Fated to be Yours (9 page)

I feel Kara’s elbow jab sharply on my side as my head tilts slightly toward her.

“Isn’t that the guy from the airport?” she whispers.

Words have escaped me as my eyes finally meet his. The sapphire blues pull me back into the comfort zone that he had established the last time we saw each other. I’ve never felt so safe, so comfortable with a stranger in my entire life. And yet, I knew as long as I was with him I was going to be okay.

I nod my head and swallow thickly. “Yes, that’s Andrew.”

She grabs my elbow, holding us back slightly from the rest of the group. “Did you know he worked for the Foundation?”

Cautiously I shake my head, trying not to draw attention as everything seems to pass by in slow motion. “No, I had no idea. I never asked what he did or what his last name was. I assumed that we’d never see each other again.”

“Well, lucky for you, it looks like you’re going to be spending the week with him.”

The knot forms in my throat again as I watch Charles and Andrew exchange pleasantries. Kara and I move forward to join everyone else.

“Andrew, allow me to introduce Kara Thomas. She’s the senior executive in charge of the project for Mattson and Associates.”

Andrew stretches out his long arm from his side. Kara’s small hand is engulfed by his much larger one as they greet each other, formally this time.

“Ms. Thomas, it’s a pleasure.”

“Likewise Mr. Parker. And please let’s ditch the formalities. I always feel like I’m too young to be referred to my last name all the time.”

“Agreed. A first name basis is preferred anyway.”

His tall body turns toward me, sending a round of tingles up and down my spine as his soft smile floats across his face. He reaches down to gently grasp my hand, pulling it to his lips as he places a kiss on the top.

“Tessa. I’m so happy to see you again.”

Heat rises up my face as I focus on his lips that linger just a beat longer with a second kiss to the top of my hand.

“Mmhmm,” is all I can muster. My voice has left me, as well as most of my function to move. I’m grounded to the spot as he moves a step closer to me. Releasing my hand, I take the opportunity to brush a few tendrils of hair behind my ear, allowing my eyes to be free of their protective veil.

Charles and Priscilla look at each other in confusion. I’m sure they had zero idea that Andrew and I had previously met.

“Andrew, do you know Ms. Martin?” Charles asks.

My gaze is drawn to his lips as they curl up into a heartbreaking smile. I know he recalls our chance meeting at the same time that I am.

“Yes, I had the privilege of sitting next to the lovely Ms. Martin on the trip over here. Out of sheer luck, my plane to New York was delayed, causing me to miss my original flight so I had to catch the next one.”

“Sheer luck indeed that you two were able to meet beforehand.”

The men pull out chairs around the table for us women, just like every description of a perfect gentleman I’ve ever read about. I didn’t know men still did that. Andrew, of course, pulls mine out so I’m seated next to him. His fingertips brush my shoulders lightly as he reclaims his place. The scent of his cologne permeates my senses and forms a cocoon around me, surrounding me with his clean, masculine smell and something that I can only describe as simply Andrew. My heart flutters and pounds wildly inside my chest. Not from nerves though but from the sheer excitement of seeing him again.

Small talk ensues around the table as we informally get to know each other. Everyone candidly discusses their families and hobbies, regaling the group with story after story. I, of course, stay silent and only respond to questions directed to me. My fingers are tightly laced in my lap as I take in my surroundings. The murmurings of the patrons in the restaurant pose as an excellent distraction from the thrum of desire coursing through my body due to the man seated to my right.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Andrew sitting in rapt attention, his finger gently placed in front of his full and sensuous lips. I reach forward to take a sip of my water, feeling the need to keep my hands and mouth busy.

The waiter appears at our table and Charles orders two bottles of a Cotes du Rhone for us. I’ve never heard of it but am assured that it’s a superb red wine that can be paired with just about anything they serve here. I glance back down at my menu to study it, finding myself faced with two problems. My first dilemma is that everything on the menu looks so mouth-wateringly appetizing that I have no idea what I should get. And secondly, I have no idea what anything costs because I never took the time to learn the exchange between British Pounds and American Dollars.

