Seven

'You're mad, why?'

Amber gulped, "Why? Well, coming from someone like you, I suppose you find me incompetent to manage my work,"

And in that minute of her talking and explaining to herself, he had stood up and ambled his way towards her. Her eyes watched carefully with every step she made till he was right in front. His fingers suddenly pressed under her chin, pulling her head up to face him directly. The feel of his cool finger resting lightly under her chin was as stifling hot.

'What do you think I mean, someone like you? I suppose you took it the wrong way, I mean by someone young, possibly finished her years of running around with one boss and getting a stable job and living in a better apartment.'

"Well, that's a stable job for me right now. I-I cannot afford to lose it. Living here is better than on the streets. I-I will go wash these," she said, stepping back and walking to the couch, glancing at him before grabbing his now empty cup and taking it to the sink. Her heart and brain were in a war, instead of backing away from his touch the minute he was close, she stood there, frozen to her spot, and noticed her heartbeat the way she hadn't felt in a long long time.

She wanted him to take that and of her but she wanted that distance between them to close. She hate it but she couldn't disagree with the way she felt as he touched her. She wanted his hand to pull her closer, slid it across her waist, and touch her. She didn't want to involve herself with him out of all people but he was making her think things she would never dare.

It was just her thoughts, right?

She barely held herself up properly and certainly felt her body go weak being a foot near that man, her body was sending her mixed signals and now she was confused and feared what she felt.

"I see" He whispered leaning on the wall behind her.

For a few seconds, Amber hovered around searching the fridge and her pantry for food. It was already past seven and she was getting hungry, waiting for his ride here would probably lead her to starvation. Alex looked at her for a minute observing her action and understanding them. She had her back to him, pulling out things and boiling some water, the snow continued its pour and there were no calls from the other end. He figured there was no way of getting out, it was already too late. It was best he gave up trying to run away from this woman in front of him. He feared he would do or say things she found uncomfortable.

A night over at a girl's place with no sex...First time. He chuckled quietly to himself.

Before he had flown to the city from Chicago, he had countless women, innocent like a teen or bold like adults. But there was something about this one that he couldn't put a finger on. She wasn't innocent, he could see it. She was more closed off like she had no interest in love or the desires of her life. Throughout the cooking process, he had stood right next to her, tasting the soup she made or watch her chop some vegetables for the pasta. But she was unfazed. There could be a possibility of her hiding it, but she looked determined to do something he couldn't understand.

He was not in the slightest ashamed of thinking of her in a sexual way, after all, she was beautiful. A hidden beauty that he saw this evening, her hair slipped down from her ear to beside her eyes, her finger delicately pushed her behind her ear, her lips parted to take a sip of her soup before gentle nod assuring herself it was perfect. He promised himself this trip would only be businesses, but he couldn't help himself get with the first blond who threw herself at her, and now the girl he found fascinating had witnessed that the minute they met. He didn't want romance, but he always kept an image for girls.

His assumptions weren't far from that image being broken for her.

He had gotten used to changing girls like his clothes because of the rule set out by his family. More like his folks who wanted nothing more than their sons to settle with one woman at the young age of 28 and get married. Being the eldest, he found it difficult to explore his ways of living life. Every woman he met was seen as his future wife by his family and dragged into considering an engagement. Sleeping around helped him, they were now unfazed by the girls around him. However, his father was disappointed. His father refused to give him the position as the owner of the land and houses Alex owned as his right.

It didn't faze him, he was rich and independent, but his father was unwell his only wish was to see him get married. His father believed Alex would get a woman by his side as soon as he turned 28 but after a year passed by, there was an utter disappointment. There was even a rumor spread by his own brother that he would not be invited to his brother's wedding unless Alex found a girl he would marry. These were the ridiculous lengths their family went to get him married.

"What are you cooking?"

Amber turned back to see him standing with his hands folded and his eyes on the vegetables. She noticed his tall frame and could tell he was above the average height, it contributed to his radiating aura. Her father's clothes were slightly small on him. His muscles were clearly visible in the shirt. Her eyes never lingered on them but moved away in seconds.

"Just Pasta."

"I'll help," He said grabbing the onions and the cutting board.

"Do you always give that uncomfortable stare to people who want to help?" He asked after noticing her watching him.

Amber blinked looking away.

"You ask a lot of questions"

He smiled.