her attention to the street as they crossed. They walked through the side street up to the front of the building and made their way to her apartment on the twenty-fifth floor. She fumbled for her keys and let them into the darkening apartment, flicking on the side lamp.

“You can just set it down on the counter,” she said, pointing to the kitchen.

He hadn’t realized how tiny one of these convertible studios were with furniture in them. Of course, as ashamed as he was for thinking it, he wasn’t used to such a tiny living space. Even when he was stuck in a hotel, he had a suite of rooms.

Alexander glanced around the tiny apartment, noting that nothing seemed to be out of place. It was meticulously put together though sparsely decorated.

“Most of my stuff is still in Atlanta,” she said. “I knew I wouldn’t have the room here.”

A loud rumbling meow stole his attention and he looked down at the gray and white feline who was inching toward him.

“Chester, no,” she said.

The cat ignored her as only a cat could manage, and weaved his way around Alexander’s legs, leaving a trail of fine hairs. Chester finished his figure eight and sat down near his feet, looking up at him expectantly. He rubbed his head against his leg again for good measure.

Alexander glanced at Rory, who stood silently beside him with a look of concerned confusion. “What?” he asked.

“He… I… Chester is never friendly with men,” she said. “Normally I’d be extracting claws from legs right about now.”

“Did you train him to be a guard cat?” Alexander quipped.

Rory rolled her eyes. “No. He came that way from the adoption place.”

Alexander laughed and bent down, tentatively scratching behind the cat’s ears. He knew he was taking a risk of being attacked, but it seemed like the cat didn’t mind him. Relief flooded through him when Chester pressed harder into his leg.

“My cat is so weird,” she said. “Anyway… thank you for carrying the bag for me.”

“Oh, maybe he just likes me because I smell like cat food,” Alexander laughed.

“I doubt it,” she said. “Now, tuna on the other hand…”

She was interrupted by a knock on the front door.

“The pet sitter,” she mentioned.

Alexander knew it was time to leave. He definitely didn’t want to overstay his welcome, though he was thankful for the time to get to know her a little bit better before they were thrown together for the next week on business.

“I should probably go,” he said. “I still have to pack.”

“Yeah,” she replied. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

Rory walked him the few steps toward the door and opened it. He slipped out the door before Rory introduced herself to the pet sitter. He waited at the elevator, hearing her wonderful Southern drawl disappear as she shut her door. Alexander couldn’t help but smile, thinking of their conversation. She seemed so innocent. So naïve in the way of the big world. And yet, she also held a wisdom about her that betrayed her seemingly humble nature. It was a contradiction he didn’t understand, but he certainly planned on learning more about in the future. She was a calming presence in his otherwise hectic, confusing life.

She was definitely someone he needed in his life, if only as his assistant.

Chapter 5

Rory stepped onto the tarmac and stared at the sleek plane in front of her, yawning into her hand. She hadn’t slept much that night, after staying up late fretting over packing and then going over the schedule of events for the following week. She’d had only a cursory understanding of what would happen from her week of work. She hadn’t had the luxury of studying the schedule to memorize it and create a plan of attack. Since she had thought Kristina would be the only one to accompany Alexander on this trip, Rory hadn’t considered it important. It left her playing catch up overnight and exhausted before she had even boarded the jet.

“Not impressed, huh?” said a male voice beside her.

She jumped and turned, finding a tall man with dark brunette hair standing beside her. The man had come from a chauffeured car. Looking past him, she noticed a suited driver removing bags from the Towncar’s trunk and handing them off to a uniformed flight crew member. She glanced back at the man beside her. “Uh, no, not really.”

“Hrm… most people are impressed with the private jet,” said the man.

“I’ve seen a lot of planes in my life,” she said. “Try comparing it with an F-16 and we’ll talk.”

“Oh, but I can guarantee you this one’s prettier.”

“Maybe it is,” she said. “But not nearly as fun.”

“You a pilot?” he asked.

She shook her head. “No, but my father was in the Army. I was around them all the time.”

“Ah,” said the man as he extended his hand. “I’m Sam Skarsgård.”

“Rory Fisher,” she said. “You must be the artist brother.”

Sam grinned. “I see my reputation precedes me.”

Rory laughed. “I only know you’re an artist as per Kristina. But you sound like a true Chicagoan… not like your brother.”

“That’s because it’s an act,” said a voice she recognized. Alexander stood behind them, squinting at the jet. He glanced down at her and replaced his sunglasses over his eyes.

“That’s not fair,” Sam said.

