Eva was shocked at the roots of her hair at what he just told her. If she had known about this before, she wouldn’t have ever agreed to accompany him on this trip. Maybe that was the exact reason he kept it from her!
“I shouldn’t have come along with you.” She felt guilty that he had to travel with her when he could easily have gone on the private jet with his family. Alexander looked a little annoyed at her comment and strode towards the master bedroom.
“Be ready in a few minutes. We’re going out,” he said over his shoulders before disappearing inside the room, leaving her alone to figure out where she would sleep. Eva pulled her luggage towards the smaller room that seemed to be a children’s room, but nevertheless, it would be fine for her. She could adjust. She wondered why Alexander traveled with her instead, even after knowing his parents’ plans. Did he want to be with her instead of with Beatrix? Her heart sang with excitement and she quickly freshened up, eager to go out with him. She chose a blush pink top with a matching hat and a pair of white figure-hugging jeans. On an impulse, she added a dash of makeup, wanting to look presentable alongside Alexander. With his extreme good looks, she usually faded away in comparison. He was like the sun while she was just the moon! They were polar opposites!
An impatient knock on her door brought her back to reality. “Coming!” she yelled out aloud, adjusting her bikini underneath the outfit before emerging from the room. It was always better to be prepared for anything. She had packed a spare set of clothes and undergarments and a towel too, just in case she needed them. Suddenly, to her horror, the door opened and Alexander barged in, leaving her frozen on the spot.
“What the hell!” she swore, glaring at him accusingly. Alexander stopped in his tracks, his gaze traveling all over her, checking her out minutely. Eva instantly left her clothes alone, still with her eyes pinned upon him. She didn’t remember leaving the door unlocked! Then how did he enter?
“What? You said to come in, so here I am,” he shrugged innocently although his eyes sparkled with amusement.
“I said I was coming. Never mind. Shall we go?” she asked but noted the distinct grin on his face, his one-track male brain having clearly misinterpreted her words. Why did she have to choose to say them?
She rolled her eyes as she picked up her small backpack and walked out of her room with a deep blush on her cheeks, but the cozy, small space made her acutely aware of him. As she brushed past him, she could distinctly feel the warmth emanating from his body while his signature cologne tingled her senses. How would she survive his hot presence for the next few days? Then there was a road trip coming up! Would she have to sleep with him in his car as well? How did he manage to come up with these ideas to torture her more?
Her soft body brushed with his and her long silky hair tickled his muscular forearms as she went past him, leaving him delirious. The way the top clung to her curves made him lose his mind altogether. He followed her like a lost puppy as she opened the door and walked out.
“Where are we going tomorrow? How long will your parents stay in San Jose? Do we have to return home from here?” she asked as they stood close to one another in the elevator. No one else was around and Eva was going crazy imagining the road trip coming up. She had to know what he had in store for them.
“Mom, dad, and Beatrix will stay in San Jose for almost a week. We can utilize the time by going on a road trip to Las Vegas. You’ll love it! We can visit San Jose once they leave!” Eva smiled with relief that he had planned everything so well. She wouldn’t need to meet his family!
“Thank you, Alexander. This means a lot to me,” she whispered, searching his eyes. Did he know she felt grateful and overwhelmed that he wanted to spend time with her instead?
“Same here,” he said, holding her gaze. Maybe a second longer in the close confines of the elevator would have made him pull her into his arms, but sadly they reached the ground floor and the doors slid open. However, instead of going out, Alexander escorted her past the reception desk straight down the corridor.
“Aren’t we going sightseeing?”
“Yes, we are. Let’s calm your rumbling stomach first,” he said, curbing the smile trying to break free. Eva rolled her eyes but her heart thumped wildly at the thought of being with him the whole day, but she wouldn’t show him how much he was affecting her. She marched ahead towards the restaurant, loving the day already. The moment she reached the end of the corridor, she gasped at seeing a covered patio with seating arrangements all around a fountain. There were pine trees and pecan trees with string lights wrapped around their trunks that would light up at night. It was a fine-dining restaurant with a difference, something Eva had never experienced in her twenty-two years of life.
“Do you like the place? Those pecan trees you see there are 100 years old. This place is famous for its wide range of tequilas. We can try them in the night,” said Alexander while Eva nodded, looking around in awe.
“Have you come to Phoenix before?” she asked with curiosity.
“Yes, three years ago. One of the first outlets of Rotterdams in Arizona was inaugurated here in Phoenix. It’s walking distance from here but we won’t visit it,” said Alexander with a grim look on his face.
“Why? Would they complain to your mentor if they found out that you were with me?” she asked, feeling a little guilty.
“Yes, and also I’m on a vacation after five long years. I won’t get involved in any work for the next fourteen days.” Eva smiled as she peered into the menu card, quite pleased with his decision. He would be hers for fourteen days! It was unbelievable, actually.
“Good enough! You’re stuck to me for fourteen days!” Her eyes widened, and she clamped her mouth shut after that slip of the tongue. Alexander looked taken aback by her comment but then he laughed at her sweetness and poured over the menu card too. His laughter echoed in her head as it was quite rare for Alexander Van Every to feel genuinely happy and amused.
“I wanted to be.” Eva’s cheeks flushed with color as she realized what he had just admitted to her. Her crazy heart skipped a beat, but before she could think of a reply, the server came over to take their order. Alexander ordered their signature dish, shredded beef Chimichangas for himself and Pico de Gallo Chicken Quesadillas for her.
“Do you want any soup or dessert?” he asked her, knowing her well. She couldn’t eat a lot at one go and usually needed to nibble at regular intervals.
“No, please. I couldn’t eat anything more.” Alexander smiled but ordered an Apricot tart and tangy lemon bars for dessert. He knew her too well, more than she did.
“Are you keeping track of the expenses? We’ll share the bills,” said Eva, taking out her phone to calculate.
“No, this vacation was my idea and I’m paying for it. No more arguments on this, Eva.”
“Why do you always dictate me around? Can’t we split the bills, please? It will make me feel better,” she argued, but Alexander was firm in his decision. He wouldn’t take her hard-earned money.
“You can thank me later by cooking every day for me,” he suggested and Eva sighed, giving up already.
“Fine but only as long as you aren’t married or engaged. The day you get back with Beatrix, I’ll not cook for you anymore,” she said, her eyes flashing threateningly, but instead of getting annoyed, Alexander grinned at her.
“Deal! Don’t forget your promise,” he said, his eyes glittering with excitement and something else. Eva searched them but couldn’t fathom whether it was just excitement or a look of determination too. Whatever it was, she waited for him to swear that he would never get back with Beatrix, and wait for her to cook for him every day. He didn’t but eagerly awaited her reply instead.
“I won’t,” she said with a sigh. Alexander raised his eyebrow at her.
“Why the sigh? Am I forcing you to cook for me? I remember you used to love to help granny Miriam whenever we used to have dinner at Skylar and Caleb’s house.” Eva’s mouth hung open, realizing that he knew to what extent she would go to cook for him whenever Skylar’s grandparents invited them over. She always loved cooking, from the age of ten when she started developing a deep crush on the sixteen-year-old Alexander who was extra attentive, protective, and caring towards her. However, a year later, everything changed between them and he started staying away, ignoring her. It hurt Eva a lot, but she was clueless about what changed so suddenly.
“I still do.” Their food arrived and Alexander discussed their sightseeing plans with her, forgetting their initial topic. The food was extraordinary and just as Alexander had anticipated, Eva couldn’t stop devouring the treats he ordered bringing a smile to his face.
He realized that the next fourteen days he had with her would be the best days of his life! Shouldn’t he utilize them to the maximum and make memories with her?