Chapter 24: Chapter 24

She was avoiding him. Ray realized as he saw Alexis rushing to the elevator to catch up with her friends. He was glad to find out that Donnie was a cool laid back guy but what made him happy was that the guy wasn't interested in Alexis. He should have been ecstatic but he'd seen the way Duke looked at Alexis, with longing and admiration. Normally, Ray wouldn't do anything. Today was not normal. Especially when Alexis did everything she could to avoid talking to him. He knew he shouldn't have said those three little words.

He hadn't meant to say them out loud. However, when she'd gotten on her knees, that was all he could think about. How much he loved her and how much she needed to know that. But clearly, that had been a mistake because every time Alexis saw him approaching her, she'd go the opposite direction or pretend to be busy. This morning they'd both stepped out of their apartments at the same time. She had been shocked to realize he was her neighbor and he'd expected some kind of reaction from her but she had gone back inside, waiting for him to leave. He should have stayed outside her door until she came out but they were both running late, so he'd let her be. At the office, she was never alone. Anna or Donnie was always with her. Should he confront her in front of everyone? He asked himself wanting to follow her. They were probably at the cafe downstairs. No. If she felt embarrassed he'd be in deeper trouble than he was. As much as he was dying to talk to her, his intention was not to push her away. Going back to his office, he reviewed his schedule to see if he could create a situation where she wouldn't be able to avoid him.

Bingo! He'd ask Duke to invite her to their afternoon meeting. Let's see how she avoided that.

"Hey, would you tell Miss Rutherford to join us for that meeting we have with Axel?" Ray said walking into Duke's office.

"Yeah, sure" Duke nodded. Then asked, "Is there something going on between you two?"

Ray's eyes flashed "Why are you asking?"

"Because I saw the two of you in the kitchen the other day"

Oh, so it was him who'd tried to interrupt them. "And how is that any of your business?"

Duke's eyes sparked with anger but none of it was in his voice when he said "It's not. But next time find somewhere private. Anyone could have walked in and that would have subjected Miss Rutherford to office gossip"

"So now you care about what happens to her?" the nerve of him. After treating Alexis the way he did, he'd stay out of their.... Whatever it is they had if he knew what was best for him.

He stood up so they could be eye to eye "Listen, man....."

"No. You listen. Don't think I haven't seen how you look at her. I know you like her but I'm going to do you a favor and tell you that she's not meant for you"

"And you think she's meant for you?"

"I don't think my friend. I know. Alexandra is mine so don't entertain any ideas about her being with you. I've known her longer. I grew up with her. Hell, our mothers are planning our wedding right this second because it's that obvious. She's mine, Copeland. The sooner you get that through your head, the sooner we can go back to being business partners. Okay?" Ray didn't wait for the other man's answer. He turned around and left.

Okay maybe he'd laid it on too thick back there, but he needed Copeland to understand who Alexis belonged to. He didn't want any confusion or competition between them. Otherwise, it would interfere with their professional relationship. As a Lachlan, he'd inherited the famous Lachlan temper. You never really saw it coming until it was too late and he couldn't control it. Many are the times his father had made him spend a night at the police station locked up in order to calm him down. That's how he knew most of the officers there. Speaking of cops, one of them had called him to inform him of Alexis' visit. Apparently, she'd gone to see Connor. He'd meant to ask her why but with the move and then the weekend, it escaped his mind.

But now that he thought about it, they had a lot to talk about. He didn't know where they stood. Were they dating? If yes then why was she running from him? And if no, then why not? After all the things they'd done to each other, with each other, it should be obvious that he liked her and he wanted her as his girlfriend. Then there was her ex-boyfriend. Did she still have feelings for him? He had to know so he could work harder to make her forget him. And intimacy. If she wanted to have sex -which he hoped with all his heart that she wanted - they had to go get themselves checked and have her get on the pill, if she wasn't already. All that and she was avoiding him? He didn't think so.

"Axel my man. How are you?" Ray asked greeting their biggest client. He was a musician who needed his life to be micromanaged because according to him 'an idle man is the devil's workshop'. And he had no desire to do the devil's work. So during his free time, they had events lined up for him. Things to keep him busy that would also help with his reputation.

"I'm fine bro. How have you been?"

"Fine. So how was the tour?"

"The usual. Fans throwing their underwear at me while others try to jump me. Always a blast. You should come along on my next one. I bet them ladies would trip over their feet to say hi to you"

"I'll think about it. But for now, we have business to discuss"

He groaned "All work with no play will make you turn you into a dull person my friend"

"You wish. This way" Ray showed him to the conference room. "Copeland will join us in a moment. But until then, tell me about all the hot chicks you banged"

"Not all of them were hot...." Ray half listened to him while keeping an eye out for Alexis. What was taking them so long? He needed her to be there so that when the meeting was over, he'd stay behind with her and ask her what was wrong. Was Copeland delaying her on purpose? He wasn't really threatened by his partner but from experience, he knew how shrewd the man was when it came to business. That's why he'd chosen him as his partner. The problem was if he'd go behind Ray's back and talk to Alexis about his feelings.

She came in ten minutes later with Copeland behind her. She was clearly confused as to why he asked her to be there since she'd never attended any of the meetings since she started working there. Usually, they just recorded them and had her transcribe the minutes. "Axel, you know Copeland. And this is our secretary Alexandra Rutherford" he made the introductions. Alexis narrowed her eyes at him but pasted a smile on her face and greeted Axel.