“Let’s not stare too long. We’re on a schedule here,” Alexander said. He pushed past them, strode to the stairs and ascended them with ease, ducking into the cabin.

Sam rolled his eyes. “Power’s already going to his head.”

“Maybe I should actually do my job,” Rory said, “And make sure everyone is on schedule and doing what they’re supposed to.”

“All I gotta say is good luck,” Sam said.

“Thanks, I’ll need it,” Rory laughed.

Sam winked and held out his arm. “Come on, toots. Let’s get in that fancy jet before the boss man flips a lid.”

Toots? Boss man? She didn’t know what she had been expecting upon meeting Alexander’s younger brother, but she certainly hadn’t pictured this. Especially not knowing how staid and even-tempered Alexander was, and how serious his other brother and father were on the videoconference. Instead of being a broody artist who sat in the corner at the coffee shop wearing all black, he was a ball of energy with a flamboyance that was refreshing.

She took his arm and he led her to the plane, motioning for her to go ahead of him on the narrow stairs. Once inside, she found Kristina had already spread out a work area at a seat with a table. She was talking into her Bluetooth and typing something on her laptop.

Alexander had disappeared.

She turned to Sam who was behind her. “Where did the boss man go?”

Sam stepped forward, his hand resting on her back to move her forward and step around her. “Into his cave.”

“His… cave?” she asked.

“He has a private compartment in the back,” Sam said.

“It’s more like his cage,” Kristina added from her seat. “We lock him in there and don’t let him out until we land. It’s for our own sanity, trust me.”

Rory laughed. Though she was with her colleagues, being out of the office seemed to relax their interactions. It was a relief to know she would be around people who were friendly while on a business trip.

“I can still hear you,” said Alexander’s voice from the overhead speaker.

Kristina giggled. “Well, now that we’re all here, we can get this show on the road. Let me just go tell the pilot.”

Rory watched as Kristina stood from her seat and walked toward the front of the plane. She glanced around, trying to decide where to sit. Sam took care of that for her and pointed to the seat across the aisle from him. His long legs were already stretched out in the empty space in front of him as he reclined his head back on his own plush leather seat.

She buckled herself in and let out a long sigh, closing her eyes and preparing for the adventure ahead of her. Once more, she reminded herself she had wanted this. She had wanted to go, see, and do. Now here she was with the opportunity and it was overwhelming.

At least she had friends with her along the way.

“If you aren’t on a flight with Alexander, you typically have time to get to the hotel and get everything set up and checked in before he arrives. In cases where you are traveling with him, you can call about an hour ahead and have them prepare everything,” Kristina said.

Rory nodded, scribbling notes on her notepad. “So they have all the keys ready and everything?”

“Yes,” Kristina said. “The manager or concierge at each of the locations will have Alexander’s room ready. While he’s settling in, you can do any other paperwork that’s needed at the front desk. If it’s needed.”

“Okay,” Rory said. “That seems simple enough.”

Kristina nodded. “It is, because we usually stick to the same hotels in the destinations we go to, so they have all our information. I gave you the preferred list, right?”

“Yep,” Rory said. “But we’re not staying at a hotel on the list this trip.”

“Alexander’s father chose this time,” Kristina said. “Since the entire family will be in town, he wanted everyone at the same place. And since he’s footing the bill, it’s the Waldorf Astoria. Stellan likes the history. Of course, Alexander prefers the Plaza… so the history doesn’t really matter because they both have a rich history. I guess we could just say that Stellan is stubborn.”

“He’s stuck in the past and doesn’t like change,” said Sam from his seat in front of them. With a flourish, he tossed a magazine he’d been flipping through on Rory’s previously occupied seat and moved to a chair at the tiny four-seat table with them. He fiddled with the touch screen on the cabin controls and hit a mute button that belonged to the speaker system. “Word of advice time from Sam: Alexander has always been looking to the future. Our father, always to the past. This is where they butt heads, and especially where Gurra comes in, because he does what he thinks Dad wants.”

“I’ve already warned her about it,” Kristina said. “But that’s a good way of describing it.”

“I know,” Sam said. “I’ve lived with it for twenty-nine years. You learn eventually.”

“And where do you fit in?” Rory asked.

Sam grinned. “I don’t fit in anywhere. I’m an artist who lives by his brush.”

“And an extremely healthy trust fund,” Kristina added blandly.

“So you’re just a rich hippie,” Rory said. “Nice.”

He laughed and shook his head. “I like you, toots. I have a feeling this is the start of a very long and interesting partnership.”

