Rebound (15 page)

“How did I get to have lunch with two of the hottest sisters I have ever met? Must be good karma,” he had said with a cheeky smile.

Mads was half in love with him by the time they finished their meal. 

“Holy shit, Trine. He is so gorgeous! If you don’t shag him, I will!!”

“I know, I told you. And no worries, shagging is imminent, little sis.”

“Still, be careful. This guy has heart in a blender written all over him, charming or not.”

“I know, I know.”

Xander had asked her later if he had gotten the thumbs up and Katrine just said, “You know you did.”

She finally decided that she would probably want to come home after work and take another shower, so she decided to leave her bag and not to waste her matching bra/panty combo. She would save that for tonight. The day went by excruciatingly slowly, even though she had a lot of work to do. Finally though, it was time to call it a day. Xander had a little more work to do, so this gave her the opportunity to head home to freshen up.

“I need to head home and get out of these clothes. Do you want to meet over at your place? You need to fix me dinner, remember.”

“No way. I am going to come pick you up, like a proper gentlemen. Anyway I’ve already prepped, so it won’t take me long to throw the rest together.”

“I look forward to it. Will you be picking me up on your motorcycle?” She could not wait to get on that thing.

“No. I figured you would need to bring some things over, so I was going to pick you up in my car.” 

He saw the disappointed look on her face. 

“Why? Did you want to go for a ride sometime?”

She nodded her head enthusiastically. That made him laugh.

“Ok, don’t worry. I will make sure to take you for a ride, maybe after dinner.”

That made her grin like a kid getting a present. He chuckled and grabbed her hand, giving her a soft kiss on her knuckles.

Why was that so hot???
Must be all of that historical fiction.

“I’ll be by to get you around 7, if that’s alright?”

“That would be perfect,” she said.

The anticipation was apparent on both of their faces. She hoped he wouldn’t be disappointed.  And she prayed she wouldn’t be either.

Chapter 19

Katrine looked at herself in the mirror, for the tenth time. She wore her long golden brown hair down and wavy. Light, coppery brown eyes were framed by long dark lashes. Her petite nose sat above a set of full lips. Her skin was a nice golden color from the summer sun.

 Tonight she decided to wear a pair of dressy black shorts and a strapless black fitted top. She clipped on a pair of comfortable, yet sexy wedges. A chunky turquoise necklace and a matching bracelet her mom had sent her finished the outfit. Turquoise was always in style, in her opinion.

“Looking good for an old lady.”

She grabbed her bag and headed for the living room. Xander would be here any minute. Her stomach was putting on a Cirque du Soleil performance and she had already peed three times. She was about to pour herself a glass of wine to calm her nerves when she heard a knock on the door. That triggered her second-thought button. Could she do this? She hadn’t had sex with anyone other than her husband since college. It shouldn’t have been a big deal, but it was. What would it be like? Would she know what to do? Would he like her without her clothes on? He probably had never been with someone who had given birth before. Or had he?

“Stop it! You’re not a virgin for Christ’s sake. You will know what to do. And hopefully it will be dark.”

More knocking. 

Enough stalling.

Katrine walked over, took a very deep breath and opened the door.

Standing in front of her was six feet of total gorgeous. Xander had on a white button-up linen shirt with the sleeves rolled a few times. It was un-tucked and he had on loose worn jeans, designer most likely. His wavy dark brown hair and his beautiful eyes finished off  the picture of perfection. He wasn’t perfect though, not like a model in a magazine. He was real and accessibly handsome. All she could do was smile. 

“So can I add ‘me at your door’ to your smile list?”

“Absolutely.”

“I don’t know how many ways I can tell you, but you look beautiful,” Xander said sweetly.

“Thank you. You do too, by the way.”

She stepped out and locked the door. As she was doing so, Xander came behind her and put his arms around her waist. He nuzzled in her hair for a moment and moved it all to one side. Then kissed her neck gently. 

“You have the most amazing legs I think I have ever seen.”