Andrew leans toward me as my eyes continue to move quickly through my choices.

“May I recommend the filet? It’s quite delicious and would go well with the wine selection.”

I turn my head slightly to meet his gaze. “Um, thank you.”

Priscilla notices our small exchange and I can see the smile on her face.

“Tessa, have you been to London before?” she asks.

I shake my head. “No. I’ve never traveled overseas before, but I’ve always wanted to come here. I’m hoping I can see some of the sights around town if my schedule allows it.”

“I’m sure we can work something out so that can happen. It can’t be business all the time,” Charles joins in.

Kara nods her head in agreement. “Absolutely. We’re all still young and spry. We can party all night and still make the eight o’clock meetings.”

Charles lets out a deep laugh. “Speak for yourself. I don’t think I have that kind of energy anymore at my age.”

Kara smirks at him. “One night out with me and I can change that for you.”

“I don’t think my wife would be too keen on that idea.”

“Bring her along! The more, the merrier. I love corrupting people and if I’m able to have fun in the process, I consider that a win-win situation.”

The entire table erupts in laughter as the waiter arrives with our two bottles of wine. He takes our orders and quickly scurries away. Charles picks up his wine glass, holding it in the air for a toast.

“To our new business venture together. I have a feeling that great things will be happening for both our enterprises.”

We chant our agreement before I take a sip of the deep burgundy liquid. The rich, fruity flavor dances across my tongue and I hum my pleasure. I listen as Priscilla regales the group of her family trip to Paris over the past summer and her children’s addiction to Harry Potter books. Ah, books. Now there’s a subject that I can get into.

The mood of the table is calm and relaxing. It truly is a wonderful way for five complete strangers to get to know one another. I don’t know what it is about being over here that has my guard slightly down and the bricks of the carefully constructed wall that I keep up starting to chip away. But whatever it is, I think I’m enjoying it.

Kara is as animated as ever as she talks about an embarrassing story, thankfully about her, and I close my eyes when Andrew laughs next to me. A warm, fulfilling sensation travels through my bloodstream as the deep baritone of his voice fills my senses. He’s just so perfect in everything that he does. It makes me wonder if he has any flaws whatsoever.

Our food appears and all conversation halts as we dive into the delicious food before us. My stomach rumbles as the aroma invades my nostrils. I just pray that I was the only one who heard that dreadful noise. But I’m wrong because Andrew turns his head marginally toward me. His eyes narrow a little, which in turn causes his forehead to wrinkle. I sheepishly duck my head low and stab a forkful of green beans, quickly shoving them into my mouth to avoid any conversation about my lack of eating habits that apparently he’s been noticing.

Oh. My. God.

The food is incredible. The beans are so crisp as they snap inside my mouth, exploding with a flavor that I never knew they could even possess. My stomach rumbles again, but it’s more of a satisfied noise than an angry one. The baby red potatoes are lightly roasted and I can see the sprinkling of rosemary on top of them. The steak, if I can even call it that, is smothered with a creamy béarnaise sauce and topped with crunchy fried onions. My fork nearly falls onto my plate as the first bite lands on my tongue. The delicious flavor sends my taste buds on a wild ride. It is hands down the most succulent piece of steak I have ever had in my life. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to have another steak again as long as I live because nothing will compare to this.

Once all the plates have been cleared and we groan our discomfort of overeating, Andrew turns his body to me, his hand cupping his chin.

“So how was the filet?”

My hand rests lightly on top of my stomach. The waistband of my pants feels tight, even though I didn’t completely empty my plate.

“It was unbelievable. I’m pretty sure you’ve ruined me for all other steaks now.”

He laughs, letting his hand fall to the table. Our fingers brush against each other, playing with the tips in a seemingly innocent way. The electricity that travels between our fingers has me taking a sharp intake of breath. I risk looking into his mesmerizing eyes and notice the same reaction. Another chip falls from the wall and I sigh.

I pull my gaze away from Andrew because I know that if I don’t I’ll be looking at him for the rest of the night. It’s then that I notice Kara staring intently at the two of us. There’s a gleam in her eye, which can only mean trouble. If there’s one thing I can count on from her, it’s a push in a direction that I’m not comfortable taking myself. And right about now I know that’s coming.