“I hope so,” Rory said with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Anyway,” Kristina started, bringing the attention back to her. “We’re at the Waldorf this time around and Marissa, Stellan’s assistant, will have taken care of all the check-ins already for us. She’ll meet us down in the lobby with everything we need.”

“Awesome,” Rory said.

Kristina sighed. “As far as the daily routines while on these business trips, you are expected to accompany him to each of his appointments unless he tells you otherwise. You don’t have to do anything special. You are to network and follow behind him, while still being two steps ahead of any conceivable thing he might need of you.”

“Geez, Kristina,” Sam laughed, “you make it sound like some form of impossible dance.”

“It is,” Kristina said. “I dare you to live a day in the life of your brother’s personal assistant. Then we’ll talk.”

“I’ll leave it to the more capable,” Sam said.

Kristina rolled her eyes. “Your main task is to keep him on schedule by any means necessary. Remind him about fifteen minutes before he needs to leave to make his next scheduled appointment if he has any. It gives him time to wrap up conversations if he’s in a meeting. I try to tell him verbally, but when that’s not possible, I catch his eyes and pull on my earlobe to be as inconspicuous as possible. He’ll nod at you to verify that he saw it.”

Rory scribbled and looked up at Kristina. “And getting to these places in an unfamiliar location?”

“The driver will know where he’s going ahead of time,” Kristina said. “We send a semi-finalized schedule to the car company before we even get on the plane. I took care of it this time since I didn’t have a chance to go over it with you. However, when you get into the car, just give the driver a gentle reminder. Sometimes they forget or the schedule has changed.”

The intercom dinged overhead, followed by the pilot coming over the speaker. “We’re starting our descent into La Guardia now. We’ll be on the ground in about a half hour.”

“That was quick,” Rory said.

“Time flies,” Sam said, buckling the seat belt in his seat.

“Always the jester,” Kristina scoffed and started gathering her things and stuffing them into her briefcase, computer bag and purse on the seat beside her. She looked across at Rory again. “If you have any questions, just ask. Don’t assume something. Anybody will be willing to help you out. Just don’t ask Stellan or Gurra, and you’ll do great.”

Rory nodded her head. “I got this, Kristina.”

She hoped it was the truth.

Alexander stepped into the marble-encrusted entrance at the Waldorf, steeling himself to the madness ahead of him. He would need all the perseverance he could muster for the next week. After that, things would calm down. They had to.

His father’s attractive black-haired assistant met him with a smile. “You’re ahead of schedule for once.”

“Flight was easy,” he said, shrugging. Marissa was a pleasant woman, his age, and had an exotic beauty that had once captivated him. He had hit on her when she’d first started working for his father. Actually, he’d done it a few times, only to be rebuffed every single time.

Only now did he realize that it had been a fleeting interest born of an eager twenty-two year old. They had little in common and he didn’t like her much personally. Though she was a good assistant, she was also incredibly controlling of his father to the point that he questioned his father’s decisions.

“Your father asked that you stay in the suite with him and your brothers,” Marissa said.

Alexander pursed his lips, a sour taste in his mouth. That was the absolute last place he wanted to be for a week. God help him if his father attempted a spate of father-son bonding, because it just wasn’t going to happen. Not after thirty-five years of constantly butting heads with each other.

“He’s in the Presidential Suite, and your mother is in the Royal Suite with Eija,” she explained.

“Still not talking?” he asked.

“No,” Marissa shook her head. Alexander thought it odd that she did not elaborate as she normally did on the subject, but brushed it away.

“Alright then,” he said. Sam’s loud voice echoed off the marble lobby as he came up behind him, still putting on a show for Rory. He appreciated the fact that his brother was so friendly, but Alexander did not like the concerted interest he had in his new assistant. It would distract Rory from learning and doing her job.

At least that’s what he told himself. He might actually start believing it if he kept saying it. He felt a protectiveness of his new assistant he did not quite understand and definitely didn’t want to focus on at the moment.

“Is that your new assistant?” Marissa asked.

Alexander turned as the rest of his party joined his side. Rory was there, smiling. “Yes, Rory, this is Marissa, my dad’s assistant.”

“Hi, Marissa,” Rory said, offering her hand.

Marissa reluctantly took her hand and shook it limply. Alexander frowned at the interaction. It had been suggested on more than one occasion that he should hire Marissa on as his own assistant so she didn’t lose her job with his father’s retirement. Clearly she was still unhappy about his emphatic denial of her pursuit of the job beneath him. And honestly, if she was going to be childish about it, he was glad he had not given the idea more credence.