They sat down, getting straight to business and Ray realized his mistake a little too late. He was so focused on talking to Alexis that he forgot she wanted to take their business away from them. But in his defense, he thought she'd forgotten about the stupid advice he'd given her. From the way she charmed Axel, it was clear she hadn't forgotten anything. By the time the meeting ended, Axel was half in love with Alexis and he knew without a doubt that if she went through with her plans, he'd be the first client she poached. There was no doubt Axel would follow her to the end of the earth. What was Copeland doing when all that went down? The moron was too busy admiring her to notice what was going on. At this rate, they really would be out of business. Shit. Note to remember, never invite Alexis to another meeting. Like ever.

As Axel stood to leave, Ray held Alexis' elbow when she tried to get up. "I have a few things I need to discuss with her" he explained to the other two men who nodded in understanding and left them alone. Facing her he said "Alexis, I won't let you take my clients when you leave if you leave" he amended.

"You can try to stop me. But there are no guarantees that you'll succeed. Did you see Ax? I had him wrapped around my finger in no time. I imagine the rest will be easier to charm" she replied smiling cheekily. He forgot what they were talking about for a second there. He'd missed that smile especially when it was directed at him. She got up intending to leave and that snapped him out of his thoughts.

"We're not done talking yet" he caught up to her at the door.

"Yes, we are. We agreed that if you're lucky, I'll decide to spare maybe one or two clients"

"We'll see about that. But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about"

"What else is there to talk about?" she asked eyeing the door. She knew exactly what he wanted to say which was why she was getting ready to run. Good thing he was always ready to chase after her. Taking her hand, he led her back to the chair she had vacated but not before he locked the door.

"You're running Princess. Why?" he asked sitting beside her.

"What do you mean I'm running? I don't know what...."

"Don't deny it. Is it because I told you I loved you?" Ray regarded her.

"No. It's just....." she stopped, chewing on her lower lip.

"Look at me Alexis" he ordered "You don't have to say it back. And if it makes you uncomfortable then I won't say it again until you're ready to hear it. But don't run from me. I will chase you to the ends of the world if I have to. But we're adults Alexis and if something is bothering you then I want you to talk to me about it. No running, Okay?"

"Okay" because she wouldn't stop worrying her lip, he kissed her to put her at ease.

"So what are we?" he asked sitting on the table and pulling her up so she would stand between his legs.

"You're my boss and I'm your secretary"

"That's right. I am your boss and I'm ordering you to kiss me"

"Isn't there a policy about fraternizing with coworkers?"

He scowled. "I'm the boss so I'm allowed to break the rules"

"That is not fair."

"I don't care. And honestly, you talk too much" he pulled her mouth down to his. The kiss was slow, sweet, meant to make her think about her answers carefully. "So? What are we?"

"I don't know," she said on a sigh.

"Will you be my girlfriend then?" she snapped her eyes up to his.

"What? Girlfriend?"

"Yes. Girlfriend. Unless you want to be more. My fiancé?"

Her face paled "Ray you're... I..."

"I'm joking. Girlfriend first. Or.. " he rushed to add because she looked like she was about to faint. "I will court you the old-fashioned way. I'll buy you flowers, take you on dates, to the movies then kiss you goodnight at the end of it. Maybe if I'm lucky, you'll invite me in for coffee and we'll see how it goes from there. Sound better?"

"How about asking for permission from my father? You forgot that one"

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Do I look like I have a death wish?"

"He's not that bad"

"Says the Princess. If I have to face him, it'll be to ask for your hand in marriage after I've gotten you pregnant. That way he would have no choice but to accept me"

"That's not funny" Alexis nudged his shoulder.

"It wasn't meant to be. I'm serious Alexis" he changed the subject so she wouldn't over think about it although some of it was true. He wasn't a coward but he also didn't want to die before his time. So if he was ever going to talk to James Rutherford Jr, he'd make sure Alexis was head over heels in love with him first. So that her father wouldn't be able to convince her otherwise. "Speaking of sex, are you on the pill?"

"Not really. Why?"

"Because if I'm ever going to get you to agree to be my girlfriend then I'll have to show you my moves. I want you to be protected."

"Why can't you use protection?"

"Uh..... I... " how was supposed to tell her that he had no intention of wearing a condom with her, without coming off as an asshole?

"Raymond...."

Shit. Now he was Raymond? He understood why his father tensed up whenever Jasmine called him Vincent. It meant he was in trouble. Grabbing her face he kissed her. "Forget about that. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. As for now, we've agreed that I'm courting you. Right?"

"Yes. But you should also know that you're not the only one"

Ray placed his hands on her waist and pulled her closer. "What do you mean I'm not the only one?"

"I mean there are other men who also like me and want to be with me. If I were you, I'd be more creative." she pecked the tip of his nose then left.

She stopped to say "By the way, I liked the chocolates you bought me on Monday. They were one of a kind" and closed the door behind her. Ray flew out of the conference room to follow her. What other men was she talking about?

"Alexis!"

"Yes sir" she raised her voice making the other employees look up.

"I need to talk to you in my office"

"I'll be right with you after I've cleared some things with Mr. Copeland. It won't take long sir. I promise"

She never showed up and Ray realized that after he'd told her he would chase her to the end of the earth, she was going to make him chase her. Literally. He knew there were no other men after her but he couldn't be so sure. He also couldn't find out who they were by himself so he called the only other person who would know. Her best friend Marjorie.

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Oh yes. Marjorie . She never disappoints.