Chapter Six
The next morning, River was ready for her trip to Los Angeles. The doorbell rang and she rushed to open it. Tyler's chauffeur had come to fetch her. Russell was away at the hotel since yesterday morning as they were planning the renovations. So she waved at Janette and her two year old twins, Bryan and Bradley, and left.
She went down the elevator and to Tyler's waiting Mercedes. She mentally crossed her fingers, wishing that he wasn't inside. But he was waiting for her inside looking droolworthy and hot wearing a black silk shirt with two buttons opened at his neck. River groaned inwardly. How did he manage to look so good this early in the morning?
"Good morning River, " he said, not looking up from his mobile phone.
"Good morning, " she answered, sliding down on the seat beside him. Her pencil skirt hitched upwards and she tried to pull it down. This was such a bad idea. She should have worn trousers instead.
She could feel his hot gaze upon her and kept her handbag upon her legs to hide her thighs. He chuckled and she blushed crimson like a tomato. They sped off to the airport which was just ten minutes away.
"You live with your brother's family?" He asked her suddenly, looking up from his mobile.
"Yeah, the other apartment has my uncle's brother-in-law living in it," she confessed. She knew she should get a place of her own, but she'd felt too lazy to go searching.
He nodded and went back to his mobile. She went back to looking outside the window. "Carmella's getting married next month. You didn't keep in touch?" He asked her, without looking up.
"Oh, I lost touch with everyone. The network was bad in Fordsville," she said, glancing in his direction briefly.
"I thought you didn't keep in touch because of me," he said, finally looking up at her. A fleeting expression of pain swept over her face for a split second. Yes he was correct. She was too heartbroken to connect with anyone. Sera was the only person whom she had poured her heart out to.
She looked at her hands and couldn't answer. He stared at her and knew his answer. He could feel her vulnerability, he could see that she hadn't moved on. A ray of hope lighted his soul, maybe she still loved him. He had to act fast and he surely would.
They reached the airport and Tyler led her towards a different terminal where his pesonal aircraft was ready and waiting for them to board. He led her towards it. It was a beautiful sleek aircraft painted in red, black and white with Staywell's logo etched onto it.
He introduced the pilot, John Fairhurst to her and they sat down on the leather upholstered chairs for take off. River fixed her seat belt as she sat opposite Tyler. She could feel his gaze upon her whole body and cursed herself for wearing the skirt.
"You can change into something else, if you're uncomfortable. But after take off, " he said and she nodded. She would wear the jeans she had in the trolley suitcase.
The take off went smoothly and ten minutes later Tyler sat with his laptop to work. She got up to go to the bedroom of the aircraft for her luggage. She took out her denims and went to the bathroom to change.
Feeling much better, she packed her skirt away and went to sit where she was originally seated. Tyler looked up and down her body, openly checking her out.
"Go through my schedule River. Tell me what I have planned for the day," he asked, as he continued to look at her.
"You have a meeting today at 12 noon. After that you need to meet celebrity chef, Christian Halford who wishes to host a TV show using the kitchen of one of our Parker Suites. He needs your permission," she said as she picked up her phone. She had already learnt his schedule and could repeat it without looking at it.
"Great. Is the permission drafted?" He asked, knowing it was too much to expect from her. She was fresh out of college and a PA's job wasn't her forte.
"Yeah, I'm forwarding it, check, " she said, as she got busy with her mobile.
He checked and was very pleased with it. "Who do we have a meeting with at 12 noon?" He tried to cross-examine her to see whether she was taking an interest in her work.
"Real estate agent, Elite Realty Group's representative, Bill McNulty. We are interested in one of their properties near Wyndham Los Angeles International Airport," she said, and Tyler was really impressed.
"Good. I think I'll keep you with me forever," he said with a wink. River stared at his face. Was there an underlying meaning to his words or was she imaging it again? He smiled inwardly at her confused face. She was so naive that he wanted to kiss her hard. Soon he would, he had to for his mental and physical wellbeing. He was tired of this torture, this constant yearning that he felt for her.
They arrived at Los Angeles and went outside the aircraft. There was an Audi waiting for them with a handsome, tall guy leaning against it as he talked on his mobile phone.
The moment he saw them, he disconnected his call and stood up straight. They approached him and he grinned at her. She could hear Tyler's grunt as his hands formed angry fists.
"Hey bro, so good to see you. Who's this?" He asked checking her out.
"Lucas, stay away from her. She's my PA," said Tyler, as he glared at Lucas. That didn't deter Lucas.
Lucas laughed heartily. "What? Your first PA? I thought you didn't like PA's. Well, introduce me, please, " he said and Tyler continued to glare at him.
Lucas stretched his hand out,"Hi, I'm Lucas Parker. Your boss's cousin. I look after operations of the Parker Suites in Western and southern USA," he said.
She looked at Tyler's angry face. What was wrong with him? She held Lucas's hand and shook it firmly,"River Ann Wilson," she said.
"Wow, lovely name for a lovely lady. I'll call you Ann, " said Lucas with a grin, still holding her hand.
"Done? Now can we get down to business? We have a meeting to attend to, River. Get in the car," growled Tyler with an angry, red face.
She climbed into the back of the car and Tyler loaded their luggage and followed wordlessly onto the passenger seat. Lucas climbed onto the driver's seat and started the car, cruising out of the airport.
"How long are you here, Ann?" Asked a very excited Lucas, looking at her through the rearview mirror.
"She's with me on work. She's not available to date you," grunted a disgusted Tyler.
"Chill bro, why are you so worked up? She wouldn't be working 24 hours. I can take her out to see the star attractions of LA," said Lucas, happily.
"Shut up and drive Lucas. River isn't going anywhere with you," said Tyler irritatedly.
"Hey you're a very mean boss, bro," said Lucas pouting. "You don't allow your employees any enjoyment?" Asked Lucas, as Tyler clenched his teeth.
"So, Ann, be ready tonight. We'll go to the hotel's nightclub, " said Lucas, ignoring his brother.
"Don't you dare, Lucas. She's mine, only mine," Tyler gritted out as they reached the hotel where they'd be staying. He opened the car door and went out. He opened her door, and helped her out and roughly holding her by the wrist he pulled her inside with him.
"Tyler, our luggage?" She mumbled, but who was listening?