She doubted that was true, but who was she to argue. She just smiled at him and then they were off.

“Where exactly are you living?” Once again she had no idea of her destination.

“I am staying in a suite at the Regent.”

“Wow. That place is supposed to be really nice.”

“They have a section of the hotel were people live, so they are more like condos, full kitchen, terrace, the works.”

“Can’t wait to see it. Where do you live in New York?” she asked.

“I live in an apartment on the Upper East Side. It overlooks Central Park. It has a pretty amazing view.” He loved to look out at the park from his terrace. The view in the fall was a sight to behold. He knew Katrine would be the kind of person who would appreciate it as well.

She didn’t need to ask, she knew how expensive a place like that would be. She was no stranger to money, but not that kind of money. That was another league entirely. 

“I know what you’re thinking. I have money, but I am not an asshole about it, I promise.

“I wasn’t thinking that.” 

Okay , kind of...

  The hotel was amazing. Very lavish, but it was welcoming. There were chandeliers, white marble floors, persian rugs, beautiful vases, bountiful white flower arrangements on every table and soft light from dozens of elegant lamps. There was a lot going on, but it all seemed to work. They went down a long hallway and there was an elevator at the end of the corridor. This was separate from the main elevators, so she assumed this one must go to the residential tower. Another elevator ride, another bout with her nerves. 

They looked at each other and smiled. Xander kept watching her. He couldn’t help himself. He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze. He knew she was nervous about tonight. It was probably her first time since the divorce. He wasn’t certain, but he had a hunch. He would take his time and do his part to put her at ease. But that didn’t change the fact that Xander could not wait to have her underneath him. 

The elevator finally stopped at the top floor.  When they stepped off of the elevator there were two doors, one on each side of the floor. Xander walked to his right and put the card in the door. It was amazing. The white walled apartment was curved in a huge semi-circle. It was set up this way to accommodate the floor to ceiling glass and wrap around terrace. The floors were rich dark wood, with plush white rugs covering various conversational spots in the room. There was a full modern kitchen with gorgeous black granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. There was a step down to a spacious living room. Against the main wall there was a long, thick glass console table with two large silver lamps on each end. After that wall and past the kitchen, there were two very large doors. She assumed that was the bedroom. She would get to that room later. That thought made her blush a little.

“What could you possibly be thinking about now?”

He shook his head and laughed. She was glad she was so amusing.

“Xander, your place is amazing. I love it.”

“Well it’s home for now.”

He took her bag and set it by the large charcoal gray couch in the living room. The decor was modern compared to the lobby of the hotel, but it was just as inviting. 

“I probably should have asked you this before, but do you like halibut? You had salmon the other night, so I assumed you liked fish. Please say yes.” 

“Uh, yes.” she said hesitantly.

He looked worried.

“No really, I do. There isn’t much I won’t eat.”

His face lit up. He must have really been concerned about it. 

“Good. I like to hear that. I hate picky eaters, they are a pain in the ass,” he jokingly complained.

“Well, you sir, are in luck. The only thing I am picky about is the taste.”

“Good. Can I get you something to drink? I thought white wine would compliment the fish.”

“That sounds great, thank you.” 

She followed him into the kitchen where he was opening a bottle. It was a dry crisp sauvignon blanc. She preferred red wine, but this white happened to be very tasty.

“Can I help you with anything?” 

“No, you just sit over here and keep me company while I finish.”

She perched on a cushiony bar stool and watched him do his thing. He pushed some buttons in the corner and music filled the air. It was a soft jazz song and it was soothing background music. Xander was so cute when he cooked. She could tell he took it seriously. He was the type of guy that didn’t do anything half way. If he was going to do it, it would be done well. Cooking seemed to be no exception. The fish smelled delicious and she could not wait to try it. He plated the dinner and set the dishes down. He came back for her and grabbed her hand. They both made their way towards a large black table. There was a large arrangement of white orchids in the center. Xander pulled out a chair and she sat down. She looked down at her plate to see what he had prepared. 