“Well, shall we get up to your rooms?” she asked, motioning for them to follow.

Sam smiled. “I’m just going to hang out down here for a bit.”

“Why?” Alexander asked.

Sam’s eyes twinkled. “Give you time to settle in with Dad. You know, let the dust settle.”

“I hate you,” Alexander said and shook his head. He turned and fell in stride beside Marissa as they made their way to the elevator bay. He was somewhat sad to see Rory and Kristina step off the elevator well before he was due to, but sighed and waited for the doors to peel back on the twenty-first floor.

Marissa showed him to the door with a small placard that read “Presidential Suite” and opened the door with her keycard before handing him one of his own.

“I’m going back down to my room,” she said. “I’m right by Rory and Kristina if you need me for anything.”

“Thanks,” he said and stepped into the foyer. He found his father and Gurra pacing around the long dining room table, each on their cell phones, one gibbering in Swedish, the other in English. Each had to do with business, though he couldn’t pick out what exactly they were discussing.

They both looked up, however, as he entered and dropped his computer bag on a chair in the garishly decorated room. Their calls ended quickly and the normally stilted greetings proceeded as was tradition.

“Alexander,” Gurra said, offering his hand.

“Gurra,” he replied.

Then his father tried to hug him, and it turned into the inevitable uncomfortable half hug. “You look good, Alexander.”

“Thanks,” Alexander said. Like they hadn’t just seen each other a few weeks ago. Did his father expect him to look worse for the wear? Maybe he had planned on it with all the shit he’d been putting him through on this transfer. “What’s going on?”

“Oh,” Gurra said, “I was dealing with a bank hold on something.”

Their father nodded. “And I was talking with my attorneys.”

“You mean our attorneys?” Alexander said.

“No, son, I mean, my attorneys,” Stellan replied. “It’s nothing to worry about.”

Alexander met his father’s cold blue gaze and knew better than that. There was something his father wasn’t telling him. Something that clearly pained him.

Despite the fucked up childhood he’d had, he still loved the man. He had given him life, after all, and he didn’t want to see anything bad happen to him. Mostly because he didn’t want to be responsible for the fallout and what it could do to the company, but also because it would affect those of his family he really cared for.

“You should go see your mother,” Stellan said.

“I will, just let me relax after the flight a bit,” Alexander said, grabbing his things again and heading further into the large suite of rooms. He found his younger brother in the furthest bedroom down the hall lying out on the floor, playing video games.

“Hey, Alexander!” Valter jumped up and tossed the controller down, greeting him with a real hug. He promptly went back to his video games without saying anything else.

Alexander chose one empty room on the other side of the hall. Well, at least everything was normal. Still, though, he couldn’t help but shake the feeling that something shitty was about to happen and he wasn’t going to like it one bit. His father’s mysteriousness about his lawyers was another thing entirely.

When he heard Sam being welcomed back to the fold, Alexander took the opportunity to slip out into the main hall unnoticed. His father’s constant harping on Sam not having a “real job” would give him time to see his mother and sister and get back before he would be missed.

Alexander walked to the other suite and knocked on the door. As soon as the door opened, a body flew out at him. “Alexander!” the body squealed.

“Hi, Eija,” he said, hugging her close and kissing her forehead.

“I missed you so much,” Eija said.

He leaned back and looked down at her. “You get more beautiful every time I see you.”

“Thanks,” she said, but brushed it off. People told her the same thing all the time so it had lost its potency. “Why didn’t you come see me at school when you were in Sweden last month?”

“I didn’t have time, love,” he said.

She stepped back from him and pouted. “I’m your only sister, you know. You should see me as much as possible.”

“I know,” he chuckled. “Stop pouting, you’ll get wrinkles.”

“I will not.” Eija flipped her hair over her shoulder and stepped back into the suite, allowing him to follow her inside. He followed her into a room decorated in powder blue upholstery. His mother sat on a couch, reading a book through tiny glasses set low on her nose.

“Did you see your father?” She didn’t look up from her book.

“Yes,” Alexander said.

She set her book down on the couch beside her and stood. She kissed his cheek and stepped back, holding his face between her hands and searching his face. After a moment she smiled. “I’m glad you’re here at least.”

“Is something wrong?” he asked. “Well, more than it usually is?”

“Everything’s just fine,” his mother said, stepping back and shaking her head. “You worry too much.”