I shake my head so only she can notice, silently willing her to stay out of it. Her red lips draw upward and the gleam turns into a full-on sparkle.
Oh shit.

“How long have you been with the Foundation, Andrew? You don’t look to be much older than your mid-twenties and yet here you are in the position that you’re in,” she says, her hands neatly folded underneath her chin.

Andrew’s quiet laugh resonates through me once again as he shifts slightly in his chair. “Well I’m not that young, but definitely not much older. I’ve had the joy of working for the Foundation for the past six years now. It’s the most rewarding job I’ve ever had and am thankful that Charles and Priscilla decided to take a chance on me.”

“Well believe us, we were the lucky ones who snatched you up before someone else got to you,” Priscilla adds.

“And I appreciate it every day.” His smiling eyes make contact with everyone around the table, lingering just a tad longer on mine. “The projects we fund and the places I’m able to travel to, ensuring the children of the world have a place to go and be safe is rewarding all on its own. Getting paid to do it is just the icing on the cake.”

My heart aches slightly as flashbacks enter my mind of my own sad childhood after my dad left. The loneliness of playing by myself because the other kids would tease me crawl forefront in my mind. Then I had to learn how to take care of my mom at a young age, which didn’t help matters much. I loved my mom, even though she was neglectful and pushed me away often, leaving me scared and confused while trying to figure things out on my own. The nights were always the worst though. I’d listen to her cry down the hall, cursing my name and the situation she was now in. I’d stare out my window, looking at the stars in the night sky as they twinkled above me. There was nothing more that I wished for other than to join them as they watched down on the people below, protecting them from the darkness of the night. Most nights I would cry myself to sleep, clutching my pillow tight, praying for a miracle to come take me away.

I should have been more specific about my miracle.

Kara’s voice pulls me from my moment of darkness. “I agree. The work that your Foundation does is truly amazing. But with all your hard work and traveling you must be away from home quite often. Your girlfriend must get upset that you’re not there all the time. I know that I would be.”

If my eyes could burn a hole into her, I swear they would at that moment. Kara’s eyes quickly dart to mine and she flutters her eyelashes in an innocent manner.
Innocent my foot.
I know exactly what her game is and I can’t believe she’s playing it in front of Charles and Priscilla.

“Since I do not currently have a girlfriend it’s a non-issue.” Andrew’s eyes meet mine and the air charges between us. I’m graced with a shy smile from him as he clears his throat. “But you are correct about my travels. They do take me away from home more often than not, which sometimes does present a problem in meeting that special someone.”

“Well someone as good looking as you shouldn’t be alone. I’m sure the right girl is out there. Closer than you think even.”

I nervously begin to fidget with my hair, tucking and re-tucking it behind my ears. My teeth work tirelessly on my lower lip as I try not to imagine Andrew meeting someone else. An unfamiliar emotion crawls into my chest as I pause to think about that situation. Jealousy perhaps? Even though I have no reason to be jealous. He’s a stranger still to me. Well, not completely but we definitely do not know much about each other. We’ve never even been on a date.

I think I’m getting a little ahead of myself here.

“I have that same feeling too.”

Satisfied with his answer, Kara leans back and resumes her previous conversation. Damn her. My foot lightly taps up and down under the table. Andrew reaches out and gently places his hand on my thigh, just above my knee, halting the movement. I feel his eyes on me as I reach for my wine glass that was just refilled in hopes to avoid him.

No such luck.

His fingers move in small circles on my knee, coaxing me to look his way.

“You look beautiful tonight, in case I failed to mention it earlier,” Andrew whispers in a low voice so only I can hear.

“Thank you. You look very handsome yourself. Not that you didn’t look handsome before. But now that we’re not on a plane you look better. I mean, oh boy, I need to just stop talking.”

His chest shakes slightly as he lets out a small laugh. “There’s no need to be nervous, love. We’re going to be working closely together all this week. There’s plenty of time to get to know each other better.”