It was a lovely seared fish covered with sautéed chanterelle mushrooms. It was flanked by a buttery polenta and a mixed green salad. Deep red cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and small shavings of fresh parmesan topped the greens. There was a silver container of dressing on the side of her plate, balsamic vinaigrette by the look of it.

This was her kind of meal, simple and elegant. 

“I hope you like it.” He seemed a bit shy.

“Oh Xander, it looks amazing and healthy, which I love! Since I started working for you I haven’t really had time to work out and I seem to eat out all of the time. So I need to eat  healthy when I get the chance.”

“I’m sure you don’t have to worry about it.”

“You’d be surprised, it takes work to look this good,” she joked.

“Well whatever you are doing it is working.You are gorgeous.” 

“Thank you for saying that, you don’t have to though. I wasn’t fishing.”

“I know you weren’t and I wouldn’t say it if it weren’t true.” 

The song that came on next made her stop and smile.

“You like this one, huh?”

“ Yes.” She grinned at her transparency. “‘Nessun Dorma.’ That is one of my absolute favorites! I wouldn’t have pegged you for a Pavarotti fan.”

He was silent for a moment. “My mother loved this song. She was always playing opera and classical music. It reminds me of her.”

This song always took him back. He could imagine himself on the soft carpet, sitting at his mother’s feet. She would stroke his hair while he played. He always felt so safe with her and so loved. His chest got that familiar, dull ache. The look on his face made Katrine’s heart clinch, she didn’t mean to bring up painful memories, but since the damage was done she decided to press on. 

“When did she pass?”

“She died of ovarian cancer when I was 13.”

He remembered that day, it was burned into his memory like a brand. He had spent that whole morning reading to her, next to the hospital bed. Even though she would come in and out of consciousness, he hoped she felt his presence and that it comforted her. It was strange that after all of the comfort she had given him, at the young age of 13 he was able to return the favor. He considered it an honor. His mother’s eyes had fluttered open for just a moment, she grabbed his hand and squeezed, then passed away shortly after. Just like the movies—except it was his life, not make believe.

“Oh god, Xander, I am so sorry to hear that. How horrible to lose your mother. You obviously loved her very much.”

“She was the most amazing woman I have ever known.”

“Does it bother you to talk about her? We don’t have to.”

“No, no it was a long time ago... After mom died, my father was devastated. We all were. But he was really bad. I know a part of him never recovered. We were never really close after that. Man loses cherished wife, then closes off emotionally, shutting out his only son, who desperately needs his love and approval. Son tries to fill the void with all kinds of destructive things… booze, women, money. I am sure my story sounds a bit cliché and I know I still sound a little bitter. It
has
been better for us over the years. But still it will never be like it was …before. Maybe he resents me. I’m not sure.”

She reached over and gave his hand a supportive squeeze. That squeeze made him smile. Katrine had a warm heart, he could tell.

She wanted to lighten the mood a little so she asked, “Where did you learn to cook?” 

Then took another bite of her fish. It was delicious.

“After my mom passed I avoided my father as much as possible. I usually hid in the kitchen. Mildred, our cook, was kind and funny. She let me hang around whenever I wanted. I paid attention and learned a few things. She was a great cook and made the most amazing desserts. I think that is where I developed my sweet tooth. Without her, and Ellenor, things might have been a lot worse for me, I believe. They were like surrogate mothers to me. But they were a tepid substitute for the real thing.”

“I knew I liked Ellenor,” Katrine added sincerely. “So if your father was so indifferent, then why did you decide to go into the family business?” She really wanted the answer to that one.

He looked at her as if the answer was obvious. When she just sat there, he explained. 

“When you are from a family like mine there are expectations, not choices. I could have done something else I suppose, but  AG Industries is as much my legacy as it is his. Why should I let him take that away from me? My great-grandfather built our company from nothing and I wouldn’t want to let him down...And I have worked hard. I have an MBA from Harvard, undergrad from Yale. Plus I love what I do, most of the time. And I have grown accustomed to the luxury it affords.”