Alexander frowned. “It’s my charm. And I really think I should be told what’s going on, as there apparently is something wrong. Don’t you think I deserve to know seeing as I am now the head of this firm?”

“Of the firm, not the family,” she said.

“This family is a firm.”

“Where’s your new assistant?” Eija changed the subject. It had always been her technique to avoid arguments ever since he could remember.

“She’s getting settled into her room,” Alexander said. “She’ll be around later. Now, would—.”

His words died on his lips, though, when there was another knock on the door and Eija admitted Sam to the room.

“Mom!” Sam glided across the room and picked their mother up, spinning her around and hugging her tightly to him. They’d always had a special bond Alexander never fully understood. He did know that he wouldn’t be able to grill his mother for answers now that Sam was there to talk her ear off about some piece of art he had done or acquired.

Alexander pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. “I’ll see you all later. I need to go get ready for a meeting at four.”

Eija followed him out to the hall and stood with one foot in the door so she could get back inside when she was finished. “I think they’re getting ready for another divorce.”

“Huh?” Alexander said.

“Mom and Dad,” she said. “Just the way they’ve been acting.”

He ran his hand absently through his hair and let out a short breath. “Like I need this nightmare on top of Dad’s retirement.”

Eija shrugged. “Well, you know, third time’s a charm, right?”

“There should have never been a second or third.”

“But then you wouldn’t have Valter or me.”

Alexander smiled and shook his head. “No, no I wouldn’t. Now, can I go back to my room and lock everyone away?”

“Yeah,” she said. “I’ll see you later.”

Alexander nodded his head and turned back down the hall to go to his suite. He glanced at his watch, noticing it wasn’t more than an hour since they had landed in New York and already trouble was brewing.

It didn’t bode well for the rest of the week.

Chapter 6

Rory let herself into her hotel room that evening, glad the day was over with and she could relax until brunch with the Skarsgård clan the next morning. Kristina and Sam had both tried to warn her about Stellan, but she just couldn’t see what the problem was. He had been everything but rude or short with her. Sure, he and Gurra both acted more overbearing than the others in the family, but still not as horrible as had been described. But she also had to remind herself that she hardly knew them and they were probably putting on their public personas for her. She’d learn over time.

She hadn’t had any time to really speak with the others as they were whisked off to a meeting at a job site at four and hadn’t returned until just a few minutes ago. Pulling her phone from her purse, she noticed the two missed calls—one from her mother, the other from her sister—and that it was 8:32. No wonder her stomach was rumbling for food.

After calling down for room service, she changed into yoga pants and an old t-shirt before collapsing onto the extremely comfortable bed. Her eyes were heavy and she could fall asleep if she really wanted, but the gnawing hunger in her belly was just enough to keep her awake.

While she waited for her food to arrive, she picked up her phone and dialed her parents’ home number. Much like the last time she had called, there was a lot of activity on the other end, but her older brother, Charlie, answered instead.

“Hello girlie,” he said.

“Hey!” she said. “Long time no talk.”

“You know, it’s a two way street, you could have called me,” he said. “How are you?”

“Exhausted,” she replied. “I started my new job on Monday.”

“You found a job?” he asked.

Rory chuckled. “Yeah. I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a chance to call yet.”

She wouldn’t tell him that she had called, but had resisted telling anyone about it because of what was going on at that time.

“Well, where are you working?” he asked. “Don’t keep me in suspense.”

“I’m working for a real estate developer,” she said. “I’m the head honchos’ personal assistant.”

“What? Really? I’m proud of you, Rory Jean,” he said. “Why haven’t you told Mom and Dad?”

“I didn’t want to compete with Walker’s audience when I called last week,” she replied. “I figured mine could wait.”

He sighed heavily. “Walker just asked her today. That’s all the commotion you hear.”

Rory closed her eyes and nodded her head, though she knew he couldn’t see her. The day Walker had asked her to marry him, an impromptu engagement party had sprung up out of nowhere. Southerner’s were famous for parties like that.

“So it’s done, huh?” Rory asked.

“Yes, it is,” he replied. “And thank god for it. Now I don’t have to listen to Mama talk about it. She was about to explode keeping it from Whit.”

“I have no doubt,” Rory said. “Mom and Whit both called me.”

“Charlie, who’s that?” came the screech from the other side.

“Rory,” he answered. “Do you want to talk to Whit?”

“Not really,” she said.

“She’s giving me the look that says ‘too bad’,” he said.

Rory groaned. “I hate you.”

