The Carrero Contract - Amending Agreements (Book 2 of Contract Trilogy)

22

The rest of the plane ride is short and silent between us. We stay seated together, but I stare out the window and act like I am engrossed in watching the nothing in the darkness and just watch aimlessly for city lights. Alexi stays with me, quietly listening to his family and occasionally joining in across the aisle to chat without really returning to the party—an uneasy vibe between us.

I don't care. I wish he would move and leave me be, but he seems oblivious to what I want. We are close to landing anyway so it isn't that much longer before we do, and Alexi seems introverted and sulky, no longer in the mood to join the fun in any real way. I guess our row has killed his mood but I have no remorse over what he started.

He's still a shit head.

I just feel numb and tired and have no will to get merry anymore.

When we depart quickly from the plane everyone is shuttled in a bus to a nearby five-star hotel they all seem very familiar with and left to get ready. Much to my shock, considering how well I know him, Alexi has booked me my own room next to his, but not connected by internal doors. He ushers me there, carrying my bag for me in our weird moody silence, and then deposits me without any fuss; Handing me my key card as he wanders to his own without a second glance. No smile, no verbal, nothing. Just directed, deposited and deserted.

I guess he is still in the mother of all moods ... Sulking or something.

I don't spend much time pondering that but get showered as quickly as I can, knowing we are heading right back out and not lingering in our rooms. It doesn't take me long to get glamorous, seeing as speed prepping is a skill I acquired over the years. I mean, when you are paid by the hour and want to get out as soon as your client pays you for his fuck, you get your ass ready in a heartbeat and leg it before he expects extras. A lot of men get buyer's remorse once the money leaves their hands and no longer agree they should pay for sex.

As soon as I am ready I wander out to the hall to see if Alexi is out here yet and catch him leaving his room too, his eyes running over my short sparkly number and high strappy shoes with more than an appreciative glance. He doesn't seem as frosty now and my own mood is marginally lifted from the process of doing my hair and makeup. It's always been a calming pastime that I enjoyed. Turning plain jane into supermodel. It makes me feel better.

It's obvious he likes what he sees and that flat expression warms a little around the edges. I feel a million dollars in this outfit and I am hoping it puts the glitter back in my tight emotions. I haven't found a reason to be happy about being here yet and the little frown still lingering on his face just adds to that sense of foreboding. Both of us brewing I guess.

'You look stunning. Silver is nice on you.' Alexi surprises me by breaking the cold silence between us with a compliment and I blink at him a little suspiciously. His furrowed brow smooths out as he scans the complete glittery number that moulds to my body, and he hits me with a dimpled smile instead— A subtle one—It has an odd effect on my nerves.

'Thanks. You paid for it.' I add in response drily, eyeing him up in his all black getup; shirt, casual trousers and expensive matt leather shoes. His leather jacket is back on and shades nestled in his hair even though it's late evening and hardly sunny. It's darker than dark out there already.

I can grudgingly acknowledge he does look hot, as per usual, and yet he is still pissing me off by just breathing. Even if he's back to playing nice and applying the charm thickly, I cannot just move on the way he seems to.

'Still pissed, huh?' He walks towards me and casually holds out an arm for me to take, as though chivalry is a normal act for him, but I just pull my silver leather clutch bag closer and shrug him away with a glare.