“Give me the damn phone, Charlie,” said the voice on the other side, close to the receiver. There was a scuffle on the other side and then a sweet, “Oh my goodness, Aurora Jean! I wish you were here! You’ll never believe it! Walker proposed!”

“That’s great,” Rory said. Did she have no compassion or did she honestly forget that this was a touchy subject?

She whined. “You don’t sound excited.”

“I’m thrilled.”

“We were at the Auburn/Georgia game,” she explained. “He got down on one knee in front of everyone in the middle of the field.”

Rory wanted to vomit. “How sweet.”

“I know!”

“Oh, and Rory, you’re going to be my maid of honor,” she said. “We’re going to get married over Thanksgiving.”

It would have been nice to be asked, but even Rory knew that she would have to accept despite her misgivings. Her mother and father would make sure of it. Because that’s what sisters did.

“Isn’t that awfully soon?” Rory asked.

“It is,” Whitney said. “But Walker and I both agree we want to get married quickly and start trying for a family as soon as possible.”

Unlike you, who made Walker wait. She didn’t have to say it, but Rory heard the underlying tone in Whitney’s voice.

“I’ll see what I can do, Whitney,” Rory said. “I just started a new job and I don’t know what my schedule is going to be like. I’m not going to be able to plan a bridal shower or bachelorette party or anything.”

“I said maid of honor,” she said. “My friend Faith got married a couple months ago, remember? She’s going to be my matron of honor. She’ll take care of it. Besides, we both know who will throw the funner party.”

“That’s not a word, Whitney,” Rory corrected.

God, she was an airhead.

“Whatever! Anyway, what size are you these days? Twenty?” she asked, her tone stinging.

Rory pursed her lips together as tightly as possible and bit her tongue, doing everything she could think of to refrain from yelling at her. “No, Whitney, I’m a ten, just like I have been my entire adult life.”

“Oh, well,” Whitney said, “I’ll have to find a dress and have it sent to you to make sure it fits.”

“Great,” Rory replied.

There was a knock at the door, followed by a soft, “Room service.”

“Okay, I have to go,” Rory said. “My room service is here.”

“Where are you?”

“New York,” Rory said. “On a business trip. I’ll talk to you later. Bye.”

Rory hung up the phone and slammed it down on the bed. It didn’t make her feel any better. She needed to hit something harder with something that she didn’t mind wrecking, unlike her phone.

But first, dinner.

Then she would remedy the urge to kill.

Alexander yawned into his hand as he trudged out of the elevator and onto the nineteenth floor of the hotel, in search of the fitness center. It had been a long, tiring day full of meetings and family togethernees he could have done without. Yet, as he had lain in bed, he couldn’t find slumber. His mind was going every which direction and he couldn’t stop it. He hoped running a few miles on a treadmill might calm him down just enough to do the trick.

To his right was the entrance to the spa, now closed for the night. On his left, a glass-walled lobby. Exercise machines were set up in neat rows behind the front desk where a bored attendant sat twirling her hair, transfixed with the computer screen in front of her.

She looked up as he stepped inside the room and smiled. “Hello, sir, may I help you?”

“Yes, I just wanted to get in and run some on a treadmill,” he replied.

“What room are you in?” she asked.

He smiled. “I’m in the Presidential Suite. Skarsgård party.”

She grinned and pointed to the left. “That is the men’s locker room. May I get you any complimentary work out clothing, sir?”

“No, I’ll wear what I have on.” He motioned to his t-shirt and shorts.

“Very well,” she said. “Towels are in the locker room as well as a refrigerator with water bottles for your use.”

“Thanks.” He nodded his head and walked back toward the locker room for a towel and water bottle.

He was grateful that the gym was a ghost town this late at night—and why wouldn’t it be at one in the morning?—except for sounds coming from a room in the back. As he mounted a treadmill and began choosing his settings, a loud, angry yell came from the back room followed by what he could only describe as a repetitious popping-like sound.

His father had once told him curiosity killed the cat, but he couldn’t resist seeing who or what had caused the noise. What he did find didn’t kill him, but it certainly surprised him. In the tiny room with a large punching bag was Rory, going through a combination of punches, kicks and feinting movements. After watching her hands and legs for a few seconds, he changed his opinion on the killing part. She might actually be able to cause him real damage if she wanted.

Another man stepped up beside him. Alexander noted that his shirt had “trainer” embroidered on his left breast. “She’s impressive. We usually get creampuffs in here who think they know a thing or two about kickboxing. She seemed like a creampuff when she walked in, but turns out she does know what she’s doing.”

“How long has she been in here?” Alexander asked. His eyes slid down her body. She wore a loose gray top that was drenched in perspiration. Clearly she’d been at it long enough for a good work out.

He also remarked, belatedly, that he quite liked the tight black pants she was wearing.

Alexander mentally smacked himself and forced his eyes back up to her face, but not before stopping on the v neck of the shirt plastered to her ample breasts. He hadn’t realized just how amazing her body was until now, and he didn’t understand why she covered it up the way she did in baggy business clothes.

“She’s been wailing on that bag for a half hour,” said the man. “Hasn’t slowed down at all.”

He continued to watch, transfixed. But as he paid more attention to her face and not her body, Alexander noticed that her eyes were red and puffy as though she’d been crying. That was not how he had left her after returning to the hotel earlier in the evening. Something was wrong. He hoped he wasn’t that something wrong, because he had thought she was fitting in well enough. Even his family hadn’t been too hard on her earlier.

“May I go in?” Alexander asked.

“It’s not a closed room,” said the man with a smile. “But we have cameras everywhere, so don’t try anything the lady doesn’t like.”

Alexander shot the man a warning glare. Did he give off the vibe that he was some creep who would do something like that to a woman? “Even if I was that kind of person, I think I’d be in a world of hurt.”

“True enough,” the trainer said and bowed away.

Alexander opened the door and stepped inside. She spun around, panting for breath. The forgotten punching bag now behind her swung out, hit her back and pushed her forward. He lunged for her, in an effort to slow or minimize the impact she might make with the floor. She fell against him, her face landing against his chest while her gloved hands clenched his hips for dear life. He stood still, appraising the situation and just how he had gotten into it. Then he felt her shaking against him.

In laughter.

Of all the reactions he had expected, he hadn’t planned for laughter. But he was relieved it was laughter and not whatever had been troubling her. He could handle laughter. Honestly, he didn’t know why he thought he’d be able to make anything better if she had been crying.

She pushed against him, using his hips as counterbalance, and stood upright. As she did this, he also smelled alcohol.

“Are you drunk?” he asked. It would explain the laughter.

“No,” she said. “I was slightly buzzed before I started, though. It mostly wore off.”

When Rory had walked into his office a week and a half ago, he had met a shy, polite little Southern girl who masked her accent as much as possible. The woman in front of him now was an extroverted, tipsy tomboy who spoke with a thick Southern drawl he found difficult to understand.

“Oh, man, tonight just can’t get any worse.” She walked to the other side of the room and slid down onto the floor, tearing off her small boxing gloves and tossing them aside.

“Care to tell me about it?” he asked, not wanting to be invasive but truly wanting to get to the bottom of her distress. He wanted to help her, if he could.

Rory glanced up at him as she toweled the sweat from her face, neck and arms. She took a long drink from her water bottle and shook her head. “It’s not worth it.”

He sat beside her on the floor, looking at her in the mirrored wall across from them. “Try me.”

She turned to him. Her lips quirked up in a stiff smile. “You really wanna know?”

“Yes, I do,” he said. Did he?

Rory sighed and looked down at her outstretched legs, picking at the fabric of her pants. “Don’t say I didn’t try to warn you.”

“I won’t.”

“Fine, then,” she replied and took in a deep breath before starting. “My sister’s getting married.”

Alexander frowned. That was a bad thing? Weren’t marriage announcements generally seen as happy occasions? Yet, he knew that wasn’t always the case. After all, his own mother and father had been married three times. The first time, he wasn’t alive. The other two had not been happy. But then, his family was an oddity.

“Uh…” he started, not knowing what to say.

“To my ex-fiancé,” she added.

“Wow.”

“There’s a lot of other stuff in there, too,” Rory said. “But that’s the main part.”

Alexander met her eyes. “Did he cheat on you?”

“He didn’t have to,” Rory replied. “Our relationship was a wreck even before we broke up. By rights, I shouldn’t even be angry or sad about this, but I am. They started dating right after we broke up.”

“That’s still a shitty thing to do,” Alexander said. “I don’t know about the guy, but your sister… isn’t there like some kind of female equivalent of 'bros before hos’?”

Rory huffed and shook her head. “You don’t know my sister. My sister and I have never gotten along. She’s done shit like this all her life, rubs it in my face and then goes on her merry way. Anytime I ever had a big achievement, she was always right there with something grander, or taking the attention from me. Honor roll, cheerleading captain, and the perfect little Southern belle. God, I do sound like a spiteful little bitch. Maybe she was right.”

“You’re not spiteful,” he said.

“I’m glad I have your vote of confidence,” Rory said with a small laugh. “You know, it’s my fault because I’ve always let her walk all over me. I’ve let her take what she wanted and just stepped back to avoid the altercation.”

“Maybe that’s all you could do,” Alexander replied. “Sometimes you have to choose your battles… trust me, I know something about family troubles. Not quite like yours, but still bad.”

Rory met his eyes. “Gurra?”

“He’s one problem of many,” Alexander said. “We put the 'fun’ in dysfunctional. My mom and dad have been legally married three times, and divorced two. Eija says we’re working on number three right now. Meanwhile, Sam is the black sheep, and Valter is a lost child.”

“That explains the black clothes and Death Metal thing,” Rory replied.

He laughed. “He sees a therapist for that.”

Rory shrugged. “Hey, I acted out, too. It’s normal. I’m sure you did.”

“Yeah, I wanted to be a rock musician in high school,” he said. “Needless to say, that didn’t go over very well when I told my father.”

“I’m sure it didn’t.” Rory drank what was left in her water bottle and set it beside her. She then yawned into her hand. “I don’t have problems with anyone in my family but my sister. She’s a year and a few months older and from day one has had it out for me. It was terrible in middle school and high school. I was a nerd and tomboy, and she was the head bitch in charge. Everyone adored her and cowed to her whims. You know how we’re supposed to be all anti-bully in school now? Well, my sister was the poster child for bullies everywhere. There were a few girls who were so maligned by her group of friends that they changed schools. I couldn’t do that because I was related to her. I still had to see her every night at the dinner table.”

Alexander listened to Rory explain her sister, and though she might sound ungrateful to some, he couldn’t see it that way. Not with his own family and a similar sibling rivalry issue between himself and Gurra. Sure, it wasn’t the same, but pretty damn close.

“Why did everyone love her if she was like that?” he asked.

“She’s gorgeous. It’s funny how kids flock to pretty people because they think they’re better. Our school also had a lot of military kids,” Rory said. “My dad was a three star general and commander of the base. Wives and children of officers like that tend to 'wear the rank’, too.”

“You mean they think they have the privilege of power without having to work for it?” Alexander said. “Hmm… sounds familiar.”

Rory smiled. “Yes, but you worked for it. And I don’t think you’re a bully.”

“Gurra doesn’t think I’ve worked hard enough to deserve it,” Alexander said.

“I’m sure you do deserve it,” Rory said.

He barely knew this woman, and yet her words of confidence made him feel better. Made him breathe a sigh of relief. It was good to have someone beside him who was willing to give him that boost when he needed it most.

“My sister’s regime was based on fear,” Rory said. “And I played into it. You know when I told you in the interview I wanted to explore the world and that’s why I left Georgia? That was only a part of the reason. One part was my ex, the other my sister. I needed to be on my own.”

“I understand that completely,” Alexander said. “And I’m glad you did. If you hadn’t, I wouldn’t have found the perfect candidate for my assistant.”

Her pale skin turned a violent shade of red and she turned her head from him. “Aw, thanks.”

Without thinking, he reached out, his fingers on her chin to make her turn her head toward him. It was a personal touch that he knew he shouldn’t have allowed himself, but he had been unable to control it. He wanted to see her eyes and she needed to regain some of the confidence she had allowed her sister to squelch all these years.

“Don’t be embarrassed by any praise you receive,” he said, softly. He slipped his hand across her jaw and pushed a piece of auburn hair behind her ear. She was beautiful, even with no makeup and disheveled from a hard work out. “You deserve it.”

“It’s just difficult to hear sometimes,” she replied.

He nodded. “I know.”

Silence fell between them. He needed to remove his hand from where it rested against her cheek. He needed to back away from her. To gain perspective. But he didn’t. His eyes drifted from hers and landed on her full, soft-looking lips, and like a ton of bricks, he was hit with the intense urge to kiss her.

Rory placed a hand over his and gave him a shaky smile before removing it from her face. She squeezed his hand and let go, clearing her throat. “I need to go up to bed. I’ll see you in the morning, Alexander.”

She stood and collected her things. He watched her walk out of the room, again inordinately interested in her rear and legs. He was barking up the wrong tree, but it wasn’t like he even meant to do it. It just happened.

The strange thing was he couldn’t think of a reason not to bark up the tree at the moment, though he knew there were plenty.